____________________

____________________

____________________

, 2001

His Excellency Gebre-Koristos Berhane
The Embassy of Ethiopia in the United States of America
3506 International Drive NW
Washington D.C. 20008

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you to express my concern about the detention, trial and imprisonment of Dr Taye Woldesemayat, who has been incarcerated in Addis Ababa Central Prison since August 1996 and was recently handed down a fifteen year prison sentence without credit for time served.

Having lived many years abroad, including many in North America, Dr Taye became a citizen of the world. Those that knew Dr Taye personally are incredulous that he could be accused and convicted of armed conspiracy. His detention and degrading punishment in prison is a source of distress and anguish to those whose lives were touched by his generosity and passion for the world.

Dr Taye has made immense contributions to both people and institutions in the United States, among which is the Illinois State University International House. Illinois State alumni and their local communities all over the world are active in this campaign to appeal to your government to open an unbiased investigation about the allegations made against Dr Taye, and to secure his release, or at least house arrest, in the earliest possible timeframe.

We have many examples in recent history of prisoners of conscience that were prevented from contributing to their communities and nations. The sooner that Dr Taye can be released from prison, the sooner that Ethiopia and indeed the world can start benefiting again from his contribution to our lives.

Yours sincerely,