The Train to Djibouti - A Tale about Ethiopia

Wednesday, 23 January 2008

I Have a Dream


« Ho un sogno: che un giorno questa nazione si sollevi e viva pienamente il vero significato del suo credo: "Riteniamo queste verità di per se stesse evidenti: che tutti gli uomini sono stati creati uguali" » Queste le parole pronunciate nel famoso discorso del 28 agosto 1963 al Lincoln Memorial di Washington durante la marcia per il lavoro e la liberta` da Martin Luther King, il piu` giovane Premio Nobel per la pace della storia. Unanimamente riconosciuto come il leader della rivolta non violenta, eroe e paladino dei reietti e degli emarginati, King si e` sempre esposto in prima linea affinche` fosse abbattuta nella realta` americana degli anni '50 e '60 ogni sorta di pregiudizio etnico. Oggi, 23/1/2008, ha avuto luogo la sua commemorazione... la sua e di quelle parole che hanno segnato il corso della storia. Bill Clinton e` stato invitato alla cerimonia. Volete sapere qual'e` stata la sua reazione? Beh', anche Bill ha 'Avuto un sogno', il suo... clikkate sul DIGG STORY qui sotto per scoprire qual'e`!


read more | digg story

Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Thank you all



As promised, here are some other comments from the Nazret.com, the website that publsihed a post with my interview with Workema.

msg Comment from: Samuel Gebru [Member] · http://www.smgebru.blogspot.com
"Kokeb"

Oh you're brave hiding behind that pseudonym! First, a TPLF cadre is someone who is a die-hard TPLF member - which by all means is not me. Secondly, the retard is the one who cannot make proper sentences.

I'd pay to get you through school!

Don't mess with people you don't know.
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 16:21

msg Comment from: Habtamu [Visitor]
Well done Lara Kassa. We should all appreciate a positive and optimistic view, especially coming from a foreigner. Aren't you fedup yet with all the negative stuff that has been said about us? Congratulations, I've read the book and it's super!
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 16:28

msg Comment from: Mulu [Visitor]
I'm an Ethiopian living in London too, its was fantastic to read a good book about Ethiopia!
An enjoyable hunting fiction that involves friendship, love, moral values, history and Ethiopia!
Especially when the author describes the various landscapes... I wish I was there!!!
Looking forward to another great story!!!
Well done Lara! Mulu
PermalinkPermalink 01/09/08 @ 07:59

msg Comment from: Sean [Visitor]
:XX" class="middle">
PermalinkPermalink 01/09/08 @ 09:51

msg Comment from: Sean [Visitor]
:crazy: Got Jebus XX(
PermalinkPermalink 01/09/08 @ 09:53

msg Comment from: Ali Roble [Visitor]
As a someone who born and grew up the said panoramic train route, in Deridewa city to be exact, I have nothing to say about Signorina Kassa's work exept praise. But I have serious doubts as far as the kindness of some ethnic ethiopians ( habeshas.) and the cause of the brain drain concerned .It a is lopsided notion and especially when it come power and support of the downtrodden masses: while they may display deceptive and oppurtunistic genority, they infliction more harm to each other. I left my belove birth place 20 years ago in favor of North America and mainly for political marginalization, lack of opportunity, state sponsored chauovenis and and so on against my ethio-somali ethnic identity. Many habash know what I'm talking about. So would I advice miss Lara to dig deep before she makes hasty,superfial judgements.

Cioa bella signorina!


PermalinkPermalink 01/10/08 @ 02:02

msg Comment from: lara kassa [Visitor]
Thanks everybody for your comments. I appreciated them all. Thanks to Kumsa who sparkled the discussion. I also would like to clarify that 'The train to Djibouti' is purely a 'fiction' book (nothing political is mentionned whatsoever), a story-painting having as a frame and background the culture, landscapes and life of Ethiopia, nothing more. My optimism (as Kumsa like to call it) is exclusively due to the fact that I tried to highlight in my book a few positive aspects about a Country too often painted in a negative light and even denigrated by many and for which I feel very strongly. I leave the pessimism to those who have a taste for it.
If you have any question about my book or any comment after you have read it, you can contact me at larakassa@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you all again.
Lara www.larakassablogspot.com
PermalinkPermalink 01/15/08 @ 12:56

Friday, 11 January 2008

The Iranian job

On monday the seventh of January, a very controversial incident took place in the strategic Strait of Hormouz and left the world holding its breath for a few moments. The western papers reported: "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats have threatened three US NAvy ships in what is being called a 'serious provocation'. American forces were on the verge of firing on the vessels after being harassed and provoked, according to Pentagon officials." But Iranian state TV quoted a Revolutionary Guard official as saying: "The footage released by the US Navy was compiled using file pictures and the audio has been fabricated." So, provocation or fabrication? Threat or excuse? Another Middle East war behind the corner or a pretext for starting one? I found an interesting article from the Beppe Grillo's Blog. Take a look and have your saying.

Petroleum and terrorism

middle_east_oil_ft.jpg
Image from the Financial Times

11 September 2001. Since then we have been one of the nations at risk of Islamic attacks. More than six years have passed and, as far as we can remember, not a single person has been killed or injured in Italy as a direct result of the Jihad. This must be some sort of record. We have not seen a single possessed man wearing a turban, or a bearded fanatic involved in any robbery, bloody event or domestic burglary.
Some may believe that this may be simply because Italy closes an eye (looks the other way), perhaps even both eyes and allows everyone to do their own thing. And the Country allows the setting up of logistics bases that could be used as a springboard for attacks elsewhere in Europe. There may well be some truth in this belief because, here in Italy, we are free to do whatever we wish and this Country is probably the best crossroads for all the secret services of the world. Abu Omar was kidnapped in Milan by twenty-six CIA agents. However, any terrorist wishing to blow himself up in London or Madrid is able to access local support with impunity. He need not go as far as Rome or Milan. Since 2001, there have been around 8000 people assassinated in the workplace, hundreds more have died at the hands of organised crime and there have been thousands of rapes. Entire swathes of the Campania, Calabria and Sicily Regions are beyond the rule of law, with shotguns drawn. The result is that we have sent our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan and cut our funding to the Country’s Police Services. All due to the Jihad.
Of what use is a fear of the Muslims and the mosques? The person who prays does not normally get involved in criminal activity. In an attempt to find some sort of answer to this question, I read the recent International Energy Agency Report on the future of world energy. The report’s content is summarised in a map published by the Financial Times and entitled: “The increasing importance of Middle East petroleum”.
In 1980, the quantity of petroleum extracted in non-Opec countries, such as the United States and Russia, amounted to 35.5 million barrels per day, while 28.1 million barrels were being extracted by Opec zone Countries. The forecast for the year 2030 is exactly the opposite, with petroleum production is expected to in the order of 60.3 million barrels per day in the Opec zone and 53.2 million barrels in the rest of the world. He who controls the Persian Gulf, which is where 30% of the entire global requirement will be extracted, controls the energy resources and, he who controls the energy resources also controls the entire planet. The rising demand for energy (China alone will go from their current 7 million barrels per day, to 16.5 million by 2030) will coincide with the concentration of petroleum in the Persian Gulf, overlooked by Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. All of which are Muslim States. Therefore, the more petroleum you produce, the more you are a terrorist.

Per una traduzione italiana del testo, eccovi la link:

http://www.beppegrillo.it/2007/12/petrolio_e_terr.html

Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Post in nazret.com: hot debate!


Remember ...
my interview?
Well, yesterday it was posted in the number one ethiopian website in the world: nazret.com. In one and a half day 20 comments have appeard (hopefully many more to come) and a real debate is taking place about the phenomenum of brain drain. It was probably a reference contained in one of my answers, but it seems to have opened a confrontation on two different poles. Here are the bloggers comments. I will keep you updated with the outcome.


Comments, Pingbacks:

msg Comment from: KUMSA AYENE [Visitor]
she is too optimistic...
Too reductionist with regard to the compelling brain-drain that ethiopians are facing mainly of politically motivated.
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 11:49

msg Comment from: tamrat [Visitor]
I read 'The train to Djibouti' and it 's about time somebody wrote a book with a positive view of Ethiopia. For years we heard enough negativities. Very enjoyable to read and good fiction as well. I can't wait for the her next book. Well done!
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 13:31

msg Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]
KUMSA, I know a very good number of Ethiopian PhDs living in the west. They are originally from all over Ethiopia. Non of them are here for political reasons. They are here in search of a better opportunity (economic). I don't know of anybody whose life is at risk if they go to Ethiopia. And trust me I know quite a good number from most tribes of Ethiopia.
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 15:13

msg Comment from: Mohammed [Visitor]
Weldeyes,
I agree with u although the government realy annoys me. To tell the truth, I'm out of Ethiopia for study. Most people I know r here for economic reasons. None r here for fear they would be killed/jailed if they go to Ethiopia. So, as a citizen without much political people r not in general afraid for their life. But one thing I can really blame is the fact that things r really unfair. Corruption and favoratism play a big role in ur success in Ethiopian. That's really really bad, and that's why I wish the change of the current system with a better now. May Allah choose the best for us, ameen.
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 16:02

msg Comment from: Samuel Gebru [Member] · http://www.smgebru.blogspot.com
Wow, I am going to buy this book!

Also - yes, most Ethiopians are here for economic reasons. Our country is poor and likewise with other people of the world we come to America for a better chance at living, education, etc.


Merry Ethiopian Christmas!
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 16:15

msg Comment from: Hope [Visitor]
KUMSA AYENE,

What is wrong being optimistic? You should also try it sometimes; it helps you see more clearly. If you don’t have the ability to see and appreciate what you have now, you will never be able to see what you desire to see in the future. I also am very optimistic about ET, I see that more and more Ethiopians (with money or PHD) from the west are going back to ET now than ever. The brain-drain will stop once Ethiopians start to realize that they can have the same standard of living as the west. We all should put our energy to create that standard than being pessimistic and hateful.

Let me take a wild guess, I must be Woyanne, Woyanne’s cadre, Woyanne’s slave…….and all the name calling you can come up with. ha?

Those of you who is ready to attack me for saying something positive about ET, I’m not Woyanne (What ever that means). I’m just proud Ethiopian who can see and appreciate the positive progress our country is making.

Melkam Gena for all

Hi Z-Mike, remember I’m with you in sprit. Keep up the good work:D
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 16:58

msg Comment from: The truth about ethiopian braindrain [Visitor]
Am a graduate student in europe through scholarship. To be honest with, if i return to ethiopia(after finishing my studies) that is gonna be quite a big mistake in my life. Most of my friends are also pursuing their graduate studies in usa and europe, most of them have the same position as me,they never think of returning to ethiopia. Our reasons r mostly political in nature. U know meles is riding our country in to hell and who want to be part of a burning ethiopia while we can run a peaceful life where we are now...
May GOD save ethiopia from the sharp jaws of meles and co.
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 18:36

msg Comment from: Independent [Visitor]
KUMSA AYENE,
most ethiopians leave home for the sake of better life, not due to politics.
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 18:51

msg Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]
'The truth about ethiopian braindrain', the fact that you got a scholarship opportunity to Europe tells a lot. Ethiopia and her successive governments including the current one tried their best to get us educated in the hope that one day we may be useful to the people and country who have paid for our education. Unfortunately, like the crow that did not return to Noahs arc, we do the same. Even worse, some of us are bitting the hand that fed us and paid for our education in full (specially those who earn their degrees at Addis Ababa and other state universities).
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 19:15

msg Comment from: minew [Visitor]
Hey `The truth about ethiopian braindrain` Why do you paint a wrong picture of yourselves in Europe and the states. I beg to differ on your fallacious and scathing remarks about the government. Most of you and your pals are there in search of the ever shrinking greener grass on the western part of the world.

True, that the government has a bad track record of leadership but never to the extent of making hell in ethiopia. I demand that you give an example of a western educated man of Ethiopian origin coming back to be met with a killer. Some hate mongers might have had a rough time coming home.

Happy Christmas and Ethiopia is not burning, but trying to awaken from its millenia long deep slumber and hibernation. The portrayal of Ethiopia as a burning place, ain`t cool and is an affront to the millions of proud Ethiopians who are jumpstarting the walk to the brigther side of life.

And what in this benign interview gave you material for your hate agenda.

By the way sad that much of you foreigners of Ethiopian origin have lost contact of current events unfolding before our very eyes in the nation. I was struck with surprise to find some among you with a fresh memory of the "Good old days of the Hailesellasie`s times" without a single trip to the ancestral land. I surmise that you are not as old as those senior citizens but your age belies your truly anachronistic inner makeup.

God bless Ethiopia
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 19:36

msg Comment from: ehhron [Visitor]
Comment from: The truth about ethiopian braindrain [Visitor]
"Am a graduate student in europe through scholarship. To be honest with, if i return to ethiopia(after finishing my studies) that is gonna be quite big mistake." The big mistake in your life is the day you believed what you just wrote. What the hell is learning for if you can be easily brainwashed by extreme elements . I advise you to rethink what you said for your own mind. We dont need you and people who think like you in our land.Another word you said : "May GOD save ethiopia from the sharp jaws of meles" No you ignorant academic ETHIOPIA IS ALREADY SAVED THROUG PM MELES ZENAWI.He is done and is doing superb job for his country .

PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 21:44

msg Comment from: Z-Mike [Visitor]
Indeed, it's very nice book. I hope the world will see more about the beauty of ETHIOPIA...

Merry Christmas to you HOPE:D Have a pleasant and blessed GENA...
take care
Z-Mike
PermalinkPermalink 01/07/08 @ 23:21

msg Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]
Congradulations,LARA KASSA,on your book,Tt The
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 07:30

msg Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]
Lara Kassa,The Train to Djibouti.
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 07:32

msg Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]
LARA KASSA author THE TRAIN TO DJIBOUTI
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 08:36

msg Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]
Lara Kassa on Nazret.com 8 Jan.2008.note
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 08:47

msg Comment from: Solomon [Visitor]
Finally... something positive about our country.
I've read the book and I enjoyed it so much. By the way, guys, the novel has nothing to do with politic, just go and read it!
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 09:20

msg Comment from: zelalem [Visitor]
'Well done. I read it and it's an excellent book, with an intriguing plot and positive aspects about Ethiopia... for once!'
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 10:02

msg Comment from: dereje [Visitor]
i read it and i think it's very beautiful and it's very interesting. peaple can know things about ethiopian live and culture.
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 10:10

msg Comment from: manan [Visitor]
I have read your book and I liked very much. Immediately understand your great love for Africa and Ethiopia in particular. I look forward to a your next book
PermalinkPermalink 01/08/08 @ 12:48

msg Comment from: KOKEB [Visitor]
SAMUEL GEBRU What are you here for? visiting?

a TPLF cadre like you should not waste a tax payers money to go to school here. Please delet all these non-sense you blog on. The DEDEB DUBA-RAS mesfin and his tegre likes are the one who send you to scool to become the trouble maker son of EPRDF organaized LEBAS! I wonder all your pictures are taken at the land of sodom and gomora? TPLF retards wasting millions of dollars to built :TEGRAY AKADAMY OF AKATARIS: while, our people are suffering due you to economical needs, basic living,homeless folks and kids all over our streets and in city garbage pits, shame on to
the person who lives in america and ignore all these facts despite taking humanity,socio-economics, sociology, government and other humanity electives to balance and judge the wisdom of ethics. instead the personal advantages and gains paid by notrious looter like DUBA-RAS seyoum paralayzed your brain.. Go to a hospital and check yourself in-you are mentally unstable and you don't make sense. Please hide your dumb picture.

HELL to WEYANE LEBAS!

So, what do you think? Hot debate? And the funny thing is... my book does not touch on politic at all!