stop crying foul, you are not the only volunteers in the country, there plenty who are genuinely there to help without sticking their nose in other people’s internal affair. you must be one of those dirty minded agents with hidden agenda. you deserve to be thrown out. well done ethiopia.

I hop this goverment will loose the coming ellection, This is the one story exposed to the medea, but there are thousands like that happening everyday and nobody knows about it,

Though the support and assistance of the volunteers might be considered valuable, the procedures for volunteering in the country and the law of the land should be respected. One can not go and do his business as he or she likes and leave the country when ever s/he feels to do so because it’s Ethiopia. As any Ethiopian can not simply go and do whatever volunteering or so, the Americans also should follow the same.

If you come into the country lawfully, I think you will not face any such kind of a problem, but if you think you can go to any part of the world without fulfilling the necessary arrangement, I hope that will not work for Ethiopia.

But let me tell you that the deportation, if so, has noting to do with the upcoming election and I hope the authorities are not scared of your teaching of “democracy” in rural villages of Ethiopia.

I wish you the best in your voluntary services

Welcome to the gulag that is Ethiopia! It is unfortunate that these selfless young people have to be traumatized this way. The fact is the average Ethiopian who comes into contact with the government would be delighted to swap places with these kids. And yet our tax dollars go by the billions to support these goons who terorize their people and anyone who might bear witness to the terror.

A student reporter’s illegal visa violation turned into heroic story. Someone call a Hollywood producer…Is Angelina Jolie available?

There seems to be an epidemic of wanna-be American journalists getting caught sneaking undocumented into conflict zones, pretending to be “hikers” in Iran,” “sightseers” in North Korea and now “teachers” in Ethiopia? Once caught they all cry foul, and pile on as much negative images as possible, hoping to get article picked up by network media. Some call this as lazy journalism, others say it�s how you work your way to the top, baby!

Since this story was last posted by Rory Linnane herself under the heading “Captured in Ethiopia: An American nightmare,” The Daily Cardinal, August 26, 2009, key facts have been omitted.

For a start, there is omission that Rory Linnane and her group purposely chose not to obtain a teaching visa before entering Ethiopia. They instead request a tourist visa on arrival. They knew teaching visas for their 6-week trip could not be processed without a teaching and/or college degree verification prior to arrival (none of which student journalists like Rory and her group had). Ethiopia might be a developing nation, but every teacher is a graduate of a teaching college.

Second, Rory Linnane in her own article claimed her deportation was politially motivated because she and her group were teaching English to the oppressed Oromo ethnic people. That statement has also been omitted in above article, since a quick Internet search will show U.S. Peace Corps and United Nations Volunteers (UNV) have educators stationed all over Ethiopia, even in Oromo regions. They are true humanitarians, serving 1-2 years (no short photo-op trips or news article gathering), and all their credentials are verified.

I feel sorry for these people who were arrested. But everyone should respect the country’s law. If Ethiopian law strictly forbids you from having any political role, from teaching political agenda, any involvement in election or human rights, you have to obey because that is the rule in that part of the world. Just try to think how the American law would treat me if I get married to three women here in bay state even though I am from Africa and a Muslim which gives me unconditional right to have far more than 3 wives. For the broken English of the armed people, that�s all they have. I can see how dirty the ‘prison’ is, but again that is all we have. I have a strong suspicion that you people were somewhat illegal (not fully registered to do what you were doing) because even American Embassy was unaware of the group�s presence in the country. The bottom line is that; obey the country�s law. No one can behave or act in Ethiopia, any other country in general, and try to justify that on the ground of American values and law.

This is not about respecting a law. The problem is the ethiopian government is well known for killing and arresting people for no reason. This is the most selfish government ever in the world. I have great respect and appreciation for even attempting to do such a wonderful thing. The government of Ethiopia will do anything to stay in power. Keep up your hard work not just you guys but we, ethiopian American’s will join you for such a volunteer tasks. I am glad you guys are back home safe.

Dear Kyle Mianulli,

Thank you so much for airing this sad news. I felt for Rory Linnane and Brett Hebert for I personally experienced the inhuman Ethiopian regime of minority Tigres. The minority ethic government of Ethiopia do not want other Ethnic group in the country to educate lest education will lead to consciousness of the gross human right violation perpetrated by the Tigres. The majority ethinic group in the country (the Oromos) are the primary target of the regime and watched meticulously. I was imprisoned in 1993 because I attended a peaceful meeting that discussed how the Oromos can get rid of poverty and ignorance.

look, i think they saved you from the nile crocodiles. It is great that you ventured out of USA and not to the popular tourist destinations, but do the research. Talk to the right people and the various bodies of the society before buying a ticket. Even trying to find a sponsor family in Adis would have helped to familiarize you with the land. Again it is great that you tried to get experiance out of the paradise, and i hope this has been a positive learning experience.

Rory,

Thank you for the Eyewitness that how the Oromo peopel under opperssed and being forced under darkness.

Calaa

I see you did not post my earlier comment, so much for free speech, and you want to be a journalist? No network media will ever carry your article; it has amateur written all over it.

Although I am not a fan of the Ethiopian government I think they have little to be blamed. That student just went to ethiopian to ‘thicken’ her CV not just to teach. Ethiopian students language skill will not ace with a mediocere 6 weeks sophomer.

Don’t teach them English! I already get enough spam from Africa.

GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND FRIEND OF ETHIOPIA

Stand firm U.S., Stand firm, the current government of Ethiopia is not a friend of America, rather it is a friend of killing and imprisonment. It tries to playsa very silly, unexpectedly cruel to its people, totally insane game. The game is like this: It tries to tell U.S. ‘the help from U.S. is not a necessity, and U.S. can stope the aid, we have other options and we can subsist’. But in reality, many poor ones will die if U.S. does not support the country like in the case of H.I.V etc. The U.S. does know the suppression of the tyrant but does give aid to help reduce some problems of the poor there. This shows, the government of Ethiopia is a totally unaccountable, irresponsible and inhuman government ruling by only force.

Therefore, I call for U.S., continue what USAID does, but put many conditions to all the resources the government gets in different ways, like from WB, IMF, Global Fund, etc. Call firmly for transparency and accountability. Call for transparency and accountability. What the WB does is good but it could not enforce the intended transparency and accountability because it gives the money directly to the government to give to woredas (districs) to implement and WB monitors later. I tell you, this does not work that much. Please people working in foreign agencies in the country, I understand your situation but you better loose your job by telling the truth because many are dying than keeping quite and overly abundant patience. How can the government force and get apology from agencies like WFP when they tell the reality…How can WFP apologizes against the truth… so many cases like this. The government went so far, soooo far.

You did not have the correct type of visa, so you were deported. Just because you are white and American does not entitle for a privileged treatment. Every day thousands are deported from your country. And you talk of being abused, ridiculous!

Well!, what is new, this is what Americans are all about. They think they have GOD given rights to entervin and intrude as they wish in to any countries around the glove, and the indiginous government of those counries as well as the population has no right to expel them, once they are cought with their hands in the cokie jars. If the US embassy did not know about the pressence of these bratt kids in Ethiopia, they most likly dicived their visa as tourist, but then stayed and started to doing their precorious work of poliotical manupilation and agitation of some political prepardness of some sort. I am so sick of the stupid Americans ego meniac imperialism and the only super power mentality. They can not handle the position of being the world leader. They are so childish and ego sentric meniacs.

To Nazreth.com

Weyana’s non-human action is not something new for the world, especially for the people of ethiopia. However, I am not satisfied with the source of this news because it doesn’t tell what city or town these two Americans were arrested. Moreover, it says they are UW students. What does it mean UW? do you mean University of Washington.nazreth.com please try to give us some details when you post this kind of news.

Thanks

The problem has nothing to do with visa. If it were meant to change the nature of visa, the government agents could advise the volunteer students to change the nature of their visa. They don’t deserve detention and deportation while they still hold a valid visa, be that a tourist visa, until their visa expires. And it is also important to note that the rounding-up and deportation did not take place that soon. Had it been the visa issue, the government agents would not have been silent for so long. I know a number of people who went to Ethiopia on tourist visa to deal with different stuffs. Thus, their claim of visa problem is BS.

Therefore, the rounding-up and and deportation has more sinister objective than just the visa problem. For foreigners, it may be surprising. But for those of us who know the current dictatorial government of Ethiopia, nothing is out of ordinary. They suspect and fear foreigners from venturing into the deep corners of Oromia and Ogaden, where the government agents commit the worst human right abuses. Thus, the explanation giving to the student by the US Embassy officials holds water. In addition, deporting foreigners with valid visa from Oromia and Ogaden is not new. The government agents do not trust their own shadows in certain parts of the country. Had the volunteers been in Tigray region, they would have been allowed to teach English to the kids until the end of their terms. That is the ugly side of the government of Ethiopia. Sadly, the US government considers the dictatorial regime in Addis as some partners in the Horn of Africa, and American tax-payers contribute to financing such dictatorship.

The more I read about the story of these Ameriacn zealot kids the more I get puzzeled about the whole event. As this is not the first LE program in Ethiopia we should be informed on how and where they get their visas? Did they get it at the Airport up on arrival? If that is the case they will be considered as tourists not ” Teachers”. To the best of my knowledge those who travel to Ethiopia for even a one day work, lecture, teaching,preaching or any business meeting must secure a business visa prior to their departure.One can not claim to be a part of a teaching mission while he/she is holding a tourist visa on his/her passport.

Secondly, who helped in organizing the “mission” from the Ethiopian side? Did they failed to realize that these young boys and girls could end up in a hostage crisis across the border. We have seen in the past that some zealot reporters who think they have connection with one particular clan ended in the custody of another rival clan that refused to release them with out a big some of money is extended to them.

Thirdly, It looks that the American Embassy staff or as Rory said those “white faces” who filled in the “cell” were not aware of the presence the students in the first place. If they were tourists I can understand they may not need to inform the Embassy but if for a teaching mission it is un heard of.

I am happy that the students are safely back home. That by itself is enough and should stop dramatize and sensetionalize the event. They should think of what would have happened if they were in Somalia,Kenya, Congo, Nigeria, Yemen, Iran , Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Afgahn, Mexico, Saudi, some Magrebe states and south east asian countries? I will leave it to any ones guess. My advise to the students is to keep their diary and one day it may help them as a lesson to learn from ones own mistakes rather than finding fault.

Few months ago, the world media reported that a 22 years old American staff of the US Embassy in Ethiopia was sodomized and murdered in his Addis abeba home by the Woyane security forces for making Ethiopan friends that the Meles regime consider political opponents.

American can feel the flavour of the Tigrayan thugs in power in Ethiopia. If Meles can do that to the Americans that feed his population, imagine what the defenseless Ethiopians are going through every day.

The families of those Americans that feed the hungry with their tax money should be glad and thank GOD that their children were not raped, tourchared and murdered and came back home.

The people in Wisconson, especially the university students should write and call their represntatives and put pressure to continue enlist Meles and his thugs on a terorist and corrupt watch-list that do not desrve a penny of their tax money.

It is sad when every thing is politicized. Why are people blinded not to tell the truth? As an Ethiopian I respect Oromo peoples question of independence even though I believe in unity. Why is so important to galvanize independence politics with volunteers.

It is clear in the constitution of Ethiopia that any nation can request independence through legal and peace full means.

Why are Oromo elites failing to do their homework and instead sending messengers to do the job for them?

Dear volunteer I believe you can do the volunteer again with the proper channel and do not give up. You can also talk in volunteer school about democracy, human rights principles with out siding or affiliating yourself to any political group. You can talk American, European, Chinese, Canadian, Russian or any democratic principles.

We cannot though violet any nations Law. I do not mean though that Ethiopia democracy is with out a problems in understanding democracy, rights, standing for your rights etc. How people, some officials or cadres interpret it has lot of problems. But this does not give free pass to violet existing law with its short comings.

Let me give you one example and what happened in America to an Ethiopian taxi driver. He was brutally punched by two police in the face, in Las Vegas. But it does not mean that no democracy or no low In USA.

To all politicians in government or opposition camp truth will always judge you.

The Ethiopian government is a greedy organization of wolves who beg for food aid money using images of starving Ethiopians then store the moeny in Swiss banks. They do not encourage unity whatsover and have divided the country into ethnic federations so people cannot move around Ethiopia freely, and they encourage hostilty and distrust between all the tribes. Hence why the comment above came from an Oromo OLF supporter who has been brainwashed by the Tigres that the region which they live in only belongs to Oromo people and not the Amhara people or other tribes, when the Oromo moved there in the 1600’s from Rawanda. The government is a racist Tigray tribed bandit organisation who loot Ethiopia to devlop their northern province and then sit and watch while the southern Ethiopia perishes in ethinc war which they helped create. The Ethiopian media is a propoganda full of lies and deceit. Plenty of websites are banned in Ethiopia any website that insults the dictator government or encourages the opposition party Andenet whose leader Birtukan is inprisonned. Teddy Afro who’s lyrics are based on the misfortunes of tghe Ethiopian people who have no freedom of press whatsover was inprisoned. The governmnet of Ethiopia is so racist it even called the US government a N** adminstration when Hillary Clinton shunned them when she was doing an Africa tour. Please visit the site where the national government of Ethiopia’s website insults the USA http://ecadforum.com/blog/2009/08/05/ethiopia-beyond-shame-the-madness-of-aiga-forum/

Your live in USA and you did not get out of your back ward tribal thinking, Mr anonymous. Ethiopia is better off every time, people travel where ever they want when ever they want. The region is demarcated based on Ethnicity to solve the problems of Ethnicity we had for centuries in our country and was an assurance for the people.

Bigot like you were crying in time of king, In communist dergue who believed one Ethiopia and Amharic. And now when Woyane recognises your cry, you still crying.

The resons of your crying is not because you have legitimate issue but your living was secured in western world crying and raising funds by the name of people.

And believe me you will die crying with out dling nothing. Oromo are proud Ethiopians who gave their lives all time in history and recently horoically defended against eritrean aggression.

We Ethiopians will live with out Ethinic division, religious division for ever.

Last I would like to say you are nothing but Isaias banda

Jimm from Europe.

i think in Ethiopia is relative and good system of democracy based on” chech and balance”.Otherwise why thousand of eritreans looks for asylum in Ethiopia?Pls see the tragic situation is in Eritrea,ruled by Bandis shifta isias afeworki and his team.

Viva Ethiopia and Eritrea ppl.

I personally know one of these college students; he is an honest and honorable person. I have been to a number of African countries over the years and when his parents told me where he was going I was worried for his safety. I personally wouldn�t go there without a helicopter gunship in my back pocket. As I knew they would my fears were proved correct. The repressive Ethiopian government has proved they are not worthy of being trusted. I won�t say that well meaning volunteers should stay out of Africa but please learn as much as you can about where you are going and then think twice about going.

I personally know one of these college students; he is an honest and honorable person. I have been to a number of African countries over the years and when his parents told me where he was going I was worried for his safety. I personally wouldn�t go there without a helicopter gunship in my back pocket. As I knew they would my fears were proved correct. The repressive Ethiopian government has proved they are not worthy of being trusted. I won�t say that well meaning volunteers should stay out of Africa but please learn as much as you can about where you are going and then think twice about going.

I personally know one of these college students; he is an honest and honorable person. I have been to a number of African countries over the years and when his parents told me where he was going I was worried for his safety. I personally wouldn�t go there without a helicopter gunship in my back pocket. As I knew they would my fears were proved correct. The repressive Ethiopian government has proved they are not worthy of being trusted. I won�t say that well meaning volunteers should stay out of Africa but please learn as much as you can about where you are going and then think twice about going.