IN SUPPORT OF VOA AMHARIC SERVICE

The voice of America, was first launched in German language, in 1942, to at the height of Hitler%u2019s Nazi%u2019s aggression. It was during the brutal Mengistu Hailemariam dictatorship (The Derg), 4 decades later that the VOA started its broadcast in Amharic.

Since then, the VOA Amharic service together with the German Radio Amharic service, have been the only independent source of information for the Ethiopian people. Its balanced, measured, independent and factual reporting has made the VOA the respected and loved media by tens of millions of Ethiopians.

The VOA cannot be like Ethiopian Radio, a radio that is solely a propaganda machine for the dictators in Ethiopia. The VOA has to broadcast all views to the public. As it presents views of the opposition, it does equally accommodate views of the government. Government statements, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi%u2019s speeches in Parliament and press conferences he held were reported on regular basis. Each time an opposition leader is interviewed government officials responses (Ethiopian Embassies) were sought for.

However, In spite of all these facts, the ruling Party EPRDF is not content by the VOA Amharic service impartial reporting. With technologies acquired from the Chinese, the Zenawi regime jammed the Voice of America, a voice of a country that provides billions of dollars aid to Ethiopia. Defending this dictatorial action, Mr. Zenawi arrogantly accused the VOA as a tool for genocide, by comparing it with a Radio in Rwanda that instigated genocide in 1994.

It did not take long for VOA to come up with a solution and continued its decades long noble service to the Ethiopian people at large. It continued broadcasting the Amharic service by Satellite, sending a clear message to dictators that the VOA cannot be bullied.

In view of the continued unfair and unjust attack against the VOA Amharic service by the Zenawi regime and his cadres, it has become important for listeners of the VOA to stand up and make their voices heard.

Therefore ,we the undersigned, who regularly listen the VOA Amharic service:

1. condemn and reject the unfair, unjust and absurd characterization of the VOA by the Zenawi regime. The VOA is not an instrument that instigates genocide as Mr. Zenawi said.. The VOA is one of the two very popular ( The other being German Radio) voice of reason democracy and human right that is loved, respected and listened by tens of millions of Ethiopians.






2. stand in solidarity with the VOA, and offer our great appreciation for the US Statement department, the VOA director for allowing the very important VOA Amharic service in Ethiopia to continue under difficult circumstances.

3. thank the VOA Amharic service members, for their professionalism, measured and balanced approaches, their dedication and above all for being on the top of all important items and issues in Ethiopia.