Dear Parliamentarians,

 It was with great curiosity that we have read the resolution of the Parliament on the situation in Ethiopia.

 Ethiopia's political landscape, as you are well aware of, has shown a qualitative transformation after the May elections in which the opposition have made significant gains in both the federal and state councils.

 Amid allegations of alleged irregularities the process which saw a huge turnout defining the determination of the people to nurture a pluralist society, has encountered a set-back in the form of street violence fomented by the opposition in a vein attempt to unseat the elected government.

 In the run-up to the elections, opposition leaders and activists were engaged in hate-politics as a prelude to their hidden motives of removing the constitutional    order abusing the good-will gesture of the government that allowed them to use every available means of communication. 

 Decided on usurping power by any means including the use of force, the opposition, over alleged vote rigging have mounted an insurrection that led into a regrettable loss of life not to mention damages done to private as well as public property.

 Government warning went unheeded.  The opposition against the deal they signed with the government to rectify any irregularities through Complaints Investigation Panel (CIP), in which foreign observers were also included, boycotted the process in defiance to established norms, to carry on with rhetorics and incitements that led to the street violence.

 Election - related complaints should not have led to any type of confrontation were the adamant leadership of the opposition to uphold the rule of law and operate within the framework of the constitution. 

 In Ethiopia, we believe we do have an independent judiciary which has been transforming itself to an established democratic institution through a series of reforms its has undertaken. 

 Democratic institution like the Police, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Courts have significantly been consolidated and upgraded since the downfall of the tyrannical regime to guarantee the deepening of democracy.

 Honorable Parliamentarians,

 As duty-bound citizens, we believe, any government worth the name, has the duty to maintain peace and social security.  The unrest and chaos that threatened the life of citizens disrupting stability had to stop.  No body can take the law into their hands.  And that is what democracy-the rule of law- is all about.  Where there are all legal instruments for the opposition to express grievances, resorting to violence is absolutely unacceptable.

 After so much tolerance of the intolerant opposition, members of the hard line leadership of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, the CUD, and certain editors of private papers were detained and are now facing charges of treason and genocide.

 While we appreciate your concern regarding their treatment under police custody, we would like to assure you, from what we hear from the press, no harassment and violation of rights were reported.  Even those under detention have verified this in their own words.

 Yes, there were suspects rounded up in connection to the riots, but most of them were released following investigations and the rest will face the law; their trial, we believe, should be conducted in a transparent manner, and we hope justice will prevail.

 Honorable Parliamentarians,

 We believe, those extremist opposition leaders and their sympathizers under police custody are suspected transgressors. Gone are the days in which people were thrown into dungeons due to their political views.

 Esteemed Parliamentarians,

 Look at the newly elected parliament. Heated debates characterize it; highly divergent views are aired.  It could have been livelier had all the CUD MP elects have taken their seats.  (69 of them have now joined the parliament.)  It was the hardliners, now facing trial, who have intimidated members forcing them to boycott parliament.  We want to assure you dissent is no more taken to be a threat. Only hate -mongering and riotering will be a liability. Redress on any grievance could be sought through the exhaustive use of the legal instruments put in place for the purpose.

 At present over 55 newspapers are in circulation.  Most of them constitute the private press, which serve as opposition organs.

 Regarding the public media, what we know is different from your assumptions.  We believe, the taxpayers' money should be properly utilized to bring about the desired changes fostering peace and development.  Programmes and news broadcast in the media should definitely follow rules set by the respective editorial policies.  Inflammatory rhetoric and incendiary speeches surely, do not fit here. We can't afford another round of bloodletting.   Otherwise, there is no restriction and the media outlets serve all according to the responsibilities vested on them.  Live broadcasts of Parliament debates are common and every body is entitled to his opinion.

 Esteemed Parliamentarians,

 We don't want to remind you democracy is a process.  Ethiopians have begun exercising their rights and they appreciate your support in deepening democracy. In the last analysis, we would like to assure you of our commitment for peace and justice as owners and masters of our destiny.