From polethiopia@yahoo.com Mon Aug 2 11:53:29 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 04:53:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040802115329.89023.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> July 30, 2004 Ethio-Kenya border administrators' meeting held in Kenya ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 23rd meeting of the Ethio-Kenya Joint Border Administrators' and Commissioners' Committee was held in Gnagnuki, Kenya from July 21-23, 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. A statement sent to ENA by the Ministry yesterday said the meeting had discussed, security problems prevailing in border areas and their solutions, among others. The meeting had also deliberated on ways of forgoing economic and social ties between the peoples of the two countries who are living in border areas. It has also reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides during the 22nd joint committee meeting held in Bahir Dar town and other bilateral issues, according to the statement. The statement said the meeting was conducted in a very friendly manner and openness. The two sides had also reached an agreement on every issue and subjects raised during the meeting in Adama town in the coming March, according to the statement. Ethiopians in Russia call for direct air links between Ethiopia, Russia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopians residing in Russia said establishing direct air links between Addis Ababa and Moscow would significantly contribute in enhancing trade and tourism ties between Ethiopia and Russia, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ethiopians requested for the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of the two nations to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement sent to ENA yesterday said. The Ethiopians made the request during a meeting organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow to enable them engage in various businesses in the Russian Federation and contribute their share in strengthening the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and Russia that held on 24 July 2004. The meeting had extensively discussed the impediments for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. Participants of the meeting said lack of communications are some of the impediments to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, according to the statement. Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Asaminew Bedane on the occasion gave briefings to the participants on the prevailing situation in Ethiopia, the statement said. Symposium on draft press law said democratic ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 3rd national symposium recently held in Addis Ababa on the draft press law was a democratic forum where ideas were freely entertained, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry told ENA yesterday that the symposium has proved that the government and the press could discuss national issues and work in cooperation. The forum organized through a consortium composed of the Ministry of Information, Ethiopian Media Women's Association (EMWA), Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association (EFJA) and National Union of Journalists of Ethiopia (NUJE) has laid the foundation for more cooperation and understanding, it said. The forum was also instrumental in focusing in shaping the attention of the public on the discussion of the draft press law particularly the journalists and the publishers. Accordingly, about 250 participants were in attendance at the three-day discussion where more than 85 per cent were journalists and publishers. The forum has called for a similarly discussion forum where the press and the government could discuss issues of common concern. In the course of the discussion the Ministry of Information has agreed the inclusion of constructive ideas in the draft press law forwarded by the participants. The ministry also accepted the idea to establish the press council by the journalists and agreed in principle the Right Access to Information Act to be drafted independently. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the ministry has accepted all the concerns forwarded by the patricians, it said, adding that there will be a chance where the rejected ideas could be discussed when the draft law is presented to the parliament. July 30, 2004 Seyoum back home concluding Kuwaiti visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home on Wednesday concluding a four-day working visit to Kuwait. During his visit, Seyoum had talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheik Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al sabah on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Kuwait, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum had delivered Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's message to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the statement said. While in Kuwait, the minister also had talks with other senior government officials on bilateral issues. Ethiopia, Sudan work in cooperation to monitor security issues along common borders ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian and Sudanese troops have been working in close consultations and cooperation to monitor the security situation along the common borders of the two countries, the Ministry of National Defence said Wednesday. Senior military authorities and commanders of Ethiopia and the Sudan were meeting on periodical basis to assess security matters on the borders, public relations department with the Ministry of National Defence quoted Deputy Commander of the 110th Core, Brigadier General Seyoum Hagos as saying. The two sides have been exchanging information once the activities of anti-peace elements were confirmed in the areas, he said. They also extradited individuals to each other's countries captured while engaged in anti-peace activities as a move to ensure their joint security concerns. Following the establishment of the joint task force, over 80 individuals armed and trained by the Eritrean Government to destabilize the peaceful situation were captured and about 50 killed in action, the general said. He said four armed individuals who fled to the Sudan after initiating a conflict with the Ethiopia troops had been handed over by the Sudanese authorities to the Ethiopian side. Presently, the Ethio-Sudan common border is a scene where various development activities were undertaken including the resettlement programmes, he said. The construction of roads for the mutual benefit of the two countries was being undertaken along the common borders, according to the general. It is to be recalled, however, that a Sudanese armed group belonging to the Nuware Lo Clan has recently been accused by the Gambella State Government of trespassing the Ethiopian territory and urged to leave the place immediately. Authority constructing conservation laboratory with 29 mln. birr To serve as training centre for East Africa ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) said that it has been undertaking the construction of a conservation laboratory with over 29 million birr. According to Kirs, an annual magazine of ARCCH, the fourstorey laboratory building would also serve as a training centre for East Africa. As there was no laboratory in the country, Ethiopia had to send its relics abroad for further investigations, the magazine noted. The finalization of this laboratory would, therefore, solve the problem, it said. Upon completion, the laboratory would also generate income as it would draw trainers and professionals from East African countries, Kirs added. The private construction company, Yakomand, has reportedly agreed to finalize the construction work in 720 days. The laboratory would contribute to the scientific conservation of badly damaged heritages of the country and research on the evolution of humankind, it said. Italy to finance UNODC activities in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Italian Government said it has decided to earmark part of its voluntary contribution for 2004 to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the activities that would be undertaken in Ethiopia. According to a press release the Italian Embassy sent to ENA yesterday, the first project, which is worth 350,000 USD, is aimed at strengthening the interdiction and investigation techniques of the Ethiopian law enforcement counter narcotics. The second project, valued at 400,000 USD, is used for judicial system training in drug related casework in Southern and Eastern Africa it said. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.2,2004 ============================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Aug 3 08:50:05 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 01:50:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20040803085005.90523.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." ================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.3,2004 ===================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Mon Aug 9 12:49:28 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 05:49:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040809124928.7110.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." =================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug. 9,2004 ========================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Aug 10 12:24:10 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 05:24:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040810122410.7414.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> August 7, 2004 Seyoum returns home after attending 9th IGAD MFC meet in Nairobi ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home yesterday after attending the Nairobi 9th IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee Meeting on the Somalia National Reconciliation. Foreign ministers of IGAD member countries as well as representatives of 14 member countries of IGAD Partners' Forum, the European Union, the UN and the Arab League attended the two-day meeting that concluded Thursday in the capital of the East African nation, Kenya. In the communiqué they issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers said that the process of the Somalia National Reconciliation Congress has so far been promising and now reached a decisive point to realizing a federal interim government, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. The ministers described as a constructive move the fact that various clans in Somalia had already submitted parliamentary candidature lists, and called upon others to follow suit. They entrusted the task of receiving candidature lists to the IGAD Facilitation Committee for a deadline of two days, the press release said. The ministers commended the readiness displayed by the African Union's military observers' team to help Somalis attain a peaceful transition, it said. The ministers also called on all Somali parties to cooperate with the AU and the international community for the success of the National Reconciliation Congress and the process of establishing a transitional government. The ministers agreed to meet in Nairobi on the 21st of August. They are expected to officially announce the swearing-in ceremony of the Somali parliamentarians and the launching of the Somali Federal Transitional Government, the communiqué said. WFP introduces online hunger map ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - In an effort to highlight major global hunger emergencies in real-time, the World Food Programme (WFP) Thursday unveiled a colour-coded Internet map guiding visitors to its worldwide fight against the scourge, Xinhua reported. Posted on the UN agency's website, the "Hunger Map" charts the geography of hunger hotspots around the world with red indicating high levels of undernourishment, orange moderate levels and green extremely low levels. "There are more than 800 million undernourished women, men and children in the world, but how many people know where they live?" WFP Executive Director James Morris said in a statement. "The WFP 'Hunger Map' puts them on the map." WFP first plotted the geographical coordinates of hunger in printed form four years ago, but this is the first online version with real-time updates linked to background information on WFP operations in individual countries. It is also designed for use as an education tool in schools. Crises highlighted in the inaugural edition include the western Sudanese region of Darfur, Bangladesh, Peru and Afghanistan. The red bands spreads across sub-Saharan Africa, where one in three people suffers hinger, and stretches into Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Haiti. In these regions hinger claims more lives than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The green shading is limited to North America, Argentina, Europe and Australia, but varying degrees of undernourishment dominate the rest of the world. Gov't committed to intensify, sustain support to promote sports: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - It is to be recalled that Ethiopia joined the International Olympic Society at the 16th Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 to promote brotherhood, equality and peace among nations, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday the ministry said the marathon gold medal won by the legendary athlete Abebe Bekila in Rome, Italy in the 1960 Olympics marked the beginning of our glorious surge in the history of the Olympic Games. The great victories registered in Sydney and encouraging successes in the previous Olympic Games were the result of self confidence, endurance, hard work and determination of our sportsmen and sportswomen on the one hand, and the staunch support of the peoples and the government, on the other, it said. The 28th Olympic Games scheduled to be held from 13th to the 31st of August 2004 in Athens, Greece, is expected to be another venue for the Ethiopian Olympic team to raise the banner and prestige of the country, the statement said. The financial, material and moral support offered by governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens is an expression of respect and love for members of the Olympic team, it said adding that the people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia take this opportunity to express their best wishes to the team. Investors urged to involve in garbage disposal ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce said private investors need to involve in the collection and disposal of garbage, as the task should not be left to the government alone. Addressing a relevant meeting here yesterday, Chamber Vice-President Eyesuswork Zafu said the policy issued by the Addis Ababa City Government encourages the participation of private investors in curbing the socio-economic problems of the city. He said the chamber has designed a project that enables investors involve in the collection and disposal of garbage as part of its efforts launched in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation Agency. The meeting is aimed at raising the awareness of investors who are engaged in the sector. August 8, 2004 EPRDF regular meet calls for enhanced industrial dev't, execution capacity building ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Members of the General Council of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have indicated the need to enhance and intensify the activities being implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. As part of the execution capacity building, the educational reform programme has largely been implemented, of which implementation of the plan to raising the primary education coverage has gone far enough, they said. The desired scope of implementation has been attained also of the set target to taking the enrolment capacity of higher institutions to 30,000 students, which is going to be realized during the 1997 Ethiopian academic year, they said. The participants have, meanwhile, called for continued efforts to ensure quality education and expand civic education. Concerning the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme, the participants said there has been encouraging progress with the high-level management and service rendering. They said the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme need to go on with strong sense of commitment and in ways that can ensure sustainability. On the discussions pertaining to industrial and urban development, the participants recognized the need to enhance the activities geared towards improving the capacity of the private sector and the industrial development endeavours that are supportive of the rural and agricultural development. They agreed on the need for the government to strengthen its support to private investors in finance, infrastructure facilities, land provisions, and other necessary conditions. They also indicated the need to expand micro and small-scale industries, which they said could greatly complement rural and urban development. Participants of the meeting have also said implementation across the nation of rural and agricultural development activities have so far been encouraging. The participants said wide-ranging activities have been carried out to ensuring food security under the rural and agricultural development strategy. Encouraging achievements and gains have been registered in the activities carried out so far in the areas, among others, of water harvesting, basins' development, rural marketing and the establishment of cooperatives and unions, they said. They said there is a plan to enhance and intensify the good experiences gained so far in rural and agricultural development sector. Activities will be carried out to raise the agricultural and other sectors of development growth by two digits in the coming two years, they said. Members of the Council have also deliberated on the performance report pertinent to rural and agricultural development. During their deliberations, members of the Council said various activities would be undertaken to expand specialization and diversification in agricultural packages. Rural development, capacity building, trade an industry and the public relations activities of the Front would be discussed in the course of the meeting, and the report of the Central Committee of the Front would also be tabled for discussion. The meeting is expected to outline the direction that would be implemented by EPRDF and its coalitions during the 3rd national and state elections slated for the 2005. The General Council of EPRDF holds its regular meeting biannually. Media urged to curb spread of HIV/AIDS ADAMA (WIC) - The Ministry of Information urged the media to focus on controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Opening a workshop yesterday in Adama town, representative of the Ministry, Belete Tekewe said that HIV/AIDS is creating socio-economic challenges to the country. He said journalists, editors and heads of media institutions should more than ever strive to prevent the pandemic and arrest the spread of the disease. State and private media should collaborate in creating awareness among the public on ways of preventing the disease and bringing about behavioral change of HIV/AIDS. The representative commended the efforts of the UNDP in giving attention to the pandemic and its support to development programmes in the country. HIV/AIDS and social sector head with the UNDP, Kelemework Tekle said the journalists should be responsible and accountable in fighting the stigma and the pandemic. Some 40 journalists drawn from private, governmental and non-governmental organizations are in attendance of the three-day workshop. August 10, 2004 IOM says Ethiopians abroad keen to contribute to country's dev't ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The International Organization of Migration (IOM), said that Ethiopians in Diaspora are expressing a profound interest to make contributions to the development endeavours in their country. In an exclusive interview with WIC, Chief of IOM Mission in Ethiopia, Charles Kwenin said that the mission has so far received an over whelming response of the Diaspora community from across the world to its website launched last March, in collaboration with government and international partners, to mobilize Ethiopians living abroad. Accordingly, the mission has to date registered close to 22,000 Ethiopians in Diaspora who visited the website, some of whom have already identified the areas in which they prefer to make contributions, Kwenin said. He said 190 Ethiopians have expressed interest to return to their home land, on short-term basis, and make contributions, while 135 others have been registered to get engaged in investment in the country. Moreover, 434 Ethiopians with various knowledge, experience and expertise have been registered in the IOM's database to make contributions to the country's development. The chief, who stated the diverse nature of contributions the Diaspora want to make, added that some are expressing interest to transfer skills and knowledge from where they are in online teaching, telemedicine and other areas. "We are overwhelmed by the level of response. In the first month alone, we had 9,500 Ethiopians visiting the website" said Kwenin, and according to him, an average of 4,000 are expected to visit the site every month, which in turn builds a huge potential of human resources for the country's development. The chief, who noted that there are a lot of positive changes in the country, said the organization is, therefore, engaged in helping the country utilize the Diaspora for development. In this regard, IOM is assisting the Diaspora through the programme of migration for development of Africa, which was also endorsed by AU Council of Ministers, he said. Kwenin said most of the Ethiopians in Diaspora who showed interest in making contributions are from the United States of America, Germany, Canada and United Kingdom. According to him, IOM had similar programmes implemented in three phases in different countries of Africa, which proved to be successful in utilizing the Diaspora for national development. EPRDF Council resolves to promote public participation to make upcoming elections free and fair ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The General Council meeting of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ended here Sunday upcoming resolving that member parties to work hard to make the upcoming national elections free and fair and also approving its budget. The Council has agreed in its two-day deliberations to further strengthen its strong sides and rectify its weaknesses to make the elections free and fair, participants said. Members of the Front have also decided to struggle against anti-democracy activities and work for ensuring good governance. The meeting has also agreed that EPRDF and other competing political parties would work together for the development of democratic culture. Members of the EPRDF would also strive to raise participation of women in the upcoming elections. ETC launches distance, broadband multimedia mobile service by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) launched new distance and broadband multimedia service for mobile network beginning August 9, 2004 at reasonable price. Briefing journalists at the corporation's assembly hall yesterday, Communication Head Abdurahim Ahmed said that four mobile tariff Zones have been arranged for the customers to get service. Accordingly, Zone 1, embraces Addis Ababa and other seven towns; Zone 2, Makalle and nearby towns (Dessie), Zone 3, Dire Dawa and other towns around (Harar and Jijiga) and the 4th Bahir Dar and other towns (Gondar). According to him, a call from mobile to mobile within the same zone charges o.72 cents while that of inter-zone is 1.50 birr per minute. He further indicated that a call from mobile to normal telephone or vice-versa within the same zone which used to charge 0.75 cents earliest in now reduced to 0.72 cents per minute and for outside call 1.50 birr. Abdurahim further explained that broadband multimedia has two main service tariffs-bandwidth price and customer premise equipment charge. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Aug.10,2004 ============================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Aug 20 13:19:08 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 06:19:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040820131908.6231.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> August 20, 2004 Ethiopia gives greet light to UNMEE to make direct flights between Addis, Asmara ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi disclosed that Ethiopia has accepted the request of the UN secretary-general, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to start direct flights between the two countries, the Ministry of Information said yesterday. In a latter he wrote Wednesday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Meles notified the UN chief that his country has agreed to his request - UNMEE to make direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ministry said in its statement. The Prime Minister recalled in his letter that Ethiopia legitimately demanded for two-minute detour once the direct flight entered the Ethiopian air space. He, however, said the direct flight couldn't be implemented as the Eritrean Government attempted to dictate its terms upon the flight of UNMEE in the Ethiopian air space. UNMEE has been unable to make direct flights between the two countries because of the inappropriate position of the Eritrean Government, once again the {rime Minister indicated in his letter Ethiopia had allowed direct flight of the Secretary General's place from Asmara to Addis Ababa during his visit last June. Prime Minister Meles told the UN Secretary General in his letter that his country has accepted his request Ethiopia to put aside its previous demand of two-minute detour once the direct flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara entered the Ethiopia air space. Prime Minster Meles also announced in his letter that the direct flight could begin at any time. Darfur rebel groups confirm new peace talks attendance ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Two rebel movements fighting government troops and Arab militias in Sudan's western Darfur province confirmed Wednesday in Chad that they will attend a new round of peace talks next week AFP reported. "We'll be at the meeting in (Nigeria's capital) Abuja. Our delegation will consist f 26 people, the military and politicians," AFP quoted a spokesman for the Movement for Justice and Equality (MJE) as saying. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would send a team of around 30 to the meeting next Monday, which has been prepared by the African Union, it quoted the SLM coordinator Ali Sugar as saying. On April 8 at talks in Ndjamena, the Khartoum Government and the rebels signed a cease-fire in the war that broke out in Darfure in February 2003 and has led to the world's worst current humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. On July 18, the rebels walked out of further negotiations organized by the AU in Addis Ababa, saying there would be no more talks until Khartoum met certain terms. Explosion caused no causality, property damage: Police ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bomb that exploded Wednesday night around the Ministry of Education at Arat Kilo caused minor damages to the building complex, the Addis Ababa Police Commission said. The commission told ENA yesterday that the bomb explosion caused unidentified individuals caused no fatality or property damage. Police have launched investigation into the case and a manhunt for the terrorists. =========================== pol.Ethiopia August 20. 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Aug 24 05:37:23 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 22:37:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040824053723.76202.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> August 21, 2004 EAL nets 231 mln. Birr By Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it has secured a net profit of 231 million bird and an operating profit of 269,27 mln. Birr in the previous fiscal year while some other airlines are at loss. Briefing journalists yesterday at Sheraton Addis, on performance of the airlines, Chief Executive Officer with the Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake said that it has been profitable for the last four years through the cooperative efforts of both ins management and workers. According to him, to make it internationally competitive, customers’ service, delay in time and care for passengers’ luggage must be improved. He added profitable flight roots should be studied and also motivated work culture has to be implemented to maintain efficiency. He further said that foreign consultants have been working with the airlines for better vision for the coming five to fifteen years which would strengthen the transformation and reposition of Ethiopian Airlines in the future. The CEO also said air transport industry in general has a loss of 31 billion USD from 2001-2003. Out of this, 6.6 billion dollar loss incurred in 2003 as fuel price is greatly rising. It was estimated that there would be 3 billion USD loss in 2004 in the air transport industry. Ethiopia’s consent to request of UNMEE for direct flight said crucial to sustainable peace ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement, issued yesteday said peace is the most important prerequisite for the successes of the ongoing task to overcome poverty. The Statement underlined that people are engaged in enormous activities to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. In line with this, FDRE has been exerting maximum effort for the peaceful settlement of the border conflict with Eritrea, the ministry added. The statement further said tha, Ethiopia has been cooperative with UNMEE, which is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the peaceful solution of the border conflict between the two countries. Moreover, by expressing its consent to UNMEE’s request for a direct flight between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Ethiopian Government has taken yet another measure believed to be crucial for the implementation of UNMEE’s task, the ministry stated. The statement also disclosed that the consent of the Ethiopian Government was expressed in a letter sent by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to the Secretary General of UN on August 18, 2004. The statement said the consent of the Ethiopian Government to the request for the direct flight shows Ethiopia’s desire and commitment for lasing peace. EPRDF’s decision to enhancing women’s candidacy said historic breakthrough ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – State Minister in charge of women’s Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office described as a major victory for the entire women in Ethiopia the decision made by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to increase women candidacy to up to 40 per cent of overall representation in the upcoming elections. Gifti Abassiya hailed the Front’s decision here Friday in a joint press statement she gave together with Education Minister Genet Zewde and State Minister of Information Netrsant Asfaw. Gifti said the decision in the outcome of struggle by women in the country. The facts that the demands of women have been supported by men signify a major victory and a historic break through, she said. The decision is a practical step to empowering women to the merit of the entire public, she indicated. Women’s demands are expressed in the matter of equality, democracy and human rights, she said, adding enhancing women representation in elections will ensure the benefits of all section of the society. Women are decisibve in the realization of poverty reduction activities in the country as well as in the ongoing democratization, she indicated. The three-profile women officials on the occasion called on the entire women in the country to actively participate in the elections – to elect or to be elected. EPRDF with its decision for 30-40 per cent representation of women in the upcoming election, proves that it firmly upholds the principles of equality and democracy, the said. They noted that empowering women indecision making will speed up the efforts launched to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and camp down on corruption. Seyoum leaves for Nairobi to attend launching of Somalian Transitional Government ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin left here yesterday for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a two-day meeting in which a Somalian Federal Transitional Government will be launched. The 9th Ministerial Facilitation Committee meeting of the Inter-Governmental Authority for development (IGAD) held in July had decided that the Somalian Federal Transitional Government be officially launched during the two-day meeting beginning Augusts 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ENA. In line with the Committee’s resolution, 190 parliamentarians drawn from the various Somalian clans had so far been represented and 85 others are expected to be delegated soon, the ministry said. It said, the Somalian nationals reconciliation process has reached its stage of fruition, now that the agreed upon quorum has been met enabling to elect a speaker and President of Transitional Government in Somalia. The Communiqué issued by the 9th Facilitation Committee Meeting had declared the dawning of a decisive chapter for the realization of Somalian Federal Transitional Government, the ministry recalled. Kenenisa smashes Olympic record Ethiopian athletes start race with victory By Kersima Muzeyin ADDIS ABABA – The brave Ethiopian athletes claimed victory in the men’s 10,000m truck and field while others quality in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m women category opening their first debut with success story last Friday night, in Athens. The 10,000m final saw the Sydney trio Haile Gebre-Selasie, Kenenisa Bekele and Sileshi Sehin who produce aggressive challenge to other opponents from Kenya and a rising star from Eritrea. Kenenisa and Sileshi played tram work along with their compatriot Haile in the previous laps but this changed its course as Haile dropped back with a feeling of strain on his face. Having understood the condition Kenenisa and Sileshi advanced ahead with a big gap from a pack of athletes. Kenenisa kicked fiercely in the finishing laps to break the Olympic record in 27:05.11; Sileshi finished second in 27:09.39 while Zersenay Tadess of Eritrea was third in 27:22.57. Kenenisa who is a reigning world champion and holder of the world record told Xinhua after victory, “I am happy I won today. This is my first Olympic medal, so it’s always going to be special for me. “It was quite a hard race. I don’t know how I got the energy for the final spirit. I gave everything I had in the last lap because I wanted to break the Olympic record. During the race we worked as a team and wanted to win all medals for Ethiopia.” Zinhua reported that Kenenisa has beaten Haile’s 5,000m and 10,000m world records this year and is expected to win a second gold in the 5,000m, Kenenisa was never threatened by the expected Kenyans, who failed to finish in the top five. Haile, who perfectly anticipated for BBE, “Any medal would be fantastic but I don’t mind. It’s just important for Ethiopia that I compete,” also told Zinhua after the competition. “It is a fantastic day for Ethiopia and Africa but not for me. I couldn’t keep up with the speed even though I wanted and tried. I’m very happy to see Kenenisa win and also to see everything he has done”. Haile said that he would retire from track after Friday’s race and focus on marathon after the Olympic games. “It was my last race on the track but OI hope to be back for the marathon in Beijing.” he said. In a glittering career, Haile has broken 18 world records indoors and out, won two Olympic 10,000m gold and four world 10,000m titles. In Sydney, he put up an epic final against arch-riual, Kenya’s Paul Targat with less than a lap to go, the men were neck-and neck, roared on by 110,000 spectators in the stadium in Australia. Similarly fellow compatriot Mulugeta Wondimu qualified for the second round of the 1,500m contest to be held today, while Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar and Sentayehu Ejigu qualified for the finals of 5,000m tomorrow. Tirunesh who is the youngest even to snatch gold in the Sydney 5,000m once again sprinted away from compatriot Sentayehu Ejigu who also qualified securing second place. Both broke clear in the closing stages, Meseret Defar, another compatriot qualified from the group after a showdown with Abiy Legesse of Turkey. Meseret out sprinted Abiy in the final lap to clam first position. In an excellent beginning, Ethiopian young stars would develop additional spiritual strength to show an outstanding performance for a better status than the Sydney result. ====================== Pol.Ethiopia august 24, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Wed Aug 25 11:34:13 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 04:34:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040825113413.54868.qmail@web53302.mail.yahoo.com> August 24/25, 2004 Ethiopia signs 200 mln. Dollar loan, grant agreements with World Bank ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia signed 1 200 million dollar loan and grant agreements with the World Bank yesterday. As per the agreement signed at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), 175 million dollar is loan and the balance is grant. The 75 million dollar loan and the 25 million dollar grant will be used to finance the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which aims at increasing access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services for rural and urban users, the Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed said at the signing ceremony. He said the remaining 100 million dollar will be used for the implementation of the Public Sector Capacity Building Programme (PSCAP) which comprises civil service reform, justice reform, tax reform, district level decentralization, urban management and information communication technology sub-programs. The loan and the grant are mainly used to strengthen capacity building programmes the government is undertaking, the World Bank country Director for Ethiopia, Ishac Diwan said. The World Bank is a strong development partner of Ethiopia, he said adding it is not only providing financial support, but also expertise and technical assistance. According to the director, approximately 5,500 water supply schemes will benefit nearly 3 million people in some 3,500 communities and 50 towns under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed and World Bank Country Director, Ishac Diwan signed the agreement. UNICEF congratulates Kenenisa over Olympic victory ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian country Office ahs congratulated Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Kenenisa Bekele for his victory in the 10,000 meters in Athens, according to office press release faxed to the Herald yesterday. ”Ethiopia has a long and proud tradition in the field of athletics," said UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist. "However, Friday's victory is more than just another gold medal for this wonderful country. As UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, Kenenisa is using his talent and fame to help us highlight the serious situation affecting orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia while helping us end stigma and discrimination for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS/" Kenenisa is one of the country's rising stars in the field of athletics. UNICEF Ethiopia was very much moved and privileged to sign the young runner as Goodwill Ambassador for OVCs earlier this month before the traveled to Greece to compete for his country, it said. Globally, the number of orphans is increasing due to HIV/AIDS. Between 2001 and 2003, the figure of children orphaned due to AIDS rose from 11.5 million to 15 million. The proportion of children who have lost both parents to the disease increased form less than 2 per cent in 1990 to 28 percent in 2003. According to international estimates, there are approximately 3.8 million orphans in Ethiopia in 2001. That figure is expected to rise to 4.4 million by 2005. UNICEF plans to launch a major media and advocacy campaign with Kenenisa upon his return to Addis Ababa to sensitize the Ethiopian population about the difficulties facing OVCs in the country and the necessity of providing them with the essential care and support they need. Gender development key to ensuring good governance: AIDWO by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - African Initiative for a Democratic World Order (AIDWO), a not-for-profit indigenous civic organization, has stressed the need for attaching due attention to gender development issues if good governance efforts were to come to fruition. Speaking at a day-long panel discussion held yesterday, AIDWO executive Director Debede Kejela said socio-economic development and good governance endeavours were doomed to failure unless they take into account gender issues both at the planning and implementation stages. "Only when the roles of women and men are identified and eanbling environment created, could tangibvel and sustainable development and good goverencence be realized," he told the panel organized under the theme; 'Gender Development and Good Governance'. Kebede commended EPRDF's initiative to increase women candidacy for the upcoming elections upto 40 per cent saying that it would enhance their participation in decision-making. He also urged other parties to follow suit. The Executive Director said the panel discussion was primarily aimed at looking from various dimensions the link between gender development and good governance and come up with viable and constructive ideas that would help as inputs for policy makers. In a paper she presented to the panel under the title "The role and participation of Women in Building Democratic Institutions", Asmaru Berihun, an MP, said Ethiopian women had been denied of their civil and economic rights during the previous consecutive anti-democratic regimes. Though the incumbent government has taken various constructive measures to ensure gender equality and enhance the role of women in decision -making, women's involvement in political and economic activities is still insignificant, she said. Asmaru called upon Ethiopian women to actively participate in the forthcoming elections in a bid to have their true representatives who would advocate for the respect of their rights. Women rights activists, political organizations, members of parliament as well as representatives of various civic organizations were in attendance at the panel discussion organized by AIDWO. Cotonou Agreement implementation EC to supply 10 mln. Euro to non-state actors by Biniyam Wubshet ADDIS ABABA - The European Development Fund ahs allocated ten million Euro to build the capacity of Non-State Actors (NSA) for the next six years for the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. Ministry of finance and Economic Development Multilateral cooperation department Head Dr. Fisseha Abera said yesterday at a national Consultation workshop for NSA engagement in implementing the Cotonou Agreement, that the government and the EC are preparing a programme that aims at strengthening the capacity of non-state actors in Ethiopia. EC Political Attaché Martina Fors said on the occasion that the Civic Society Fund, the 10 million Euro, is on the final stage as the NSA implementation modalities have been under scrutiny in Brussels. The main focal areas of capacity building of the NSA is to advocate, lobby and engage in policy dialogue," she told the Herald. Though she was hesitant to disclose the exact date of the provision of the fund to NSA, Martina said that the proposal need to be discussed by all members states and expressed hop that it would be decided in the near future. Presenting a paper, Dr. Alemayehu Areda from Cher Ethiopia, indicate that identifying and selecting the actors, lack of information, political resistance, organizing structured dialogue, and obtaining funds as well as capacity building are the major challenges for the ACP and EC partnership. Inter Africa Group, Safer World and Africa pace Forum organized the workshop. The Cotonou Agreement was signed on June 23, 2000 between 77 ACP countries and 15 EC member states. This new partnership agreement is designed to stay operational for 20 years, it was learnt. S. Korean Company establishes 50 mln. birr general hospital ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Myung-Sang International Development, a South Korean private company, announced that it has completed the construction of a general hospital here in Addis Ababa at a cost of 50 million birr. The new hospital ready to provide services in the coming Ethiopian New Year has pediatrics, maternal, dental, ophthalmic, and other surgical wards, Company General manager, H.R. Moon said yesterday. He said the hsopital, due to begin services with 84 beds for the time being, would have a capapcity of upto 300 beds later. The new health service facility that rest on 90,000 sq. meters of land would open job opportunities to 300 Ethiopians when it goes fully operational. The hospital would provide free medical services to low-income patients, the manager said. The hospital also comprises nurses' training and medical college with a view to equipping local professionals with up-to-date medical technologies, he said. The profit to be secured from the hospital would be used as a revolving fund for development activities in Ethiopia, deputy head of the administrative and finale section of the company, Tesfaye Mekuria said. Tesfaye said the company is licensed to engage itself in the agriculture sector with a registered capital of 34 million birr. ================== pol.Ethiopia August 25, 2004 ================= _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now. http://promotions.yahoo.com/goldrush From ethiopiawinet@yahoogroups.com Thu Aug 26 19:30:08 2004 From: ethiopiawinet@yahoogroups.com (Unite) Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 15:30:08 -0400 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] [ethiopiawinet] Ethiopians rallying to rename DC neighborhood "little Ethiopia" Message-ID: <01ab01c48ba3$1d789b70$220c13ac@Tamrat> ------=_NextPart_000_01AC_01C48B81.9666FB70 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ethiopians are now rallying to rename a Washington DC neighborhood on behalf of the Ethiopian Community. Sign this online petition if you are in favor of the renaming of an area in DC for Ethiopians. http://www.petitiononline.com/ea100/petition.html Washington DC council members have given their commitment to do this but we need to raise our voices to expedite the process and show them what our numbers mean. Don't forget to add comments, suggest a name, and site for the area you believe should be the next i.e. "little Ethiopia" Abe ------=_NextPart_000_01AC_01C48B81.9666FB70 Content-Type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Ethiopians are now rallying to rename a Washington DC neighborhood on behalf of the Ethiopian Community. Sign this online petition if you are in favor of the renaming of an area in DC for Ethiopians.

http://www.petitiononline.com/ea100/petition.html

Washington DC council members have given their commitment to do this but we need to raise our voices to expedite the process and show them what our numbers mean. Don't forget to add comments, suggest a name, and site for the area you believe should be the next i.e. "little Ethiopia"

Abe

 

 

 


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------=_NextPart_000_01AC_01C48B81.9666FB70-- From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Aug 27 12:45:25 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 05:45:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040827124526.79188.qmail@web53304.mail.yahoo.com> August 26/27, 2004 EPRDF expresses readiness to discuss proposals with EDFU ADDIS ABABA - (ENA) - The Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF), the ruling party, said it has accepted the proposals related to the forthcoming national and state elections, which was submitted to it by the Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU), and is ready to discuss the proposals. The Front is finalizing the activities enabling it work together with those political parties who will be competing in the upcoming national and state elections to make the elections free and democratic, the EPRDF Office told, Abiyotawi Democracy, its organ. The newspaper said the Union presented in mid May this year its proposals regarding the next election to prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the chairman the EPRDF based on the decision passed by the Front recently. "EPRDF has notified EDFU's current chairman about its readiness to discuss the proposals," it said. In accordance with the decisions passed by the council of the EPRDF in its regular meeting held recently, Front has launched activities enabling it to discharge its responsibilities as part of its efforts to make the forthcoming national elections, the third to be held in the country, democratic free. Creating conducive situation enabling the society to actively participate in the election ranging from registration to casting votes and ensuring the fairness of the elections is one of the activities launched by the Front, according to the newspaper. Cooperating with those participating parties to make the elections fair and democratic is also included the Front's activities, it said. The Council of EPRDF has also decided that the Front would make everything possible in its capacity to make the forthcoming election democratic. First Lady says athlete's victory shows women can be successful in any sector ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian first Lady said the victory scored by Ethiopian women in 5000 meters race in Athens Olympics is an indicator that women could attain achievements in any sector. In a news conference she gave here yesterday, the First Lady, who is also member of the National Coalition for Women Against HIV/AIDS, Azeb Mesfin said the victory can be taken as the best example that women could attain success as their men brethren in any area they engage in. The heroic victory achieved by Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, who won gold and bronze medals respectively in 5000 meters race in the Athens Olympics, was a victory and dignity for the Ethiopian women. She said the parents of the athletics should indeed by happy and proud of their daughters for their heroic deed. "If women actively involve in development, they can also attain achievement and benefit from the achievements," Azeb said. Bahir Dar Town, Cleveland City sign cooperation agreement BAHIR DAR (ENA) - A cooperation agreement was signed last month between town of Bahir Dar and the City of Cleveland, USA, the Bahir Dar Municipality said. Bahir Dar Mayor Marye Kefyalew said Wednesday that the agreement would be instrumental to forge closer ties between the signatories on trade and investment as well as in culture, education and other sectors. The mayor said committees have been set up with a view to following up and evaluating implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two cities. Cleveland City Administration had promised to assist training and other capacity building intervention activities in Bahir Dar in the areas of urban management, urban development, engineering and other sectors, the mayor said. According to the agreement, the Cleveland city Administration would provide technical as well as financial assistance to Bahir Dar town Administration in the areas of potable water services, drainage, and sewerage systems. A delegation comprising officials of the city administration and other pertinent bodies has earlier visited Cleveland. Delegation participates in Sin-Africa Youth Festival ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A delegation led by Ethiopia's special envoy to the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum Secretariat, Haile-Kiros Gessesse took part in the first China-Africa Youth Festival held on August 23, 2004 in Beijing, china, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the Ministry sent to ENA Wednesday, in an opening remark on behalf of African countries Haile-Kiros said that the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum, which was held last December in Addis Ababa, had agreed to organize the festival in Beijing. Haile-Kiros said that the main objective of the festival is to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations and cooperation between the region and China and enhance people-to-people relationships. Nearly 132 participants drawn from 44 African countries took part n the festival, according to the statement. Ethiopians celebrate victory in Athens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Decked in a white and gold outfit, popular Ethiopians singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw nick named "Gigi" sand the praises of Ethiopia's current and former Olympic champions, Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebre-Selassie in an Athens club, last weekend, Reuters reported. The 10,000 m. world champion and record holder Kenenisa had won in an Olympic record of 27:05.10 on Friday, followed by compatriot Sileshi Sihin, while the injured 1996 and 2000 champion Haile, who previously held both records, finish fifth. The medals count climbed with women's world 3,000m indoor champion Meseret Defar and 5,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba taking 5,000m gold and bronze on Monday. Kenenisa celbrated his victory modestly on Friday night, rejoicing with his teammates as they left the stadium "I was very happy," he told Reuters. "The Olympics is huge. Many people made a telephone call from Ethiopia." The call included sports and government officials, family and friends, and Kenenisa spoke to his siblings and his fiancé. "There is still work to be done," said the double world cross-country champion, who began his quest for a rare double on Wednesday by inning his 5,000m heat ahead of compatriot Gebre-Egiziabher Gebremariam. For the 300 Ethiopians who gathered in the Galazio Club in the Kipseli area of Athens, where the majority of Ethiopians in the city live, last Saturday was the right time to party. "It is not just that Kenenisa won, but that my country Ethiopia got a gold medal and a silver medal, that makes me happy," said Abel Bogale, 21, a license plate maker from Athens. The efforts of the four-time former world champion Haile, and the changing of the guard in Ethiopia's distance running hierarchy equally moved many in the Galazio. Gigi sang to an appreciative crown including people on the dance floor in front of the stage, on which an Ethiopian flag had been draped. When Gigi serenaded the athletes, faces turned to the stage arms rose in appreciation and a flag was held aloft in the crowd. Gigi referred to Friday's victory and sang, 'Kenenisa, lion of Ethiopia", promoting a roar that recurred when she then sang about Slileshi. When she subsequently referred to Haile in the same way, calling him "Hailiye", a form of endearment, screams accompanied the cheers. "For me, Haile is always Haile," said Gig, who sang on the soundtrack of 'Endurance', the Hollywood film about Haile's life. "He will never change. it's not whether he wins of doesn’t win. He's a man who has won many times. He's the pride of Ethiopia. ==================== Pol.Ethiopia August 27, 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Aug 31 11:39:54 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 04:39:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040831113954.89380.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> August 28/29, 2004 Diplomatic efforts in promoting investment, strengthening dev't fruitful: MoFA ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the diplomatic efforts pursued during the past fiscal year in the economic and investment sectors are encouraging. Press Information and Documentation Directorate of the Ministry told WIC that officials' visits were made to different countries across the world in a bid to strengthening diplomatic ties and promote opportunities available in the country in trade, investment, tourism and other sectors. In this regard, the official visits made by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to the Middle East and the discussions held with higher officials of the respective countries had significant contribution towards economic ties with the countries. According to the Director, the visits to Israel, apart from strengthening bilateral relations, enabled to attract Israeli entrepreneurs in the investment sector of the country. Following the officials visit of the Foreign Minister and after being briefed about the investment and trade opportunities, Israeli entrepreneurs are showing a growing interest in horticultural development, it said. Accordingly, about 25 Israeli entrepreneurs have so far been engaged in floricultural development, both independently and jointly with Ethiopians. According to the Directorate, the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Israel and the bilateral talks held with Israeli officials as well as discussions held with business people were significant in that they helped the Israelis to between understanding Ethiopia and support the agricultural sector. In an effort to enhance export trade, successful work has been accomplished during the year, it said. The revenue earned from foreign trade during the past fiscal year exceeded that of the last 11 years, the Director added. The directorate also said that the investment projects licensed during the past fiscal year was 61 per cent higher in number and 28 per cent higher in capital compared to that of the total projects licensed over the past 11 years. Apart from the growth of investment projects in the country with 676 projects with an aggregate capital of 10 billion birr licensed in less than a year, entrepreneurs have increasingly demonstrated their interest to engage in the floricultural development, it said. Besides, entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, USA, Great Britain, France, South Africa and Sudan are entering the development sector, it added. According to the Directorate, official visits held to Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar and United Arab emirates; and the officials visits of the German Chancellor, Chinese Prime Minister, Botswana President and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were the significant events that took place during the year. Moreover, , fruitful discussions were held to ensure the security of Ethiopian citizens in the Middle East, the Directorate added. Ethiopia, St. Lucia to establish diplomatic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The governments of Ethiopia and St. Lucia signed an agreement that could enable them to establish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level in each other's countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the ministry sent to ENA yesterday, Acting Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the UN in New York, ambassador Triruneh Zena as well as St. Lucia's Permanent Mission, Antony B. Severin signed the agreement. The statement said the agreement enable to enhance the existing friendship between the two countries. Ambassador Tiruneh said on the occasion that though the two countries are found in different continents, they have historical and cultural ties between the people of both countries, according to the statement. AFMIN to move office to Addis ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Board of Directors of Africa Micro Finance Network (AFMIN) has decided to transfer its office to Addis Ababa. President of AFMIN, Dr. Worlday Amha, told WIC that AFMIN, a regional association of country-level networks of micro finance institutions in Africa, has been based in Abidjan, Republic of Cote'd'vorie, since its inception. He said the Board of Directors decided on July 19 in Kampala to relocate the office in Addis Ababa in relation to the political situation that has been affecting the hosting country since September 2002. The president said Addis Ababa was selected to host AFMIN after competing with Nairobi and Accra, taking into consideration the political and economic stability, country level network and favourable national policies for micro-finance, presence of international organizations and donors, strong presence of micro finance industry. Dr. Wolday said it is a success for Ethiopia, as the country will benefit directly or indirectly from linkage effect. As Addis Ababa is the seat for African Union, Economic Commission for Africa and many other intercontinental organizations, AFMIN would use the opportunity to promote the micro finance industry, he sated. The president said AFMIN, that currently comprises 19 country-level networks (CLNs) in countries of East, West and Southern Africa, aims to bring an impact on micro finance services for low-income population. He said AFMIN tries to build consensus around performance indicators and standards for micro-finance to ensure that the sector maintains a high standard of performance that will enable micro finance institutions to achieve sustainability and become integrated in the financial systems of their country. ESL TO provide freight transportation service to steel importers ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Ethiopian shipping Lines (ESL) reportedly agreed to give cargo services to importers of steel products from countries around the Black Sea. At a discussion held between 51 steel importers and ESL here Thursday, Managing director of ESL, Ambachew Abraha said that giving freight service to the importers is a national responsibility, beyond making profits. In this regard, he said agreement was reached between two enterprises giving chartered ship cargo services and ESL after surveying to work around Black Sea. He said ESL would give the service with its own ships and that of others in competitive price with the international sea fare. Steel importers, who speak of their dissatisfaction with foreign shipping lines, urged ESL to give them better freight transportation service. AU urges Somali leaders to stay united ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The swearing in of 194 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia by the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee on 22 August 2004 at the UN compound at the Girgiri Centre Nairobi, Kenya, was yet another major step by the Somali leaders towards restoration of peace, security and stability in Somalia, the African Union's Chairperson said. According to a statement sent to ENA yesterday, AU chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said like its predecessor, the Elderot Declaration, which the leaders singed on 27 October 2002, providing for the cessation of hostilities throughout the country and establishment of a parliament for Somalia, is a significant turning point in the 22 months old Somalia National Reconciliation Process, "The prospects of a durable solution to the conflict in Somalia have become brighter," the statement quoted the Chairperson as saying. Knonare appealed to all Somali leaders at the Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi to stay united and ensure that the selection of the remaining 81 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament is successfully concluded, it said. ================================ Pol.Ethiopia August 31, 2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 2 13:53:29 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040802115329.89023.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> July 30, 2004 Ethio-Kenya border administrators' meeting held in Kenya ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 23rd meeting of the Ethio-Kenya Joint Border Administrators' and Commissioners' Committee was held in Gnagnuki, Kenya from July 21-23, 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. A statement sent to ENA by the Ministry yesterday said the meeting had discussed, security problems prevailing in border areas and their solutions, among others. The meeting had also deliberated on ways of forgoing economic and social ties between the peoples of the two countries who are living in border areas. It has also reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides during the 22nd joint committee meeting held in Bahir Dar town and other bilateral issues, according to the statement. The statement said the meeting was conducted in a very friendly manner and openness. The two sides had also reached an agreement on every issue and subjects raised during the meeting in Adama town in the coming March, according to the statement. Ethiopians in Russia call for direct air links between Ethiopia, Russia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopians residing in Russia said establishing direct air links between Addis Ababa and Moscow would significantly contribute in enhancing trade and tourism ties between Ethiopia and Russia, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ethiopians requested for the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of the two nations to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement sent to ENA yesterday said. The Ethiopians made the request during a meeting organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow to enable them engage in various businesses in the Russian Federation and contribute their share in strengthening the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and Russia that held on 24 July 2004. The meeting had extensively discussed the impediments for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. Participants of the meeting said lack of communications are some of the impediments to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, according to the statement. Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Asaminew Bedane on the occasion gave briefings to the participants on the prevailing situation in Ethiopia, the statement said. Symposium on draft press law said democratic ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 3rd national symposium recently held in Addis Ababa on the draft press law was a democratic forum where ideas were freely entertained, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry told ENA yesterday that the symposium has proved that the government and the press could discuss national issues and work in cooperation. The forum organized through a consortium composed of the Ministry of Information, Ethiopian Media Women's Association (EMWA), Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association (EFJA) and National Union of Journalists of Ethiopia (NUJE) has laid the foundation for more cooperation and understanding, it said. The forum was also instrumental in focusing in shaping the attention of the public on the discussion of the draft press law particularly the journalists and the publishers. Accordingly, about 250 participants were in attendance at the three-day discussion where more than 85 per cent were journalists and publishers. The forum has called for a similarly discussion forum where the press and the government could discuss issues of common concern. In the course of the discussion the Ministry of Information has agreed the inclusion of constructive ideas in the draft press law forwarded by the participants. The ministry also accepted the idea to establish the press council by the journalists and agreed in principle the Right Access to Information Act to be drafted independently. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the ministry has accepted all the concerns forwarded by the patricians, it said, adding that there will be a chance where the rejected ideas could be discussed when the draft law is presented to the parliament. July 30, 2004 Seyoum back home concluding Kuwaiti visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home on Wednesday concluding a four-day working visit to Kuwait. During his visit, Seyoum had talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheik Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al sabah on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Kuwait, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum had delivered Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's message to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the statement said. While in Kuwait, the minister also had talks with other senior government officials on bilateral issues. Ethiopia, Sudan work in cooperation to monitor security issues along common borders ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian and Sudanese troops have been working in close consultations and cooperation to monitor the security situation along the common borders of the two countries, the Ministry of National Defence said Wednesday. Senior military authorities and commanders of Ethiopia and the Sudan were meeting on periodical basis to assess security matters on the borders, public relations department with the Ministry of National Defence quoted Deputy Commander of the 110th Core, Brigadier General Seyoum Hagos as saying. The two sides have been exchanging information once the activities of anti-peace elements were confirmed in the areas, he said. They also extradited individuals to each other's countries captured while engaged in anti-peace activities as a move to ensure their joint security concerns. Following the establishment of the joint task force, over 80 individuals armed and trained by the Eritrean Government to destabilize the peaceful situation were captured and about 50 killed in action, the general said. He said four armed individuals who fled to the Sudan after initiating a conflict with the Ethiopia troops had been handed over by the Sudanese authorities to the Ethiopian side. Presently, the Ethio-Sudan common border is a scene where various development activities were undertaken including the resettlement programmes, he said. The construction of roads for the mutual benefit of the two countries was being undertaken along the common borders, according to the general. It is to be recalled, however, that a Sudanese armed group belonging to the Nuware Lo Clan has recently been accused by the Gambella State Government of trespassing the Ethiopian territory and urged to leave the place immediately. Authority constructing conservation laboratory with 29 mln. birr To serve as training centre for East Africa ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) said that it has been undertaking the construction of a conservation laboratory with over 29 million birr. According to Kirs, an annual magazine of ARCCH, the fourstorey laboratory building would also serve as a training centre for East Africa. As there was no laboratory in the country, Ethiopia had to send its relics abroad for further investigations, the magazine noted. The finalization of this laboratory would, therefore, solve the problem, it said. Upon completion, the laboratory would also generate income as it would draw trainers and professionals from East African countries, Kirs added. The private construction company, Yakomand, has reportedly agreed to finalize the construction work in 720 days. The laboratory would contribute to the scientific conservation of badly damaged heritages of the country and research on the evolution of humankind, it said. Italy to finance UNODC activities in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Italian Government said it has decided to earmark part of its voluntary contribution for 2004 to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the activities that would be undertaken in Ethiopia. According to a press release the Italian Embassy sent to ENA yesterday, the first project, which is worth 350,000 USD, is aimed at strengthening the interdiction and investigation techniques of the Ethiopian law enforcement counter narcotics. The second project, valued at 400,000 USD, is used for judicial system training in drug related casework in Southern and Eastern Africa it said. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.2,2004 ============================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 3 10:50:05 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20040803085005.90523.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." ================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.3,2004 ===================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 9 14:49:28 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040809124928.7110.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." =================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug. 9,2004 ========================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 10 14:24:10 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040810122410.7414.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> August 7, 2004 Seyoum returns home after attending 9th IGAD MFC meet in Nairobi ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home yesterday after attending the Nairobi 9th IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee Meeting on the Somalia National Reconciliation. Foreign ministers of IGAD member countries as well as representatives of 14 member countries of IGAD Partners' Forum, the European Union, the UN and the Arab League attended the two-day meeting that concluded Thursday in the capital of the East African nation, Kenya. In the communiqué they issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers said that the process of the Somalia National Reconciliation Congress has so far been promising and now reached a decisive point to realizing a federal interim government, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. The ministers described as a constructive move the fact that various clans in Somalia had already submitted parliamentary candidature lists, and called upon others to follow suit. They entrusted the task of receiving candidature lists to the IGAD Facilitation Committee for a deadline of two days, the press release said. The ministers commended the readiness displayed by the African Union's military observers' team to help Somalis attain a peaceful transition, it said. The ministers also called on all Somali parties to cooperate with the AU and the international community for the success of the National Reconciliation Congress and the process of establishing a transitional government. The ministers agreed to meet in Nairobi on the 21st of August. They are expected to officially announce the swearing-in ceremony of the Somali parliamentarians and the launching of the Somali Federal Transitional Government, the communiqué said. WFP introduces online hunger map ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - In an effort to highlight major global hunger emergencies in real-time, the World Food Programme (WFP) Thursday unveiled a colour-coded Internet map guiding visitors to its worldwide fight against the scourge, Xinhua reported. Posted on the UN agency's website, the "Hunger Map" charts the geography of hunger hotspots around the world with red indicating high levels of undernourishment, orange moderate levels and green extremely low levels. "There are more than 800 million undernourished women, men and children in the world, but how many people know where they live?" WFP Executive Director James Morris said in a statement. "The WFP 'Hunger Map' puts them on the map." WFP first plotted the geographical coordinates of hunger in printed form four years ago, but this is the first online version with real-time updates linked to background information on WFP operations in individual countries. It is also designed for use as an education tool in schools. Crises highlighted in the inaugural edition include the western Sudanese region of Darfur, Bangladesh, Peru and Afghanistan. The red bands spreads across sub-Saharan Africa, where one in three people suffers hinger, and stretches into Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Haiti. In these regions hinger claims more lives than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The green shading is limited to North America, Argentina, Europe and Australia, but varying degrees of undernourishment dominate the rest of the world. Gov't committed to intensify, sustain support to promote sports: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - It is to be recalled that Ethiopia joined the International Olympic Society at the 16th Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 to promote brotherhood, equality and peace among nations, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday the ministry said the marathon gold medal won by the legendary athlete Abebe Bekila in Rome, Italy in the 1960 Olympics marked the beginning of our glorious surge in the history of the Olympic Games. The great victories registered in Sydney and encouraging successes in the previous Olympic Games were the result of self confidence, endurance, hard work and determination of our sportsmen and sportswomen on the one hand, and the staunch support of the peoples and the government, on the other, it said. The 28th Olympic Games scheduled to be held from 13th to the 31st of August 2004 in Athens, Greece, is expected to be another venue for the Ethiopian Olympic team to raise the banner and prestige of the country, the statement said. The financial, material and moral support offered by governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens is an expression of respect and love for members of the Olympic team, it said adding that the people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia take this opportunity to express their best wishes to the team. Investors urged to involve in garbage disposal ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce said private investors need to involve in the collection and disposal of garbage, as the task should not be left to the government alone. Addressing a relevant meeting here yesterday, Chamber Vice-President Eyesuswork Zafu said the policy issued by the Addis Ababa City Government encourages the participation of private investors in curbing the socio-economic problems of the city. He said the chamber has designed a project that enables investors involve in the collection and disposal of garbage as part of its efforts launched in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation Agency. The meeting is aimed at raising the awareness of investors who are engaged in the sector. August 8, 2004 EPRDF regular meet calls for enhanced industrial dev't, execution capacity building ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Members of the General Council of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have indicated the need to enhance and intensify the activities being implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. As part of the execution capacity building, the educational reform programme has largely been implemented, of which implementation of the plan to raising the primary education coverage has gone far enough, they said. The desired scope of implementation has been attained also of the set target to taking the enrolment capacity of higher institutions to 30,000 students, which is going to be realized during the 1997 Ethiopian academic year, they said. The participants have, meanwhile, called for continued efforts to ensure quality education and expand civic education. Concerning the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme, the participants said there has been encouraging progress with the high-level management and service rendering. They said the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme need to go on with strong sense of commitment and in ways that can ensure sustainability. On the discussions pertaining to industrial and urban development, the participants recognized the need to enhance the activities geared towards improving the capacity of the private sector and the industrial development endeavours that are supportive of the rural and agricultural development. They agreed on the need for the government to strengthen its support to private investors in finance, infrastructure facilities, land provisions, and other necessary conditions. They also indicated the need to expand micro and small-scale industries, which they said could greatly complement rural and urban development. Participants of the meeting have also said implementation across the nation of rural and agricultural development activities have so far been encouraging. The participants said wide-ranging activities have been carried out to ensuring food security under the rural and agricultural development strategy. Encouraging achievements and gains have been registered in the activities carried out so far in the areas, among others, of water harvesting, basins' development, rural marketing and the establishment of cooperatives and unions, they said. They said there is a plan to enhance and intensify the good experiences gained so far in rural and agricultural development sector. Activities will be carried out to raise the agricultural and other sectors of development growth by two digits in the coming two years, they said. Members of the Council have also deliberated on the performance report pertinent to rural and agricultural development. During their deliberations, members of the Council said various activities would be undertaken to expand specialization and diversification in agricultural packages. Rural development, capacity building, trade an industry and the public relations activities of the Front would be discussed in the course of the meeting, and the report of the Central Committee of the Front would also be tabled for discussion. The meeting is expected to outline the direction that would be implemented by EPRDF and its coalitions during the 3rd national and state elections slated for the 2005. The General Council of EPRDF holds its regular meeting biannually. Media urged to curb spread of HIV/AIDS ADAMA (WIC) - The Ministry of Information urged the media to focus on controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Opening a workshop yesterday in Adama town, representative of the Ministry, Belete Tekewe said that HIV/AIDS is creating socio-economic challenges to the country. He said journalists, editors and heads of media institutions should more than ever strive to prevent the pandemic and arrest the spread of the disease. State and private media should collaborate in creating awareness among the public on ways of preventing the disease and bringing about behavioral change of HIV/AIDS. The representative commended the efforts of the UNDP in giving attention to the pandemic and its support to development programmes in the country. HIV/AIDS and social sector head with the UNDP, Kelemework Tekle said the journalists should be responsible and accountable in fighting the stigma and the pandemic. Some 40 journalists drawn from private, governmental and non-governmental organizations are in attendance of the three-day workshop. August 10, 2004 IOM says Ethiopians abroad keen to contribute to country's dev't ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The International Organization of Migration (IOM), said that Ethiopians in Diaspora are expressing a profound interest to make contributions to the development endeavours in their country. In an exclusive interview with WIC, Chief of IOM Mission in Ethiopia, Charles Kwenin said that the mission has so far received an over whelming response of the Diaspora community from across the world to its website launched last March, in collaboration with government and international partners, to mobilize Ethiopians living abroad. Accordingly, the mission has to date registered close to 22,000 Ethiopians in Diaspora who visited the website, some of whom have already identified the areas in which they prefer to make contributions, Kwenin said. He said 190 Ethiopians have expressed interest to return to their home land, on short-term basis, and make contributions, while 135 others have been registered to get engaged in investment in the country. Moreover, 434 Ethiopians with various knowledge, experience and expertise have been registered in the IOM's database to make contributions to the country's development. The chief, who stated the diverse nature of contributions the Diaspora want to make, added that some are expressing interest to transfer skills and knowledge from where they are in online teaching, telemedicine and other areas. "We are overwhelmed by the level of response. In the first month alone, we had 9,500 Ethiopians visiting the website" said Kwenin, and according to him, an average of 4,000 are expected to visit the site every month, which in turn builds a huge potential of human resources for the country's development. The chief, who noted that there are a lot of positive changes in the country, said the organization is, therefore, engaged in helping the country utilize the Diaspora for development. In this regard, IOM is assisting the Diaspora through the programme of migration for development of Africa, which was also endorsed by AU Council of Ministers, he said. Kwenin said most of the Ethiopians in Diaspora who showed interest in making contributions are from the United States of America, Germany, Canada and United Kingdom. According to him, IOM had similar programmes implemented in three phases in different countries of Africa, which proved to be successful in utilizing the Diaspora for national development. EPRDF Council resolves to promote public participation to make upcoming elections free and fair ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The General Council meeting of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ended here Sunday upcoming resolving that member parties to work hard to make the upcoming national elections free and fair and also approving its budget. The Council has agreed in its two-day deliberations to further strengthen its strong sides and rectify its weaknesses to make the elections free and fair, participants said. Members of the Front have also decided to struggle against anti-democracy activities and work for ensuring good governance. The meeting has also agreed that EPRDF and other competing political parties would work together for the development of democratic culture. Members of the EPRDF would also strive to raise participation of women in the upcoming elections. ETC launches distance, broadband multimedia mobile service by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) launched new distance and broadband multimedia service for mobile network beginning August 9, 2004 at reasonable price. Briefing journalists at the corporation's assembly hall yesterday, Communication Head Abdurahim Ahmed said that four mobile tariff Zones have been arranged for the customers to get service. Accordingly, Zone 1, embraces Addis Ababa and other seven towns; Zone 2, Makalle and nearby towns (Dessie), Zone 3, Dire Dawa and other towns around (Harar and Jijiga) and the 4th Bahir Dar and other towns (Gondar). According to him, a call from mobile to mobile within the same zone charges o.72 cents while that of inter-zone is 1.50 birr per minute. He further indicated that a call from mobile to normal telephone or vice-versa within the same zone which used to charge 0.75 cents earliest in now reduced to 0.72 cents per minute and for outside call 1.50 birr. Abdurahim further explained that broadband multimedia has two main service tariffs-bandwidth price and customer premise equipment charge. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Aug.10,2004 ============================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 20 15:19:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040820131908.6231.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> August 20, 2004 Ethiopia gives greet light to UNMEE to make direct flights between Addis, Asmara ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi disclosed that Ethiopia has accepted the request of the UN secretary-general, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to start direct flights between the two countries, the Ministry of Information said yesterday. In a latter he wrote Wednesday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Meles notified the UN chief that his country has agreed to his request - UNMEE to make direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ministry said in its statement. The Prime Minister recalled in his letter that Ethiopia legitimately demanded for two-minute detour once the direct flight entered the Ethiopian air space. He, however, said the direct flight couldn't be implemented as the Eritrean Government attempted to dictate its terms upon the flight of UNMEE in the Ethiopian air space. UNMEE has been unable to make direct flights between the two countries because of the inappropriate position of the Eritrean Government, once again the {rime Minister indicated in his letter Ethiopia had allowed direct flight of the Secretary General's place from Asmara to Addis Ababa during his visit last June. Prime Minister Meles told the UN Secretary General in his letter that his country has accepted his request Ethiopia to put aside its previous demand of two-minute detour once the direct flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara entered the Ethiopia air space. Prime Minster Meles also announced in his letter that the direct flight could begin at any time. Darfur rebel groups confirm new peace talks attendance ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Two rebel movements fighting government troops and Arab militias in Sudan's western Darfur province confirmed Wednesday in Chad that they will attend a new round of peace talks next week AFP reported. "We'll be at the meeting in (Nigeria's capital) Abuja. Our delegation will consist f 26 people, the military and politicians," AFP quoted a spokesman for the Movement for Justice and Equality (MJE) as saying. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would send a team of around 30 to the meeting next Monday, which has been prepared by the African Union, it quoted the SLM coordinator Ali Sugar as saying. On April 8 at talks in Ndjamena, the Khartoum Government and the rebels signed a cease-fire in the war that broke out in Darfure in February 2003 and has led to the world's worst current humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. On July 18, the rebels walked out of further negotiations organized by the AU in Addis Ababa, saying there would be no more talks until Khartoum met certain terms. Explosion caused no causality, property damage: Police ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bomb that exploded Wednesday night around the Ministry of Education at Arat Kilo caused minor damages to the building complex, the Addis Ababa Police Commission said. The commission told ENA yesterday that the bomb explosion caused unidentified individuals caused no fatality or property damage. Police have launched investigation into the case and a manhunt for the terrorists. =========================== pol.Ethiopia August 20. 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 24 07:37:23 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040824053723.76202.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> August 21, 2004 EAL nets 231 mln. Birr By Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it has secured a net profit of 231 million bird and an operating profit of 269,27 mln. Birr in the previous fiscal year while some other airlines are at loss. Briefing journalists yesterday at Sheraton Addis, on performance of the airlines, Chief Executive Officer with the Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake said that it has been profitable for the last four years through the cooperative efforts of both ins management and workers. According to him, to make it internationally competitive, customers’ service, delay in time and care for passengers’ luggage must be improved. He added profitable flight roots should be studied and also motivated work culture has to be implemented to maintain efficiency. He further said that foreign consultants have been working with the airlines for better vision for the coming five to fifteen years which would strengthen the transformation and reposition of Ethiopian Airlines in the future. The CEO also said air transport industry in general has a loss of 31 billion USD from 2001-2003. Out of this, 6.6 billion dollar loss incurred in 2003 as fuel price is greatly rising. It was estimated that there would be 3 billion USD loss in 2004 in the air transport industry. Ethiopia’s consent to request of UNMEE for direct flight said crucial to sustainable peace ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement, issued yesteday said peace is the most important prerequisite for the successes of the ongoing task to overcome poverty. The Statement underlined that people are engaged in enormous activities to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. In line with this, FDRE has been exerting maximum effort for the peaceful settlement of the border conflict with Eritrea, the ministry added. The statement further said tha, Ethiopia has been cooperative with UNMEE, which is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the peaceful solution of the border conflict between the two countries. Moreover, by expressing its consent to UNMEE’s request for a direct flight between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Ethiopian Government has taken yet another measure believed to be crucial for the implementation of UNMEE’s task, the ministry stated. The statement also disclosed that the consent of the Ethiopian Government was expressed in a letter sent by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to the Secretary General of UN on August 18, 2004. The statement said the consent of the Ethiopian Government to the request for the direct flight shows Ethiopia’s desire and commitment for lasing peace. EPRDF’s decision to enhancing women’s candidacy said historic breakthrough ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – State Minister in charge of women’s Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office described as a major victory for the entire women in Ethiopia the decision made by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to increase women candidacy to up to 40 per cent of overall representation in the upcoming elections. Gifti Abassiya hailed the Front’s decision here Friday in a joint press statement she gave together with Education Minister Genet Zewde and State Minister of Information Netrsant Asfaw. Gifti said the decision in the outcome of struggle by women in the country. The facts that the demands of women have been supported by men signify a major victory and a historic break through, she said. The decision is a practical step to empowering women to the merit of the entire public, she indicated. Women’s demands are expressed in the matter of equality, democracy and human rights, she said, adding enhancing women representation in elections will ensure the benefits of all section of the society. Women are decisibve in the realization of poverty reduction activities in the country as well as in the ongoing democratization, she indicated. The three-profile women officials on the occasion called on the entire women in the country to actively participate in the elections – to elect or to be elected. EPRDF with its decision for 30-40 per cent representation of women in the upcoming election, proves that it firmly upholds the principles of equality and democracy, the said. They noted that empowering women indecision making will speed up the efforts launched to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and camp down on corruption. Seyoum leaves for Nairobi to attend launching of Somalian Transitional Government ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin left here yesterday for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a two-day meeting in which a Somalian Federal Transitional Government will be launched. The 9th Ministerial Facilitation Committee meeting of the Inter-Governmental Authority for development (IGAD) held in July had decided that the Somalian Federal Transitional Government be officially launched during the two-day meeting beginning Augusts 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ENA. In line with the Committee’s resolution, 190 parliamentarians drawn from the various Somalian clans had so far been represented and 85 others are expected to be delegated soon, the ministry said. It said, the Somalian nationals reconciliation process has reached its stage of fruition, now that the agreed upon quorum has been met enabling to elect a speaker and President of Transitional Government in Somalia. The Communiqué issued by the 9th Facilitation Committee Meeting had declared the dawning of a decisive chapter for the realization of Somalian Federal Transitional Government, the ministry recalled. Kenenisa smashes Olympic record Ethiopian athletes start race with victory By Kersima Muzeyin ADDIS ABABA – The brave Ethiopian athletes claimed victory in the men’s 10,000m truck and field while others quality in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m women category opening their first debut with success story last Friday night, in Athens. The 10,000m final saw the Sydney trio Haile Gebre-Selasie, Kenenisa Bekele and Sileshi Sehin who produce aggressive challenge to other opponents from Kenya and a rising star from Eritrea. Kenenisa and Sileshi played tram work along with their compatriot Haile in the previous laps but this changed its course as Haile dropped back with a feeling of strain on his face. Having understood the condition Kenenisa and Sileshi advanced ahead with a big gap from a pack of athletes. Kenenisa kicked fiercely in the finishing laps to break the Olympic record in 27:05.11; Sileshi finished second in 27:09.39 while Zersenay Tadess of Eritrea was third in 27:22.57. Kenenisa who is a reigning world champion and holder of the world record told Xinhua after victory, “I am happy I won today. This is my first Olympic medal, so it’s always going to be special for me. “It was quite a hard race. I don’t know how I got the energy for the final spirit. I gave everything I had in the last lap because I wanted to break the Olympic record. During the race we worked as a team and wanted to win all medals for Ethiopia.” Zinhua reported that Kenenisa has beaten Haile’s 5,000m and 10,000m world records this year and is expected to win a second gold in the 5,000m, Kenenisa was never threatened by the expected Kenyans, who failed to finish in the top five. Haile, who perfectly anticipated for BBE, “Any medal would be fantastic but I don’t mind. It’s just important for Ethiopia that I compete,” also told Zinhua after the competition. “It is a fantastic day for Ethiopia and Africa but not for me. I couldn’t keep up with the speed even though I wanted and tried. I’m very happy to see Kenenisa win and also to see everything he has done”. Haile said that he would retire from track after Friday’s race and focus on marathon after the Olympic games. “It was my last race on the track but OI hope to be back for the marathon in Beijing.” he said. In a glittering career, Haile has broken 18 world records indoors and out, won two Olympic 10,000m gold and four world 10,000m titles. In Sydney, he put up an epic final against arch-riual, Kenya’s Paul Targat with less than a lap to go, the men were neck-and neck, roared on by 110,000 spectators in the stadium in Australia. Similarly fellow compatriot Mulugeta Wondimu qualified for the second round of the 1,500m contest to be held today, while Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar and Sentayehu Ejigu qualified for the finals of 5,000m tomorrow. Tirunesh who is the youngest even to snatch gold in the Sydney 5,000m once again sprinted away from compatriot Sentayehu Ejigu who also qualified securing second place. Both broke clear in the closing stages, Meseret Defar, another compatriot qualified from the group after a showdown with Abiy Legesse of Turkey. Meseret out sprinted Abiy in the final lap to clam first position. In an excellent beginning, Ethiopian young stars would develop additional spiritual strength to show an outstanding performance for a better status than the Sydney result. ====================== Pol.Ethiopia august 24, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Aug 25 13:34:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040825113413.54868.qmail@web53302.mail.yahoo.com> August 24/25, 2004 Ethiopia signs 200 mln. Dollar loan, grant agreements with World Bank ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia signed 1 200 million dollar loan and grant agreements with the World Bank yesterday. As per the agreement signed at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), 175 million dollar is loan and the balance is grant. The 75 million dollar loan and the 25 million dollar grant will be used to finance the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which aims at increasing access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services for rural and urban users, the Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed said at the signing ceremony. He said the remaining 100 million dollar will be used for the implementation of the Public Sector Capacity Building Programme (PSCAP) which comprises civil service reform, justice reform, tax reform, district level decentralization, urban management and information communication technology sub-programs. The loan and the grant are mainly used to strengthen capacity building programmes the government is undertaking, the World Bank country Director for Ethiopia, Ishac Diwan said. The World Bank is a strong development partner of Ethiopia, he said adding it is not only providing financial support, but also expertise and technical assistance. According to the director, approximately 5,500 water supply schemes will benefit nearly 3 million people in some 3,500 communities and 50 towns under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed and World Bank Country Director, Ishac Diwan signed the agreement. UNICEF congratulates Kenenisa over Olympic victory ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian country Office ahs congratulated Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Kenenisa Bekele for his victory in the 10,000 meters in Athens, according to office press release faxed to the Herald yesterday. ”Ethiopia has a long and proud tradition in the field of athletics," said UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist. "However, Friday's victory is more than just another gold medal for this wonderful country. As UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, Kenenisa is using his talent and fame to help us highlight the serious situation affecting orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia while helping us end stigma and discrimination for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS/" Kenenisa is one of the country's rising stars in the field of athletics. UNICEF Ethiopia was very much moved and privileged to sign the young runner as Goodwill Ambassador for OVCs earlier this month before the traveled to Greece to compete for his country, it said. Globally, the number of orphans is increasing due to HIV/AIDS. Between 2001 and 2003, the figure of children orphaned due to AIDS rose from 11.5 million to 15 million. The proportion of children who have lost both parents to the disease increased form less than 2 per cent in 1990 to 28 percent in 2003. According to international estimates, there are approximately 3.8 million orphans in Ethiopia in 2001. That figure is expected to rise to 4.4 million by 2005. UNICEF plans to launch a major media and advocacy campaign with Kenenisa upon his return to Addis Ababa to sensitize the Ethiopian population about the difficulties facing OVCs in the country and the necessity of providing them with the essential care and support they need. Gender development key to ensuring good governance: AIDWO by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - African Initiative for a Democratic World Order (AIDWO), a not-for-profit indigenous civic organization, has stressed the need for attaching due attention to gender development issues if good governance efforts were to come to fruition. Speaking at a day-long panel discussion held yesterday, AIDWO executive Director Debede Kejela said socio-economic development and good governance endeavours were doomed to failure unless they take into account gender issues both at the planning and implementation stages. "Only when the roles of women and men are identified and eanbling environment created, could tangibvel and sustainable development and good goverencence be realized," he told the panel organized under the theme; 'Gender Development and Good Governance'. Kebede commended EPRDF's initiative to increase women candidacy for the upcoming elections upto 40 per cent saying that it would enhance their participation in decision-making. He also urged other parties to follow suit. The Executive Director said the panel discussion was primarily aimed at looking from various dimensions the link between gender development and good governance and come up with viable and constructive ideas that would help as inputs for policy makers. In a paper she presented to the panel under the title "The role and participation of Women in Building Democratic Institutions", Asmaru Berihun, an MP, said Ethiopian women had been denied of their civil and economic rights during the previous consecutive anti-democratic regimes. Though the incumbent government has taken various constructive measures to ensure gender equality and enhance the role of women in decision -making, women's involvement in political and economic activities is still insignificant, she said. Asmaru called upon Ethiopian women to actively participate in the forthcoming elections in a bid to have their true representatives who would advocate for the respect of their rights. Women rights activists, political organizations, members of parliament as well as representatives of various civic organizations were in attendance at the panel discussion organized by AIDWO. Cotonou Agreement implementation EC to supply 10 mln. Euro to non-state actors by Biniyam Wubshet ADDIS ABABA - The European Development Fund ahs allocated ten million Euro to build the capacity of Non-State Actors (NSA) for the next six years for the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. Ministry of finance and Economic Development Multilateral cooperation department Head Dr. Fisseha Abera said yesterday at a national Consultation workshop for NSA engagement in implementing the Cotonou Agreement, that the government and the EC are preparing a programme that aims at strengthening the capacity of non-state actors in Ethiopia. EC Political Attaché Martina Fors said on the occasion that the Civic Society Fund, the 10 million Euro, is on the final stage as the NSA implementation modalities have been under scrutiny in Brussels. The main focal areas of capacity building of the NSA is to advocate, lobby and engage in policy dialogue," she told the Herald. Though she was hesitant to disclose the exact date of the provision of the fund to NSA, Martina said that the proposal need to be discussed by all members states and expressed hop that it would be decided in the near future. Presenting a paper, Dr. Alemayehu Areda from Cher Ethiopia, indicate that identifying and selecting the actors, lack of information, political resistance, organizing structured dialogue, and obtaining funds as well as capacity building are the major challenges for the ACP and EC partnership. Inter Africa Group, Safer World and Africa pace Forum organized the workshop. The Cotonou Agreement was signed on June 23, 2000 between 77 ACP countries and 15 EC member states. This new partnership agreement is designed to stay operational for 20 years, it was learnt. S. Korean Company establishes 50 mln. birr general hospital ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Myung-Sang International Development, a South Korean private company, announced that it has completed the construction of a general hospital here in Addis Ababa at a cost of 50 million birr. The new hospital ready to provide services in the coming Ethiopian New Year has pediatrics, maternal, dental, ophthalmic, and other surgical wards, Company General manager, H.R. Moon said yesterday. He said the hsopital, due to begin services with 84 beds for the time being, would have a capapcity of upto 300 beds later. The new health service facility that rest on 90,000 sq. meters of land would open job opportunities to 300 Ethiopians when it goes fully operational. The hospital would provide free medical services to low-income patients, the manager said. The hospital also comprises nurses' training and medical college with a view to equipping local professionals with up-to-date medical technologies, he said. The profit to be secured from the hospital would be used as a revolving fund for development activities in Ethiopia, deputy head of the administrative and finale section of the company, Tesfaye Mekuria said. Tesfaye said the company is licensed to engage itself in the agriculture sector with a registered capital of 34 million birr. ================== pol.Ethiopia August 25, 2004 ================= _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now. http://promotions.yahoo.com/goldrush From unite at ethiopianamerican.org Thu Aug 26 21:30:08 2004 From: unite at ethiopianamerican.org (Unite) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] [ethiopiawinet] Ethiopians rallying to rename DC neighborhood "little Ethiopia" Message-ID: <01ab01c48ba3$1d789b70$220c13ac@Tamrat> Ethiopians are now rallying to rename a Washington DC neighborhood on behalf of the Ethiopian Community. Sign this online petition if you are in favor of the renaming of an area in DC for Ethiopians. http://www.petitiononline.com/ea100/petition.html Washington DC council members have given their commitment to do this but we need to raise our voices to expedite the process and show them what our numbers mean. Don't forget to add comments, suggest a name, and site for the area you believe should be the next i.e. "little Ethiopia" Abe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.sn.apc.org/pipermail/pol.ethiopia/attachments/20040826/428e4e56/attachment.html From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 27 14:45:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040827124526.79188.qmail@web53304.mail.yahoo.com> August 26/27, 2004 EPRDF expresses readiness to discuss proposals with EDFU ADDIS ABABA - (ENA) - The Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF), the ruling party, said it has accepted the proposals related to the forthcoming national and state elections, which was submitted to it by the Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU), and is ready to discuss the proposals. The Front is finalizing the activities enabling it work together with those political parties who will be competing in the upcoming national and state elections to make the elections free and democratic, the EPRDF Office told, Abiyotawi Democracy, its organ. The newspaper said the Union presented in mid May this year its proposals regarding the next election to prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the chairman the EPRDF based on the decision passed by the Front recently. "EPRDF has notified EDFU's current chairman about its readiness to discuss the proposals," it said. In accordance with the decisions passed by the council of the EPRDF in its regular meeting held recently, Front has launched activities enabling it to discharge its responsibilities as part of its efforts to make the forthcoming national elections, the third to be held in the country, democratic free. Creating conducive situation enabling the society to actively participate in the election ranging from registration to casting votes and ensuring the fairness of the elections is one of the activities launched by the Front, according to the newspaper. Cooperating with those participating parties to make the elections fair and democratic is also included the Front's activities, it said. The Council of EPRDF has also decided that the Front would make everything possible in its capacity to make the forthcoming election democratic. First Lady says athlete's victory shows women can be successful in any sector ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian first Lady said the victory scored by Ethiopian women in 5000 meters race in Athens Olympics is an indicator that women could attain achievements in any sector. In a news conference she gave here yesterday, the First Lady, who is also member of the National Coalition for Women Against HIV/AIDS, Azeb Mesfin said the victory can be taken as the best example that women could attain success as their men brethren in any area they engage in. The heroic victory achieved by Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, who won gold and bronze medals respectively in 5000 meters race in the Athens Olympics, was a victory and dignity for the Ethiopian women. She said the parents of the athletics should indeed by happy and proud of their daughters for their heroic deed. "If women actively involve in development, they can also attain achievement and benefit from the achievements," Azeb said. Bahir Dar Town, Cleveland City sign cooperation agreement BAHIR DAR (ENA) - A cooperation agreement was signed last month between town of Bahir Dar and the City of Cleveland, USA, the Bahir Dar Municipality said. Bahir Dar Mayor Marye Kefyalew said Wednesday that the agreement would be instrumental to forge closer ties between the signatories on trade and investment as well as in culture, education and other sectors. The mayor said committees have been set up with a view to following up and evaluating implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two cities. Cleveland City Administration had promised to assist training and other capacity building intervention activities in Bahir Dar in the areas of urban management, urban development, engineering and other sectors, the mayor said. According to the agreement, the Cleveland city Administration would provide technical as well as financial assistance to Bahir Dar town Administration in the areas of potable water services, drainage, and sewerage systems. A delegation comprising officials of the city administration and other pertinent bodies has earlier visited Cleveland. Delegation participates in Sin-Africa Youth Festival ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A delegation led by Ethiopia's special envoy to the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum Secretariat, Haile-Kiros Gessesse took part in the first China-Africa Youth Festival held on August 23, 2004 in Beijing, china, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the Ministry sent to ENA Wednesday, in an opening remark on behalf of African countries Haile-Kiros said that the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum, which was held last December in Addis Ababa, had agreed to organize the festival in Beijing. Haile-Kiros said that the main objective of the festival is to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations and cooperation between the region and China and enhance people-to-people relationships. Nearly 132 participants drawn from 44 African countries took part n the festival, according to the statement. Ethiopians celebrate victory in Athens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Decked in a white and gold outfit, popular Ethiopians singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw nick named "Gigi" sand the praises of Ethiopia's current and former Olympic champions, Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebre-Selassie in an Athens club, last weekend, Reuters reported. The 10,000 m. world champion and record holder Kenenisa had won in an Olympic record of 27:05.10 on Friday, followed by compatriot Sileshi Sihin, while the injured 1996 and 2000 champion Haile, who previously held both records, finish fifth. The medals count climbed with women's world 3,000m indoor champion Meseret Defar and 5,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba taking 5,000m gold and bronze on Monday. Kenenisa celbrated his victory modestly on Friday night, rejoicing with his teammates as they left the stadium "I was very happy," he told Reuters. "The Olympics is huge. Many people made a telephone call from Ethiopia." The call included sports and government officials, family and friends, and Kenenisa spoke to his siblings and his fiancé. "There is still work to be done," said the double world cross-country champion, who began his quest for a rare double on Wednesday by inning his 5,000m heat ahead of compatriot Gebre-Egiziabher Gebremariam. For the 300 Ethiopians who gathered in the Galazio Club in the Kipseli area of Athens, where the majority of Ethiopians in the city live, last Saturday was the right time to party. "It is not just that Kenenisa won, but that my country Ethiopia got a gold medal and a silver medal, that makes me happy," said Abel Bogale, 21, a license plate maker from Athens. The efforts of the four-time former world champion Haile, and the changing of the guard in Ethiopia's distance running hierarchy equally moved many in the Galazio. Gigi sang to an appreciative crown including people on the dance floor in front of the stage, on which an Ethiopian flag had been draped. When Gigi serenaded the athletes, faces turned to the stage arms rose in appreciation and a flag was held aloft in the crowd. Gigi referred to Friday's victory and sang, 'Kenenisa, lion of Ethiopia", promoting a roar that recurred when she then sang about Slileshi. When she subsequently referred to Haile in the same way, calling him "Hailiye", a form of endearment, screams accompanied the cheers. "For me, Haile is always Haile," said Gig, who sang on the soundtrack of 'Endurance', the Hollywood film about Haile's life. "He will never change. it's not whether he wins of doesn’t win. He's a man who has won many times. He's the pride of Ethiopia. ==================== Pol.Ethiopia August 27, 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 31 13:39:54 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:37 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040831113954.89380.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> August 28/29, 2004 Diplomatic efforts in promoting investment, strengthening dev't fruitful: MoFA ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the diplomatic efforts pursued during the past fiscal year in the economic and investment sectors are encouraging. Press Information and Documentation Directorate of the Ministry told WIC that officials' visits were made to different countries across the world in a bid to strengthening diplomatic ties and promote opportunities available in the country in trade, investment, tourism and other sectors. In this regard, the official visits made by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to the Middle East and the discussions held with higher officials of the respective countries had significant contribution towards economic ties with the countries. According to the Director, the visits to Israel, apart from strengthening bilateral relations, enabled to attract Israeli entrepreneurs in the investment sector of the country. Following the officials visit of the Foreign Minister and after being briefed about the investment and trade opportunities, Israeli entrepreneurs are showing a growing interest in horticultural development, it said. Accordingly, about 25 Israeli entrepreneurs have so far been engaged in floricultural development, both independently and jointly with Ethiopians. According to the Directorate, the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Israel and the bilateral talks held with Israeli officials as well as discussions held with business people were significant in that they helped the Israelis to between understanding Ethiopia and support the agricultural sector. In an effort to enhance export trade, successful work has been accomplished during the year, it said. The revenue earned from foreign trade during the past fiscal year exceeded that of the last 11 years, the Director added. The directorate also said that the investment projects licensed during the past fiscal year was 61 per cent higher in number and 28 per cent higher in capital compared to that of the total projects licensed over the past 11 years. Apart from the growth of investment projects in the country with 676 projects with an aggregate capital of 10 billion birr licensed in less than a year, entrepreneurs have increasingly demonstrated their interest to engage in the floricultural development, it said. Besides, entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, USA, Great Britain, France, South Africa and Sudan are entering the development sector, it added. According to the Directorate, official visits held to Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar and United Arab emirates; and the officials visits of the German Chancellor, Chinese Prime Minister, Botswana President and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were the significant events that took place during the year. Moreover, , fruitful discussions were held to ensure the security of Ethiopian citizens in the Middle East, the Directorate added. Ethiopia, St. Lucia to establish diplomatic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The governments of Ethiopia and St. Lucia signed an agreement that could enable them to establish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level in each other's countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the ministry sent to ENA yesterday, Acting Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the UN in New York, ambassador Triruneh Zena as well as St. Lucia's Permanent Mission, Antony B. Severin signed the agreement. The statement said the agreement enable to enhance the existing friendship between the two countries. Ambassador Tiruneh said on the occasion that though the two countries are found in different continents, they have historical and cultural ties between the people of both countries, according to the statement. AFMIN to move office to Addis ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Board of Directors of Africa Micro Finance Network (AFMIN) has decided to transfer its office to Addis Ababa. President of AFMIN, Dr. Worlday Amha, told WIC that AFMIN, a regional association of country-level networks of micro finance institutions in Africa, has been based in Abidjan, Republic of Cote'd'vorie, since its inception. He said the Board of Directors decided on July 19 in Kampala to relocate the office in Addis Ababa in relation to the political situation that has been affecting the hosting country since September 2002. The president said Addis Ababa was selected to host AFMIN after competing with Nairobi and Accra, taking into consideration the political and economic stability, country level network and favourable national policies for micro-finance, presence of international organizations and donors, strong presence of micro finance industry. Dr. Wolday said it is a success for Ethiopia, as the country will benefit directly or indirectly from linkage effect. As Addis Ababa is the seat for African Union, Economic Commission for Africa and many other intercontinental organizations, AFMIN would use the opportunity to promote the micro finance industry, he sated. The president said AFMIN, that currently comprises 19 country-level networks (CLNs) in countries of East, West and Southern Africa, aims to bring an impact on micro finance services for low-income population. He said AFMIN tries to build consensus around performance indicators and standards for micro-finance to ensure that the sector maintains a high standard of performance that will enable micro finance institutions to achieve sustainability and become integrated in the financial systems of their country. ESL TO provide freight transportation service to steel importers ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Ethiopian shipping Lines (ESL) reportedly agreed to give cargo services to importers of steel products from countries around the Black Sea. At a discussion held between 51 steel importers and ESL here Thursday, Managing director of ESL, Ambachew Abraha said that giving freight service to the importers is a national responsibility, beyond making profits. In this regard, he said agreement was reached between two enterprises giving chartered ship cargo services and ESL after surveying to work around Black Sea. He said ESL would give the service with its own ships and that of others in competitive price with the international sea fare. Steel importers, who speak of their dissatisfaction with foreign shipping lines, urged ESL to give them better freight transportation service. AU urges Somali leaders to stay united ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The swearing in of 194 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia by the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee on 22 August 2004 at the UN compound at the Girgiri Centre Nairobi, Kenya, was yet another major step by the Somali leaders towards restoration of peace, security and stability in Somalia, the African Union's Chairperson said. According to a statement sent to ENA yesterday, AU chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said like its predecessor, the Elderot Declaration, which the leaders singed on 27 October 2002, providing for the cessation of hostilities throughout the country and establishment of a parliament for Somalia, is a significant turning point in the 22 months old Somalia National Reconciliation Process, "The prospects of a durable solution to the conflict in Somalia have become brighter," the statement quoted the Chairperson as saying. Knonare appealed to all Somali leaders at the Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi to stay united and ensure that the selection of the remaining 81 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament is successfully concluded, it said. ================================ Pol.Ethiopia August 31, 2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 2 13:53:29 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040802115329.89023.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> July 30, 2004 Ethio-Kenya border administrators' meeting held in Kenya ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 23rd meeting of the Ethio-Kenya Joint Border Administrators' and Commissioners' Committee was held in Gnagnuki, Kenya from July 21-23, 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. A statement sent to ENA by the Ministry yesterday said the meeting had discussed, security problems prevailing in border areas and their solutions, among others. The meeting had also deliberated on ways of forgoing economic and social ties between the peoples of the two countries who are living in border areas. It has also reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides during the 22nd joint committee meeting held in Bahir Dar town and other bilateral issues, according to the statement. The statement said the meeting was conducted in a very friendly manner and openness. The two sides had also reached an agreement on every issue and subjects raised during the meeting in Adama town in the coming March, according to the statement. Ethiopians in Russia call for direct air links between Ethiopia, Russia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopians residing in Russia said establishing direct air links between Addis Ababa and Moscow would significantly contribute in enhancing trade and tourism ties between Ethiopia and Russia, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ethiopians requested for the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of the two nations to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement sent to ENA yesterday said. The Ethiopians made the request during a meeting organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow to enable them engage in various businesses in the Russian Federation and contribute their share in strengthening the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and Russia that held on 24 July 2004. The meeting had extensively discussed the impediments for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. Participants of the meeting said lack of communications are some of the impediments to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, according to the statement. Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Asaminew Bedane on the occasion gave briefings to the participants on the prevailing situation in Ethiopia, the statement said. Symposium on draft press law said democratic ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 3rd national symposium recently held in Addis Ababa on the draft press law was a democratic forum where ideas were freely entertained, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry told ENA yesterday that the symposium has proved that the government and the press could discuss national issues and work in cooperation. The forum organized through a consortium composed of the Ministry of Information, Ethiopian Media Women's Association (EMWA), Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association (EFJA) and National Union of Journalists of Ethiopia (NUJE) has laid the foundation for more cooperation and understanding, it said. The forum was also instrumental in focusing in shaping the attention of the public on the discussion of the draft press law particularly the journalists and the publishers. Accordingly, about 250 participants were in attendance at the three-day discussion where more than 85 per cent were journalists and publishers. The forum has called for a similarly discussion forum where the press and the government could discuss issues of common concern. In the course of the discussion the Ministry of Information has agreed the inclusion of constructive ideas in the draft press law forwarded by the participants. The ministry also accepted the idea to establish the press council by the journalists and agreed in principle the Right Access to Information Act to be drafted independently. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the ministry has accepted all the concerns forwarded by the patricians, it said, adding that there will be a chance where the rejected ideas could be discussed when the draft law is presented to the parliament. July 30, 2004 Seyoum back home concluding Kuwaiti visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home on Wednesday concluding a four-day working visit to Kuwait. During his visit, Seyoum had talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheik Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al sabah on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Kuwait, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum had delivered Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's message to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the statement said. While in Kuwait, the minister also had talks with other senior government officials on bilateral issues. Ethiopia, Sudan work in cooperation to monitor security issues along common borders ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian and Sudanese troops have been working in close consultations and cooperation to monitor the security situation along the common borders of the two countries, the Ministry of National Defence said Wednesday. Senior military authorities and commanders of Ethiopia and the Sudan were meeting on periodical basis to assess security matters on the borders, public relations department with the Ministry of National Defence quoted Deputy Commander of the 110th Core, Brigadier General Seyoum Hagos as saying. The two sides have been exchanging information once the activities of anti-peace elements were confirmed in the areas, he said. They also extradited individuals to each other's countries captured while engaged in anti-peace activities as a move to ensure their joint security concerns. Following the establishment of the joint task force, over 80 individuals armed and trained by the Eritrean Government to destabilize the peaceful situation were captured and about 50 killed in action, the general said. He said four armed individuals who fled to the Sudan after initiating a conflict with the Ethiopia troops had been handed over by the Sudanese authorities to the Ethiopian side. Presently, the Ethio-Sudan common border is a scene where various development activities were undertaken including the resettlement programmes, he said. The construction of roads for the mutual benefit of the two countries was being undertaken along the common borders, according to the general. It is to be recalled, however, that a Sudanese armed group belonging to the Nuware Lo Clan has recently been accused by the Gambella State Government of trespassing the Ethiopian territory and urged to leave the place immediately. Authority constructing conservation laboratory with 29 mln. birr To serve as training centre for East Africa ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) said that it has been undertaking the construction of a conservation laboratory with over 29 million birr. According to Kirs, an annual magazine of ARCCH, the fourstorey laboratory building would also serve as a training centre for East Africa. As there was no laboratory in the country, Ethiopia had to send its relics abroad for further investigations, the magazine noted. The finalization of this laboratory would, therefore, solve the problem, it said. Upon completion, the laboratory would also generate income as it would draw trainers and professionals from East African countries, Kirs added. The private construction company, Yakomand, has reportedly agreed to finalize the construction work in 720 days. The laboratory would contribute to the scientific conservation of badly damaged heritages of the country and research on the evolution of humankind, it said. Italy to finance UNODC activities in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Italian Government said it has decided to earmark part of its voluntary contribution for 2004 to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the activities that would be undertaken in Ethiopia. According to a press release the Italian Embassy sent to ENA yesterday, the first project, which is worth 350,000 USD, is aimed at strengthening the interdiction and investigation techniques of the Ethiopian law enforcement counter narcotics. The second project, valued at 400,000 USD, is used for judicial system training in drug related casework in Southern and Eastern Africa it said. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.2,2004 ============================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 3 10:50:05 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20040803085005.90523.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." ================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.3,2004 ===================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 9 14:49:28 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040809124928.7110.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." =================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug. 9,2004 ========================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 10 14:24:10 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040810122410.7414.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> August 7, 2004 Seyoum returns home after attending 9th IGAD MFC meet in Nairobi ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home yesterday after attending the Nairobi 9th IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee Meeting on the Somalia National Reconciliation. Foreign ministers of IGAD member countries as well as representatives of 14 member countries of IGAD Partners' Forum, the European Union, the UN and the Arab League attended the two-day meeting that concluded Thursday in the capital of the East African nation, Kenya. In the communiqué they issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers said that the process of the Somalia National Reconciliation Congress has so far been promising and now reached a decisive point to realizing a federal interim government, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. The ministers described as a constructive move the fact that various clans in Somalia had already submitted parliamentary candidature lists, and called upon others to follow suit. They entrusted the task of receiving candidature lists to the IGAD Facilitation Committee for a deadline of two days, the press release said. The ministers commended the readiness displayed by the African Union's military observers' team to help Somalis attain a peaceful transition, it said. The ministers also called on all Somali parties to cooperate with the AU and the international community for the success of the National Reconciliation Congress and the process of establishing a transitional government. The ministers agreed to meet in Nairobi on the 21st of August. They are expected to officially announce the swearing-in ceremony of the Somali parliamentarians and the launching of the Somali Federal Transitional Government, the communiqué said. WFP introduces online hunger map ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - In an effort to highlight major global hunger emergencies in real-time, the World Food Programme (WFP) Thursday unveiled a colour-coded Internet map guiding visitors to its worldwide fight against the scourge, Xinhua reported. Posted on the UN agency's website, the "Hunger Map" charts the geography of hunger hotspots around the world with red indicating high levels of undernourishment, orange moderate levels and green extremely low levels. "There are more than 800 million undernourished women, men and children in the world, but how many people know where they live?" WFP Executive Director James Morris said in a statement. "The WFP 'Hunger Map' puts them on the map." WFP first plotted the geographical coordinates of hunger in printed form four years ago, but this is the first online version with real-time updates linked to background information on WFP operations in individual countries. It is also designed for use as an education tool in schools. Crises highlighted in the inaugural edition include the western Sudanese region of Darfur, Bangladesh, Peru and Afghanistan. The red bands spreads across sub-Saharan Africa, where one in three people suffers hinger, and stretches into Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Haiti. In these regions hinger claims more lives than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The green shading is limited to North America, Argentina, Europe and Australia, but varying degrees of undernourishment dominate the rest of the world. Gov't committed to intensify, sustain support to promote sports: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - It is to be recalled that Ethiopia joined the International Olympic Society at the 16th Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 to promote brotherhood, equality and peace among nations, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday the ministry said the marathon gold medal won by the legendary athlete Abebe Bekila in Rome, Italy in the 1960 Olympics marked the beginning of our glorious surge in the history of the Olympic Games. The great victories registered in Sydney and encouraging successes in the previous Olympic Games were the result of self confidence, endurance, hard work and determination of our sportsmen and sportswomen on the one hand, and the staunch support of the peoples and the government, on the other, it said. The 28th Olympic Games scheduled to be held from 13th to the 31st of August 2004 in Athens, Greece, is expected to be another venue for the Ethiopian Olympic team to raise the banner and prestige of the country, the statement said. The financial, material and moral support offered by governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens is an expression of respect and love for members of the Olympic team, it said adding that the people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia take this opportunity to express their best wishes to the team. Investors urged to involve in garbage disposal ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce said private investors need to involve in the collection and disposal of garbage, as the task should not be left to the government alone. Addressing a relevant meeting here yesterday, Chamber Vice-President Eyesuswork Zafu said the policy issued by the Addis Ababa City Government encourages the participation of private investors in curbing the socio-economic problems of the city. He said the chamber has designed a project that enables investors involve in the collection and disposal of garbage as part of its efforts launched in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation Agency. The meeting is aimed at raising the awareness of investors who are engaged in the sector. August 8, 2004 EPRDF regular meet calls for enhanced industrial dev't, execution capacity building ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Members of the General Council of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have indicated the need to enhance and intensify the activities being implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. As part of the execution capacity building, the educational reform programme has largely been implemented, of which implementation of the plan to raising the primary education coverage has gone far enough, they said. The desired scope of implementation has been attained also of the set target to taking the enrolment capacity of higher institutions to 30,000 students, which is going to be realized during the 1997 Ethiopian academic year, they said. The participants have, meanwhile, called for continued efforts to ensure quality education and expand civic education. Concerning the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme, the participants said there has been encouraging progress with the high-level management and service rendering. They said the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme need to go on with strong sense of commitment and in ways that can ensure sustainability. On the discussions pertaining to industrial and urban development, the participants recognized the need to enhance the activities geared towards improving the capacity of the private sector and the industrial development endeavours that are supportive of the rural and agricultural development. They agreed on the need for the government to strengthen its support to private investors in finance, infrastructure facilities, land provisions, and other necessary conditions. They also indicated the need to expand micro and small-scale industries, which they said could greatly complement rural and urban development. Participants of the meeting have also said implementation across the nation of rural and agricultural development activities have so far been encouraging. The participants said wide-ranging activities have been carried out to ensuring food security under the rural and agricultural development strategy. Encouraging achievements and gains have been registered in the activities carried out so far in the areas, among others, of water harvesting, basins' development, rural marketing and the establishment of cooperatives and unions, they said. They said there is a plan to enhance and intensify the good experiences gained so far in rural and agricultural development sector. Activities will be carried out to raise the agricultural and other sectors of development growth by two digits in the coming two years, they said. Members of the Council have also deliberated on the performance report pertinent to rural and agricultural development. During their deliberations, members of the Council said various activities would be undertaken to expand specialization and diversification in agricultural packages. Rural development, capacity building, trade an industry and the public relations activities of the Front would be discussed in the course of the meeting, and the report of the Central Committee of the Front would also be tabled for discussion. The meeting is expected to outline the direction that would be implemented by EPRDF and its coalitions during the 3rd national and state elections slated for the 2005. The General Council of EPRDF holds its regular meeting biannually. Media urged to curb spread of HIV/AIDS ADAMA (WIC) - The Ministry of Information urged the media to focus on controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Opening a workshop yesterday in Adama town, representative of the Ministry, Belete Tekewe said that HIV/AIDS is creating socio-economic challenges to the country. He said journalists, editors and heads of media institutions should more than ever strive to prevent the pandemic and arrest the spread of the disease. State and private media should collaborate in creating awareness among the public on ways of preventing the disease and bringing about behavioral change of HIV/AIDS. The representative commended the efforts of the UNDP in giving attention to the pandemic and its support to development programmes in the country. HIV/AIDS and social sector head with the UNDP, Kelemework Tekle said the journalists should be responsible and accountable in fighting the stigma and the pandemic. Some 40 journalists drawn from private, governmental and non-governmental organizations are in attendance of the three-day workshop. August 10, 2004 IOM says Ethiopians abroad keen to contribute to country's dev't ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The International Organization of Migration (IOM), said that Ethiopians in Diaspora are expressing a profound interest to make contributions to the development endeavours in their country. In an exclusive interview with WIC, Chief of IOM Mission in Ethiopia, Charles Kwenin said that the mission has so far received an over whelming response of the Diaspora community from across the world to its website launched last March, in collaboration with government and international partners, to mobilize Ethiopians living abroad. Accordingly, the mission has to date registered close to 22,000 Ethiopians in Diaspora who visited the website, some of whom have already identified the areas in which they prefer to make contributions, Kwenin said. He said 190 Ethiopians have expressed interest to return to their home land, on short-term basis, and make contributions, while 135 others have been registered to get engaged in investment in the country. Moreover, 434 Ethiopians with various knowledge, experience and expertise have been registered in the IOM's database to make contributions to the country's development. The chief, who stated the diverse nature of contributions the Diaspora want to make, added that some are expressing interest to transfer skills and knowledge from where they are in online teaching, telemedicine and other areas. "We are overwhelmed by the level of response. In the first month alone, we had 9,500 Ethiopians visiting the website" said Kwenin, and according to him, an average of 4,000 are expected to visit the site every month, which in turn builds a huge potential of human resources for the country's development. The chief, who noted that there are a lot of positive changes in the country, said the organization is, therefore, engaged in helping the country utilize the Diaspora for development. In this regard, IOM is assisting the Diaspora through the programme of migration for development of Africa, which was also endorsed by AU Council of Ministers, he said. Kwenin said most of the Ethiopians in Diaspora who showed interest in making contributions are from the United States of America, Germany, Canada and United Kingdom. According to him, IOM had similar programmes implemented in three phases in different countries of Africa, which proved to be successful in utilizing the Diaspora for national development. EPRDF Council resolves to promote public participation to make upcoming elections free and fair ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The General Council meeting of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ended here Sunday upcoming resolving that member parties to work hard to make the upcoming national elections free and fair and also approving its budget. The Council has agreed in its two-day deliberations to further strengthen its strong sides and rectify its weaknesses to make the elections free and fair, participants said. Members of the Front have also decided to struggle against anti-democracy activities and work for ensuring good governance. The meeting has also agreed that EPRDF and other competing political parties would work together for the development of democratic culture. Members of the EPRDF would also strive to raise participation of women in the upcoming elections. ETC launches distance, broadband multimedia mobile service by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) launched new distance and broadband multimedia service for mobile network beginning August 9, 2004 at reasonable price. Briefing journalists at the corporation's assembly hall yesterday, Communication Head Abdurahim Ahmed said that four mobile tariff Zones have been arranged for the customers to get service. Accordingly, Zone 1, embraces Addis Ababa and other seven towns; Zone 2, Makalle and nearby towns (Dessie), Zone 3, Dire Dawa and other towns around (Harar and Jijiga) and the 4th Bahir Dar and other towns (Gondar). According to him, a call from mobile to mobile within the same zone charges o.72 cents while that of inter-zone is 1.50 birr per minute. He further indicated that a call from mobile to normal telephone or vice-versa within the same zone which used to charge 0.75 cents earliest in now reduced to 0.72 cents per minute and for outside call 1.50 birr. Abdurahim further explained that broadband multimedia has two main service tariffs-bandwidth price and customer premise equipment charge. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Aug.10,2004 ============================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 20 15:19:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040820131908.6231.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> August 20, 2004 Ethiopia gives greet light to UNMEE to make direct flights between Addis, Asmara ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi disclosed that Ethiopia has accepted the request of the UN secretary-general, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to start direct flights between the two countries, the Ministry of Information said yesterday. In a latter he wrote Wednesday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Meles notified the UN chief that his country has agreed to his request - UNMEE to make direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ministry said in its statement. The Prime Minister recalled in his letter that Ethiopia legitimately demanded for two-minute detour once the direct flight entered the Ethiopian air space. He, however, said the direct flight couldn't be implemented as the Eritrean Government attempted to dictate its terms upon the flight of UNMEE in the Ethiopian air space. UNMEE has been unable to make direct flights between the two countries because of the inappropriate position of the Eritrean Government, once again the {rime Minister indicated in his letter Ethiopia had allowed direct flight of the Secretary General's place from Asmara to Addis Ababa during his visit last June. Prime Minister Meles told the UN Secretary General in his letter that his country has accepted his request Ethiopia to put aside its previous demand of two-minute detour once the direct flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara entered the Ethiopia air space. Prime Minster Meles also announced in his letter that the direct flight could begin at any time. Darfur rebel groups confirm new peace talks attendance ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Two rebel movements fighting government troops and Arab militias in Sudan's western Darfur province confirmed Wednesday in Chad that they will attend a new round of peace talks next week AFP reported. "We'll be at the meeting in (Nigeria's capital) Abuja. Our delegation will consist f 26 people, the military and politicians," AFP quoted a spokesman for the Movement for Justice and Equality (MJE) as saying. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would send a team of around 30 to the meeting next Monday, which has been prepared by the African Union, it quoted the SLM coordinator Ali Sugar as saying. On April 8 at talks in Ndjamena, the Khartoum Government and the rebels signed a cease-fire in the war that broke out in Darfure in February 2003 and has led to the world's worst current humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. On July 18, the rebels walked out of further negotiations organized by the AU in Addis Ababa, saying there would be no more talks until Khartoum met certain terms. Explosion caused no causality, property damage: Police ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bomb that exploded Wednesday night around the Ministry of Education at Arat Kilo caused minor damages to the building complex, the Addis Ababa Police Commission said. The commission told ENA yesterday that the bomb explosion caused unidentified individuals caused no fatality or property damage. Police have launched investigation into the case and a manhunt for the terrorists. =========================== pol.Ethiopia August 20. 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 24 07:37:23 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040824053723.76202.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> August 21, 2004 EAL nets 231 mln. Birr By Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it has secured a net profit of 231 million bird and an operating profit of 269,27 mln. Birr in the previous fiscal year while some other airlines are at loss. Briefing journalists yesterday at Sheraton Addis, on performance of the airlines, Chief Executive Officer with the Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake said that it has been profitable for the last four years through the cooperative efforts of both ins management and workers. According to him, to make it internationally competitive, customers’ service, delay in time and care for passengers’ luggage must be improved. He added profitable flight roots should be studied and also motivated work culture has to be implemented to maintain efficiency. He further said that foreign consultants have been working with the airlines for better vision for the coming five to fifteen years which would strengthen the transformation and reposition of Ethiopian Airlines in the future. The CEO also said air transport industry in general has a loss of 31 billion USD from 2001-2003. Out of this, 6.6 billion dollar loss incurred in 2003 as fuel price is greatly rising. It was estimated that there would be 3 billion USD loss in 2004 in the air transport industry. Ethiopia’s consent to request of UNMEE for direct flight said crucial to sustainable peace ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement, issued yesteday said peace is the most important prerequisite for the successes of the ongoing task to overcome poverty. The Statement underlined that people are engaged in enormous activities to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. In line with this, FDRE has been exerting maximum effort for the peaceful settlement of the border conflict with Eritrea, the ministry added. The statement further said tha, Ethiopia has been cooperative with UNMEE, which is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the peaceful solution of the border conflict between the two countries. Moreover, by expressing its consent to UNMEE’s request for a direct flight between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Ethiopian Government has taken yet another measure believed to be crucial for the implementation of UNMEE’s task, the ministry stated. The statement also disclosed that the consent of the Ethiopian Government was expressed in a letter sent by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to the Secretary General of UN on August 18, 2004. The statement said the consent of the Ethiopian Government to the request for the direct flight shows Ethiopia’s desire and commitment for lasing peace. EPRDF’s decision to enhancing women’s candidacy said historic breakthrough ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – State Minister in charge of women’s Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office described as a major victory for the entire women in Ethiopia the decision made by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to increase women candidacy to up to 40 per cent of overall representation in the upcoming elections. Gifti Abassiya hailed the Front’s decision here Friday in a joint press statement she gave together with Education Minister Genet Zewde and State Minister of Information Netrsant Asfaw. Gifti said the decision in the outcome of struggle by women in the country. The facts that the demands of women have been supported by men signify a major victory and a historic break through, she said. The decision is a practical step to empowering women to the merit of the entire public, she indicated. Women’s demands are expressed in the matter of equality, democracy and human rights, she said, adding enhancing women representation in elections will ensure the benefits of all section of the society. Women are decisibve in the realization of poverty reduction activities in the country as well as in the ongoing democratization, she indicated. The three-profile women officials on the occasion called on the entire women in the country to actively participate in the elections – to elect or to be elected. EPRDF with its decision for 30-40 per cent representation of women in the upcoming election, proves that it firmly upholds the principles of equality and democracy, the said. They noted that empowering women indecision making will speed up the efforts launched to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and camp down on corruption. Seyoum leaves for Nairobi to attend launching of Somalian Transitional Government ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin left here yesterday for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a two-day meeting in which a Somalian Federal Transitional Government will be launched. The 9th Ministerial Facilitation Committee meeting of the Inter-Governmental Authority for development (IGAD) held in July had decided that the Somalian Federal Transitional Government be officially launched during the two-day meeting beginning Augusts 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ENA. In line with the Committee’s resolution, 190 parliamentarians drawn from the various Somalian clans had so far been represented and 85 others are expected to be delegated soon, the ministry said. It said, the Somalian nationals reconciliation process has reached its stage of fruition, now that the agreed upon quorum has been met enabling to elect a speaker and President of Transitional Government in Somalia. The Communiqué issued by the 9th Facilitation Committee Meeting had declared the dawning of a decisive chapter for the realization of Somalian Federal Transitional Government, the ministry recalled. Kenenisa smashes Olympic record Ethiopian athletes start race with victory By Kersima Muzeyin ADDIS ABABA – The brave Ethiopian athletes claimed victory in the men’s 10,000m truck and field while others quality in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m women category opening their first debut with success story last Friday night, in Athens. The 10,000m final saw the Sydney trio Haile Gebre-Selasie, Kenenisa Bekele and Sileshi Sehin who produce aggressive challenge to other opponents from Kenya and a rising star from Eritrea. Kenenisa and Sileshi played tram work along with their compatriot Haile in the previous laps but this changed its course as Haile dropped back with a feeling of strain on his face. Having understood the condition Kenenisa and Sileshi advanced ahead with a big gap from a pack of athletes. Kenenisa kicked fiercely in the finishing laps to break the Olympic record in 27:05.11; Sileshi finished second in 27:09.39 while Zersenay Tadess of Eritrea was third in 27:22.57. Kenenisa who is a reigning world champion and holder of the world record told Xinhua after victory, “I am happy I won today. This is my first Olympic medal, so it’s always going to be special for me. “It was quite a hard race. I don’t know how I got the energy for the final spirit. I gave everything I had in the last lap because I wanted to break the Olympic record. During the race we worked as a team and wanted to win all medals for Ethiopia.” Zinhua reported that Kenenisa has beaten Haile’s 5,000m and 10,000m world records this year and is expected to win a second gold in the 5,000m, Kenenisa was never threatened by the expected Kenyans, who failed to finish in the top five. Haile, who perfectly anticipated for BBE, “Any medal would be fantastic but I don’t mind. It’s just important for Ethiopia that I compete,” also told Zinhua after the competition. “It is a fantastic day for Ethiopia and Africa but not for me. I couldn’t keep up with the speed even though I wanted and tried. I’m very happy to see Kenenisa win and also to see everything he has done”. Haile said that he would retire from track after Friday’s race and focus on marathon after the Olympic games. “It was my last race on the track but OI hope to be back for the marathon in Beijing.” he said. In a glittering career, Haile has broken 18 world records indoors and out, won two Olympic 10,000m gold and four world 10,000m titles. In Sydney, he put up an epic final against arch-riual, Kenya’s Paul Targat with less than a lap to go, the men were neck-and neck, roared on by 110,000 spectators in the stadium in Australia. Similarly fellow compatriot Mulugeta Wondimu qualified for the second round of the 1,500m contest to be held today, while Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar and Sentayehu Ejigu qualified for the finals of 5,000m tomorrow. Tirunesh who is the youngest even to snatch gold in the Sydney 5,000m once again sprinted away from compatriot Sentayehu Ejigu who also qualified securing second place. Both broke clear in the closing stages, Meseret Defar, another compatriot qualified from the group after a showdown with Abiy Legesse of Turkey. Meseret out sprinted Abiy in the final lap to clam first position. In an excellent beginning, Ethiopian young stars would develop additional spiritual strength to show an outstanding performance for a better status than the Sydney result. ====================== Pol.Ethiopia august 24, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Aug 25 13:34:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040825113413.54868.qmail@web53302.mail.yahoo.com> August 24/25, 2004 Ethiopia signs 200 mln. Dollar loan, grant agreements with World Bank ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia signed 1 200 million dollar loan and grant agreements with the World Bank yesterday. As per the agreement signed at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), 175 million dollar is loan and the balance is grant. The 75 million dollar loan and the 25 million dollar grant will be used to finance the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which aims at increasing access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services for rural and urban users, the Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed said at the signing ceremony. He said the remaining 100 million dollar will be used for the implementation of the Public Sector Capacity Building Programme (PSCAP) which comprises civil service reform, justice reform, tax reform, district level decentralization, urban management and information communication technology sub-programs. The loan and the grant are mainly used to strengthen capacity building programmes the government is undertaking, the World Bank country Director for Ethiopia, Ishac Diwan said. The World Bank is a strong development partner of Ethiopia, he said adding it is not only providing financial support, but also expertise and technical assistance. According to the director, approximately 5,500 water supply schemes will benefit nearly 3 million people in some 3,500 communities and 50 towns under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed and World Bank Country Director, Ishac Diwan signed the agreement. UNICEF congratulates Kenenisa over Olympic victory ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian country Office ahs congratulated Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Kenenisa Bekele for his victory in the 10,000 meters in Athens, according to office press release faxed to the Herald yesterday. ”Ethiopia has a long and proud tradition in the field of athletics," said UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist. "However, Friday's victory is more than just another gold medal for this wonderful country. As UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, Kenenisa is using his talent and fame to help us highlight the serious situation affecting orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia while helping us end stigma and discrimination for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS/" Kenenisa is one of the country's rising stars in the field of athletics. UNICEF Ethiopia was very much moved and privileged to sign the young runner as Goodwill Ambassador for OVCs earlier this month before the traveled to Greece to compete for his country, it said. Globally, the number of orphans is increasing due to HIV/AIDS. Between 2001 and 2003, the figure of children orphaned due to AIDS rose from 11.5 million to 15 million. The proportion of children who have lost both parents to the disease increased form less than 2 per cent in 1990 to 28 percent in 2003. According to international estimates, there are approximately 3.8 million orphans in Ethiopia in 2001. That figure is expected to rise to 4.4 million by 2005. UNICEF plans to launch a major media and advocacy campaign with Kenenisa upon his return to Addis Ababa to sensitize the Ethiopian population about the difficulties facing OVCs in the country and the necessity of providing them with the essential care and support they need. Gender development key to ensuring good governance: AIDWO by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - African Initiative for a Democratic World Order (AIDWO), a not-for-profit indigenous civic organization, has stressed the need for attaching due attention to gender development issues if good governance efforts were to come to fruition. Speaking at a day-long panel discussion held yesterday, AIDWO executive Director Debede Kejela said socio-economic development and good governance endeavours were doomed to failure unless they take into account gender issues both at the planning and implementation stages. "Only when the roles of women and men are identified and eanbling environment created, could tangibvel and sustainable development and good goverencence be realized," he told the panel organized under the theme; 'Gender Development and Good Governance'. Kebede commended EPRDF's initiative to increase women candidacy for the upcoming elections upto 40 per cent saying that it would enhance their participation in decision-making. He also urged other parties to follow suit. The Executive Director said the panel discussion was primarily aimed at looking from various dimensions the link between gender development and good governance and come up with viable and constructive ideas that would help as inputs for policy makers. In a paper she presented to the panel under the title "The role and participation of Women in Building Democratic Institutions", Asmaru Berihun, an MP, said Ethiopian women had been denied of their civil and economic rights during the previous consecutive anti-democratic regimes. Though the incumbent government has taken various constructive measures to ensure gender equality and enhance the role of women in decision -making, women's involvement in political and economic activities is still insignificant, she said. Asmaru called upon Ethiopian women to actively participate in the forthcoming elections in a bid to have their true representatives who would advocate for the respect of their rights. Women rights activists, political organizations, members of parliament as well as representatives of various civic organizations were in attendance at the panel discussion organized by AIDWO. Cotonou Agreement implementation EC to supply 10 mln. Euro to non-state actors by Biniyam Wubshet ADDIS ABABA - The European Development Fund ahs allocated ten million Euro to build the capacity of Non-State Actors (NSA) for the next six years for the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. Ministry of finance and Economic Development Multilateral cooperation department Head Dr. Fisseha Abera said yesterday at a national Consultation workshop for NSA engagement in implementing the Cotonou Agreement, that the government and the EC are preparing a programme that aims at strengthening the capacity of non-state actors in Ethiopia. EC Political Attaché Martina Fors said on the occasion that the Civic Society Fund, the 10 million Euro, is on the final stage as the NSA implementation modalities have been under scrutiny in Brussels. The main focal areas of capacity building of the NSA is to advocate, lobby and engage in policy dialogue," she told the Herald. Though she was hesitant to disclose the exact date of the provision of the fund to NSA, Martina said that the proposal need to be discussed by all members states and expressed hop that it would be decided in the near future. Presenting a paper, Dr. Alemayehu Areda from Cher Ethiopia, indicate that identifying and selecting the actors, lack of information, political resistance, organizing structured dialogue, and obtaining funds as well as capacity building are the major challenges for the ACP and EC partnership. Inter Africa Group, Safer World and Africa pace Forum organized the workshop. The Cotonou Agreement was signed on June 23, 2000 between 77 ACP countries and 15 EC member states. This new partnership agreement is designed to stay operational for 20 years, it was learnt. S. Korean Company establishes 50 mln. birr general hospital ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Myung-Sang International Development, a South Korean private company, announced that it has completed the construction of a general hospital here in Addis Ababa at a cost of 50 million birr. The new hospital ready to provide services in the coming Ethiopian New Year has pediatrics, maternal, dental, ophthalmic, and other surgical wards, Company General manager, H.R. Moon said yesterday. He said the hsopital, due to begin services with 84 beds for the time being, would have a capapcity of upto 300 beds later. The new health service facility that rest on 90,000 sq. meters of land would open job opportunities to 300 Ethiopians when it goes fully operational. The hospital would provide free medical services to low-income patients, the manager said. The hospital also comprises nurses' training and medical college with a view to equipping local professionals with up-to-date medical technologies, he said. The profit to be secured from the hospital would be used as a revolving fund for development activities in Ethiopia, deputy head of the administrative and finale section of the company, Tesfaye Mekuria said. Tesfaye said the company is licensed to engage itself in the agriculture sector with a registered capital of 34 million birr. ================== pol.Ethiopia August 25, 2004 ================= _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now. http://promotions.yahoo.com/goldrush From unite at ethiopianamerican.org Thu Aug 26 21:30:08 2004 From: unite at ethiopianamerican.org (Unite) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] [ethiopiawinet] Ethiopians rallying to rename DC neighborhood "little Ethiopia" Message-ID: <01ab01c48ba3$1d789b70$220c13ac@Tamrat> Ethiopians are now rallying to rename a Washington DC neighborhood on behalf of the Ethiopian Community. Sign this online petition if you are in favor of the renaming of an area in DC for Ethiopians. http://www.petitiononline.com/ea100/petition.html Washington DC council members have given their commitment to do this but we need to raise our voices to expedite the process and show them what our numbers mean. Don't forget to add comments, suggest a name, and site for the area you believe should be the next i.e. "little Ethiopia" Abe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.sn.apc.org/pipermail/pol.ethiopia/attachments/20040826/428e4e56/attachment-0001.html From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 27 14:45:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040827124526.79188.qmail@web53304.mail.yahoo.com> August 26/27, 2004 EPRDF expresses readiness to discuss proposals with EDFU ADDIS ABABA - (ENA) - The Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF), the ruling party, said it has accepted the proposals related to the forthcoming national and state elections, which was submitted to it by the Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU), and is ready to discuss the proposals. The Front is finalizing the activities enabling it work together with those political parties who will be competing in the upcoming national and state elections to make the elections free and democratic, the EPRDF Office told, Abiyotawi Democracy, its organ. The newspaper said the Union presented in mid May this year its proposals regarding the next election to prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the chairman the EPRDF based on the decision passed by the Front recently. "EPRDF has notified EDFU's current chairman about its readiness to discuss the proposals," it said. In accordance with the decisions passed by the council of the EPRDF in its regular meeting held recently, Front has launched activities enabling it to discharge its responsibilities as part of its efforts to make the forthcoming national elections, the third to be held in the country, democratic free. Creating conducive situation enabling the society to actively participate in the election ranging from registration to casting votes and ensuring the fairness of the elections is one of the activities launched by the Front, according to the newspaper. Cooperating with those participating parties to make the elections fair and democratic is also included the Front's activities, it said. The Council of EPRDF has also decided that the Front would make everything possible in its capacity to make the forthcoming election democratic. First Lady says athlete's victory shows women can be successful in any sector ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian first Lady said the victory scored by Ethiopian women in 5000 meters race in Athens Olympics is an indicator that women could attain achievements in any sector. In a news conference she gave here yesterday, the First Lady, who is also member of the National Coalition for Women Against HIV/AIDS, Azeb Mesfin said the victory can be taken as the best example that women could attain success as their men brethren in any area they engage in. The heroic victory achieved by Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, who won gold and bronze medals respectively in 5000 meters race in the Athens Olympics, was a victory and dignity for the Ethiopian women. She said the parents of the athletics should indeed by happy and proud of their daughters for their heroic deed. "If women actively involve in development, they can also attain achievement and benefit from the achievements," Azeb said. Bahir Dar Town, Cleveland City sign cooperation agreement BAHIR DAR (ENA) - A cooperation agreement was signed last month between town of Bahir Dar and the City of Cleveland, USA, the Bahir Dar Municipality said. Bahir Dar Mayor Marye Kefyalew said Wednesday that the agreement would be instrumental to forge closer ties between the signatories on trade and investment as well as in culture, education and other sectors. The mayor said committees have been set up with a view to following up and evaluating implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two cities. Cleveland City Administration had promised to assist training and other capacity building intervention activities in Bahir Dar in the areas of urban management, urban development, engineering and other sectors, the mayor said. According to the agreement, the Cleveland city Administration would provide technical as well as financial assistance to Bahir Dar town Administration in the areas of potable water services, drainage, and sewerage systems. A delegation comprising officials of the city administration and other pertinent bodies has earlier visited Cleveland. Delegation participates in Sin-Africa Youth Festival ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A delegation led by Ethiopia's special envoy to the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum Secretariat, Haile-Kiros Gessesse took part in the first China-Africa Youth Festival held on August 23, 2004 in Beijing, china, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the Ministry sent to ENA Wednesday, in an opening remark on behalf of African countries Haile-Kiros said that the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum, which was held last December in Addis Ababa, had agreed to organize the festival in Beijing. Haile-Kiros said that the main objective of the festival is to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations and cooperation between the region and China and enhance people-to-people relationships. Nearly 132 participants drawn from 44 African countries took part n the festival, according to the statement. Ethiopians celebrate victory in Athens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Decked in a white and gold outfit, popular Ethiopians singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw nick named "Gigi" sand the praises of Ethiopia's current and former Olympic champions, Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebre-Selassie in an Athens club, last weekend, Reuters reported. The 10,000 m. world champion and record holder Kenenisa had won in an Olympic record of 27:05.10 on Friday, followed by compatriot Sileshi Sihin, while the injured 1996 and 2000 champion Haile, who previously held both records, finish fifth. The medals count climbed with women's world 3,000m indoor champion Meseret Defar and 5,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba taking 5,000m gold and bronze on Monday. Kenenisa celbrated his victory modestly on Friday night, rejoicing with his teammates as they left the stadium "I was very happy," he told Reuters. "The Olympics is huge. Many people made a telephone call from Ethiopia." The call included sports and government officials, family and friends, and Kenenisa spoke to his siblings and his fiancé. "There is still work to be done," said the double world cross-country champion, who began his quest for a rare double on Wednesday by inning his 5,000m heat ahead of compatriot Gebre-Egiziabher Gebremariam. For the 300 Ethiopians who gathered in the Galazio Club in the Kipseli area of Athens, where the majority of Ethiopians in the city live, last Saturday was the right time to party. "It is not just that Kenenisa won, but that my country Ethiopia got a gold medal and a silver medal, that makes me happy," said Abel Bogale, 21, a license plate maker from Athens. The efforts of the four-time former world champion Haile, and the changing of the guard in Ethiopia's distance running hierarchy equally moved many in the Galazio. Gigi sang to an appreciative crown including people on the dance floor in front of the stage, on which an Ethiopian flag had been draped. When Gigi serenaded the athletes, faces turned to the stage arms rose in appreciation and a flag was held aloft in the crowd. Gigi referred to Friday's victory and sang, 'Kenenisa, lion of Ethiopia", promoting a roar that recurred when she then sang about Slileshi. When she subsequently referred to Haile in the same way, calling him "Hailiye", a form of endearment, screams accompanied the cheers. "For me, Haile is always Haile," said Gig, who sang on the soundtrack of 'Endurance', the Hollywood film about Haile's life. "He will never change. it's not whether he wins of doesn’t win. He's a man who has won many times. He's the pride of Ethiopia. ==================== Pol.Ethiopia August 27, 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 31 13:39:54 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:40 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040831113954.89380.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> August 28/29, 2004 Diplomatic efforts in promoting investment, strengthening dev't fruitful: MoFA ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the diplomatic efforts pursued during the past fiscal year in the economic and investment sectors are encouraging. Press Information and Documentation Directorate of the Ministry told WIC that officials' visits were made to different countries across the world in a bid to strengthening diplomatic ties and promote opportunities available in the country in trade, investment, tourism and other sectors. In this regard, the official visits made by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to the Middle East and the discussions held with higher officials of the respective countries had significant contribution towards economic ties with the countries. According to the Director, the visits to Israel, apart from strengthening bilateral relations, enabled to attract Israeli entrepreneurs in the investment sector of the country. Following the officials visit of the Foreign Minister and after being briefed about the investment and trade opportunities, Israeli entrepreneurs are showing a growing interest in horticultural development, it said. Accordingly, about 25 Israeli entrepreneurs have so far been engaged in floricultural development, both independently and jointly with Ethiopians. According to the Directorate, the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Israel and the bilateral talks held with Israeli officials as well as discussions held with business people were significant in that they helped the Israelis to between understanding Ethiopia and support the agricultural sector. In an effort to enhance export trade, successful work has been accomplished during the year, it said. The revenue earned from foreign trade during the past fiscal year exceeded that of the last 11 years, the Director added. The directorate also said that the investment projects licensed during the past fiscal year was 61 per cent higher in number and 28 per cent higher in capital compared to that of the total projects licensed over the past 11 years. Apart from the growth of investment projects in the country with 676 projects with an aggregate capital of 10 billion birr licensed in less than a year, entrepreneurs have increasingly demonstrated their interest to engage in the floricultural development, it said. Besides, entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, USA, Great Britain, France, South Africa and Sudan are entering the development sector, it added. According to the Directorate, official visits held to Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar and United Arab emirates; and the officials visits of the German Chancellor, Chinese Prime Minister, Botswana President and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were the significant events that took place during the year. Moreover, , fruitful discussions were held to ensure the security of Ethiopian citizens in the Middle East, the Directorate added. Ethiopia, St. Lucia to establish diplomatic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The governments of Ethiopia and St. Lucia signed an agreement that could enable them to establish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level in each other's countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the ministry sent to ENA yesterday, Acting Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the UN in New York, ambassador Triruneh Zena as well as St. Lucia's Permanent Mission, Antony B. Severin signed the agreement. The statement said the agreement enable to enhance the existing friendship between the two countries. Ambassador Tiruneh said on the occasion that though the two countries are found in different continents, they have historical and cultural ties between the people of both countries, according to the statement. AFMIN to move office to Addis ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Board of Directors of Africa Micro Finance Network (AFMIN) has decided to transfer its office to Addis Ababa. President of AFMIN, Dr. Worlday Amha, told WIC that AFMIN, a regional association of country-level networks of micro finance institutions in Africa, has been based in Abidjan, Republic of Cote'd'vorie, since its inception. He said the Board of Directors decided on July 19 in Kampala to relocate the office in Addis Ababa in relation to the political situation that has been affecting the hosting country since September 2002. The president said Addis Ababa was selected to host AFMIN after competing with Nairobi and Accra, taking into consideration the political and economic stability, country level network and favourable national policies for micro-finance, presence of international organizations and donors, strong presence of micro finance industry. Dr. Wolday said it is a success for Ethiopia, as the country will benefit directly or indirectly from linkage effect. As Addis Ababa is the seat for African Union, Economic Commission for Africa and many other intercontinental organizations, AFMIN would use the opportunity to promote the micro finance industry, he sated. The president said AFMIN, that currently comprises 19 country-level networks (CLNs) in countries of East, West and Southern Africa, aims to bring an impact on micro finance services for low-income population. He said AFMIN tries to build consensus around performance indicators and standards for micro-finance to ensure that the sector maintains a high standard of performance that will enable micro finance institutions to achieve sustainability and become integrated in the financial systems of their country. ESL TO provide freight transportation service to steel importers ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Ethiopian shipping Lines (ESL) reportedly agreed to give cargo services to importers of steel products from countries around the Black Sea. At a discussion held between 51 steel importers and ESL here Thursday, Managing director of ESL, Ambachew Abraha said that giving freight service to the importers is a national responsibility, beyond making profits. In this regard, he said agreement was reached between two enterprises giving chartered ship cargo services and ESL after surveying to work around Black Sea. He said ESL would give the service with its own ships and that of others in competitive price with the international sea fare. Steel importers, who speak of their dissatisfaction with foreign shipping lines, urged ESL to give them better freight transportation service. AU urges Somali leaders to stay united ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The swearing in of 194 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia by the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee on 22 August 2004 at the UN compound at the Girgiri Centre Nairobi, Kenya, was yet another major step by the Somali leaders towards restoration of peace, security and stability in Somalia, the African Union's Chairperson said. According to a statement sent to ENA yesterday, AU chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said like its predecessor, the Elderot Declaration, which the leaders singed on 27 October 2002, providing for the cessation of hostilities throughout the country and establishment of a parliament for Somalia, is a significant turning point in the 22 months old Somalia National Reconciliation Process, "The prospects of a durable solution to the conflict in Somalia have become brighter," the statement quoted the Chairperson as saying. Knonare appealed to all Somali leaders at the Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi to stay united and ensure that the selection of the remaining 81 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament is successfully concluded, it said. ================================ Pol.Ethiopia August 31, 2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 2 13:53:29 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040802115329.89023.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> July 30, 2004 Ethio-Kenya border administrators' meeting held in Kenya ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 23rd meeting of the Ethio-Kenya Joint Border Administrators' and Commissioners' Committee was held in Gnagnuki, Kenya from July 21-23, 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. A statement sent to ENA by the Ministry yesterday said the meeting had discussed, security problems prevailing in border areas and their solutions, among others. The meeting had also deliberated on ways of forgoing economic and social ties between the peoples of the two countries who are living in border areas. It has also reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides during the 22nd joint committee meeting held in Bahir Dar town and other bilateral issues, according to the statement. The statement said the meeting was conducted in a very friendly manner and openness. The two sides had also reached an agreement on every issue and subjects raised during the meeting in Adama town in the coming March, according to the statement. Ethiopians in Russia call for direct air links between Ethiopia, Russia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopians residing in Russia said establishing direct air links between Addis Ababa and Moscow would significantly contribute in enhancing trade and tourism ties between Ethiopia and Russia, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ethiopians requested for the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of the two nations to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement sent to ENA yesterday said. The Ethiopians made the request during a meeting organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow to enable them engage in various businesses in the Russian Federation and contribute their share in strengthening the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and Russia that held on 24 July 2004. The meeting had extensively discussed the impediments for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. Participants of the meeting said lack of communications are some of the impediments to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations, according to the statement. Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia Asaminew Bedane on the occasion gave briefings to the participants on the prevailing situation in Ethiopia, the statement said. Symposium on draft press law said democratic ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The 3rd national symposium recently held in Addis Ababa on the draft press law was a democratic forum where ideas were freely entertained, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry told ENA yesterday that the symposium has proved that the government and the press could discuss national issues and work in cooperation. The forum organized through a consortium composed of the Ministry of Information, Ethiopian Media Women's Association (EMWA), Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association (EFJA) and National Union of Journalists of Ethiopia (NUJE) has laid the foundation for more cooperation and understanding, it said. The forum was also instrumental in focusing in shaping the attention of the public on the discussion of the draft press law particularly the journalists and the publishers. Accordingly, about 250 participants were in attendance at the three-day discussion where more than 85 per cent were journalists and publishers. The forum has called for a similarly discussion forum where the press and the government could discuss issues of common concern. In the course of the discussion the Ministry of Information has agreed the inclusion of constructive ideas in the draft press law forwarded by the participants. The ministry also accepted the idea to establish the press council by the journalists and agreed in principle the Right Access to Information Act to be drafted independently. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the ministry has accepted all the concerns forwarded by the patricians, it said, adding that there will be a chance where the rejected ideas could be discussed when the draft law is presented to the parliament. July 30, 2004 Seyoum back home concluding Kuwaiti visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home on Wednesday concluding a four-day working visit to Kuwait. During his visit, Seyoum had talks with Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheik Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al sabah on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Kuwait, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum had delivered Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's message to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the statement said. While in Kuwait, the minister also had talks with other senior government officials on bilateral issues. Ethiopia, Sudan work in cooperation to monitor security issues along common borders ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian and Sudanese troops have been working in close consultations and cooperation to monitor the security situation along the common borders of the two countries, the Ministry of National Defence said Wednesday. Senior military authorities and commanders of Ethiopia and the Sudan were meeting on periodical basis to assess security matters on the borders, public relations department with the Ministry of National Defence quoted Deputy Commander of the 110th Core, Brigadier General Seyoum Hagos as saying. The two sides have been exchanging information once the activities of anti-peace elements were confirmed in the areas, he said. They also extradited individuals to each other's countries captured while engaged in anti-peace activities as a move to ensure their joint security concerns. Following the establishment of the joint task force, over 80 individuals armed and trained by the Eritrean Government to destabilize the peaceful situation were captured and about 50 killed in action, the general said. He said four armed individuals who fled to the Sudan after initiating a conflict with the Ethiopia troops had been handed over by the Sudanese authorities to the Ethiopian side. Presently, the Ethio-Sudan common border is a scene where various development activities were undertaken including the resettlement programmes, he said. The construction of roads for the mutual benefit of the two countries was being undertaken along the common borders, according to the general. It is to be recalled, however, that a Sudanese armed group belonging to the Nuware Lo Clan has recently been accused by the Gambella State Government of trespassing the Ethiopian territory and urged to leave the place immediately. Authority constructing conservation laboratory with 29 mln. birr To serve as training centre for East Africa ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) said that it has been undertaking the construction of a conservation laboratory with over 29 million birr. According to Kirs, an annual magazine of ARCCH, the fourstorey laboratory building would also serve as a training centre for East Africa. As there was no laboratory in the country, Ethiopia had to send its relics abroad for further investigations, the magazine noted. The finalization of this laboratory would, therefore, solve the problem, it said. Upon completion, the laboratory would also generate income as it would draw trainers and professionals from East African countries, Kirs added. The private construction company, Yakomand, has reportedly agreed to finalize the construction work in 720 days. The laboratory would contribute to the scientific conservation of badly damaged heritages of the country and research on the evolution of humankind, it said. Italy to finance UNODC activities in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Italian Government said it has decided to earmark part of its voluntary contribution for 2004 to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the activities that would be undertaken in Ethiopia. According to a press release the Italian Embassy sent to ENA yesterday, the first project, which is worth 350,000 USD, is aimed at strengthening the interdiction and investigation techniques of the Ethiopian law enforcement counter narcotics. The second project, valued at 400,000 USD, is used for judicial system training in drug related casework in Southern and Eastern Africa it said. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.2,2004 ============================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 3 10:50:05 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20040803085005.90523.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." ================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug.3,2004 ===================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Aug 9 14:49:28 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040809124928.7110.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> July 31, 2004 President says Ethio-Moroccan bilateral cooperation need to be enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be further strengthened. While conferring with the departing Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Mohammed Rahhili here yesterday, Girma said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Morocco need to be strengthened in the trade sector. President Girma praised Ambassador Sidi, who took leave of him at the end of his tour of duty in Ethiopia, for his outstanding contribution for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Sidi told journalists after the talks that the visit made by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Morocco had created fertile ground for the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He also recalled that the enhancement of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sisterly countries led to the establishment of a joint commission. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister has also planned to pay an official visit to Ethiopian in the near future, the ambassador said. He also mentioned the opportunity in which the two countries can cooperate in the irrigation development, water administration, agriculture and industrial sectors. Seyoum delivers message to Kuwaiti Emir, Prime Minister ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin had delivered a message from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Kuwaiti Emir and Prime Minister during his visit to Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum gave the message to both Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Saba Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah. Seyoum had also held talks with the Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on bilateral issues, according to the statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum and the Kuwaiti Social and Labour Affairs Minister, had discussed the relations that should exist between the two countries concerning employment opportunity, ways of benefiting Ethiopians from job opportunity in Kuwait and helping improve the livelihood of Ethiopians president in Kuwait, it said. The statement said Seyoum had also held talks with the executives of the Kuwaiti Cooperatives, which is importing consumption goods from abroad, on possibilities of finding market outlets for Ethiopian export items in Kuwaiti market. August 1, 2004 City gov't restructures kebeles for effective management by Yalew Aklilu ADDIS ABABA - Addis Ababa City Government Mayor Arkebe Equbay announced that a restructuring measure has been taken to reduce the number of kebele administrations from 203 to 100 to enable these grassroot based institutions more efficient to discharge their responsibilities and make the city a better home for its residents. In a press briefing he gave to local journalists yesterday, Arkebe said that the restructural adjustment would be effective soon after advisory councils and the public at large deliberated on the vitality and its implementation process. "We have acquired a valuable lesson from our earlier moves that decentralizing power to the grass roots is the only option to speed up development and democratization in the city. The new arrangement is also a continuation of our commitment to making the metropolitans the centre of their own rights and duties," the City Mayor said. According to him, the new arrangement would give power to the kebele would give power to the kebele administrations to undertake expanded local development works, contribute to the reduction of unemployment with the promotion smallscale industries, manage kindergarten and primary school programmes and also play a key role in alleviating housing problems. The measure would further provide wider capacity to implement anti HIV/AIDS initiatives, improve service delivery and raise tax collection system. It also creates conducive environment to ensure social security and speed up efforts underway to keeping the city clean and green, Arkebe explained. According to the new arrangement, each sub-city will comprise upto 10 kebeles with a population of about 35-50 thousand people respectively. The 20 rural kebeles of the city, which were previously administered through their own structures, have now been integrated with the neighbouring kebele administrations. Arkebe further indicated that 30 per cent of the would-be kebele officials are women, adding, the rest would be filled by qualified civil servants who registered remarkable results in the 1996 E.C. performance evaluations. August 3, 2004 Meles appoints officials to Dire Dawa Provisional Administration ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members to the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration. The newly endorsed Charter of the Council has given the power of appointing the Mayor and Cabinet members of the Dire Dawa Provisional Administration the Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Prime Minister appointed Fisseha erihun as Mayor and Sisay Ayalew Deputy Mayor of the Provisional Administration. Habtamu Nini, Mebrate Gebreyes, Mohammed Ahmed, Jemal Ali, Mohammed Amin and Ketema Tessema were named Cabinet members. Seyoum holds talks with UNMEE new commander ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin met and held discussions with the new commander of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Major-General Rejoinder Singh yesterday. During talks held at his office, Seyoum told the UNMEE commander that Ethiopia would continue working with the mission as it has been doing during the last four years. He said Ethiopia would also continue to work in close consultation and cooperation with General Singh to make his term of office a success, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. Seyoum also lauded the role of UN and its commitment to the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Ethio-Eritrea peace process has reached a critical stage Seyoum said, and adding that urged UNMEE to consolidate its peacekeeping mission in the area. Ethiopia's primary objectives are to reduce poverty and address the pressing economic and social needs of its citizens and it was not in the interest of the country to the continuity of enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said Ethiopia would do every thing in its power to effectively implement the provisions stipulated in the Algiers Peace Accord. The minister, however, said Eritrea is also expected to contribute its share for the scrupulous implementation of the peace agreement. Major-General Singh commended Ethiopia's goodwill to seek a lasting solution to the conflict and the efforts exerted to lift the country from the quagmire of poverty. The general said he would work with both parties in a non-partisan way to the success of UNMEE in the region. Addisu signs Big Noise Campaign ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legesse and Belay Ejigu State Minister for Agriculture and Rural development yesterday signed the Big Noise Campaign, a global campaign demanding changes in international trade rules to benefit not only the rich but also the poor. Addisu and Belay have become the 1,000,000st and 1,000,000nd persons to sign the campaign. The campaign is said to be the way of demonstrating to world leaders and the heads of companies like Nestle and Starbucks that they should pay a fairer price for coffee and cannot ignore the impact that unfair trade is having on the poor. Panos Ethiopia, OXFAM as well as the Sidama, Oromia and Yirgachefe Coffee Producers Cooperatives coordinated the campaign. Addis said on the occasion that the government would do its level best to support farmers. The Deputy Prime Minister also called upon the public at large to add voice to the campaign in order to improve the lives of the farmers. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Minister of Justice, Harka Haroye have signed as has pop singer Teddy Mosisa and Haile GebreSelassie. One million Ethiopians have signed the Big Noise. The number is expected to grow to five million. Japan backs polio, MNT eradication ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Japanese Government has agreed to provide 3.4 million USD for polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) eradication in Ethiopia. According to a tripartite agreement signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Japan as well as the UNICEF yesterday the sum would be used to implement a vaccination programme to be carried out in the country next year. UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist said on the occasion that the money would also be used to achieve the national goal of less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 births in each district of Ethiopia. The representative said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been consistently conducting immunization campaign since 1996 in line with its national commitment towards the eradication of polio. "The country has made tremendous strides as confirmed by the absence of wild poliovirus in Ethiopia since January 2001." The Japanese donation will be contributing to two nationwide polio immunization rounds in early 2005, the representative said. Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Tadesse said though few years have passed since polio has been eradicated from Ethiopia, the vaccination programme would continue until it is eradicated from the world. Dr. Kebede said polio is currently seen in Nigeria and Botswana, continuous vaccination programmes would be carried out to prevent its spread. Charge D'Affaires A.I of the Embassy of Japan to Ethiopia, Motoyoshi Noro, said on the occasion that this year, "we are supporting the immunization campaign of 14.2 million children under five against polio and 2.72 million women against maternal and neonatal tetanus." =================================== Pol.ethiopia Aug. 9,2004 ========================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 10 14:24:10 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040810122410.7414.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> August 7, 2004 Seyoum returns home after attending 9th IGAD MFC meet in Nairobi ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin returned home yesterday after attending the Nairobi 9th IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee Meeting on the Somalia National Reconciliation. Foreign ministers of IGAD member countries as well as representatives of 14 member countries of IGAD Partners' Forum, the European Union, the UN and the Arab League attended the two-day meeting that concluded Thursday in the capital of the East African nation, Kenya. In the communiqué they issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers said that the process of the Somalia National Reconciliation Congress has so far been promising and now reached a decisive point to realizing a federal interim government, according to a press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to ENA. The ministers described as a constructive move the fact that various clans in Somalia had already submitted parliamentary candidature lists, and called upon others to follow suit. They entrusted the task of receiving candidature lists to the IGAD Facilitation Committee for a deadline of two days, the press release said. The ministers commended the readiness displayed by the African Union's military observers' team to help Somalis attain a peaceful transition, it said. The ministers also called on all Somali parties to cooperate with the AU and the international community for the success of the National Reconciliation Congress and the process of establishing a transitional government. The ministers agreed to meet in Nairobi on the 21st of August. They are expected to officially announce the swearing-in ceremony of the Somali parliamentarians and the launching of the Somali Federal Transitional Government, the communiqué said. WFP introduces online hunger map ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - In an effort to highlight major global hunger emergencies in real-time, the World Food Programme (WFP) Thursday unveiled a colour-coded Internet map guiding visitors to its worldwide fight against the scourge, Xinhua reported. Posted on the UN agency's website, the "Hunger Map" charts the geography of hunger hotspots around the world with red indicating high levels of undernourishment, orange moderate levels and green extremely low levels. "There are more than 800 million undernourished women, men and children in the world, but how many people know where they live?" WFP Executive Director James Morris said in a statement. "The WFP 'Hunger Map' puts them on the map." WFP first plotted the geographical coordinates of hunger in printed form four years ago, but this is the first online version with real-time updates linked to background information on WFP operations in individual countries. It is also designed for use as an education tool in schools. Crises highlighted in the inaugural edition include the western Sudanese region of Darfur, Bangladesh, Peru and Afghanistan. The red bands spreads across sub-Saharan Africa, where one in three people suffers hinger, and stretches into Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Haiti. In these regions hinger claims more lives than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The green shading is limited to North America, Argentina, Europe and Australia, but varying degrees of undernourishment dominate the rest of the world. Gov't committed to intensify, sustain support to promote sports: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - It is to be recalled that Ethiopia joined the International Olympic Society at the 16th Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 to promote brotherhood, equality and peace among nations, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday the ministry said the marathon gold medal won by the legendary athlete Abebe Bekila in Rome, Italy in the 1960 Olympics marked the beginning of our glorious surge in the history of the Olympic Games. The great victories registered in Sydney and encouraging successes in the previous Olympic Games were the result of self confidence, endurance, hard work and determination of our sportsmen and sportswomen on the one hand, and the staunch support of the peoples and the government, on the other, it said. The 28th Olympic Games scheduled to be held from 13th to the 31st of August 2004 in Athens, Greece, is expected to be another venue for the Ethiopian Olympic team to raise the banner and prestige of the country, the statement said. The financial, material and moral support offered by governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens is an expression of respect and love for members of the Olympic team, it said adding that the people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia take this opportunity to express their best wishes to the team. Investors urged to involve in garbage disposal ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce said private investors need to involve in the collection and disposal of garbage, as the task should not be left to the government alone. Addressing a relevant meeting here yesterday, Chamber Vice-President Eyesuswork Zafu said the policy issued by the Addis Ababa City Government encourages the participation of private investors in curbing the socio-economic problems of the city. He said the chamber has designed a project that enables investors involve in the collection and disposal of garbage as part of its efforts launched in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation Agency. The meeting is aimed at raising the awareness of investors who are engaged in the sector. August 8, 2004 EPRDF regular meet calls for enhanced industrial dev't, execution capacity building ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Members of the General Council of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have indicated the need to enhance and intensify the activities being implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. Participants of the ongoing meeting of the Front's General Council said at the opening session here at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday that wide-ranging activities have so far been implemented in the areas of industrial development and execution capacity building. As part of the execution capacity building, the educational reform programme has largely been implemented, of which implementation of the plan to raising the primary education coverage has gone far enough, they said. The desired scope of implementation has been attained also of the set target to taking the enrolment capacity of higher institutions to 30,000 students, which is going to be realized during the 1997 Ethiopian academic year, they said. The participants have, meanwhile, called for continued efforts to ensure quality education and expand civic education. Concerning the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme, the participants said there has been encouraging progress with the high-level management and service rendering. They said the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme need to go on with strong sense of commitment and in ways that can ensure sustainability. On the discussions pertaining to industrial and urban development, the participants recognized the need to enhance the activities geared towards improving the capacity of the private sector and the industrial development endeavours that are supportive of the rural and agricultural development. They agreed on the need for the government to strengthen its support to private investors in finance, infrastructure facilities, land provisions, and other necessary conditions. They also indicated the need to expand micro and small-scale industries, which they said could greatly complement rural and urban development. Participants of the meeting have also said implementation across the nation of rural and agricultural development activities have so far been encouraging. The participants said wide-ranging activities have been carried out to ensuring food security under the rural and agricultural development strategy. Encouraging achievements and gains have been registered in the activities carried out so far in the areas, among others, of water harvesting, basins' development, rural marketing and the establishment of cooperatives and unions, they said. They said there is a plan to enhance and intensify the good experiences gained so far in rural and agricultural development sector. Activities will be carried out to raise the agricultural and other sectors of development growth by two digits in the coming two years, they said. Members of the Council have also deliberated on the performance report pertinent to rural and agricultural development. During their deliberations, members of the Council said various activities would be undertaken to expand specialization and diversification in agricultural packages. Rural development, capacity building, trade an industry and the public relations activities of the Front would be discussed in the course of the meeting, and the report of the Central Committee of the Front would also be tabled for discussion. The meeting is expected to outline the direction that would be implemented by EPRDF and its coalitions during the 3rd national and state elections slated for the 2005. The General Council of EPRDF holds its regular meeting biannually. Media urged to curb spread of HIV/AIDS ADAMA (WIC) - The Ministry of Information urged the media to focus on controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Opening a workshop yesterday in Adama town, representative of the Ministry, Belete Tekewe said that HIV/AIDS is creating socio-economic challenges to the country. He said journalists, editors and heads of media institutions should more than ever strive to prevent the pandemic and arrest the spread of the disease. State and private media should collaborate in creating awareness among the public on ways of preventing the disease and bringing about behavioral change of HIV/AIDS. The representative commended the efforts of the UNDP in giving attention to the pandemic and its support to development programmes in the country. HIV/AIDS and social sector head with the UNDP, Kelemework Tekle said the journalists should be responsible and accountable in fighting the stigma and the pandemic. Some 40 journalists drawn from private, governmental and non-governmental organizations are in attendance of the three-day workshop. August 10, 2004 IOM says Ethiopians abroad keen to contribute to country's dev't ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The International Organization of Migration (IOM), said that Ethiopians in Diaspora are expressing a profound interest to make contributions to the development endeavours in their country. In an exclusive interview with WIC, Chief of IOM Mission in Ethiopia, Charles Kwenin said that the mission has so far received an over whelming response of the Diaspora community from across the world to its website launched last March, in collaboration with government and international partners, to mobilize Ethiopians living abroad. Accordingly, the mission has to date registered close to 22,000 Ethiopians in Diaspora who visited the website, some of whom have already identified the areas in which they prefer to make contributions, Kwenin said. He said 190 Ethiopians have expressed interest to return to their home land, on short-term basis, and make contributions, while 135 others have been registered to get engaged in investment in the country. Moreover, 434 Ethiopians with various knowledge, experience and expertise have been registered in the IOM's database to make contributions to the country's development. The chief, who stated the diverse nature of contributions the Diaspora want to make, added that some are expressing interest to transfer skills and knowledge from where they are in online teaching, telemedicine and other areas. "We are overwhelmed by the level of response. In the first month alone, we had 9,500 Ethiopians visiting the website" said Kwenin, and according to him, an average of 4,000 are expected to visit the site every month, which in turn builds a huge potential of human resources for the country's development. The chief, who noted that there are a lot of positive changes in the country, said the organization is, therefore, engaged in helping the country utilize the Diaspora for development. In this regard, IOM is assisting the Diaspora through the programme of migration for development of Africa, which was also endorsed by AU Council of Ministers, he said. Kwenin said most of the Ethiopians in Diaspora who showed interest in making contributions are from the United States of America, Germany, Canada and United Kingdom. According to him, IOM had similar programmes implemented in three phases in different countries of Africa, which proved to be successful in utilizing the Diaspora for national development. EPRDF Council resolves to promote public participation to make upcoming elections free and fair ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The General Council meeting of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) ended here Sunday upcoming resolving that member parties to work hard to make the upcoming national elections free and fair and also approving its budget. The Council has agreed in its two-day deliberations to further strengthen its strong sides and rectify its weaknesses to make the elections free and fair, participants said. Members of the Front have also decided to struggle against anti-democracy activities and work for ensuring good governance. The meeting has also agreed that EPRDF and other competing political parties would work together for the development of democratic culture. Members of the EPRDF would also strive to raise participation of women in the upcoming elections. ETC launches distance, broadband multimedia mobile service by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) launched new distance and broadband multimedia service for mobile network beginning August 9, 2004 at reasonable price. Briefing journalists at the corporation's assembly hall yesterday, Communication Head Abdurahim Ahmed said that four mobile tariff Zones have been arranged for the customers to get service. Accordingly, Zone 1, embraces Addis Ababa and other seven towns; Zone 2, Makalle and nearby towns (Dessie), Zone 3, Dire Dawa and other towns around (Harar and Jijiga) and the 4th Bahir Dar and other towns (Gondar). According to him, a call from mobile to mobile within the same zone charges o.72 cents while that of inter-zone is 1.50 birr per minute. He further indicated that a call from mobile to normal telephone or vice-versa within the same zone which used to charge 0.75 cents earliest in now reduced to 0.72 cents per minute and for outside call 1.50 birr. Abdurahim further explained that broadband multimedia has two main service tariffs-bandwidth price and customer premise equipment charge. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Aug.10,2004 ============================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 20 15:19:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040820131908.6231.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> August 20, 2004 Ethiopia gives greet light to UNMEE to make direct flights between Addis, Asmara ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi disclosed that Ethiopia has accepted the request of the UN secretary-general, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) to start direct flights between the two countries, the Ministry of Information said yesterday. In a latter he wrote Wednesday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Meles notified the UN chief that his country has agreed to his request - UNMEE to make direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ministry said in its statement. The Prime Minister recalled in his letter that Ethiopia legitimately demanded for two-minute detour once the direct flight entered the Ethiopian air space. He, however, said the direct flight couldn't be implemented as the Eritrean Government attempted to dictate its terms upon the flight of UNMEE in the Ethiopian air space. UNMEE has been unable to make direct flights between the two countries because of the inappropriate position of the Eritrean Government, once again the {rime Minister indicated in his letter Ethiopia had allowed direct flight of the Secretary General's place from Asmara to Addis Ababa during his visit last June. Prime Minister Meles told the UN Secretary General in his letter that his country has accepted his request Ethiopia to put aside its previous demand of two-minute detour once the direct flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara entered the Ethiopia air space. Prime Minster Meles also announced in his letter that the direct flight could begin at any time. Darfur rebel groups confirm new peace talks attendance ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Two rebel movements fighting government troops and Arab militias in Sudan's western Darfur province confirmed Wednesday in Chad that they will attend a new round of peace talks next week AFP reported. "We'll be at the meeting in (Nigeria's capital) Abuja. Our delegation will consist f 26 people, the military and politicians," AFP quoted a spokesman for the Movement for Justice and Equality (MJE) as saying. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) would send a team of around 30 to the meeting next Monday, which has been prepared by the African Union, it quoted the SLM coordinator Ali Sugar as saying. On April 8 at talks in Ndjamena, the Khartoum Government and the rebels signed a cease-fire in the war that broke out in Darfure in February 2003 and has led to the world's worst current humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. On July 18, the rebels walked out of further negotiations organized by the AU in Addis Ababa, saying there would be no more talks until Khartoum met certain terms. Explosion caused no causality, property damage: Police ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bomb that exploded Wednesday night around the Ministry of Education at Arat Kilo caused minor damages to the building complex, the Addis Ababa Police Commission said. The commission told ENA yesterday that the bomb explosion caused unidentified individuals caused no fatality or property damage. Police have launched investigation into the case and a manhunt for the terrorists. =========================== pol.Ethiopia August 20. 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 24 07:37:23 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:13 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040824053723.76202.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> August 21, 2004 EAL nets 231 mln. Birr By Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it has secured a net profit of 231 million bird and an operating profit of 269,27 mln. Birr in the previous fiscal year while some other airlines are at loss. Briefing journalists yesterday at Sheraton Addis, on performance of the airlines, Chief Executive Officer with the Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake said that it has been profitable for the last four years through the cooperative efforts of both ins management and workers. According to him, to make it internationally competitive, customers’ service, delay in time and care for passengers’ luggage must be improved. He added profitable flight roots should be studied and also motivated work culture has to be implemented to maintain efficiency. He further said that foreign consultants have been working with the airlines for better vision for the coming five to fifteen years which would strengthen the transformation and reposition of Ethiopian Airlines in the future. The CEO also said air transport industry in general has a loss of 31 billion USD from 2001-2003. Out of this, 6.6 billion dollar loss incurred in 2003 as fuel price is greatly rising. It was estimated that there would be 3 billion USD loss in 2004 in the air transport industry. Ethiopia’s consent to request of UNMEE for direct flight said crucial to sustainable peace ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement, issued yesteday said peace is the most important prerequisite for the successes of the ongoing task to overcome poverty. The Statement underlined that people are engaged in enormous activities to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. In line with this, FDRE has been exerting maximum effort for the peaceful settlement of the border conflict with Eritrea, the ministry added. The statement further said tha, Ethiopia has been cooperative with UNMEE, which is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the peaceful solution of the border conflict between the two countries. Moreover, by expressing its consent to UNMEE’s request for a direct flight between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Ethiopian Government has taken yet another measure believed to be crucial for the implementation of UNMEE’s task, the ministry stated. The statement also disclosed that the consent of the Ethiopian Government was expressed in a letter sent by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to the Secretary General of UN on August 18, 2004. The statement said the consent of the Ethiopian Government to the request for the direct flight shows Ethiopia’s desire and commitment for lasing peace. EPRDF’s decision to enhancing women’s candidacy said historic breakthrough ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – State Minister in charge of women’s Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office described as a major victory for the entire women in Ethiopia the decision made by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to increase women candidacy to up to 40 per cent of overall representation in the upcoming elections. Gifti Abassiya hailed the Front’s decision here Friday in a joint press statement she gave together with Education Minister Genet Zewde and State Minister of Information Netrsant Asfaw. Gifti said the decision in the outcome of struggle by women in the country. The facts that the demands of women have been supported by men signify a major victory and a historic break through, she said. The decision is a practical step to empowering women to the merit of the entire public, she indicated. Women’s demands are expressed in the matter of equality, democracy and human rights, she said, adding enhancing women representation in elections will ensure the benefits of all section of the society. Women are decisibve in the realization of poverty reduction activities in the country as well as in the ongoing democratization, she indicated. The three-profile women officials on the occasion called on the entire women in the country to actively participate in the elections – to elect or to be elected. EPRDF with its decision for 30-40 per cent representation of women in the upcoming election, proves that it firmly upholds the principles of equality and democracy, the said. They noted that empowering women indecision making will speed up the efforts launched to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and camp down on corruption. Seyoum leaves for Nairobi to attend launching of Somalian Transitional Government ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin left here yesterday for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a two-day meeting in which a Somalian Federal Transitional Government will be launched. The 9th Ministerial Facilitation Committee meeting of the Inter-Governmental Authority for development (IGAD) held in July had decided that the Somalian Federal Transitional Government be officially launched during the two-day meeting beginning Augusts 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ENA. In line with the Committee’s resolution, 190 parliamentarians drawn from the various Somalian clans had so far been represented and 85 others are expected to be delegated soon, the ministry said. It said, the Somalian nationals reconciliation process has reached its stage of fruition, now that the agreed upon quorum has been met enabling to elect a speaker and President of Transitional Government in Somalia. The Communiqué issued by the 9th Facilitation Committee Meeting had declared the dawning of a decisive chapter for the realization of Somalian Federal Transitional Government, the ministry recalled. Kenenisa smashes Olympic record Ethiopian athletes start race with victory By Kersima Muzeyin ADDIS ABABA – The brave Ethiopian athletes claimed victory in the men’s 10,000m truck and field while others quality in the men’s 1,500m and 5,000m women category opening their first debut with success story last Friday night, in Athens. The 10,000m final saw the Sydney trio Haile Gebre-Selasie, Kenenisa Bekele and Sileshi Sehin who produce aggressive challenge to other opponents from Kenya and a rising star from Eritrea. Kenenisa and Sileshi played tram work along with their compatriot Haile in the previous laps but this changed its course as Haile dropped back with a feeling of strain on his face. Having understood the condition Kenenisa and Sileshi advanced ahead with a big gap from a pack of athletes. Kenenisa kicked fiercely in the finishing laps to break the Olympic record in 27:05.11; Sileshi finished second in 27:09.39 while Zersenay Tadess of Eritrea was third in 27:22.57. Kenenisa who is a reigning world champion and holder of the world record told Xinhua after victory, “I am happy I won today. This is my first Olympic medal, so it’s always going to be special for me. “It was quite a hard race. I don’t know how I got the energy for the final spirit. I gave everything I had in the last lap because I wanted to break the Olympic record. During the race we worked as a team and wanted to win all medals for Ethiopia.” Zinhua reported that Kenenisa has beaten Haile’s 5,000m and 10,000m world records this year and is expected to win a second gold in the 5,000m, Kenenisa was never threatened by the expected Kenyans, who failed to finish in the top five. Haile, who perfectly anticipated for BBE, “Any medal would be fantastic but I don’t mind. It’s just important for Ethiopia that I compete,” also told Zinhua after the competition. “It is a fantastic day for Ethiopia and Africa but not for me. I couldn’t keep up with the speed even though I wanted and tried. I’m very happy to see Kenenisa win and also to see everything he has done”. Haile said that he would retire from track after Friday’s race and focus on marathon after the Olympic games. “It was my last race on the track but OI hope to be back for the marathon in Beijing.” he said. In a glittering career, Haile has broken 18 world records indoors and out, won two Olympic 10,000m gold and four world 10,000m titles. In Sydney, he put up an epic final against arch-riual, Kenya’s Paul Targat with less than a lap to go, the men were neck-and neck, roared on by 110,000 spectators in the stadium in Australia. Similarly fellow compatriot Mulugeta Wondimu qualified for the second round of the 1,500m contest to be held today, while Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar and Sentayehu Ejigu qualified for the finals of 5,000m tomorrow. Tirunesh who is the youngest even to snatch gold in the Sydney 5,000m once again sprinted away from compatriot Sentayehu Ejigu who also qualified securing second place. Both broke clear in the closing stages, Meseret Defar, another compatriot qualified from the group after a showdown with Abiy Legesse of Turkey. Meseret out sprinted Abiy in the final lap to clam first position. In an excellent beginning, Ethiopian young stars would develop additional spiritual strength to show an outstanding performance for a better status than the Sydney result. ====================== Pol.Ethiopia august 24, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Aug 25 13:34:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:14 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040825113413.54868.qmail@web53302.mail.yahoo.com> August 24/25, 2004 Ethiopia signs 200 mln. Dollar loan, grant agreements with World Bank ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia signed 1 200 million dollar loan and grant agreements with the World Bank yesterday. As per the agreement signed at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), 175 million dollar is loan and the balance is grant. The 75 million dollar loan and the 25 million dollar grant will be used to finance the Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which aims at increasing access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services for rural and urban users, the Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed said at the signing ceremony. He said the remaining 100 million dollar will be used for the implementation of the Public Sector Capacity Building Programme (PSCAP) which comprises civil service reform, justice reform, tax reform, district level decentralization, urban management and information communication technology sub-programs. The loan and the grant are mainly used to strengthen capacity building programmes the government is undertaking, the World Bank country Director for Ethiopia, Ishac Diwan said. The World Bank is a strong development partner of Ethiopia, he said adding it is not only providing financial support, but also expertise and technical assistance. According to the director, approximately 5,500 water supply schemes will benefit nearly 3 million people in some 3,500 communities and 50 towns under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Minister of MoFED, Sufian Ahmed and World Bank Country Director, Ishac Diwan signed the agreement. UNICEF congratulates Kenenisa over Olympic victory ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian country Office ahs congratulated Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Kenenisa Bekele for his victory in the 10,000 meters in Athens, according to office press release faxed to the Herald yesterday. ”Ethiopia has a long and proud tradition in the field of athletics," said UNICEF Representative Bjorn Ljungqvist. "However, Friday's victory is more than just another gold medal for this wonderful country. As UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, Kenenisa is using his talent and fame to help us highlight the serious situation affecting orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia while helping us end stigma and discrimination for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS/" Kenenisa is one of the country's rising stars in the field of athletics. UNICEF Ethiopia was very much moved and privileged to sign the young runner as Goodwill Ambassador for OVCs earlier this month before the traveled to Greece to compete for his country, it said. Globally, the number of orphans is increasing due to HIV/AIDS. Between 2001 and 2003, the figure of children orphaned due to AIDS rose from 11.5 million to 15 million. The proportion of children who have lost both parents to the disease increased form less than 2 per cent in 1990 to 28 percent in 2003. According to international estimates, there are approximately 3.8 million orphans in Ethiopia in 2001. That figure is expected to rise to 4.4 million by 2005. UNICEF plans to launch a major media and advocacy campaign with Kenenisa upon his return to Addis Ababa to sensitize the Ethiopian population about the difficulties facing OVCs in the country and the necessity of providing them with the essential care and support they need. Gender development key to ensuring good governance: AIDWO by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - African Initiative for a Democratic World Order (AIDWO), a not-for-profit indigenous civic organization, has stressed the need for attaching due attention to gender development issues if good governance efforts were to come to fruition. Speaking at a day-long panel discussion held yesterday, AIDWO executive Director Debede Kejela said socio-economic development and good governance endeavours were doomed to failure unless they take into account gender issues both at the planning and implementation stages. "Only when the roles of women and men are identified and eanbling environment created, could tangibvel and sustainable development and good goverencence be realized," he told the panel organized under the theme; 'Gender Development and Good Governance'. Kebede commended EPRDF's initiative to increase women candidacy for the upcoming elections upto 40 per cent saying that it would enhance their participation in decision-making. He also urged other parties to follow suit. The Executive Director said the panel discussion was primarily aimed at looking from various dimensions the link between gender development and good governance and come up with viable and constructive ideas that would help as inputs for policy makers. In a paper she presented to the panel under the title "The role and participation of Women in Building Democratic Institutions", Asmaru Berihun, an MP, said Ethiopian women had been denied of their civil and economic rights during the previous consecutive anti-democratic regimes. Though the incumbent government has taken various constructive measures to ensure gender equality and enhance the role of women in decision -making, women's involvement in political and economic activities is still insignificant, she said. Asmaru called upon Ethiopian women to actively participate in the forthcoming elections in a bid to have their true representatives who would advocate for the respect of their rights. Women rights activists, political organizations, members of parliament as well as representatives of various civic organizations were in attendance at the panel discussion organized by AIDWO. Cotonou Agreement implementation EC to supply 10 mln. Euro to non-state actors by Biniyam Wubshet ADDIS ABABA - The European Development Fund ahs allocated ten million Euro to build the capacity of Non-State Actors (NSA) for the next six years for the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. Ministry of finance and Economic Development Multilateral cooperation department Head Dr. Fisseha Abera said yesterday at a national Consultation workshop for NSA engagement in implementing the Cotonou Agreement, that the government and the EC are preparing a programme that aims at strengthening the capacity of non-state actors in Ethiopia. EC Political Attaché Martina Fors said on the occasion that the Civic Society Fund, the 10 million Euro, is on the final stage as the NSA implementation modalities have been under scrutiny in Brussels. The main focal areas of capacity building of the NSA is to advocate, lobby and engage in policy dialogue," she told the Herald. Though she was hesitant to disclose the exact date of the provision of the fund to NSA, Martina said that the proposal need to be discussed by all members states and expressed hop that it would be decided in the near future. Presenting a paper, Dr. Alemayehu Areda from Cher Ethiopia, indicate that identifying and selecting the actors, lack of information, political resistance, organizing structured dialogue, and obtaining funds as well as capacity building are the major challenges for the ACP and EC partnership. Inter Africa Group, Safer World and Africa pace Forum organized the workshop. The Cotonou Agreement was signed on June 23, 2000 between 77 ACP countries and 15 EC member states. This new partnership agreement is designed to stay operational for 20 years, it was learnt. S. Korean Company establishes 50 mln. birr general hospital ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Myung-Sang International Development, a South Korean private company, announced that it has completed the construction of a general hospital here in Addis Ababa at a cost of 50 million birr. The new hospital ready to provide services in the coming Ethiopian New Year has pediatrics, maternal, dental, ophthalmic, and other surgical wards, Company General manager, H.R. Moon said yesterday. He said the hsopital, due to begin services with 84 beds for the time being, would have a capapcity of upto 300 beds later. The new health service facility that rest on 90,000 sq. meters of land would open job opportunities to 300 Ethiopians when it goes fully operational. The hospital would provide free medical services to low-income patients, the manager said. The hospital also comprises nurses' training and medical college with a view to equipping local professionals with up-to-date medical technologies, he said. The profit to be secured from the hospital would be used as a revolving fund for development activities in Ethiopia, deputy head of the administrative and finale section of the company, Tesfaye Mekuria said. Tesfaye said the company is licensed to engage itself in the agriculture sector with a registered capital of 34 million birr. ================== pol.Ethiopia August 25, 2004 ================= _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Win 1 of 4,000 free domain names from Yahoo! Enter now. http://promotions.yahoo.com/goldrush From unite at ethiopianamerican.org Thu Aug 26 21:30:08 2004 From: unite at ethiopianamerican.org (Unite) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:14 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] [ethiopiawinet] Ethiopians rallying to rename DC neighborhood "little Ethiopia" Message-ID: <01ab01c48ba3$1d789b70$220c13ac@Tamrat> Ethiopians are now rallying to rename a Washington DC neighborhood on behalf of the Ethiopian Community. Sign this online petition if you are in favor of the renaming of an area in DC for Ethiopians. http://www.petitiononline.com/ea100/petition.html Washington DC council members have given their commitment to do this but we need to raise our voices to expedite the process and show them what our numbers mean. Don't forget to add comments, suggest a name, and site for the area you believe should be the next i.e. "little Ethiopia" Abe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.sn.apc.org/pipermail/pol.ethiopia/attachments/20040826/428e4e56/attachment-0002.html From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Aug 27 14:45:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:14 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040827124526.79188.qmail@web53304.mail.yahoo.com> August 26/27, 2004 EPRDF expresses readiness to discuss proposals with EDFU ADDIS ABABA - (ENA) - The Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF), the ruling party, said it has accepted the proposals related to the forthcoming national and state elections, which was submitted to it by the Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU), and is ready to discuss the proposals. The Front is finalizing the activities enabling it work together with those political parties who will be competing in the upcoming national and state elections to make the elections free and democratic, the EPRDF Office told, Abiyotawi Democracy, its organ. The newspaper said the Union presented in mid May this year its proposals regarding the next election to prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the chairman the EPRDF based on the decision passed by the Front recently. "EPRDF has notified EDFU's current chairman about its readiness to discuss the proposals," it said. In accordance with the decisions passed by the council of the EPRDF in its regular meeting held recently, Front has launched activities enabling it to discharge its responsibilities as part of its efforts to make the forthcoming national elections, the third to be held in the country, democratic free. Creating conducive situation enabling the society to actively participate in the election ranging from registration to casting votes and ensuring the fairness of the elections is one of the activities launched by the Front, according to the newspaper. Cooperating with those participating parties to make the elections fair and democratic is also included the Front's activities, it said. The Council of EPRDF has also decided that the Front would make everything possible in its capacity to make the forthcoming election democratic. First Lady says athlete's victory shows women can be successful in any sector ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian first Lady said the victory scored by Ethiopian women in 5000 meters race in Athens Olympics is an indicator that women could attain achievements in any sector. In a news conference she gave here yesterday, the First Lady, who is also member of the National Coalition for Women Against HIV/AIDS, Azeb Mesfin said the victory can be taken as the best example that women could attain success as their men brethren in any area they engage in. The heroic victory achieved by Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, who won gold and bronze medals respectively in 5000 meters race in the Athens Olympics, was a victory and dignity for the Ethiopian women. She said the parents of the athletics should indeed by happy and proud of their daughters for their heroic deed. "If women actively involve in development, they can also attain achievement and benefit from the achievements," Azeb said. Bahir Dar Town, Cleveland City sign cooperation agreement BAHIR DAR (ENA) - A cooperation agreement was signed last month between town of Bahir Dar and the City of Cleveland, USA, the Bahir Dar Municipality said. Bahir Dar Mayor Marye Kefyalew said Wednesday that the agreement would be instrumental to forge closer ties between the signatories on trade and investment as well as in culture, education and other sectors. The mayor said committees have been set up with a view to following up and evaluating implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two cities. Cleveland City Administration had promised to assist training and other capacity building intervention activities in Bahir Dar in the areas of urban management, urban development, engineering and other sectors, the mayor said. According to the agreement, the Cleveland city Administration would provide technical as well as financial assistance to Bahir Dar town Administration in the areas of potable water services, drainage, and sewerage systems. A delegation comprising officials of the city administration and other pertinent bodies has earlier visited Cleveland. Delegation participates in Sin-Africa Youth Festival ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A delegation led by Ethiopia's special envoy to the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum Secretariat, Haile-Kiros Gessesse took part in the first China-Africa Youth Festival held on August 23, 2004 in Beijing, china, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the Ministry sent to ENA Wednesday, in an opening remark on behalf of African countries Haile-Kiros said that the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum, which was held last December in Addis Ababa, had agreed to organize the festival in Beijing. Haile-Kiros said that the main objective of the festival is to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations and cooperation between the region and China and enhance people-to-people relationships. Nearly 132 participants drawn from 44 African countries took part n the festival, according to the statement. Ethiopians celebrate victory in Athens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Decked in a white and gold outfit, popular Ethiopians singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw nick named "Gigi" sand the praises of Ethiopia's current and former Olympic champions, Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebre-Selassie in an Athens club, last weekend, Reuters reported. The 10,000 m. world champion and record holder Kenenisa had won in an Olympic record of 27:05.10 on Friday, followed by compatriot Sileshi Sihin, while the injured 1996 and 2000 champion Haile, who previously held both records, finish fifth. The medals count climbed with women's world 3,000m indoor champion Meseret Defar and 5,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba taking 5,000m gold and bronze on Monday. Kenenisa celbrated his victory modestly on Friday night, rejoicing with his teammates as they left the stadium "I was very happy," he told Reuters. "The Olympics is huge. Many people made a telephone call from Ethiopia." The call included sports and government officials, family and friends, and Kenenisa spoke to his siblings and his fiancé. "There is still work to be done," said the double world cross-country champion, who began his quest for a rare double on Wednesday by inning his 5,000m heat ahead of compatriot Gebre-Egiziabher Gebremariam. For the 300 Ethiopians who gathered in the Galazio Club in the Kipseli area of Athens, where the majority of Ethiopians in the city live, last Saturday was the right time to party. "It is not just that Kenenisa won, but that my country Ethiopia got a gold medal and a silver medal, that makes me happy," said Abel Bogale, 21, a license plate maker from Athens. The efforts of the four-time former world champion Haile, and the changing of the guard in Ethiopia's distance running hierarchy equally moved many in the Galazio. Gigi sang to an appreciative crown including people on the dance floor in front of the stage, on which an Ethiopian flag had been draped. When Gigi serenaded the athletes, faces turned to the stage arms rose in appreciation and a flag was held aloft in the crowd. Gigi referred to Friday's victory and sang, 'Kenenisa, lion of Ethiopia", promoting a roar that recurred when she then sang about Slileshi. When she subsequently referred to Haile in the same way, calling him "Hailiye", a form of endearment, screams accompanied the cheers. "For me, Haile is always Haile," said Gig, who sang on the soundtrack of 'Endurance', the Hollywood film about Haile's life. "He will never change. it's not whether he wins of doesn’t win. He's a man who has won many times. He's the pride of Ethiopia. ==================== Pol.Ethiopia August 27, 2004 ================ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Aug 31 13:39:54 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:14 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20040831113954.89380.qmail@web53309.mail.yahoo.com> August 28/29, 2004 Diplomatic efforts in promoting investment, strengthening dev't fruitful: MoFA ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the diplomatic efforts pursued during the past fiscal year in the economic and investment sectors are encouraging. Press Information and Documentation Directorate of the Ministry told WIC that officials' visits were made to different countries across the world in a bid to strengthening diplomatic ties and promote opportunities available in the country in trade, investment, tourism and other sectors. In this regard, the official visits made by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to the Middle East and the discussions held with higher officials of the respective countries had significant contribution towards economic ties with the countries. According to the Director, the visits to Israel, apart from strengthening bilateral relations, enabled to attract Israeli entrepreneurs in the investment sector of the country. Following the officials visit of the Foreign Minister and after being briefed about the investment and trade opportunities, Israeli entrepreneurs are showing a growing interest in horticultural development, it said. Accordingly, about 25 Israeli entrepreneurs have so far been engaged in floricultural development, both independently and jointly with Ethiopians. According to the Directorate, the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Israel and the bilateral talks held with Israeli officials as well as discussions held with business people were significant in that they helped the Israelis to between understanding Ethiopia and support the agricultural sector. In an effort to enhance export trade, successful work has been accomplished during the year, it said. The revenue earned from foreign trade during the past fiscal year exceeded that of the last 11 years, the Director added. The directorate also said that the investment projects licensed during the past fiscal year was 61 per cent higher in number and 28 per cent higher in capital compared to that of the total projects licensed over the past 11 years. Apart from the growth of investment projects in the country with 676 projects with an aggregate capital of 10 billion birr licensed in less than a year, entrepreneurs have increasingly demonstrated their interest to engage in the floricultural development, it said. Besides, entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, USA, Great Britain, France, South Africa and Sudan are entering the development sector, it added. According to the Directorate, official visits held to Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar and United Arab emirates; and the officials visits of the German Chancellor, Chinese Prime Minister, Botswana President and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were the significant events that took place during the year. Moreover, , fruitful discussions were held to ensure the security of Ethiopian citizens in the Middle East, the Directorate added. Ethiopia, St. Lucia to establish diplomatic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The governments of Ethiopia and St. Lucia signed an agreement that could enable them to establish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level in each other's countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to a press statement the ministry sent to ENA yesterday, Acting Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the UN in New York, ambassador Triruneh Zena as well as St. Lucia's Permanent Mission, Antony B. Severin signed the agreement. The statement said the agreement enable to enhance the existing friendship between the two countries. Ambassador Tiruneh said on the occasion that though the two countries are found in different continents, they have historical and cultural ties between the people of both countries, according to the statement. AFMIN to move office to Addis ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Board of Directors of Africa Micro Finance Network (AFMIN) has decided to transfer its office to Addis Ababa. President of AFMIN, Dr. Worlday Amha, told WIC that AFMIN, a regional association of country-level networks of micro finance institutions in Africa, has been based in Abidjan, Republic of Cote'd'vorie, since its inception. He said the Board of Directors decided on July 19 in Kampala to relocate the office in Addis Ababa in relation to the political situation that has been affecting the hosting country since September 2002. The president said Addis Ababa was selected to host AFMIN after competing with Nairobi and Accra, taking into consideration the political and economic stability, country level network and favourable national policies for micro-finance, presence of international organizations and donors, strong presence of micro finance industry. Dr. Wolday said it is a success for Ethiopia, as the country will benefit directly or indirectly from linkage effect. As Addis Ababa is the seat for African Union, Economic Commission for Africa and many other intercontinental organizations, AFMIN would use the opportunity to promote the micro finance industry, he sated. The president said AFMIN, that currently comprises 19 country-level networks (CLNs) in countries of East, West and Southern Africa, aims to bring an impact on micro finance services for low-income population. He said AFMIN tries to build consensus around performance indicators and standards for micro-finance to ensure that the sector maintains a high standard of performance that will enable micro finance institutions to achieve sustainability and become integrated in the financial systems of their country. ESL TO provide freight transportation service to steel importers ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Ethiopian shipping Lines (ESL) reportedly agreed to give cargo services to importers of steel products from countries around the Black Sea. At a discussion held between 51 steel importers and ESL here Thursday, Managing director of ESL, Ambachew Abraha said that giving freight service to the importers is a national responsibility, beyond making profits. In this regard, he said agreement was reached between two enterprises giving chartered ship cargo services and ESL after surveying to work around Black Sea. He said ESL would give the service with its own ships and that of others in competitive price with the international sea fare. Steel importers, who speak of their dissatisfaction with foreign shipping lines, urged ESL to give them better freight transportation service. AU urges Somali leaders to stay united ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The swearing in of 194 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia by the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee on 22 August 2004 at the UN compound at the Girgiri Centre Nairobi, Kenya, was yet another major step by the Somali leaders towards restoration of peace, security and stability in Somalia, the African Union's Chairperson said. According to a statement sent to ENA yesterday, AU chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said like its predecessor, the Elderot Declaration, which the leaders singed on 27 October 2002, providing for the cessation of hostilities throughout the country and establishment of a parliament for Somalia, is a significant turning point in the 22 months old Somalia National Reconciliation Process, "The prospects of a durable solution to the conflict in Somalia have become brighter," the statement quoted the Chairperson as saying. Knonare appealed to all Somali leaders at the Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi to stay united and ensure that the selection of the remaining 81 members of the Transitional Federal Parliament is successfully concluded, it said. ================================ Pol.Ethiopia August 31, 2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail