I am sure you are aware of the articles posted on Aigaforum? I think, most if not all are pro government. The regular contributors are hailing the work of the government and demonising the opposition (CUD) and its incarcerated leaders. It appears as if the website itself is there to fend for the incumbent. As a journalist, why don't you give us a balanced commentary (as you just did) now and then? Is it not possible to do it anonymously, if one is afraid of getting the same fate as the AP reporter. It is indeed a shame to get a one-sided view when there are capable reporters and commentators (who can easily avoid government reprisal) observing the situation on site.

Andrew,

You said "All I can say is that I must be living in a different Addis", Yes you sure are either living in Sheraton or Grand Palace. You are blogging on digital and some luxury staffs, ignoring the destitution, challenges and resistance of the Ethiopian people. You might have been blackmailed.

VOA begs to differ, were you present at the ceremony Andrew?.......because VOA has recorded the incident and it doesn’t sound like it was just a couple of stone throwers, the VOA reporter reported a beating and detentions.

Andrew, on you criticism of ethio-zagol, EZ has been a reliable source of information to us so far, almost all its reports are on target. EZ is doing what you journalists need to be doing. I’m sorry to say this but all of you there are cowards scared to report the truth for fear of the government disrupting your lifestyles. Why don’t you report on the trials, why don’t you report on surviving families of victims of June killings, why don’t you report on the massive lifestyle differences in Ethiopia where the elite few keep getting richer while the poor continues to be poor, why don’t you report on the teachers that are being harassed by the government, why don’t you report on the mass detentions currently going on in the oromia region, why don’t you report on the Somalia invasion?

Instead you inform us of insignificant and inconsequential events like what game is popular in addis ababa, Ethiopian on survivor show, Ethiopian idol etc..

I hope you have the courage to post this comment and the thick skin to take the advice with out taking the criticism personally.

VOA report on Teusday indicated that the Meskel cleberation was concluded with protests. And Andrew, we all have relatives, friends and families that update us on the things that are going around. Not all of us depends on the pro-opposistion bloggers.

By the way, what do you think about the defected pro-governement media journalists ??http://www.ethioforum.org/News/article/sid=1759.html
Ten of them;Kaboom !! What about the defected inquire commission members,assistant head prosecutor ?? defected high military officials ?? Defected government deplomat officials ?? Detained ETA members as indicated by Amenesty international ?? Not to mention the ongoing of harrasement and incarceration of journalists in Ethiopia.

Thank you for something balanced. That's the same news I got from friends and parents. who both attended the ceremony at Meskel square and at Ghion hotel.

Selam
An observer

Hi Andrew, First of all I would like to say that I really appreciate the work you are doing in Ethiopia and above all your neutrality. But, I would like to know why you said the H.R. 5680, the Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006, is a controversial bill? In my opinion all the bill does is emphasise on human rights and democracy, about freeing elected political leaders who have been arrested on ridiculous charges of genocide and treason, are being held in despicable conditions and face the death penalty. The passage of HR 5680 also includes an authorisation of $20 million over a period of two years to assist political prisoners, indigenous Ethiopian human rights organisations, independent media, civil society and to promote legal training. So what is controversial about asking for Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights for the Black people of Ethiopia?

Andrew,

I don't know why on earth do you think the pro-government people need blogs when they have all the mass media(Radio,TV, major news papers)under their controll with a budget of millions of Birr.Yes, it is true with the exception of few some of the anti-government blogs are emotional, inarticulate, inacurate, nearsighted, and even some of them smell non-Ethiopian.However, this does not excuse your asumption that the playing field is level and free.So my dear friend please, let the thousands of payed cadres do the craying for lack of propaganda work on the government side.For the silent majority of us until there is free press the few exceptional thoughtfull and sober blogs that are exposing the transgressions of this government are indispensible.

Hi,
I appreciate your neutral view on the meskel from Addis Ababa. I have been in touch with my friends who are anti-government in their views and they confirm there was no such incident resulting in deployment of the national forces.
I'm so hopeless with some of the citizens who can't for a second wish peace and stability in the country as long as it proved them right with their cry to the governments they live, getting good reasons for their cause.

" Ewnetna negat eyadere yeteral"
God bless you!

what does "general desire to keep their heads down and celebrate Meskel." mean. Andrew I am sure you've sensed a terrified people who would really want to protest at any moment in the presence of goverment offical to adress thier anger about the overal situation in the country, but forced to hold there feelings because they know what kind of retalatory action would be taken against them which are Killing and sever bodly harm. I am sure you know the gov'ts constitution clearly states the people can protest, but any kind of protest is taken as insurection agaisnt the government in Ethiopia. FYI, if you want to tell the thruth, say it as you believe it is.The people are afraid of " their own government." While it should have been the other way around.

http://mechachal.blogspot.com

This is my blog! It is pro the EPRDF and all that are in the legal system...
Since the illegal opposition is running its mouth from outside the country and with no credibility, it is sort of unnecessary, IMO, to rebuttal their "boy who cried wolf" syndrome constantly.

Beside, I started the blog at the height of the 2005 elections and now it takes too much effort to update it. As you can see, the page has not been updated since April '06.

If the "screamers" blogs from the US and Europe were successful in their agenda, they would not scream as much. All this hollering on their ends sounds so desperate. Especially the amount of untruthful, outright ridiculous stories and "eye witness" testimonies is plentiful and the fabrications so easily uncovered. For example some sites and blogs were reporting the PM is in critical condition in a hospital somewhere in Israel, or some other official is dead and found in the gutter. While I read that same report, I think on ER, the PM was meeting Wolfowitz (from WB) in Addis.

What's the point of these blogs? I feel it helps the doomsday cravers use them just to feed each other what they want to hear.

Andrew,

I appreciate the great job you are doing as a journalist in general and the faire and balanced report you made on this particular event. It was particularly nice to see somebody neutralizing the bias and exaggerated VOA report on the same event.
However, it is sad to see that some of the respondents here are blaming you for reporting the truth.

These people would rather hear fictional stories about chaos and blood shade.

Andrew, I must also add that I wish to see more of your pictorial reports in the future similar to the ones on the migration of the “Milk House”, the Starbuckes copy “Kaldis Café”, the construction boom of Addis Ababa, etc….

Once again, thank you.

"all I was able to detect from the people I spoke to was a general desire to keep their heads down and celebrate Meskel." - Andrew

Well, may be they saw your happy, all dressed up picture with the PM in the palace. What do you know, eh?

Andrew,
I enjoy your blog because I don't believe you have a hidden agenda. And Meskel square is not only about politics. It is frustrating to read some blogs because of the blatant lies and the hate they spew out. I get my news from my mother who lives in Addis and is objective in her analysis of Ethiopian politics (as well as being a saint BTW!) Keep up the good work.

Hi nesa - I didn't mean to make any personal comment on the merits of the bill by calling it "controversial". I just meant that it has been the cause of controversy - some people are very much for it - others (presumably the government) are very much against it. The fact that it is being stalled - by whatever means - shows that there is some sort of controversy surrounding it. Do you think that is fair enough - or does the word still imply some sort of judgement?

Addis overwhelmingly voted for CUDP and the elected Mayor and many elected MPs are in Kaliti prison which is filthy. Understandably, the great majority of Addis people are pissed off. In a country where HIV/AIDS is killing by the tens of thousands, multiple political prisoners' heads were shaved with same razor blades and were forced to run on bleeding grounds bare foot. Even if I didn't have any relatives in the city, I would've believed EZ on this MESKEL over Andrew. But I do have relatives over there and EZ seems to be on target as usual. Not everybody could've seen all the protests including my relatives who told me only what they saw; but did or didn't Abuna Paulos depart without making a speech? Was he or was he not called 'leba'? As of not seeing many more security than usual; may be you are getting used to it?

Anyway, as a non-Ethiopian I believe you have more freedom as a journalist than Ethiopians and I read you with the deported AP journalist Anthony in mind and I know if you said what you realy think of the imprisonment of free press(your peers) in Ethiopia among many things, I won't be reading you as often as I do now.

Finding the balance is a tricky thing. But all in all, you are not doing too bad and you are a human being after all. These horrible days will go away and once they are gone, you'll still be reporting, much more freely I'm sure. One day guns won't be necessary to rule in any part of Africa. Much sooner in Ethiopia I am very sure. And when that happens, not as many Ethiopians will be interested in reading your blog as they are now. I think not too many native Africans will be seriously interested in what friends of Africa have to say, just like not too many French people are interested in, let's say, what a journalist from Madagascar has written about France. But if the friends of Africa do something good like Ms. Sylvia Pankhrest did or Ms. Ana Gomez is doing, they will be remembered forever.

Andrew, keep up the good work. The occasional over-reaction to your somewhat neutral blog is interesting, to say the least (e.g. http://seminawork.blogspot.com/2006/09/teased-by-bloggers.html )

Hey Andrew,

First of all please do not post this. I am sending you a private message. I just want you to know I appreciate the work you do and the info you provide.

Incidentally the reason you are getting such a response on this issue is because this article was posted on Hagerfiker radio website. This is one of the most comprhensive pro govt. websites. It has Radio programs archived and takes on a very hardline premptive strike against ant govt supporters. It maybe worth your time to look at it.

The website address is http://hagerfikerradio.com

another good site is Aiga. I think you already know about that site.

Thanks and if you want to communicate with me send me an email at tfrew1967@yahoo.com

Again please do not post this message. I could not find an email for you so I sent you a message via

Andrew, keep up the good work.