http://www.innercitypress.com/freepress2ethiopiaus042714.html
*As Ethiopia Jails Another Journalist, US Is Asked, Will Kerry Raise in
Addis? *
*By Matthew Russell Lee*
*UNITED NATIONS, April 27 -- After Ethiopia conducted a sweep and arrest of
journalists including Tesfalem Woldeyes and six bloggers from the Zone 9
collective <
http://zone9ethio.blogspot.com/>, that the US had highlighted
bloggers in Russia and Vietnam on April 25 was raised. *
* And this question: with US Secretary of State John Kerry slated to visit
Addis Ababa next week, when will the US raise the issue? Inner City Press
was sent a photo of one of the now-arrested bloggers Natnail Feleke posing
with Kerry last year, here
<
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmLK2AwIEAAoCKX.jpg>. *
* New US Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowsi on April 25 spoke
about the US defending bloggers; the examples he gave were in Russia and
Vietnam: "Dieu Cay," Ta Phong Tan and Phan Thanh Hai. How now about
Ethiopia? *
* Later on April 26, Malinowsky said, "Alarmed by Ethiopia's detention of
6 bloggers & 2 journos yesterday. Violating freedom of expression is a sign
of insecurity, not strength." *
* He was asked, later on April 26
<
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/460253648069885952>, "Will John
Kerry be raising it in Addis?" *
* Now Ethiopia has arrested yet another journalist, Asmamaw Hailegiorgis,
editor of the weekly magazine Addis Guday. *
* In the run-up to Kerry's Africa trip, there are been conflicting
messages whether he will or will not be going to South Sudan. Should the
messaging be clearer on this straight-forward "Free the Press" issue? *
* As press freedom seasons heats up, some were surprised not only by this
brief filed in the Supreme Court
<
http://images.politico.com/global/2014/04/25/usrisenscotusbrief.html> but
also by this week's US announcement of renewed military aid to Egypt,
including 10 Apache helicopters. Isn't Egypt the country with journalists
including but not limited to those of Al Jazeera
<
https://twitter.com/FUNCA_info/status/431543337351270400/photo/1> locked
up?*
*After questions, the State Department clarified the specifics of aid to
Egypt on April 24: <
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/04/225147.htm>*
*"The Egypt bilateral foreign assistance budget for FY2014 is approximately
$1.5 billion and includes $1.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
- $200 million in Economic Support Funds; and over $7 million for other
security assistance programs, including International Military Education
and Training, International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, and
Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs. The $650
million from FY2014 FMF will be the first of this funding to move forward,
pending Congressional notification and approval."*
* The next day new US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski was asked about the detained Al Jazeera
journalists. He replied that withholding of one additional certification is
in part due to the Al Jazeera case, and therefore the case has
consequences.*
* But here is how US Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby
explained the certification:*
*Secretary Hagel told General Sobhy that we are not yet able to certify
that Egypt is taking steps to support a democratic transition, and he urged
the Egyptian government to demonstrate progress on a more inclusive
transition that respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
Egyptians.*
*Secretary Hagel also informed Minister Sobhy of President Obama's decision
to deliver ten Apache helicopters in support of Egypt's counterterrorism
operations in the Sinai. The secretary noted that we believe these new
helicopters will help the Egyptian government counter extremists who
threaten U.S., Egyptian, and Israeli security.*
* While some say "safe and free," the above shows the relationship between
"U.S., Egyptian, and Israeli security" and the freedom of the press issues
at stake in Egypt. Watch this site.*
*Footnote: Outright censorship
<
http://www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=1117933> as well as freedom
of the press issues have arisen at the UN with respect to Voice of America
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/voavicp1un062012.pdf>, on whose Broadcasting
Board of Governors John Kerry serves. Freedom of Information Act requests
have been filed with the BBG - and with the State Department
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/sri1dcdos012714.html>, including with regard
to South Sudan
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/ssudan3ladsousfail042414.html> and the US
Atrocities Prevention Board
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/sri1dcdos012714.html>. The issues are being
pursued by the newFree UN Coalition for Access <
http://www.funca.info/>.
Watch this site.*
Received on Sun Apr 27 2014 - 13:41:56 EDT
