Comments on: Ethiopia arrests suspect in U.S. diplomat’s death

By: Zeru

Zeru — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:40:22 +0000

My sincere condolences to both families. But I think young Ethiopians have to learn in todays society we are facing differnt culture and life styles. So instead of killing it should be a wise idea to avoid that person since we are not in the same page.

Zeru
Denver,Colorado

By: WTF

WTF — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:47:24 +0000

Why do we send diplomats abroad without some protection? At the very least he should have been issued an M9 9mm pistol.

By: Susan Reed

Susan Reed — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:40:45 +0000

We are so sorry and our deepest sympathies are with the family. I can only imagine how you must feel: our daughter is to be posted there in July for her first assignment. Brian emailed her shortly before his death was reported. The fact that he took the time to answer her questions shows that he was a caring person. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

By: Azzam Ahmed Mohammed

Azzam Ahmed Mohammed — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:03:59 +0000

We are all saddened by the death of the diplomat in our home land. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brian Adkins. I am glad the suspect is arrested and I hope he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

By: bereket

bereket — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:30:46 +0000

I deeply feel sorry about what happen. My heart goes out to his family and to all who knows him. whoever did this, hope the cops would get him soon.

By: Friend of the Adkins Family

Friend of the Adkins Family — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:30:05 +0000

My condolences goes out to the Brian’s family. They are very kind, giving, loving family. I am saddened to hear of such a loss to our world. You are in my heart and prayers. May god bless you and help you through these difficult times.

By: Kidist

Kidist — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:12:25 +0000

To mertolemariam: Don’t you think your comment is petty? I hope everybody who is not Ethiopian doesn’t think that we are ungrateful people.

My deepest condolence to Brian’s family,I met Brian in G.W and he was a very nice person.

R.I.P Brian.

By: a colleague

a colleague — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:58:34 +0000

To mertolemariam: You may not have met very many Foreign Service Officers, but I have, and I can assure you that the men and women serving our government in the Foreign Service (Please note the word SERVICE — there’s no such thing as an American Foreign Force) do indeed go into this type of work because they want to serve their country and make a difference in this world. They do so no matter who’s in the White House, because they believe in core American values and want to make the world a better place. They don’t do it for the salary or the prestige. How do I know this? Because I’m a Foreign Service Officer, too. Brian was a brave American at the start of what should have been a long and rich career, and his death is not just a loss for his friends and family, but for our nation as a whole.

By: Charles H.

Charles H. — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:09:02 +0000

Brian and I were classmates in grad school at GW before joining the Foreign Service in the same starting class, in July 2007. Brian was so excited about this work, so smart, so talented, and so very giving of self right to the very end. We are devastated by this loss — we lost a dear, dear friend, and the world lost a very promising and dedicated diplomat.

By: mertolemariam

mertolemariam — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 04:48:30 +0000

My sincere condolences to the family of Brian Adkins. As a parent I can feel their pain.

I do not know Mr. Adkins and he may be selfless and that he did want to serve humanity when he joined the American Foreign Force.

However, I respectfully differ with the assumption that all who go to developing countries are slefless and are there to serve and to “make a difference in the world”.

Again my sincere condolences.
ML

By: L. Pittman

L. Pittman — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 04:24:43 +0000

This truly saddens my heart. My family and I are adopting two beautiful children from Ethiopia and our case made it to court and passed but the government is not wanting to issue the orphanage that took care of my children their new license, so the judge has a hold on our paperwork while our children have to wait indefinitely. I know Mr. Adkins was probably trying to help the country of Ethiopia just as we are trying to provide a home for two of God’s most precious gifts in the world. The world is not fair to those people who truly care about human life. I pray that justice will be served to whoever felt like it was their place to take another human beings life!!

By: W. Beyene

W. Beyene — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:29:17 +0000

Sad news for his family and friends !!! My deepest sympathy goes to the parents.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:26:42 +0000

Reading about this young man and about his death was very much a shock.

Why take a life of someone who made such an effort to make a difference in the world? Such a depraved world we live in that the people who truly want to make a difference are purposely targeted and often killed for their efforts.

I am reminded of a scripture verse: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) ASV

The people of Ethiopia truly lost not only a diplomat, but a friend and someone who truly cared and loved them. Though it cost him his life.

My condolences to the family and extended family of this brave and obviously selfless individual.

And may God have Mercy on those who did this act.

By: Meseret H. Woldeleuel

Meseret H. Woldeleuel — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:50:22 +0000

This is a very sad news. As as an Ethiopian, as a human being, my sincere condolences to the family of this brave and promising young man. As a father of 26th year old myself, I can only imagine the loss. My heart goes out to you.

As a naturalized American citizen I raise my voice for a complete, open, transparent, and immediate investigation and report on what exactly happened to an American diplomat in Ethiopia. The burden of proof is on the Ethiopian government.

As someone who was born and raised in Ethiopia, I am ashamed of this news. Ethiopia was never known as a place where diplomats get killed. Never.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should telephone the Foreign Minster of Ethiopia and demand an open investigation. President Obama should call Meles Zenawi and demand answers.

Once again my condolences to the family and friends of Brian Adkins.

By: Ricky M

Ricky M — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:37:42 +0000

From your Softball Brother and Sister in Ohio.

We are so Blessed to have Great Men and Lady that decide to serve others, and put it all on the line for them they serve.

Church Hill said it best and I don’t think anyone will ever say it better. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

Yes Brain you have join the rank of the “so few”. You paid the highest price.

Only you and them that have went before you, and there family can truly understand how high a price you paid to serve.

Rest in Peace
Brain Adkins

By: EAM

EAM — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:39:21 +0000

He used to come into my cafe in DC all the time. Am in shock to hear this. Was one of the nicest, most genuine, kind, honest etc etc etc men I have ever known. I’ll miss you buddy.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:07:23 +0000

I was only fortunate enough to meet him once, but he Brian was funny, personable and an all around great guy. We have all lost quite a lot with Brian’s passing to a better place. His family and his many many friends are all in my thoughts and prayers.