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ER



Nov 21, 06 - 3:07 AM 		The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Oxfam, an international NGO, has launched a massive petition drive demanding Starbucks to allow the government of Ethiopia trademark its famous coffee bean names--Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe...

more here:
http://www.ethrev.com/2006/nov/11212006_oxfam_vs_starbucks.html
Liben



Nov 21st, 2006 - 3:33 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

ER, you are too cruel.

Your political blackmail doent even spare the poor farmers right. Good God how low one can go?!

Isn`t it proper for a goverenment to fight for the right of its poor citizen farmers?

Just because this valid proposition began to show some signs of seriousness and probabaly just because the goverenement may probably takes credit for it if it happens ...you have to blackmail it and get it blocked for your political gain.

Shame on you!
dan



Nov 21st, 2006 - 3:35 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Thanks ER for voicing my concern. It is exactly the reason why I didn't sign the petition. I wonder if Oxfam is being ridden by TPLF as diversionary tactic. Only we can support the negotiation when the elected government comes out of prison and take the helm. Only then Ethiopians in general and farmers in particular can be truly represented in the negotiation table. The current government is illegal and Oxfam effort is defunct.
Abaajiifaar



Nov 21st, 2006 - 5:24 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

ER,

you are right. the barbaric regime of Meles and his family are the only benefitiaries of the resouce.
wase



Nov 21st, 2006 - 5:53 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

True this regime is corrupt and the immediate benefit from the oxfam drive is to the dictator and his cronies.
But if the trade mark is held by th Ethiopian government that is when Ethiopia becomes free the owners of that trade mark will be the Ethiopians people through the duly elected government.
I can bet this is not the intention of Meles and company and I do not think it is their idea either. It must be some an idea of a true enterprising Ethiopian civil servant who is far from being corrupt.There are many of them.
Therefor please lets not throw away the baby with the bath water.
Mamule



Nov 21st, 2006 - 8:25 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Elias,

I know you have been doing a number of good things and many may admire and support you. However, this doesn't mean whatever you said is always best for our country. Our country Ethiopia is not only yours as this web site, she is ours too.

This Starbucks issue is one of the stupidest things you'v ever said. I know you personally and you don't seem this much "keshim". I have not been comfortable with some of you attitudes like;
1- Supporting Ledetu, the real banda on earth.
2- Critsizing Dr Birhanu, the real hero of most of us.
3- Outright lie about EPPF

Now you come up with this Starbucks...I am sorry for you dear, this kinds of nonesense argumentes will also affect whaterver good things you may have, think for yourself.
Yoman



Nov 21st, 2006 - 9:41 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Bravo, Elias for showing us the other side of this issue.

Oxfam should fight:

The farmer to get a competitive price on fertilizer he buys

The farmer should be the owner of the land he works on. Today's Ethiopian farmer is exploited by the govt. In old days the feudal were demanding the farmer to share his crops with them. Today our farmer is owned by TPLF & is paying politically. Many farmers who didn't vote for TPLF in May 2005 were harassed, inprisoned & died.

The farmer to get his economic freedom of selling his crops with out the govt control & price manipulation which benefits TPLF associated companies
Temelcatch



Nov 21st, 2006 - 9:43 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

win the money first then fight meles. you are blocking what every benefit the country and the farmers might be gettign in the future. Meles has beeb stilling and will still till he stay in power anyway. It is not the starbucks money he has been stilling till now. Let meles win the case first and fight on how the money should be delivered. fools
Ye ******* bet sayizega yadral!
chombe



Nov 21st, 2006 - 9:51 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

MELES ZENAWI AND HIS TPLF FRIENDS ARE PART OWNERS OF ALAMUDIES WEALTH IN ETHIOPIA.BILLION OF DOLLARS OF ETHIOPIA'S MONEY IS GOING TO FOREIGN BANKS IN THE NAME OF ALAMUDI.
Gernelo



Nov 21st, 2006 - 10:09 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Hi dear colleagues,
OXFAM has also to state the real brutalizing force of the farmers, the corrupt regime must be held responsible for its collaboration with multi-national companies to exploit the poor farmers. The Meles regime won't raise such issues that makes the farmers beneficiaries, thanks to OXFAM to do it. Nevertheless, this organization should not stop short of condemning the main culprits of the misery of the Ethiopian people. If OXFAM fears of closure of its offices in Ethiopia and tries to comfort the regime for the extension of the contract, it will be regarded as diversion tactics from the real problem of the country.
I am dissapointed by those who blame the editor who are somehow connected to the regime, otherwise they would suggest what they feel is right to correct such mishaps.

Gernelo
Dimet



Nov 21st, 2006 - 11:26 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I agree, the money is never going to reach the poor farmers. If anything, the only one who will benefit from this is Meles. We never heard of yirgachefe coffee anywhere in the world except back home, until starbucks put it out there. We should thank them for even giving our coffee a recognition. When Meles is out of office and when the poor farmers can have their say in their own product, I will be the first in line fighting for their rights. Right now, they have no right and no one can help them get any more money then what Meles thinks they deserve. What a blood sucking parasite he is to even use their name to get more money from starbucks.
Dude from the midwest



Nov 21st, 2006 - 11:27 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I think there is a lot of misinformation in this piece of article.

Even though Meles is in power for now, there is a corruption but we have to see ahead and understand who this is going to help eventually. Meles is not going to be in power for 100s of years from now and we have to thing about the future ethiopia. The trademark is to the long term benefit of Ethiopia and the poor farmers and short term benefit toe the meles and his achafariwoch.
Dagnew



Nov 21st, 2006 - 11:40 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Hey Dude,

When Meles leaves we can talk about whether it is beneficial to fight with Starbucks over the use of the names of our cities for product branding. Right now, Meles, Azeb, Sebhat, Bereket, et al are sucking the blood of the poor farmers, and the focus should be getting rid of them. Let's put our priorites straight. As usual, ER is taking the right, brave stand.
Tabor



Nov 21st, 2006 - 12:29 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I Knew the TPLF gangs were behind this. They act like they care about the people while massacring them in broad day light and want to colect some dollar money to put away in EU and US banks.
No wander Meles and Co. are millioners while our people is starving to death.
Wolloyew



Nov 21st, 2006 - 12:55 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Thank you Elias the brave

Folks of the Ethiopian-review!!!! I should like to take this opportunity of drawing your attention to the fact that the ultimate beneficiaries of the whole Starbucks drama would be Woyanes and their Agafaris - no one else. Especially the Looters led by Zenawi see it as an extra source of government revenue. HOW? Let me pinpoint the different types of taxes which were levied on coffee exports.

Alpha: export duty at a fixed rate per unit volume,

Beta: a transaction or turnover tax at a fixed rate per unit value net of other taxes,

Gamma: Cess at a fixed rate per unit volume and

Delta: A SURTAX WHICH IS PROGRESSIVE and LINKED with the WORLED COFFEE PRICE.

The effect of this tax structure in Woyane Ethiopia is to provide a greater increase in Government revenue FROM an INCREASE in EXPORT VALUE than from an INCREASE in THE VOLUME OF EXPORT.

NOW!!!! Correspondingly the Ethiopian Coffee Farmers (Producers) SHARE of the VALUE of the Coffee crop FALLS AS EXPORT VALUE RISES. (Due to the progressive nature of the tax)

Woyanes! Egnam Neqtenal Gudguad Misenal……..spin in hell, you bast*ards
Simeneh Mulugeta



Nov 21st, 2006 - 12:59 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Ethiopian politics can never get any uglier. How can somebody who claims to be an Ethiopian ever argue that his country should not win trademarks for its products? It doesn't really matter if it is a devil who is demanding these rights for the country because the devil will not be on power for the eternity.

Please ER try to be sensible at least some of the times.
Asefa



Nov 21st, 2006 - 1:47 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

ER
I think, you are politically correct. The question should be whether this kind of negetiation would serve to our famers or no purpose other than to continue make wealthy only a few?

Most of us agree that the negotiation made by the Mele's government on behalf of our people are betrial to our people. For example, take the negotiation made by the Mele's government on Assab. The end result is Ethiopia without sea boarder. Another example is about the foreign aid, it helps predacious, parasitic Mele's regime to continue its coorupt or destructive policies indefinitely.

The intention of the Oxfam is good. At the same time, it is important for them to know where the benefit will go. I think, Elias brought up a good issue to dicuss it among ourselves.

Asefa
anonymous



Nov 21st, 2006 - 2:12 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Thank you Ethiopian Review for bring this side to light. What guarantee is there that the poor farmers will see even a dime from this $80 million? Unless there is a transparent method for the farmers to benefit from this I don't see any reason to support Oxfam or the Ethiopian government on this topic. Starbucks has probably done much good for the country of Ethiopia than the government has done albeit for their own good reason of increasing their bottom line.
Minyaregal



Nov 21st, 2006 - 3:39 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Thank ER. You are correct. The Meles murderous regime did a similar thing with the money that soldiers were paid during the Rwanda mission. They were not paid any money that was given to them for thier stay in a peace keeping mission. When they demanded payment, they were shot and killed or dismissed from their jobs. Maybe Starbucks should provide direct support to each farmer so that the money does not go to the coffers of Woyane.
Elias A.



Nov 21st, 2006 - 3:50 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I just can't believe Elias' complete naivity would lead him into doing and saying anything that remotely seemed to help further his desire for a change of government in Ethiopia.

For goodness' sake this civilised campaign by the most respected and completely apolitical charity , Oxfam deserves the wholehearted support of every self respecting human being not least every Ethiopian.

While everyone of us can safely conclude that this is not after all a corruption free government , we have by no means any evidence to believe that neither the $ 80 million Starbucks pays in royalty now nor any such future earning to be had from the global coffee giant would be expropriated by Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian born Oil baron , Mr M Alamoudin.

It is simply another lowly and cheap argument tireless Elias is making to the detriment of the long term benefit of our poor country and its tens of thousands of hard-working farmers in our country.

The least an Ethiopia should do to help advance the interests our poor nation is join in and back the well-intentioned efforts of our friends and allies around the globe.

It's a shame our deep political antagonism with those ruling our country has forced a considerable number of us into apparent obliviousness of the presence of our people i.e. the much deserving farming community in this case.

I believe Oxfam's campaign is a noble one and thank goodness I have done my bit to support it.
Tola



Nov 21st, 2006 - 3:58 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I advise starbucks not to give a penny until Ethiopia gets a legitimate government.The money will be used by the TPLF junta to kill the coffey farmers not to help them at all.
Nurotimert New



Nov 21st, 2006 - 4:09 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I am not into politics so the story for me is the difference between right and wrong. I try to read Starbucks side of the story by going to their website, in odrer that I may have all the facts before saying much. Globalization has ripped the heart of the poor as we all know it. There is such a thing as Fair-Trade (sustainable development) in place to protect the poor from being exploited all over the world. Starbucks profess to practicing Fair-Trade, but there is a twist here. Out of all the coffee brand Starbucks is in the market for, only one brand is signed up for Fair-Trade etc..so they are not truthful but have twisted the truth as far I can see. Copywrite issues have become a symbol of the greedy in recent years, it simply means grabbing all that you can without any regard for all. We all need to stop this immoral non-ethica business practice from flourishing. The story of Starbucks does not add up in my judgement. Oxfam's job is to represent the poor and it is doing its job well, we need to support Oxfam...
Tamrat admassu



Nov 21st, 2006 - 4:43 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Nothing is spared from being attacked by this extremely brutal and corrupt regime. Intenstify the struggle, and stand up for Ethiopian people's interest. A tyrant is no good for any one in any part of the world. A friend in need is a friend in deed. I can't wait to see that this dark period of Ethiopa is over, and is replaced with hope, prosperoty, civility and advancement in all aspects. Yes, we can do it for we are not alone, and there are multitudes who share our values.
Ethiopia shall rise up again!
thank tou.
Zekre Neger



Nov 21st, 2006 - 5:22 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

This article shows nothing but the killjoy mentality of Elias Kifle on everything that is Ethiopian.One would assume that Elias did this thing out of carelessness or insanity. What I see here is a delibrate design and attempt to blackmail anything about Ethiopia.The article shows beyond reasonable doubt his hostility towards poor Ethiopian farmers.
Tazabe



Nov 21st, 2006 - 8:04 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I often see how easy it is for us to advocate stopping any financial aid to Ethiopia because we are worried the fund could be used to benefit the government in power. I understand the desire for good governance and holding the government accountable as to its expenditure. I know how difficult that can be but I rather see even if it is a small portion of the fund flowing to help the poor continue to flow to our country. To suggest otherwise is a cavalier attitude toward the poor and it makes us no different than the government we sit and judge.

In the case of Starbucks, Oxfam, and Ethiopia, I look at the case as Ethiopian Coffee growers with the help of Oxfam vs. Starbucks. Rather than Ethiopian Government Vs. Starbucks. I rather see us working as to how all the proceeds from the trademark go directly to the farmer rather than Starbucks win. Let’s not lose site of the global pressure there is on the farmer to sell coffee on the chip. That in and of it self is good reason to expect Starbucks to pay up as far as I am concerned.

I know some of you may argue that the coffee is a commodity traded on the open market and if you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell you.

My cents….
Jimmy



Nov 21st, 2006 - 8:10 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Irrisponsible!

Here is a balanced position on the issue.

from www.redeemethiopia.blogspot.com

As we have all heard recently there is confrontation between Ethiopia and Starbucks about ownership of trademarks of certain specialty Ethiopian coffee beans. The Ethiopian side of the argument is that these specialty beans are grown and prepared to very high and stringent standards, and therefore trademarking them in the US is legitimate. Starbucks counters that the names only refer to place of origin and as such should not be trademarked but identified with geographic information of origin. However, it seems Starbucks did not have the same convictions when it applied to trademark the name Sidamo with the USPTO a little over a year ago.

Trademarking coffee is not something new. The Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee has been trademarked for years now, and its farmers have been able to extract a significantly higher proportion of the final selling price. Just compare their 45% share to that of the Ethiopian farmers’ 5-10%.

Starbucks’ veiled threat that this arrangement will hurt Ethiopian farmers is very objectionable. The company is basically threatening that unless it gets its way, it could stop buying Ethiopian coffee. Outside of undue greed however, there is no economic reason why trademarking would stop Starbucks from buying these coffee beans. If the demand for gourmet Ethiopian coffee is high, then Starbucks will pay a fair price by dealing with a more consolidated supplier. If the demand is low, then Starbucks has nothing to fear because the trademark holder will still negotiate prices that the market dictates. The only aspect that is different here is that Starbucks can not depress prices by using its enormous buying power despite actual demand. In other words the supplier gets a fair degree of control.

There is another side to this story however, and that is the local issue. Getting the Trademark will enable the holder to dictate which farmers and cooperatives qualify to sell their beans under these names. The Ethiopian government has not said who will hold the trademark and administer the standards explicitly. The challenge is to avoid favoritism from the process. To this end, we would encourage the administrators in Ethiopia to keep the certification process open to public scrutiny and to ensure that production stays in the hands of small farmers. This is a local issue, one that can not be solved by letting Starbucks dictate how Ethiopia’s premium coffee is marketed.

Going back to the international dispute, Starbucks’ own defense of its position is very telling. Rather than saying why trademarking is bad for the Ethiopian farmer, its claim is centered on painting a picture of poor farmers to whose rescue it has come. It makes a point that it built a bridge and even got involved in a few irrigation projects. But that ignores the more important point that fair prices would have enabled the farmers and cooperatives to build these bridges or develop the irrigation schemes for themselves. In any case, trademarks should not dissuade the company from genuinely helping if that is in its interest. But charity certainly can not replace dealing fairly in trade.

Until Starbucks decides to stop acting like a bully, we have decided to no longer be their customers. We hope you, our readers, will do the same.
BET



Nov 21st, 2006 - 8:23 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I advise Starbucks to give due concern to appeals from Oxfam GB representing the Ethiopian farmers that include Oromo coffee producers of Harar, Sidamo and Jimma. OLFists and AFDists are known traitors who are already collaborating with terrorist camps in the region and no one should really listen to these saboteurs.
ayalew mezgebu



Nov 21st, 2006 - 11:26 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I was wondering why the Diaspora fell to realize who the real beneficiary is in the case between the Ethiopian government and the Starbucks. Once again the Ethiopian government succeeded in fooling, and using the very Diaspora they hated for its own advantage, under the guise of helping the poor coffee farmers.

Trust me I wouldn't mind, and would never hesitate for a second to help any Ethiopian if the money goes directly to their pockets to alleviate the hardships our framers are going through.

It makes my blood boil to see some conniving, low down scum of the earth to use the farmer's cause to fatten their own pocket books, and their offshore bank accounts. Remember the things the Ethiopian farmers are going through when they were unable to pay for the fertilizer that Meles is shoving down their throats. They were forced to sell their domesticated animals to pay for it, and those who refused, or unable to buy from Meles (who is the sole beneficiary) were beaten to death by his Agasses( Agazie), illiterate army, who don't seem to see beyond the tips of their nose. I bet you all, if the murderous Meles' government succeeded in achieving what it wants from Starbucks, Ethiopian farmers would not be able to get from their own government the equivalent sum of money Starbucks is paying them now. That is the truth. That is why many of us did not sign the petition, and thanks ER for exposing the true motif of the dictatorial Meles' government.
nebsu

ethiopianhero.8.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=8


Nov 21st, 2006 - 11:36 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Ethiopianreview, you have already been embarrassed too much too deep. i mean you can't be more ridiculous

i suggest you go for the BIG BIG one and report--the ethiopian population has been erased, bombed off the map by the tyrant meles zenawi using his fes meles zenawi just killed 75 million people last night.

and just take a photo of the closest you can get to ethiopia, south east eritrean empty desert


i think you will get the most laughs,& drama this way.
Eli



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 12:32 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Why disseminate false information?: The Ethiopian Review has a headline on its website "Fifty Meles regime soldiers surrender to ONLF in Babili" Accompanying the headline is a picture captioned: "ID card of surrendered soldiers". In fact the card is not an ID card of a soldier who surrendered at Babile recently, but a medal certificate of a deserter (according to Ogaden Online). The deserter was in the port town of Bosasso, sometime in 2002 or 2003, trying to emigrate to Yemen or elsewhere overseas. The story can be found on the Ogaden Online website at: DECEPTION AND DESERTION: Ethiopia’s current state of Military Affairs, which was posted in 2003 along with the "ID"and reposted a second time earlier this year. Incidentally it was the Ethiopian Review which embellished the story (either purposely or by mistake) with the fake caption, not Ogaden Online.
Now, how about the story about 50 soldiers surrendering in Babili afer a surprise attack by the ONLF? If "Babili" is the same as "Babile" then it is highly unlikely. Babile is on the main road between Harar and Jijiga. This is an ethnically mixed area on the border between the Oromia and Somali regions. Furthermore, the area is inhabitated largely by Somalis who are not members of the Ogaden clan and is not even considered part of the Ogaden. Given the low reliability of Ogaden Online - a propaganda outlet for the ONLF, it does not seem credible.

It seems some opposition elements are fully convinced that by spreading fake information about the collapse of the Ethiopian army, they can accelerate the demise of the Meles regime. If this were true, the Meles regime would have fallen long ago. Instead, what we need is the truth. We need a good understanding of the real situation in Ethiopia. The turmoil in the army is self-evident. Why spread little lies on top of that? We need to promote a culture of honesty, not a culture of manipulation, lying, exaggerating, rumor-mongering, distortion etc...
Weyannie



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 1:55 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Eli,

If a website can declare the liberation of Gonder and attract more fans, or if a website can name non existent Wollo elementary schools children fighting agazee and the fans here are high fiving the website....it can only do more of the same.
Did you ever see here anyone saying, well Gonder is the gateway to sudan trade and the most important energy supply of the country. Wouldn't the government be willing to trade a whole kilil for Gonder. The only one that benefitted from that fake news was the telephone company.
Robele Ababya

ER


Nov 22nd, 2006 - 2:36 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Oxfam must do its best that the Ethiopian poor farmers get the full benefit of their labor. Having said this, I do not believe for even a second that the TPLF regime of Meles which has left Ethiopia land-locked; divided her people along ethnic lines ignoring their enviable common heritage; stolen the votes of the Ethiopian people cast at the historic election of 15 May 2005; massacred 193 in cold blood and arrested thousands of innocent Ethiopians; caused potentially catastrophic political upheaval in the Horn of Africa ever meant anything good for Ethiopia. So I appeal to all patriotic Ethiopians to work in unison to bring the tyrant Meles and his accomplices to justice to answer for their heinous crimes.
Alemu Yehun



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 3:38 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Starbucs is one of the multinational organizations whihc is controlling the coffee market. Behind the Stabucs there are Hedge funds and investment banks which are sucking huge amount of money from innocent people and the so-called institutional investors. Starbucks works hand with hand with these Hedge funds and institutional investors which are running here and there to control the world resources. Coffee the second trading product next to oil is of much interest to Starbcs, and it is not in the interest of Starbucks to pay just prices for coffee growers. There are about 125 million small farmers which are being exploited by this kinds of mal practices. We as Ethiopians what we must to do is to free our people from the yoke of such kinds of suppression which has been in practice over one hundert years. As long as we do not have another development strategy our people, specially the pesants will remain for the coming hundert years as poor as today. After all there is no natural law which says that we must remain as coffee growers forever while the west enjoys its science and technology. The road to freedom is therefore not coffee growing permanently but science and technology. That is the struggle now between the forces which are cotrolling the world market and the resources of the world and thoes who needs true freedom on the path of science and technology.
B.F
Alemu Yehun



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 3:58 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

When we are struggling against Meles and Starbucs we have to show our peasants that there is true freedom beyond coffee growing. There is what we call it in the school economics which was first formulated by Adam smith and latter on developed by neoclassical economists that Third World countries are endowed naturally to remain as exporters of raw materials and troical agricultural products. In the University we have learned this kinds of stupid economic science and our economists and leaders have taken word by word and compelled us to be part o fuch kinds of suppressive international divison of labour. This mal practice is almost 400 years old, and we poor people by believeing with this kinds of white man`s ideology became the victime of ignorance and underdevelopment. Now the road to freedom is not to fight for a just coffee price, but to free oneself from such kinds subtle exploitation which is being practiced under the cover of international divison of labour.
B:F
Tazabe



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 4:07 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

ER,
I have relatives that are from coffee growing areas. And this is how you support them?? I've decided to boycott your website and keep reading what other reasonable websites offer. Keep your hate for yourself!
Tazabeo originally from Jimma
solomon



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 4:08 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Elias ! Elias
i think you are 100% correct .this is what i have sayed to my friends . a lot of Ethiopians just signe the Petetion with out knowing what the real isue is .that is the Money will go to for Meles zenawe family members and Sheik(tugar) Al Amoudi . that is what the hole thing is about we have to start to let starbucks to know what is going on in Ethiopia so that they will stop give this $80,000,000 money to Meles .and i want to say thankyou
Elias for bringing this story. you are now in good track i am starting to like you Eliassssssss
Garamuleta



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 5:12 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

WHY DO YOU lie !!! Why !!

Where is Your problem !! personal!! Meles !! Eth.?

Where is your problem.

The Ethiopian Review has a headline on its website "Fifty Meles regime soldiers surrender to ONLF in Babili" Accompanying the headline is a picture captioned: "ID card of surrendered soldiers". In fact the card is not an ID card of a soldier who surrendered at Babile recently, but a medal certificate of a deserter (according to Ogaden Online). The deserter was in the port town of Bosasso, sometime in 2002 or 2003, trying to emigrate to Yemen or elsewhere overseas. The story can be found on the Ogaden Online website at: DECEPTION AND DESERTION: Ethiopia’s current state of Military Affairs, which was posted in 2003 along with the "ID"and reposted a second time earlier this year. Incidentally it was the Ethiopian Review which embellished the story (either purposely or by mistake) with the fake caption, not Ogaden Online. . . . It seems some opposition elements are fully convinced that by spreading fake information about the collapse of the Ethiopian army, they can accelerate the demise of the Meles regime. If this were true, the Meles regime would have fallen long ago. Instead, what we need is the truth. We need a good understanding of the real situation in Ethiopia. The turmoil in the army is self-evident. Why spread little lies on top of that? We need to promote a culture of honesty,
sober



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 7:55 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I think you need to take a deep breath and resize your thoughts. The stand you took on this starbucks issue and others like the one about ONLF are very shortsighted and harmful in the long run. Just because you oppose the regime it is not incumbent upon you to try hell-bent to oppose everything. You could just be quiet, if you are not sure, and it will be alright. Have you ever heard of the fool who threw out the baby with the bath water? You are surely such when it comes to these issues.
NGO Raus



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 8:42 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Hi Elias

Oxafam and other foreign NGOs often represent the interest of thier respective governments. They never been non governmental. They call themselves NGOs just to avoid the name "missionaries". Yes, I mean they have a mission. There mission is making us there dependants for ever.

Some fulls also call Meleses fiasco "Developmental Associations" NGOs.

The bottom line: NGOs are supporters and collaborators of tyrannincal regimes.

NO tyranny means no NGO......meaning many ferenjis end up in welfare......

Yes, NGOs must leave
Ethio Boy



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 9:34 AM 		Why not starting a petition drive in support of Starbucks?

We should lunch massive petition drive as well in support of Starbucks. It quite clear the stupid and primitive weyane is the one that will benefit from the royalties. I don’t get it, how on the Earth Oxfam failed to understand this.

Down with Primitive Weyane and it's sympathizers !!!!!
Down with HODAME Ala mudin too !
BET



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 9:43 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Unless Elias Kifle himself has volunteer to become an OLFist and AFDist, he should take the Starbucks issue seriously and help the Ethiopian farmers benefit from the sell of their coffee production fairly enough. That is the appeal Oxfam is making on behalf of Ethiopian farmers. One has to ignore these confused OLFists and AFDists in Diaspora who are partly suffering due to lack of sufficient knowledge to digest the issue in a more palatable manner.
BIED WEDI AGAMES



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 10:24 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Woyanes have stolen so much from poor farmers. This was clearily elaborated by parliamenterian who recently defected, due to intolerable crimes against all non Tigrean Ethiopians. There are farmers who lost millions of dollars to the middle man Tigrean trade representative, who promised and carted away ten trucks coffee to exports. After selling the farmers' coffee, fled the country with the proceeds. There are thousands of these criminals who robbed the Ethiopian farmers living in the west as a new refugees. Until these and many bad administration pin pointedly identified resolved, the sidama and Harar, wollega, caffa coffee issue must remain in status quo".

Ethiopia does not have a government at this juncture! what Ethiopia has is abundant looters thugs who want to get big cash at the loss of those who worked hard to produce high quality Sidama coffe. Tigreans just want the owenership of the trade mark, which they don't deserve nor produce one grain of coffee in their dusty desert of Adwa.

Starbuck must hold its ground and reject the Tigre-grab all cash by all means
BET



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 10:34 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Dear Beid Wedi Agame,

You said: "Ethiopia does not have a government at this juncture! what Ethiopia has is abundant looters."

I beg you to come to your senses and admit that there is a Meles Zenawi Regime governing Ethiopia for the last 15 years. You may hate the government but you cannot deny its presence. That is illusion to say there is no government. The truth is that there is a government.
Wondwossen



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 11:21 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

This trademark issue is too big to be used as a short term political tactic. Sometimes, it is better to refrain from picking on complex issues such as this. Fighting Woyane is something; reclaiming one's identity and securing long term benefit that would otherwise remain in the hands of the West is totally another thing. It is not wise to trade short term media attention with longterm strategic gain.

It is evident that there are several errors and inaccurate information on this report. As a result, the report has fallen victim of Starbucks' business tactic all along. The company never explained why trademarking is not good; what it said is that it "is not helping the farmers" leaving the answer open to speculations. That was a well thought out tactic to keep Oxfam at bay becaues if Ethiopians themselved do not speak out, it assumed, Oxfam would lose legitimacy to speak on behalf of the poor country. ER's report has filled in the blank - unfortunately our of ignorance. True, Starbucks has been involved in some positive development projects in coffee growing communities but that doesn't equate to the disparity in the price it pays to Ethiopia's fine gourmet coffee ($1.40/lp) and the price it sells the same coffee ($27.0/lp).

For this and several other reasons, it is imperative that we scale down this fanning. There is more to the subject than what is included in this report. Leave the issue aside and it will be alright. If one is determined to go down to the depth of the story, it is advisable to do some research.
Bella



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 11:21 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

ER – You have raised a good point. We should all be concerned about where the additional income will go (as you have pointed out - it may or may not end up benefiting the farmers). However, it should not excuse what the big corporation in the West (most notably Starbucks) is doing to block the right of the Ethiopian people and farmers to trademark a product that is rightfully ours. We can all debate about the true intention of the government, the truth is when this government runs its course we can at least have established the trademark so the next generation of farmers can benefit.
Wondwossen



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 11:23 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

This trademark issue is too big to be used as a short term political tactic. Sometimes, it is better to refrain from picking on complex issues such as this. Fighting Woyane is something; reclaiming one's identity and securing long term benefit that would otherwise remain in the hands of the West is totally another thing. It is not wise to trade short term media attention with long-term strategic gain.

It is evident that there are several errors and inaccurate information on this report. As a result, the report has fallen victim of Starbucks' business tactic all along. The company never explained why trademarking is not good; what it said is that it "is not helping the farmers" leaving the answer open to speculations. That was a well thought out tactic to keep Oxfam at bay because if Ethiopians themselves do not speak out, it assumed, Oxfam would lose legitimacy to speak on behalf of the poor country. ER's report has filled in the blank - unfortunately out of ignorance. True, Starbucks has been involved in some positive development projects in coffee growing communities but that doesn't equate to the disparity in the price it pays to Ethiopia's fine gourmet coffee ($1.40/lp) and the price it sells the same coffee ($27.0/lp).

For this and several other reasons, it is imperative that we scale down this fanning. There is more to the subject than what is included in this report. Leave the issue aside and it will be alright. If one is determined to go down to the depth of the story, it is advisable to do some research.
Ohh May Lord gave Mercy On Ethiopia!!



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 11:37 AM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Elias!!!! You may only live in this world for the next 30 or 40 years (esunm Edilegna kehonk) because the average mortality age is 70years.
But Ethiopia will exist well past on your existence & history. Just for a sake of attacking the current regime, let us not cross the boundary & fight for the enemy.
As I can see, all you stand for is against Ethiopia & All Ethiopians! Please reconsider your position if you feel you are reall a politician or you are doing something for your country.
Take 2(two) little steps:-
1. Stop the lies (refer the Dagmawi wbpage for ref)
2. Stop being against Ethiopia in everything! Meles is not Ethiopia. He is just a one time leader in a history of Ethiopia.
poor



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 12:10 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Oh Elias, god save from your Madnness.
Hating Meles and his regime is one thing, but to thank starbucks on this way is really sadenning.

But that is you mr. Elias who blieves to fight for the right of ethiopians, in which you do not have the mandate to speak on behalf of the poor ethiopians.
Degu



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 12:32 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

Whether we like it or not, nothing is going to go to our poor farmers as long as TPLF is on power. Please lets get our voice together to prevent Melese from getting the money.
Mussie



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 12:47 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

What ever ideological understanding you have, you should come to terms in some of the issues the government is doing. Then only can people see that you have something in you that the country can one day, if at that day comes, get some benefit from you. You are always negative to what the government is doing, including the issue of LICENSING our precious cash crop. What is the disadvantage of this. I frankly tell you, I would rather choose if "you" can take the money that will probably come out of this starbucks issue rather than the MNC starbucks, let alone the proud and hard working Meles Zenawi...
The bad thing is that you will remain to be negative if you choose to go this way cause Melie will be there till the end of his term and after that EPRDF will have another person, well I hope Junaidin Sado.
Irkihun Admasu



Nov 22nd, 2006 - 1:09 PM 		Re: The real story behind the Ethiopian regime vs. Starbucks brawl

I went through the content of the real story and lacks the substance. Full of aligation. Don't treat as a child being abroad doesn't mean you are clever and we are foolish. What is the purpose of mentioning Alamudin, like it or not he is the bread basket of uncountable families. Be positive and write an argument and tell us the real story. Your worry is about the proceeds of the transaction which doesn't have any relation with the subject matter. where is the point of misunderstanding between the Government of Ethiopia and Starbucks? there is no answer in your write up. I know you will insult me, this is what I learnt from internet dialogue. Allow me to appreciate Oxtfams'initiation, let the moeny comes and we will encourgae oxfam to put the check and balances so that the proceeds could reach the beneficiares.


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