Dear Ambassador Yamamoto,
Many thanks to you and your staff, for all the work you have done for the development and democratization of Ethiopia. As you know the release of the political prisoners, journalists and civil society activists is an important milestone for the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.
CUD North America Support Groups has welcomed the release of their leaders with great joy and relief and will surely continue to work for social and political development in Ethiopia.
At the behest of Ethiopian-American Support Groups, the CUD leaders have accepted our invitation to come to North America for a working visit and have requested entry visa to the US. The CUD North America Support Chapters have been working tirelessly for the upcoming visit of its leaders and it is with great dismay, disappointment and anger that we have received the news of the delay in the issuance of their visa.
Elected and popular CUD leaders have a special place in the hearts and minds of tens of millions of Ethiopians both inside and outside of Ethiopia. The purpose of the invitation was for them to share their peaceful vision of Ethiopia and discuss with Ethiopian Americans ways to promote democracy, peace and development in Ethiopia.
Therefore, out of respect for the millions of Ethiopians who voted for them, the hundreds of thousands of tax-paying Ethiopian American citizens who are longing to see them, and to further enhance the long standing friendship between Ethiopia and the United States, we kindly request your personal intervention to expedite the bureaucratic hurdles so that the CUDP leaders may get their entry visa to the United States at the earliest possible date.
We would also like to impress upon you that Eng. Hailu Shawel, the Chairman of CUDP has health problems that needs the attention of medical specialists.
