Giving thanks for U.S. freedom

To the editor:

Many thanks for announcing my speech at Hanover Lutheran Church on April 25.

As an editor and as a Christian minister, I have passed very serious situations. Now I am having complete freedom to write and minister.

The current and the previous regimes of Ethiopia have been harassing, torturing and imprisoning me because of my activities among students when I was at school and because of my reports, which were not favored by the anti-democratic regimes.

The Islamic Front for Oromo Liberation in Ethiopia and Somalia, which is a collaborator of al-Qaida, was sending me a death threat letter because of my publication.

Another fanatic Muslim who is an armed political supporter of the current regime in Ethiopia was giving me warnings of death.

The Ethiopia Free Press Association, where I trained volunteers and translated news from the BBC, is now banned by the current regime. Most of its members are in exile. Some are in prison.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation for U.S. freedom and peace advocates who are very valuable to our people.

ADEFRIS HABTE MEKASHA

Clayton, Mo.