Haile interesting
Sir: Asfa-Wossen Asserate (Paternalist prince' 17 August) is an engaging and enlightened man, and Ethiopia might well benefit from his federal views and liberal principles if by some surprising turn of events, the monarchy were to be restored and he were to emerge as Emperor from among the many claimants with approxi- mately equivalent credentials.
But pace both your contents page and Ian Buruma, Asfa-Wossen is not heir to the throne. He is not a prince (his father and grandfather were both Leul Ras but as far as I understand it, this is not a hereditary title but appointed by the Emperor).
He is not the late Emperor Haile Selassie's nephew but second cousin twice removed. Nor is Asfa-Wossen in an unbro- ken male line from King Sahle Selassie of Shoa — there is a female intervening, as in the descent of all other would-be rulers of Ethiopia.
Nevertheless, he could still be in the run- ning if the political wind were to change unexpectedly. As I pointed out to you, sir, in my letter of 13 July 1985, Asfa-Wossen's grandfather Ras 'Kassa too had a claim to the throne which he never however put to the test.' Perhaps the time is now ripe for his branch of the family. After all, the crown of Ethiopia has never in recent cen- turies passed peacefully to the putative next-in-line so perhaps Ian Buruma's large- ly excellent article is the first blast of the trumpet.
Graham Tayar
Garden Flat, 25 Fortess Road, London NW5
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