From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Nov 2 08:56:13 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 00:56:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041102085613.89139.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> October 30, 2004 Electoral Board to distribute candidacy endorsement signatures form ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The office of the National Electoral Board says it would begin distributing the form for of candidacy endorsement signature as of today. Deputy Office Head Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that interested candidates to compete in the upcoming national elections could collect the form either from their woredas or the headquarters of the National Electoral Board. He said private and candidates represented by political parties could begin the collection of signatures in their election constituencies and woredas. Private candidates are expected to bring the signatures of 1,000 supporters for verification, he said, adding that candidates represented by political parties could collect 500 signatures or above. He said the office has distributed fliers and election documents to most parts of the country. The collection of candidacy endorsement signature could take place until 6 January 2005, he said. First phase of Nile Basin project study finalized Addis to host African pre-conference on "Water for Food and Ecosystem" ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The first phase of the Nile Basin Project Study aimed at ensuring integrated water resource management among the Nile Riparian Countries has been finalized, coordinator of a project establishing a Nile Basin Authority said. The Coordinator, Fik Ahmed said Benshangul Gumuz is one of the various states benefiting from the Nile Basin Initiative. The coordinator made the statement here Thursday while speaking at a meeting aimed at introducing the findings of the study to the state executive bodies. The project study, which is underway as per the Master Plan of the Nile Basin Initiative, would help to establish an institution responsible to streamline the water resource management of the basin. The coordinator also said the study would be instrumental in providing valuable information on the implementation of the Master Plan among the federal and state offices. Experts explained the plan and implementation of the Nile Basin during the day-long meeting. Meanwhile, an African Pre-Conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems will take place here in Addis Ababa from 4-6 November this year, to feed into an international conference on the same topic scheduled to be held from January 31 - February 5, 2005 in the Hague. Organizers said focus of the discussion during the Pre-Conference is on realising sustainable water management for food production and ecosystem functions, building on ongoing activities like the Dialogue on Water, and Food and Environment. The conference aims to bring together around 100 representatives from governments, and observers from Pan African NGOs and the private sector, with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. The conference is organized by the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of the Netherlands. The Secretariat of the Conference is based in the FAO Office in Addis Ababa. Dev't can be attained only through ensuring good governance: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, it its weekly statement issued yesterday said that there is tangible evidence that asserts the possibility of extricating our country from poverty and backwardness. For sure, this attests to the fact that strengthening and sustaining the development activities with the massive participation of all citizens will absolve our country from the dreadful poverty within a short period of time, the statement said. According to the statement, the Ethiopian Government has reiterated time and again, its policy documents that huge human, land and other natural resources are the main assets to be developed so as to overcome the bitting poverty. The Statement also said that mitigating poverty and backwardness without instituting good governance and democratization is inconceivable. The statement further said that only people's concoction; determination and commitment to work hard can bring about a meaningful change in any country including ours. Of course, real development can be realized only when people deliberate and decide freely on their own destiny, it said. Based on this tacit understanding, the farmers' conferences that are underway in the country are the platforms that enhance people's genuine participation, the statement said, adding that the conferences are meant to evaluate the farmers' performances of the previous year. In realizing the ongoing activities of the farmers, the government has submitted a plan to the conference stipulating improvements on communal projects and with more emphasis on private plots, the statement said. October 31, 2004 UNMEE opens 5th outreach centre in Adigrat ADIGRAT, TIGRAY - The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) opened its fifth outreach centre in Adigrat Friday, October 29,2004. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNMEE Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila said that the centre would be of greater use in the provision of information on the activities of the Mission in particular and that of the UN in general. Ambassador Legwaila also indicated that UNMEE would use the centre as a channel to impart its message of the peace to the residents of the town and its environs visiting the centre and through its staff who make similar visits to the area. In addition, the opening of the centre would create conditions conductive to the final stage of the peace process- boarder demarcation - Ambassador Legwaila said. According to the Ambassador, Adigrat was chosen not only because it is the headquarters of sector centre and home to the 15th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry - otherwise known as INDBATT - but more importantly because of its convenient location at the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Adigrat City Mayor Goitom Negash on his part said that the centre would enable to improve the relationship between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea - through its adequate information on UNMEE and the UN towards their effort to safeguarding peace in the area. "The centre could also serve as a powerful instrument in ensuring development through the various organs involved and improving the quality (UNMEE P.7) Higher learning institutions should intensify efforts to bring about national transformation: Kassu HARAR (ENA) - The Alemaya University and other institutions of higher learning engaged in training manpower should enhance efforts more than ever to bring about national transformation through national capacity, Minister of infrastructure said. Higher learning institutions are responsible in cultivating efficient manpower towards the realization of rural centered development strategy the country is pursuing, Dr. Kassu Illala said. Speaking at the golder jubilee celebration of the Alemaya University yesterday, the minister said a daunting task is expected to the university in a bid to get rid of the age-old farming methods we inherited from our forefathers. The university is autonomous, Kassu said adding a more enabling environment has been created for the university to enable it move in the right direction on its own initiative. He said the university that graduated only 11 students with degree in agricultural science 50 years ago has now reached at a level where it has the capacity of graduating 1,500 students up to doctorate level. The university at present is training over 10,000 students in one or the other faculties of education, agriculture, health, animal science, medical science, business and economics engineering and law, Deputy President of the University, Dr. Belay Kassa said. He said the university is offering education in 62 programmes at certificate, diploma, degree, masters and doctorate degree levels at the education institutions it established in Alemaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga towns. A panel discussion was held on five papers and an exhibition depicting the university's activities over the past 50 years was staged in connection with the anniversary. The golden jubilee would continue today and medals and certificates would be awarded to individuals and institutions that made outstanding contributions in the agricultural sector. Since its establishment, the Alemaya University has graduated close to 14,000 students in various education fields and levels of life affected by the conflict," the Mayor added. The Centre in Adigrat is the 3rd in Ethiopia while the two are located in Addis Ababa and Makalle. So far, over 63,000 people have visited the Makalle outreach center. Members of the UNMEE Central Command and colleagues, representatives of the local authority in Adigrat, members of the NGO community, religious leaders, and other invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony. November 2, 2004 EPRDF, opposition party to hold discussion on election issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), and an opposition party, Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU) would hold a discussion aimed at working together on issues of election, the office of the EPRDF announced yesterday. The office said in its statement sent to ENA that the two parties would discuss, among others, agendas, that would enable them to work together in accordance with the agreement reached earlier between the representatives of the EPRDF and EDFU. The statement said EPRDF is desirous to reach agreement through discussion on election matters and other related issues by working together with those opposition parties, which it said, are legal and peaceful. The statement recalled that the representatives of EPRDF and members of the executives of opposition parties have been holding discussions both in person and through telephone at various times and occasions on issues of election. Pointing out that it is the unrestricted freedom of the public that ensures democracy, EPRDF said it would be necessary to create a forum that would serve all parties equally during election by removing impediments. Accordingly, all parties need to operate by respecting the national Constitution and Electoral Law. The statement said EPRDF has finalized preparation to make the 1997 E.C. national and state elections fair and democratic. It said the two previous elections had ensured the supremacy of the people and added that EPRDF is discharging its responsibilities now to make the upcoming elections fair and free. Meles arrives in China ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Xian, China Sunday on a week-long visit to the country. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the airport by Chinese senior government officials. The delegation, which started its visit in Shanxi Province, an exemplary province in its economic growth, will also visit an irrigation development activities that have enabled China to achieve rapid development and a model city, which has managed to extricate itself from poverty in a very short period of time. The delegation was to leave for Beijing, where it would hold talks with senior Chinese government officials, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks between the two sides will focus on issues of human resources development, tourism, trade and investment, among others. They will also hold discussions on ways of enabling Ethiopia to benefit from the privilege of exporting its certain commodities to China free of quota and duty. The visit is expected to create a special opportunity for Ethiopia to promote its tourism potential in China, according to the spokesperson. The high-level delegation which includes Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Finance and Economic State Minister Dr. Mulu Ketsela, Agriculture and Rural Development State Minister Belay Ejigu and other senior government officials left here for China Saturday midnight. It is to be recalled that a similar visit was made to China by a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by prime Minister Meles. Tripartite ministerial meet to be held here Friday ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia - comprising Sana'a Gathering for Cooperation - will meet in Ethiopia Friday, Yemen Times quoted a Yemeni official source as saying Sunday. Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi said that the meeting that will include the political and economic committees would look into several issues including the arrangement of the meeting of the presidents of the three states in the Sudan by the end of December. The meeting will also discuss drafts for a number of agreements to promote investments and organize commercial relations aiming to set up a free trade market between the three countries. The situation in Darfur as well as in Somalia particularly after the election of the new president Abdullahi Yusuf will be considered. The meeting of the foreign ministers will be followed by a meeting of the security committee in the three states. An agreement providing for the establishment of the gathering was signed by the end of December 2003 at a summit of the three counties in Ethiopia. Afar State said conducive to investment activities ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Deputy Chief Administrator of the Afar State called upon investors to get engaged in the agricultural investment activities, including in cotton production, as the state has created conducive atmosphere for investors. While paying field visit to the Gweane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company, Mohamed Tahiro Hamadu said the agricultural investments on cotton and sesame production could particularly bear fruit with the utilization of the Awash Basin and its tributaries. The state administration is providing all the necessary support to the Gewane Agricultural Development Company as it is working in harmony with the state's administration and the clan leaders; and is also creating job opportunities to the inhabitants in the state, he said. The State Administration is currently engaged in the preparation engaged in the preparation of pertinent policy, directive and regulation on land utilization and administration, he said, adding that, the effecting of the policy is believed to be instrumental in attracting investment flows to the state. Gewane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company General Manager, Tsegaye Tekle-Mariam said on his part that the company is engaged in the cultivation of cotton on over 1,000 hectares of land in the state with an outlay of 10 million birr. According to the general manager, the company is supplying its produce to local and foreign market and the textile industries with cotton production creating jobs to close to 4,000 citizens. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.2,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Wed Nov 3 13:56:59 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 05:56:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041103135659.37606.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 3, 2004 EPRDF accepts majority of electoral law amendments proposed by oppositions by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) disclosed that it has agreed in principle to the majority of proposals put forward by the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and other opposition parties to revise the existing electoral law. In a joint communiqué EPRDF and UEDF issued yesterday following discussions on election matters, EPRDF announced its consent to accept in principle all except two of some 29 amendment proposals made by oppositions. The Front has also expressed its readiness to work for the implementation of agreed amendments through proper government channels. Proposed revisions on issues related to changing the plurality of votes election system to a proportional representation one and replacing the existing electoral board with a new body comprising representatives of parties were not accepted by EPRDF. The UEDF described the initiative taken by the ruling party as a step forward and expressed its desire to continue negotiations on matters the two parties have held differing positions. "We have agreed to commit ourselves to ensuring the democratic nature of the election process by preempting election irregularities which might be created by members and supporters of both parties," executives of EPRDF and UEDF told a press conference held at Sheraton Addis. EPRDF indicated that it would soon make public a code of conduct it prepared as a guideline for its members and supporters taking part in the upcoming elections. UEDF on its part said that it would design its own election code of conduct by which its members and supports abide. The two parties have also reached a consensus to establish joint committees from federal down to grassroots levels with a view to addressing irregularities that might be encountered during the election process. UEDF has expressed its strong interest to participate in the national election to be held for the third time in the coming May. UEDF also said it would exert utmost efforts to enable all its member parties to take in the election. EPRDF on its part said that it was encouraged to learn that some member parties of the UEDF which were promoting armed struggle have decided to follow the peaceful path. The Front, however, indicated that it would not negotiate with these parties on election matters unless they officially renounce their former positions. Information Minister Bereket Simon, who is also Public Relations Head with EPRDF and Tsegaye Mammo, Organizational Affairs Head with the Front, signed the agreement on the part of EPRDF. Dr. Merera Gudina, Chairman of UEDF and Dr. Beyene Petros, its First Vice Chairman, signed the agreement for UEDF. UEDF is a coalition established last Ethiopian year with an initial membership of 15 political parties operating here and abroad. Meles to visit Germany, Austria ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will lead a high-level delegation to Germany and Austria in official visits to begin November 10, 2004. During the visits, Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with senior authorities in the two countries on bilateral and other issues of common interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in press release issued yesterday. The delegation is also scheduled to discuss relevant issues with representatives of the business community in the two countries, the release said. Meanwhile, a German delegation led by President Horst Kohler will pay an official visit to Ethiopia as of December 12, the same release said. President Kohler is expected to hold talks with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He is also scheduled to visit the Ethiopian Parliament and deliver a speech at the Office of the Commission of the African Union. President Kohler is also expected to tour various projects and institutions in Ethiopia, the release said citing a tentative programme of the visit. NEB certifies 69 political parties for election ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said it has issued eligibility certificates on 69 political parties, which are expected to take part in the upcoming national election. NEB has already given the legitimacy certificates to 69 political parties which are expected to compete in the third national election scheduled in May 2005, Acting Registrar of political parties with the Board, Mekonnen Wodaje told ENA yesterday. He said 13 of the political parties are operating at a national level while the remaining have state realm of influence. According to the official one of the parties is established by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. The Board is not only registering political parties but also monitoring them as it is part of its duties and responsibilities, he said. Some 40 million people are expected to cast votes in the upcoming national election, he said, adding the Board has already completed preparations of ballots. The NEB has also disclosed that contending candidates have already started collecting endorsement signatures as per the schedule. Some 547 members of the peoples representatives are expected to be elected at 547 constituencies, he said, adding all constituencies and polling stations, which were used during the previous two national election. Experiences gained during the previous national elections would be utilized with a view to carrying out free and fair election across the nation, he added. House passes three bills ratifying loan agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives passed three bills providing for the ratification of three loan agreements with a unanimous vote in its regular session held yesterday. The bills ratify the Loan Agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Credit Agreement between Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA). According to the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the bank would grant 6.24 million USD for financing the Kibre-Mengist Town Water Supply Project. The Credit Agreement signed between Ethiopian and IDA would enable Ethiopia get 66.9 million SDR (100 million USD) from IDA for financing Public Sector Capacity Building Programme Support Project. The other Credit Agreement would enable Ethiopia obtain a sum of 51.1 million SDR (75 million USD) from IDA for financing Water Supply and Sanitation Project, according to the agreement. According to the agreements, the loans are interest free, and compatible with the country's loan strategy. The loans are payable in 40 years with a ten-year grace period. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov. 3,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Thu Nov 4 09:05:43 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 01:05:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041104090543.74859.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> November 4, 2004 China desires to consolidate bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country desires to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. During talks held in Beijing with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday, the two sides have agreed to work in cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Ethiopia and China agreed to work in cooperation mainly in the economic, technique and education sectors. The Chinese President also lauded the leading role of Prime Minister Meles in widening the sphere of cooperation of the two countries and strengthening the longstanding relations that survived the test of time. The two sides have expressed satisfaction over their discussions and the understanding reached to raise the cooperation to a new level high in the years ahead. The Chinese President said also Ethiopia could lay a pivotal role in enabling China to consolidate its cooperation with other African countries. Prime Minister Meles said he was impressed by China's economic growth and development that took place in a relatively short period of time. He said the cooperation of the two countries has entered in to a new chapter during the last few years, adding that it was the interest of Africa to consolidate its cooperation with the emerging economic and power house of Asia. Prime Minister Meles also met and held discussions with members of the National Commission charged with the task of leading the Chinese Economic Reform Programme. Meles met and briefed 30 African resident ambassadors on the African Commission and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles signed a cooperation agreement Tuesday with the Chinese officials on economic, education and technique sectors, among others. An agreement was also reached to work in cooperation in the agriculture, textile, and infrastructure development and tourism fields as well, according to an official with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MPs child right training seminar preparatory meet opens by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dr. Petros Olango, said that Ethiopia is exerting utmost efforts in implementing child rights in conformity with national laws and international conventions making a series revisions on the former to make them compatible with the latter. Addressing the Preparatory Meeting for the seminar on the Training on Child Rights with Parliamentarians in Ethiopia held at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Dr. Petros said that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) has the mandate for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). "The parliament has an important role in overseeing the implementation of policies and programmes in accordance with the international conventions and national laws that effect children and youths", he said. Dr. Petros further said that the Social Affairs Standing Committee of the House has day-to-day oversight of the MOLSA. The Committee follows up the implementation of the recommendations of the UNC and CRC Committees within concerned Ministries and that of the National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children, he said. "Ethiopia is a country of young generation. More than half of our population consists of children and youths. And it is only with the provision of proper services like health and education to this group as well as protecting them from violence that our fight against abject poverty will be facilitated and sustainable development attained", he said. Mrs. Simone EK, Senior Advisor on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Europe and Sweden, in her opening remark lauded the Ethiopian Constitution for it contains a provision on children's rights. Simone EK on the occasion suggested some proposals for dialogue to further strengthen the political will, to apply the rights of the child and make a reality of the UN Convention and the rights of the child in an African context. The suggestions include, among others improving the knowledge of MPs on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; enabling MPs to have a better understanding of the rights of the child within the African context; and defining their role in the monitoring and general implementation of UN conventions on the rights of the child. Co-organized by Save the Children Sweden, Eastern and Central Africa Regional Office and the Social Affairs Standing Committee the two-day meeting was aimed at planning for a training seminar on child rights to be held in Addis in March-April 2005. Invited MPs from Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, South Africa and Sweden are expected to attend the seminar. The meeting is expected to come up with important plan and recommendations for the realization of the right of children in Ethiopia. Project to offer training to enhance women's political skills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Some 1,500 women will be offered trainers training as part of women's political skills project, a cross party NGO project funded by the British Council targeted to train in turn another 5,000 women in many different parts of the country to encourage women to actively participate in the upcoming state and national elections. Some 20 of the women drawn from the ruling, Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition parties as well as women associations have already begun to attend the training. The project has two main aims to spread the message: that every woman in Ethiopia has a right to vote as she wishes and to encourage as many women as possible to stand as candidates at the next election, according to a press statement issued by the Council. "Training is now taking place to encourage women to exercise their rights to participate," it said. People will vote for women candidates as they believe them to be more honest, hardworking and concerned about the needs of the ordinary people, the statement said. It said the participating parties and NGOs are currently are completing the cascade training which focuses on training awareness of rights, especially to political participation. President calls on World Vision to focus on health, environmental programmes ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said it would have a great importance if World Vision should focus on health and environmental development activities in Ethiopia. While conferring with World Vision International President Dean Hirsch here yesterday at the National Palace, President Girma said the organization would achieve fruitful results if it involves in HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental protection programmes. He said World Vision has a significant contribution in enhancing education and other development activities in different parts of the country. Girma expressed hope that World Vision would continue its development assistance to Ethiopia in the years ahead. Hirsch told journalists after the talks that his organization has been extending support to various development projects in the agriculture, health, environmental protection and health sectors, among others. World Vision has managed to transplant five million various tree seedlings through the popular participation of the public while it has been involved in HIV/AIDS intervention activities, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Hirsch as saying. Hirsch assured President Girma that his organization would further be continued. He said World Vision has made a 47 million birr support to Ethiopia. Hirsch is on a four-day working visit to Ethiopia. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.4,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Nov 5 12:06:08 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 04:06:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041105120608.4235.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 5, 2004 Addisu says Africa's dev't ambition hinges on feeding itself ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse said that Africa cannot achieve its ambition for development, unless it can feed itself. Addis made the remark while opening African pre-conference: "Water for Food and Ecosystem" at the UN Conference Centre here yesterday. African governments must rise to the challenge of ensuring food self-sufficiency, he said, adding that they must also have the political will and commitment to implement the outcome of this pre-conference for accelerated, but environmentally friendly, and sustained development. Addisu who is also Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that both the Constitutive Act of the African Union and NEPAD provide the vision and programmes for the collective development of the continent. At the country level, however, he said, success would hinge on the kind of policies, programmes and resource as well as partnership, which governments would be prepared to put inplace to meet the challenges of food insecurity. Addisu said that sustainable use of water is of vital importance for the planet earth because it is fundamental for both food production and well functioning of the ecosystems. However, he said, unsustainable water use is very common, specially in African continent. Addisu said population growth and the expansion of water use per capita put increasing pressure on the availability and quality of water resources and the ecosystems as well. Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission Ms. Rosebud Kurwijila, said on her part that while there is considerable agricultural production potential in the form of vast arable land areas, actual food production of the continent is amongst the lowest in the world. She said that the governments and the people's inability to efficiently harness the limited fresh water resources and the insufficiency of strong inter-governmental trance-boundary water management institutions has largely constrained the continent's ability to develop and equitably distribute its water endowment. Growth in agriculture is the most beneficial for the poor because a one per cent increase in yield results in a decrease of 0.6 to 1.2 per cent of people living on less than one USD per day, Assistant Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Dr. Louise Fresco said. She said accordingly, Africa needs to continue to invest in unlocking the potential of its diversified agricultural systems- in rain fed agriculture, mittigation and mixed system. The outcome of the African pre-conference will be presented to an international conference on water for food to be held Jan. 31 - Feb. 5,2005 in the Hague, the Netherlands, as an input in its further discussion. The three day conference, held under the slogan "Make it Happen" was organized by the government of Ethiopia in cooperation with the African Union, FAO and the Danish Government. The conference, has brought together 100 representatives from African governments and observers from Pan African NGO's and the private sector with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. AAU invites political parties to debate on education policy ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa University (AAU) has organized debate on the education policy in which contestant parties in the upcoming national election are invited. In a press conference, he gave yesterday, University President Prof. Andreas Eshite said that the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and Opposition parties - The Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Democratic League (EDC) and All Amhara Unity Party - would debate for three consecutive Saturday beginning November 13,2004. The debate, focusing on primary, secondary, vocational and higher education would be transmitted live on ETV and Radio, he said. The debate, in which all stakeholders will attend, would enable to know the pros and cons of the country's education policy, he said. It will also enable international organizations to make financial support to the education sector by identifying the strength and weakness of the education policy, Prof. Andreas said. African diplomacy should be geared towards addressing continent's challenges: Prof. Kinfe by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD), Prof. Kinfe Abraham says that African diplomacy has to be geared towards addressing the continent's challenges and curbing the multifaceted problems facing it. Opening a seminar "The Challenges and Opportunities of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century," at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Prof. Kinfe indicated that the current challenges require modern diplomacy 'not a traditional cocktail approach' for the world is in an age of interdependence and speedy pace of modernization and technological development. "It is only through effective collaboration that African states would be able to develop themselves which requires modernizing their approach to diplomacy. If Africa fails to meet these challenges urgently, it would b difficult to anticipate how it can extricate itself from the pincer-grip of poverty and underdevelopment," he said. According to Prof. Kinfe, building peace and security, reducing poverty, establishing good governance and strengthening regional cooperation vial regional and intercontinental organizations are the key challenges. In a paper "The Role of Diplomacy in international Development" presented to the seminar, French Ambassador Stephane Gompertz said that discussion between and among businessmen, governments as well as diplomats is very critical for countries' speedy development in this era. "Though the advantages of their respective countries should be prioritized, diplomats should also consider the common advantage and interest of others for the development of one undoubtedly helps the other," the Ambassador said. Israeli Ambassador Doron M. Grossman in his paer "Diplomacy and Challenges of International Terrorism," emphasized the need for prioritizing development agenda to fight terrorism effectively. He said that reducing social grievances, becoming active in the multilateral scenes, promoting intereligious discussions as well as creating a very sophisticated diplomatic mission are indispensable to diplomats and missions as well if they are to benefit their countries. Also on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Wassawa Biriggwa, presented a paper "The Challenges of the 21st Century of International Terrorism". He said that the issue of terrorism has to be clearly defined and action should be taken according to the principles set forward. "The world has to agree on what terrorism and terrorist groups mean, identify its root causes and relentlessly fight irresponsible use of weapons and trafficking of arms," the ambassador said. Ambassador Mohammed Ali and Ato Tesfaye Yilma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke on the theme: "The Challenges of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century." In their presentation, they said that Africa must take all measures to put the AU on a firm, solid and sustainable foundation. This they added, requires a fundamental process and ushering in a new national and regional economic order. Members of the diplomatic corps, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society representatives and other invited guests were in attendance at the day-long seminar that assessed the current status of African diplomacy including the challenges and opportunities and come up with constructive and practical ideas on how the continent's economic diplomacy is enhanced. Similar papers were also presented and discussions conducted on ideas forwarded. Prime Minister urges Chinese investors to take part in Ethiopia's dev't endeavour BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese entrepreneurs could play a leading role in the construction, infrastructure and natural resources development endeavours of Ethiopia by diverting their capitals and introducing the easily adaptable Chinese technology, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. During talks held in Beijing yesterday with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister, the Chinese investors mentioned problems in obtaining land, license and visa. Commenting on the issues, the Prime Minister said industrial zones were established in more than 50 towns to address the problem, adding that constructive measures have also been taken to provide effective services in issuing visa. The over 70 investors and company owners who held discussions with the Prime Minister have shown great desire to take part in the development endeavours of Ethiopia, according to Deputy President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Prime Minister Meles assured the Chinese investors that his government has been tirelessly working to provide effective services to those interested in investing in Ethiopia. The investors said in separate and group discussions with the Prime Minister, they faced problems in the accusation of land issuance of licenses and visa. The Prime Minister said land has been a problem both for the local and foreign investors until recently. He, however, said the government has taken measures believed to be instrumental in addressing the problems identified in the process of handling the request of investors. The Prime Minister said the new procedure put in place could enable the investors to receive timely and appropriate answers to their requests. The Chinese investors could contribute to the development of Ethiopia in investing in the infrastructure and development of natural resources, he said. The Prime Minister invited Chinese investors to come to Ethiopia like their fellow countrymen who have been engaged in the telecommunications, road and power generation schemes as well as in the mining sector. The investors could also benefit from exemption of taxes to their exports to European and North American markets in addition to that of the Chinese one, he said. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.5,2004 ===================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Wed Nov 10 13:47:00 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 05:47:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041110134700.55115.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 6, 2004 USAID extends agricultural marketing credit to agribusiness's ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday signed loan-guarantee agreements with two Ethiopian banks that will allow them to offer short and medium-term loans for marketing and capital investment in the coffee, food grains, horticulture, and livestock products sectors. USAID Mission Director in Ethiopia William Hammink, Awash International Bank President Leikun Berhanu and President of Bank of Abyssinia Kebede Temesgen signed the agreement, according to a press statement by the US Embassy. The agreements provide the banks with short and medium-term credit estimated 18 million USD over five years, allowing them to make loans that will benefit thousands of small holder farmers, agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses, it said. This increased rural lending supports the Government of Ethiopia's rural development strategy of accelerated rural economic growth, enhanced trade competitiveness, and private-sector-led development, according to the statement. It said the Bank of Abyssinia and Awash Bank have demonstrated their strong commitment to rural development by expanding the availability of short-term and medium-term loans for key economic sectors in five states. Farmers living in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states would b the beneficiaries of the loan services. Joint efforts of stakeholders said essential to implement result of plebiscite ADDIS ABABA - State administrations, residents, governmental bodies and other stakeholders are expected to exert efforts in the spirit of responsibility, transparency and accountability to implement the outcome of the recent plebiscite held to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of kebeles bordering the two states, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday, the ministry said the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is engaged in diverse activities to enhance the democratic system and good governance in the country, as it believes efforts aimed at ensuring an accelerated economic development cannot bear fruit in their absence. It is important to note that a constitutional and democratic measure was taken to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of about 463 kebeles, it said. The claims submitted by the two states to the House of the Federation were endorsed and a plebiscite was held in most of the contested kebeles, it said. The constitutional response to address the claims that are a decisive significance to ensure the rights of the peoples and economic development was a matter of great importance, the statement said. According to the statement, the prime objective of the plebiscite is to ensure peace, good governance, a democratic system and sustainable economic development to benefit all the peoples. Seminar on Somalia stabilization conducted ADDIS ABABA - A two-day AU Planning and Strategy Seminar on Implementing a Cessation of Hostilities in Somalia opened at the African Union Conference Centre (AUCC) in Addis Ababa last Thursday. A press release sent to the Herald by African Union indicated that the seminar was declared open by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit. Ambassador Djinnit at the occasion reiterated the disposition of the African Union to deploy a Military Observation Mission in Somalia. He stated that the role of the mission would be mainly to build confidence and work jointly with the Somalis in support of their efforts towards normalizing the situation in the country. According to the release, Ambassador Djinnit seized the opportunity to encourage the Somalis to consolidate the gains they made at Mbaghati, Kenya and to endeavour to strengthen reconciliation in their country, adding that they should opt for dialogue and a peaceful means in addressing their various challenges. The overall aim of the seminar was to assist in the development of the future AU role in Somalia, and that of other donor organizations, in order to enhance the chances of stabilization and the success of the transitional institutions in Somalia, it was learnt. Conducive situations being created too effectively implement Youth Policy: Minister GAMBELLA (ENA) - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Ambassador Teshome Toga said conductive situations are being created with a view to implementing youth affairs' policies. Addressing a national forum aimed at familiarizing Youth Policy and Awareness Raising Forum in Gambella town here yesterday, Ambassador Teshome said priority has been given to the implementation of youth policies effectively. The opening of bureaus in charge of following up youth affairs issues in states and enabling the youth to engage in various activities by being organized in association and the construction of youth centres in various states are some of the conducive situations that are being carried out, he said. Ambassador Teshome said efforts are also being exerted to establish a coalition of youth against HIV/AIDS at national level. He said a 10 year strategic plan that would enable to implement youth development programme would also be designed. More than 250 stakeholders from pertinent offices are in attendance at the forum. November 7, 2004 Meles returns home concluding China visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home late Friday concluding his week-long working visit to China. During his stay there, Meles had held talks with the Chinese President on ways of expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries. He had also visited the Chinese Modern Agricultural Technology Center in Xian City. According to an agreement reached between the two countries, 40 Ethiopians would pursue their education in Chinese higher learning institutions. China would also provide a seven million birr support to Ethiopia. The delegation led by Prime Minister was informed during its visit in a farmers' locality that the farmers in the locality have their own residence while their income reached to 3,000 USD annually. The Ethiopian delegation and Chinese President and Prime Minister discussed the enhancement of political and economic cooperation between the two countries extensively. According to the agreement reached between the two sides, Ethiopia was allowed to export certain commodity items to China free of tariff and quota. China has also expressed its readiness to subsidise its enterprises which are interested to buy Ethiopian products, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the talks. During the talks Meles had held with Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing, he gave briefings on the investment potential Ethiopia has in textile, tannery and sugar development sectors. He said those who are interested to invest in the sectors would enjoy the privilege of exporting their items into American and European countries free of tariff and quota. Meles said efforts are also being exerted to address problems related to land, visa and licenses, among others, as soon as possible. He also told the Chinese investors that industrial zones have been demarcated in 50 towns in the country, which are suitable for investment. Ethiopia elected AMCOW Deputy Chairman for Eastern African Region ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia was elected as Deputy Chairman and Executive Council Member of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) for Eastern Africa Sub-Region Thursday during the Council's 5th regular meeting underway in Entebbe, Uganda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. In a press statement it sent to ENA Friday, the Ministry said that the Council will have 13 members of which five will be elected from each sub-region. The statement said that Ethiopia was also elected as member of the recently established Governing Council of the African water facility representing the sub-region. The meeting of the members of the Technical Committee of the Council was held on November 2,2004. Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia states will work together to enhance dev't: Minister ASSOSA (ENA) - The peoples of the Benshangul-Gumuz and Oromia states would work together for the enhancement of development thereby reduce poverty by strengthening their longstanding relations and cooperation, Defence Minister Abadula Gemeda said. Abadula said the inhabitants of the two states would strive for the common prosperity of the states. Abadula made the remark while visiting development activities being undertaken Benshangul-Gumuz State here yesterday. The peoples of the two states had struggled jointly to remove the previous regime and build the existing democratic system, he said. Abadula said the executives of the two state administrations on their part have the responsibility to exert maximum efforts to enable the inhabitants of the two states benefit from development achievements. He also stressed the need to conserve natural resources existing along the borders of the two states jointly. Speaking on his part, Benshangul Gumuz State Administration Chief Yaregal Aysheshum said consolidated efforts are needed to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring states. November 9, 2004 USAID committed to continue extending assistance to Ethiopia: Assistant Administrator ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistances said his organization would continue to extend support to food security programme and humanitarian activities in Ethiopia. After holding talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here yesterday, the Assistant Director, Roger Winter said USAID would extend assistance to programmes launched to ensure food security and food as well as non-food assistance to needy people in the 2005. The American Government would also work together with Ethiopia on safety net programme, Winter said. The support USAID will be giving will include the supply of drinking water, health care and veterinary services as well as shelter. Winter said his government is also desirous of supporting the activities being made to make 5.2 million needy people self-reliant in food. Meles expressed hope during the talks that the assistance being extended to Ethiopia would further be strengthened. He said it is also his belief that the US Government would give quick response to food requirement needed by food-deficit people in the coming year, according to simoen Mechale, Commissioner of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, who attended the talks. Prime Minister Meles and Winter had held constructive discussions on the peace process in the Sudan and humanitarian affairs as well. The discussion between the two officials centered on humanitarian affairs, the Commissioner said. Ethiopia's foreign relations being consolidated ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia over the past decade has forged bilateral relations to an unprecedented level, the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) said. EIIPD Director, Prof. Kinfe Abreham told ENA over the weekend that the country's diplomatic relations with other countries has reached a higher level both in depth and strategy. Prof. Kinfe said that the strengthening of bilateral relations with the various states has helped raise not only inflow of financial assistance and loan but also brought about a huge debt cancellation. The director attributed the success to the working visits of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which in turn helped heads of states and government come to Ethiopia for the same cause. He also said that EIIPD has contributed a lot toward boosting bilateral relations with the provision of short and long-term trainings to Ethiopian diplomats. Ethiopian diplomats abroad have also been doing everything possible to boost economic ties between the various countries and attract foreign direct investment into the country, the director said. The institute has been providing times information on various issues to Ethiopian diplomats here and abroad with a view to boosting economic relations with the various states, he said. In addition, the institute had conducted a research on Ethio-Arab relations and published it for public consumption, the director said, adding the finding indicated that the relations have been gaining momentum from time to time. Prof. Kinfe also said that the institute has conducted a feasibility study on water resources management of the Nile Basin. The director indicated that the institute has published a book entitled: "China Comes to Africa" showing that China has become a lucrative business centre for Ethiopian products. Ethiopian honoured with 2004 hero in Medicine Award ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Eleanor, Chicago-based International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) honoured Ethiopian Dr. Yigeremu Abebe with the 2004 Hero in Medicine Award, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. IAPAC named Dr. Yigeremu winner at a dinner reception and award ceremony held in Washington on October 1,2004, the Ministry quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington as saying. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that Dr. Yigeremu won the award for his contributions in HIV/AIDS prevention and control as well as support for PLWHAs and patients in Ethiopia. Founded in 1995, IAPAC has membership of more than 12,000 physicians and health professionals. IAPAC has been intervening in global health issues, particularly in HIV/AIDS policy and care. The 2004 annual award was given out for the seventh time. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Kassahun Ayele was the guest of honour at the award ceremony, which was attended by prominent physicians, scientist and philanthropists, the ministry said in a press release. Konare expressed deep concern at situation in Cote d'Ivoire ADDIS ABABA - The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Alpah Oumar Konare, expressed his deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a press statement issued by AU Sunday disclosed. The Chairperson condemned the attacks by government forces on the various locations in the north of Cote d'Ivoire, including those that hit the French Licorne forces. He also condemned the violence prevailing in Abidjan, including the attacks on the property of opposition leaders and of the media, as well as on foreign citizens and property, especially French citizens and their property, the statement said. The Chairperson of the AU Commission urged all the parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further aggravation of the situation. In particular, he urges President Gbangbo, the government of Cote d'Ivoire, and all political and social leaders to do every thing possible to maintain calm and to ensure the safety and protection of all life and property. The Chairperson of the Commission expressed support of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November 2004; and in particular, expressed satisfaction at the decision on the change of the rules of engagement of UNOCI as called for by the AU/ECOWAS Consultative meeting held at Ota, Nigeria, on 6 November, the statement added. The Chairperson of the AU Commission underlined the imperative need for a political solution to the conflict and urges all parties to commit themselves to dialogue. In this respect, and as a follow-up to the decision adopted at the Ota AU/ECOWAS Consultations, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has been mandated to undertake an urgent mission in consultation with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, with a view to promoting a political solution, the press statement recalled. Prior to this release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Konare also expressed his deep concern at the news of last Friday on the resumption of hostilities in Bouake, another press release from the union indicated. According to the earlier release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union called on both sides to exercise maximum restarting. He urged them to abandon any recourse to the military option and recommit themselves sin earnest to the process of implementation of the Accra III Agreement. In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union is in close consultation with the Chairman of the African Union, President Olisegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, on how best the African Union, working together with the countries of the region, can help defuse the present crisis, it was learnt. =================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.10,2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Nov 12 08:20:35 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 00:20:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041112082036.8922.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 12, 2004 Ethiopia, Germany agree to consolidate ties ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The leaders of Ethiopia and Germany expressed their readiness to consolidate the century old relations and promote the bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples. Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Shrouder said Wednesday that relations between the two countries were on a firm ground. Briefing reporters following talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the German Chancellor said that Ethiopia has been playing a leading role for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa with especial emphasis on Somalia and the Sudan. Shorouder said his country has decided to train Ethiopian construction professionals, and the training programme would also begin as soon as possible. He said the visit of Prime Minister Meles to Germany would further consolidate the relations and give an impetus to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also said Ethiopia desires to strengthen its relations with Germany focusing on enhancement of capacity building. Meles said the relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and Germany need to focus on capacity building particularly in technical and vocational training. He made the remark while holding talks in Germany with authorities of various German governmental bodies and representatives of German organizations operating in Ethiopia. Meles had held the talks with different government officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Joschka Fischer and others. Pointing out that enhancing nation's capacity is instrumental to be competitive, Meles said, Ethiopia is keen that German NGOs need to focus their assistance to Ethiopia toward the strengthening of its capacity. Meanwhile, Capacity Building minister Tefera Walwa had held talks with senior government officials of Germany on bilateral issues. The delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was expected to leave Berlin for Vienna, Austria yesterday. House approves proclamations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives approved the agreements signed on antipersonnel landmines and on the prevention, use and trafficking of illegal arms. The House in its regular session yesterday endorsed the agreement on the prevention, use, stockpiling, transfer and destroying of anti-personnel landmines and the Nairobi Protocol on the Control and Prevention of Light and Small Arms Trafficking in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The House approved the proclamations with a unanimous vote after hearing the reports and proposals presented by the Foreign, Defence and Security as well as Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committees. Ratifying the agreements signed on the prevention, use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines has an advantage for the country, according to the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee. Anti-personnel landmines cause serious damages to human lives and property destruction as well as have a negative psychological impact and affect the progress of development. The ratification of the proclamation could greatly contribute to the enforcement of conventions the country signed for the respect of international legal principles. Most of the neighbouring and other African countries have already ratified the protocol, according to the Committee. The House also looked into the Nairobi Protocol signed on the control and prevention of the Trafficking of Light and Small Arms in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The ratification of the agreement could safeguard the interest of the nation and enable for the establishment of durable peace and stability, according to the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee of the House. Enforcing the law prohibiting the trafficking of illegal arms could enable to build confidence and trust among the neighbouring countries as well, the committee said. Archaeologists discover 30 million - year-old cave MIZAN (ENA) - A cave about 28-30 million years of age has reportedly been discovered in Tello Woreda, Keffa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The cave, which has a width and length of 80 and 100 metres respectively, has two entrances, two American archaeologists conducting a research in the woreda recently disclosed. The archaeologists said that they have found ash and stone tools inside the cave. Asked about the matter, Zonal Culture and Information Department Head Workagegnehu Kassa said the archaeological studies would continue in the woreda as there are many caves in the area. Speaker to attend Arafat's funeral AU sends message of condolences ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dawit Yohannes was to leave here for Egypt last evening to attend a State Funeral for Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat to be held in Cairo. The Speaker will express condolences over the death of Arafat to the people of Palestine on behalf of the people and Government of Ethiopia, according to a press statement sent to ENA by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Leaders of Arab countries and senior government officials from other countries across the world are expected to attend the ceremony. Arafat who was champion of the Palestinian cause for over four decades was declared dead early yesterday at a military hospital outside Paris at the age of 75. His body will be taken to Ramallah for burial tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konare and the AU Commission expressed condolence over the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the people of Palestine. In his message, Konare said that he learnt with deep sorrow the death of Arafat. "On behalf of myself and the Commission of the Africa Union, I send condolences to all Palestinians and in particular to his wife (SUHA Arafat) and the family," he said. The AU Commission reaffirms its commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent Homeland of Palestine. President holds talks with "Focus on the Family" delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Representatives of an organization called "Focus on the Family" expressed the desire of their organization to work on family, children and youth education affairs in Ethiopia. While conferring with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis here yesterday, the representatives said their organization is keen to offer education concerning parenting, marriage and self-worth to children and youth. They said, "Focus on the Family", which operates in 162 countries worldwide, provides the aforementioned services to children and youth. One million students from across the world get access to the education programme of the "Focus on the Family", an NGO, the representatives told President Girma. The organization has 5,000 communication institutions that would help it provide the services to beneficiaries, they said. Dr. James Dobson founded "Focus on the Family recognizing modern life can have corrosive effects upon the future well-being of mankind. =============================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.12,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Mon Nov 15 12:06:04 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 04:06:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041115120604.82238.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 13, 2004 Ethiopian high-level delegation arrives in Vienna ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Vienna, Austria, Thursday after completing its visit to Germany. Before leaving Germany, Prime Minister Meles and the delegation held talks with Germany President Claus Peter Nol as well as with the Minister of Defence and the members of parliament, foreign affairs and economic development standing committees. The discussion centered on the bilateral relation of the two countries, in which agreement has been reached for Germany to send to Ethiopia technical experts who would train Ethiopian professionals. German investors were said to have the will to engage in the trade and investment sectors in Ethiopia. The German President told Meles that his country would cooperate with Ethiopia in efforts towards ensuring peace in the Horn of Africa, Radio Ethiopia reported. Public Procurement bill tabled for discussion ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bill providing for Public Procurement was tabled for public discussion at the Parliament yesterday. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) said that the public hearing was organized by the Budgetary and Finance Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples Representatives. The bill refers to the procurement of goods, works and services, which the Ministry said constitutes a major share of public expenditure. Legal professionals with the Ministry told the public hearing that efforts to alleviating poverty would bear fruits through economic and efficient use of public funds. They said that procurement of goods, works and services would be instrumental to economic development at regional and national levels. Public procurement must be carried out in a manner, which is not only economic and efficient but also fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, they said. The ongoing civil service reform study of the Ministry prioritizes the procurement of goods, works and services of the government, they indicated. They said detailed study was conducted identifying difficulties, their causes and measures to rectify them in the implementation of procurement. The bill would enable the provision of incentives to local industries. The bill, if endorsed, will enable the establishment of a Public Procurement Agency, which will be responsible for supervision, follow-up and capacity building activities. Parties responsible to make upcoming election democratic: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement issued yesterday said it is clear that most favourable conditions are created for change in a country where political power emerges from the ballot box. This universal practice has proved that a better living standard is attainable where political power comes only from the ballot box, not from the barrel of a gun, the statement said. According to the statement, the overcoming our deplorable poverty and backwardness, and ensuring the respect of human and democratic rights are the cardinal agenda of our country. The statement further said that it is of paramount importance to exert maximum effort to make the upcoming national election free, fair and democratic. Above all, it said, the active participation of all the people in general and the political parties in particular contributes to a great deal to enhance the democratic system in the country. The political parties should have self-imposed duty to ensure respect for the benefits of the society in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Constitution, the statement underlined. In regard to this, the parties are expected to devise and present alternative policies and platforms to create many choices to the electorate. Of course, there should be dialogue and tolerance among the political parties to establish and promote a democratic culture, the statement reiterated. The statement also said that all parties have equal freedom and opportunity to run for seats in parliament in a multi-party system representing various sectors of the society. Ancient Ethiopian alphabet debuts on SMS ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - One of the world's ancient alphabets could flash on the screen of cell phones in the third-most-populous nation in Africa, easing communications for millions who can only read and write the Ethiopic script, AP reported Thursday. Ethiopian and United States based scientists adapted the script, which dates back to the fourth century, for use in text messages, the scientists said Thursday. "We are enabling one of humanity's oldest scripts to enter the wireless age," said Samuel Kinde, who proposed the research. "There is a significant amount of interest from potential users as well as from chipset manufacturers," said Samuel, an engineering professor from the University of California is San Diego. The Ethiopic script is used for Amharic - the national language of Ethiopia's 7- million people. Ethiopia is the only African nation with its own alphabet that is still widely used. Ethiopic is the medium for Ethiopian literature and is still in use in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, chanted by priests in incense-filled churches across the Horn of Africa nation. The script, however, is incompatible with modern communication devices because of its ungainly, 345-letter alphabet, compared with 26 letters in the Latin alphabet. Scientists had to make the ancient alphabet fit the standard handset. They cut it down to 210 characters before mapping a base alphabet of 28 letters on to a handset with users having to thumb in more keystrokes if they want the additional characters. Ethiopia lags behind in harnessing the modern technology. SMS was introduces last December. Kasu Illala, the Infrastructure Minister, said Ethiopia is one of the "least connected" countries in the world. November 14, 2004 Political parties debate on primary education system by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY) yesterday debated on the primary education system of the country. On the Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) yesterday here at the Ethiopian Convention Hall, the three parties made a warm debate on the current primary education system and defended their own views regarding the issue. Representing EPRDF, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa together with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde said that the policy was designed in accordance with the country's demand to achieve sustainable development and ensure good governance as well as democracy. According to Tefera, the policy for the primary level was designed in such a way that children could acquire basic knowledge and skills in order to transform the agricultural sector so as to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. "Unlike the previous times, children have got the opportunity of learning using their vernaculars. Accordingly, primary education is being provided with 22 vernaculars around the country. In addition, they learn English in order to be acquainted with international situations and peoples," Tefera said. To achieve these objectives, trainings have been provided at all levels, and schools were constructed allover the country, he said and went on to state that the enrolment rate at this level has exceeded 68 per cent as compared to only 20 per cent some ten years back. Girls enrolment has reached 59.1 per cent and there is a belief with the EPRDF that it would attain the MDGs with regard to the primary education, Tefera added. UEDF representatives Dr. Merara Gudina and Dr. Beyene Petros on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in expanding the preparatory and adult education. "There is a quality gap between urban and rural education system, the attention is not given to teachers' trainings and the self-contained system has negatively affected the children," they said. They said that they would strive to terminate the self-contained system and improve the standard of living of teachers if they come to office. Agreeing that the provision of education with the vernacular language is one of its programmes, UEDF-MEDHIN PARTY representative Ato Lidetu Ayalew said that the ruling party has politicized the policy and indicated how pessimist it is to achieve the MDG if thing go as they are citing the statistics presented by the ruling party as false. He said that UEDF-MEDHIN promotes the inclusion of the spirit of equity, freedom of thought, love for work, the importance of good governance and justice in its policy. He also said that this party would reconsider the budget allocation to education, if elected. In response to the validity of the statistics, EPRDF representatives indicated that the case has been proved time and again by international organizations. Opening the forum, President of the AAU Andreas Eshete said that such debates would enhance democratic culture among students, teachers and the public as a whole helping them question their leaders on their educational policy in particular and other policies in general. Teachers and students' associations representatives, AAU teachers, students from AAU teachers, students from AAU and other schools in the metropolis and many more people from different walks of life attended the live televised debate. The debate would continue in the coming two Saturdays (Nov. 20 and 27,2004) on the education sector. Board finalizing preparations for elections smooth conduct by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said that it has been finalizing preparations for the smooth conduct of May 2005 state and national elections. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Thursday, Senior Civic Education Training Expert Mekonnen Wondimu said that from experiences of the previous two elections and the lessons from past mistakes, the NEB is now confident enough to conduct the upcoming elections efficiently and effectively. Unlike the way it handled the previous elections, which demanded the support of different organizations, the Board has now built its capacity and is self-sufficient in all aspects, the expert added. Accordingly, it has established its own printing press to print documents for the elections, constructed a garage to smoothly handle the transportation service and also opened a training centre to build the capacity of its employees. Mekonnen, who is also Acting Registrar of the Office of the Political Party Registration with the Board, said that the Board has planned to develop data base, improved quality of ballots, designed geographical location systems as we; as telephone pool and radio communication systems for smooth and efficient operation of the information system during the election campaign. Asked as to when the submission of endorsement signature for verification by polling station offices would be finalized, Mekonnen said that it would last until January 6,2005. As to Mekonnen, every political party has to organize itself and ask the Board for accreditation with the chance to be registered if it fulfils all requirements set by the Board and the Constitution. "So far, 71 political parties have been recognized by the Board and the door is still open." For political parties at national level, they need to submit at least 1,500 endorsement signatures of which 40 per cent is from one state and the rest from four states with equal distribution (15 per cent). For state parties, 750 endorsement signatures either from a single state and the rest from other states provided that it is a permanent resident of a single state, he said. According to Mekonnen, 38,000 polling stations have been established throughout the country and the dispatch of necessary materials and logistics completed. The timetable also indicates that the polling-day is May 15,2005 and election outcomes at polling-station and constituency level would be published on May 16 and 21, 2005 respectively. The Board would verify and officially announce the outcome of the elections on June 8,2005. Commission consolidating ethics regulations preparation ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FECC) disclosed that it would further strengthen the preparation of ethics regulations for heads and employees of public organizations during the current Ethiopian year. Public Relations Senior Advisor with the Commission, Berhanu Assefa told WIC Friday that the devising of the regulation is instrumental in arresting corruption and maladministration in governmental institutions. The ethics regulation would be designed for members of parliament, political appointees, civil servants and heads, he said. He noted that the commission has prepared the regulation for the Federal Inland Revenue Authority, construction sector with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia during the past Ethiopian year. Preparation of the regulation is currently well underway for the Ministry of Education, Ethiopian Roads Authority and Food Administration with the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, he added. He said that FECC has also planned to devise the regulation for about 15 institutions alleged to be immersed in corruption and maladministration together with the setting up of criteria on the priority of the institutions. According to the senior advisor, the commission is also committed to providing technical and professional support to institutions which devise their own regulations. ===================== pol.ethiopia Nov. 15, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Wed Nov 17 14:14:25 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:14:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041117141425.36731.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 16, 2004 EPRDF Executive Committee concludes regular session ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Regular Session of the Executive Committee of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded here Sunday reviewing its first quarter year performance and endorsing future plan of action. The first quarter year performance and the state and national elections scheduled for next May, were among the top most agendas in which the Executive Committee of the Front had deliberated in its two-day session. The office of EPRDF told ENA yesterday that the Front has designed strategies enabling it to continue the various activities aimed at attaining speedy development and ensuring good governance. Priority was given to the enhancement of the preparation of executive bodies and the people on implementation and understanding the concepts of the plans during the first quarter year, the office said. Accordingly, executive bodies at all levels in states and Addis Ababa were given an opportunity to discuss in detail development plans and enrich them with additional ideas, it said. Consensus was also reached among the members of both the rural and urban communities on development and good governance. The people have also confirmed their readiness to implement the plans in the education, rural development, good governance and other sectors, the office said. Agreement has also been reached during consecutive conferences among the farmers that they are the main development force and that hard work is the only means for them to extricate themselves from poverty, the Front said. The session has also confirmed that the farmers had expressed commitment to further enhance the rural and agricultural development activities in their respective kebeles after evaluating their performances last year, it said. Agreement has also been reached during farmers' conferences that the resettlement activity launched to ensure food security last year has brought about fruitful results, the office said, adding that resettles have managed to generate additional income, which helped them improve their livelihood. Accordingly, the farmers have agreed to continue the government-designed resettlement programme, which they said, is the correct measure to ensure food security. The session has also learnt that the farming community is dedicated now more than ever before to implement the 1997 E.C. agricultural development strategies effectively. Regarding election, the Front has also evaluated in detail the activities being made by the Front regarding the upcoming regional and national elections. The regular session had decided that it was appropriate to accept suggestions forwarded by opposition parties on amending those points which are constructive and enshrined in the National Electoral Law. The Front has also availed itself of to call up opposition parties to develop the culture of working closely concerning election and express their readiness to take part in the forthcoming election with out any precondition. The Executive Committee of the EPRDF has also deliberated on the Ethio-Eritrea situation based on a report submitted to it. Accordingly, it has decided that the efforts being pursued by the Ethiopian Government to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully would further be strengthened. Australia cancels Ethiopia's debt ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Australia has cancelled a debt of a 7.9 million Australian dollar ($6.1 million) owed by Ethiopia after the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund rules that the country had qualified for debt relief, the Reuters reported. The Australian Government said the debt was cancelled because Ethiopia met the requirements of the enhanced. Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative by direction the proceeds of debt relief towards basic health, education and poverty reduction programme, according to the report. Norwegian Foreign Minister arrives ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Petersen arrived here yesterday on a two-day working visit to Ethiopia. While here, Petersen will hold talks with senior government officials on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway. He would also hold discussions with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Oumar Konare and other officials of the Union on the activities of AU. November 17, 2004 Meles holds talks with British MPs, Norwegian FM ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with British parliamentarians led by Laurence Robertsen. Prime Minister Meles on the occasion indicated that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain has been gathering momentum. Meles said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain should further be enhanced in trade and investment as well as people-to-people ties. Meles told the delegation that Ethiopia has embarked upon poverty reduction and food security activities as well as the Civil Service Reform Programme. He said activities have been in the pipeline towards bolstering and maintaining the development gains achieved so far. The two sides dwelt at length on the resettlement programme, HIV/AIDS interventions and activities underway to increase women's participation in the upcoming elections, among others, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. Rpbertsen told journalists after the meeting that issues discussed included global trade and Ethiopia's foreign debt. He said his delegation also discussed with Prime Minister Meles external hurdles posed against Ethiopia's development endeavours. The three-member British parliamentary delegation arrived here Monday on a working visit. The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to discuss ways of further strengthening the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, according to the Office of the House of Peoples' Representatives. During its stay here, the delegation will hold talks with House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and other senior government officials. It will also hold talks with representatives of British welfare organizations, the office said. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by Fekadu Hirpa Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Infrastructure Affairs Standing Committee of the House and the Ethio-British Friendship Team respectively. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles yesterday held talks with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Norway Jan Petersen. During talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Meles said Norway has been providing considerable support in Ethiopia. Meles said Norway's assistance to Ethiopia would be more vital if it focuses on food security and agriculture development endeavours. He called on Norway to also assist Ethiopia's democratization efforts. Meles has, meanwhile, commended Norway for the support it is providing to Ethiopia in the framework of bilateral cooperation. Meles also briefed Petersen about the upcoming 3rd national democratic elections. Meles said the ruling party has been holding a series of discussions with opposition parties on issues of the upcoming elections. The two sides also exchanged views on issues in the Horn of Africa and the role Ethiopia has been playing in the African Union and NEPAD, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The Norwegian Foreign Minister pledged that his government would assist in the democratization efforts in Ethiopia. Norway would focus support also on food security and agriculture development in Ethiopia; the official quoted Petersen as saying. After the meeting Petersen told journalists that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway has been growing in recent years. UN agencies dedicating Human Rights Day to rights education ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) and UNESCO are dedicating Human Rights Day 2004 on 10 December to human rights education. According to a UNESCO press release, yesterday the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO are encouraging other agencies and programmes of the United Nations System and relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to do the same. This year's observance will help highlight deliberations in the United Nations General Assembly, which is devoting a special plenary session on Human Rights Day to human rights education, the release said quoting High Commissioner Louise Arbour and UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Atsuura. Announcing the December 10 observance, Arbour said every year, Human Rights Day reminds us of persisting human rights problems in our communities and in the world, and of the huge effort still needed, on the part of each and everyone of us, to make human rights a reality for all according to the release. Human rights education is indispensable for every individual to fully enjoy and claim a life of security and dignity. The release also quoted Matsuura as saying. Human Rights Day should provide us with an opportunity to pay tribute to human rights educators indeed, human rights defenders who, informal and informal settings, in small or large communities, and often encountering difficulties and hazards, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights, they concluded. President says Ethiopia set to exploit tourism potential Confers with WTO Sec. General by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that Ethiopia has once again become keenly aware of its immense development potential in tourism, and efforts are underway to exploit it in the best interests of its people sustainably. Opening a three-day sub-regional workshop on "Tourism Statistics and Elaboration of A Tourism Satellite Account" at the UN Conference Centre yesterday, he said: "What started earlier with the adoption of market economic system, the privatization of government-owned tourism enterprises and decentralization of regulatory and administrative functions has continued in the liberal path to include the provision of investment incentives to tourism enterprises, expansion of educational and training facilities improvement of infrastructure, particularly with respect to airports, road networks and power supply and increased promotion and marketing of the country's attractions in strategic tourism markets." According to the president, in the current drive, which accords high priority to food security and elimination of poverty, tourism still maintains its importance, by helping create income supplements and providing alternative forms of employment in urban and rural areas. "As development is a shared responsibility and a shared task, the Ethiopian Government encourages private investors-foreign and domestic to engage in tourism enterprises, while limiting itself to functions more suited to the public sector," he added. Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar on his part said that for far too long in the past, tourism as a sector was not measured fully or comprehensively in many countries, with the consequence that its full magnitude as an economic sector, its numerous links to other sectors and its effect on balance of payments and international trade were not fully known or appreciated. "This obviously had influences on the formulation of policies and strategies, and in the allocation of priorities and resources by governments." The Commissioner explained that efforts spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and supported by a number of collaborating countries and international agencies over the years have succeeded in the creation of improved international standards and practices in tourism statistics, including tourism satellite accounts which are being increasingly adopted worldwide. The new approach would allow, among others, comprehensive statistical representation, valid and meaningful categorization of tourism-related economic activities and clear assessment of balance of payment, according to him. Participants from 17 countries including WTO Secretary General Mr. Francesco Frangialli were in attendance at the workshop, organized by WTO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourism Commission. According to a related ENA report President Girma held talks with Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Francesco Frangialli yesterday. The two sides discussed the relations between Ethiopia and WTO and the role the tourism industry could play in the efforts in Ethiopia to realize the rural development strategy, particularly in the area of food security, Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner who attended the meeting said. President Girma and Frangialli also exchanged views on the pilot project WTO launched in two countries in Africa including Ethiopia on "Sustainable Tourism and Eliminating Poverty". The two sides also discussed how best WTO can provide assistance to Ethiopia, Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar said. President Girma and Frangialli also discussed the tourism development activities in Ethiopia and ways of issuing visas at the Bole International Airport for tourists coming from 33 countries, according to the Commissioner. On the occasion, President Girma commended WTO for the support it has been extending to Ethiopia. Ethiopia has made improvements in visa, air transport and other related services in view of the big roles tourism plays in Ethiopia, Abdullahi said. Ethiopia will enhance efforts geared towards catering best services to tourists; Girma is quoted as saying. ================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.17,2004 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Thu Nov 18 12:48:41 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 04:48:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041118124841.64143.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 18, 2004 Meles, Addisu hold talks with Chinese official ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legese met and held discussions with Minister of International Relations of China Wang Jiangrui. During talks with the Chinese official, Prime Minister Meles said the cooperation of the two countries has been steadily growing. The two sides have also exchanged views on ways to further consolidate the bilateral cooperation of their countries. Prime Minister Meles said the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been willing to learn more from the economic miracles of China. The Prime Minister lauded the wisdom and the leadership skills of the Chinese Communist Party for enabling the country to achieve rapid economic development, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. Briefing reporters after an audience with the Prime Minister, Jiangrui said the recent visit of Meles to China was believed to give additional impetus to the cooperation of the tow countries. The discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Addisu and Mr. Jiangrui mainly focused on the cooperation that should exist between EPRDF and the Chinese Communist Party. China's support to the Ethiopian agriculture and rural development strategy designed to reduce the level of the biting poverty in the country was also raised during the discussion, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. China was also expected to support Ethiopia's efforts launched to train 55,000 professionals during the coming three years. The two sides have also agreed for the speedy implementation of the various agreements signed between the two countries. Inter-Africa Group organizes discussion on Training, Education Policy ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - A discussion on the countries Education and Training Policy organized by the Inter-Africa Group would be held today at the United Nations Conference Centre. According to a press release sent to WIC Tuesday by the Inter-Africa Group, the discussion was organized with a view to enabling the public become aware of the differences on the basic policy issues on education and problems witnessed during their implementation. The release said that scholars in the field and policy makers are expected to take part in the discussion. The forum would mainly focus on the emphasis to be given to the provision of primary education in the mother tongue of students and the merits and demerits it has on the overall development direction of the country's education and training policy, it said. It would also explore the existence of harmony between the formulation of curriculum and the economic development of the country as well as to the recently introduced cost sharing mechanism in the country's educational system, the release added. There would also be an opportunity to explore the integration of efforts in the implementation of the education policy in compliance with the decentralized administrative system together with the drawbacks of the policy implementation, it said. According to the release, discussions on the differences of views surrounding the implementation of self contained teaching method being introduced in the first cycle of the primary education are also parts of the issues to be entertained during the forum. AU welcomes UN decision to hold meetings on African issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to hold meetings in Nairobi on 18th and 19th November 2004 aimed at addressing the conflict situations on the continent. It also encouraged the Security Council to seize the opportunity of these meetings to address the various conflict situations on the continent, including the peace process in Somalia. According to an AU communiqué sent to ENA yesterday, PSC of the African Union encouraged the efforts to support the transitional institutions established within the framework of the now concluded Somali National Reconciliation Conference organized under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). It emphasized the importance of the provisions of the protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council on the Peace and Security Council on the need for a close collaboration and cooperation between the UN and the AU in general, the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council in particular, in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa. In the decisions adopted at its twentieth meeting, the PSC also mandated the Chairperson for the month of November 2004 to join the AU delegation that will participate in the Security Council meetings in Nairobi and requested the AU delegation to seize the opportunity to undertake consultations with the Security Council members on the way and means to strengthen and formalize the cooperation between the PSC and the Security Council. On the protection force for the political leaders in Burundi, the Council recalled the decision adopted by the 91st Ordinary Session of the Central organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, mandating the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) for an initial period of one year, pending the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission. It stressed the indispensable role that the protection force continues to play a role in the promotion of a climate of security and confidence, particularly in the context of the forth-coming elections that would mark the end of the transition in Burundi, in April 2005. The Council decided to authorize the protection force to operate under the mandate of the AU to continue to provide protection services to political leaders in Burundi and other support as may be required. The Council also reiterated its grave concern at the prevailing situation in Cote d'Ivoire as well as its conviction that the crisis in that country can only be resolved through a peaceful and political means. Party introduces programme, ready to participate in upcoming election Coalition urges opposition to establish joint front by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The newly established party Keste Damena Ethiopia (Rainbow Ethiopia) introduced its programmes to its followers and other party representatives working in the country and expressed its readiness to actively participate in the upcoming election. At the introduction ceremony held at the Semen Hotel yesterday, the party leaders, maintaining democratic culture, freedom, equality justice and enhancing youth participation; striving to improve economic development as well as cherishing the nations and nationalities cultural heritages are top priorities of their party's policy, among others. Citing opposition parties' failure in bringing about alternative and sound policies to the public, President of the party Dr. Birhanu Nega underscored the importance of boosting the parties strength so as to become a strong contestants with the ruling party. According to the president, one of the main impediments for the in competitiveness of other parties with EPRDF is their ever-increasing number without coordinated struggle. Thus he suggested that the formation of one strong party would bring the capacity to compete with the same. "We are very keen and ready to make a difference in the upcoming election by working towards this end," he said. Public Relations head with the party Prof. Mesfin Wolde-Mariam on his part in indicated his party's interest to compete with the ruling party in a very democratic manner. He said that the party would give higher priority to the active participation of the youth in the development endeavors and political activity for the youth constitute 72 per cent of the entire population, according to the Professor. It was also disclosed on the occasion that the party has elected Dr. Befekadu Degife and Dr. Shimelis Tekle-Tsadik as Vice-President and Secretary of the party, respectively. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy said, opposition poletical parties active in the country should develop the culture of forming a joint front and narrowing differences in a bid to help develop democracy. The Coalition comprises the All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party-Medhin Democratic Party (EDUP-EMDP), Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL) and Keste Demena Ethiopia-Movement for Democracy and Social Justice emphasized on the importance of working jointly, ENA reported. According to the organization the political parties were to announce the establishment of the Coalition to the public yesterday. It said although there are many opposition political parties active in the country, the importance of working in cooperation and in alliance was not common. Unless the opposition parties form a joint front, it would be difficult to achieve satisfactory results in the upcoming national elections slated for May 2005, it said. ============================== pol.ethiopia Nov.18,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Nov 23 12:15:07 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 04:15:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041123121507.90347.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> November 20, 2004 Ethiopia, Italy sign agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Italy have signed agreements that would finalize the return of Axum Obelisk and a 220 million euro loan for a hydro electric power project. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi signed the agreement last Thursday while in Rome on a two day working visit. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Alfredo Mantica signed the agreements that enable finalize preparations for the return of Axum Obelisk, the loan for Gilgel Gibe hydro electric power project and other accords. Seyoum noted on the occasion that the agreement with regard to the return of the Axum Obelisk would close the chapter that has impeded the cooperation between the two countries. Seyoum said the agreement signed to enable finalize the preparations launched for the return of the Obelisk would bolster the cooperation between the two countries. He further said the sealed agreement shows the willingness of the government of Italy to respect the peace accord concluded between the two countries in 1947. According to the Foreign Minister, the Axum Obelisk is due to come back home in the period between the coming January and March. The agreement demands the technical support of UNESCO in re-erecting the Obelisk here in Ethiopia, Seyoum said. He also said that the 220 million euro loan agreement with Italy enables Ethiopia produce additional 450 mega watt from the Gilgel Gibe project. According to the minister, the Gilgel Gibe project loan agreement is the first of its kind for the Italian Government to make such huge financing in a single project. The delegation has also signed a cultural agreement with the Italian Government. Addisu says peace, good governance should be given due attention ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said attention should be given to ensuring peace and good governance to enable the people of Somali State to benefit from development achievements. Addisu Legesse stressed the need that peace and good governance should be given due attention to be able to enhance the all-round development activities underway in the state. He made the statement while addressing the meeting organized to evaluate the 1997 E.C. first quarter year performance that got underway here yesterday. Addisu also said striving to increase education coverage, which he said, is at low level, to 60 per cent in the next three with a view to minimizing shortage of skilled labour. He said it is only possible that the budget allocated by the government is utilized for intended purpose that the people in the state would be able to benefit from achievements. The Deputy Prime Minister said it is only possible when the leaderships of the state government strive for extricating the people from their complex socio-economic problems by freeing themselves from corruption. He said it was inappropriate for certain authorities of the state government to sell relief grain and use the proceeds from it for their personal benefits. Addisu said attention should also be given to woreda-centered development activities aimed at alleviating poverty. A representative of the state capacity building bureau said on his part that 800 under qualified people who were employed in government offices and taking salary inappropriately for several years were dismissed. They were now replaced by competent and qualified personnel, he added. Speaking on his part, the State Administration Acting Chief Abdul Jibril Abubekar said activities are well underway to enable the people in the state to benefit from development achievements. A team comprising senior government officials led by Addisu had also held a discussion with community leaders in the state on peace and good governance yesterday. Concerted efforts of stakeholders said essential to accelerate industrial dev’t ADDIS ABABA – The development of the industrial sector in one of the major national priority activities underway to raise the economic progress and to improve the living condition of the people, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry said in its weekly statement issued yesterday that although agriculture employs the vast majority of the people and is the backbone of the national economy at present, it is inevitable that industry will eventually take over as the mainstay of our economy. Effective economic transformation can only be realized when the role of agriculture is replaced by the industrial sector, it said adding our country can secure its fair share from the highly centralized global economy only by ensuring competent industrial development. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), aware of the role of industry in the national economy, has devised a policy and strategy guideline and is engaged in practical activities to create favorable conditions to facilitate the development of the sector, it said. As a result of the numerous reform steps taken to promote the sector, a number of local entrepreneurs are engaged in investment activities with an encouraging level of foreign investor participation, the statement said. According to the statement, the consolidation of peace, good governance and democratization in our country has encouraged investors and there is a steady growth in the flow of foreign investment. The Ethiopian Industry week, which is being observed for the fourth time in the country, and is believed to be instrumental to enhance the various efforts underway to scale up the development of the sector, is an important event that creates conditions to bring all stakeholders together and enable them identify impediments and constraints and seek solutions, it said. The statement finally called upon all stakeholders to exert maximum efforts to ensure the rapid development of the industrial sector. November 22, 2004 Meles calls on Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia Italian President says signed agreement opens new chapter in Ethio-Italy relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called upon members of the Italian business community to invest in Ethiopia. During a discussion he held with the Italian business community in Rome Friday, Prime Minister Meles said Ethiopia has done everything possible to attract potential investors. The Italian investors on their part expressed their desire to invest in Ethiopia in various potential investment sectors. They said they were keen to invest in textile, coffee, leather and agro industrial development sectors. Prime Minister Meles assured the Italian business community that the government is ready to tackle any bottlenecks that would hamper their business activities in Ethiopia. Some of the Italian entrepreneurs who have already invested and those who show interest to invest in Ethiopia expressed appreciation to the support being given to them. They however said the government has to do more to remove some impediments in the transport sector and other bureaucratic problems. Prime Minister Meles said on the occasion that his government will do all in its capacity to solve the stated problems. Meanwhile, Italian President Carlo Axegelio Ciampi said his country would further enhance its cooperation with Ethiopia, as the signing of the agreement providing for the return of Axum Obelisk, between the two countries has opened a new chapter in their relations. While conferring with Prime Minister Meles in Rome on Friday, President Ciampi said Italy and Ethiopia would further consolidate the bilateral cooperation between them in development, trade and investment sectors. Ciampi said he was happy over the signing of the agreement, which he said, "Has opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries." The president said he would exert maximum effort to persuade Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia. President Ciampi said the efforts launched by Italy and Ethiopia to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is enabling to achieve fruitful results. Speaking on his part, Prime Minister Meles said a grant of 220 million euros made by Italy for the implementation of hydroelectric power project in Ethiopia with low interest rate shows Italy's desire to further strengthen its cooperation with Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles disclosed that Italy would cancel a 450 million euro debt Ethiopia owes to it. An agreement providing for the cancellation of the debt is expected to be signed by next December. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived here Friday concluding its two-day visit to Italy. Political parties debate on secondary education by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) yesterday criticized the stands of three political parties with regard to secondary education as well as vocational and skill training systems of the country. On the live televised Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) here yesterday at the Convention Hall, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) made a heated debate while presenting their own views regarding the issue. The opposition parties predominantly opposed the current policies and strategies and suggested the substitution of a new one except AEDP which said that it would design a policy discussing with all parts of the society pertaining to the sector if elected. As to the representatives of UEDF on the other hand, the involvement of unskilled teachers in the area, inadequate salary to teachers, defects of language skills of students and teachers, unfair distribution of education in the rural and urban areas as well as states are some of the defects of the current educational policy. They said that 60 per cent of the current teachers at this level have inadequate skills, and only 30 per cent of the whole population are getting the appropriate skill at this level. If the party could come to power, the representatives reaffirmed that they would strive to raise the quality of education by providing short and long term trainings to teachers, improve the salary of teachers, make the class size proportional with the number of students, give more access to detainees in the education sector. UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part related the defect with lack of educational inputs, administrative problems, contents of the books and classroom congestions among others. According to the representatives, only 20 per cent of those age group got the access to secondary education. In addition, women's in grade 9 and 10 enrolment is 36 per cent, vocational and skill trainings were provided to 47 per cent and 28 per cent for the non-vocational sector. They also said that only 36 per cent of high school teachers got appropriate training. In addition, a classroom accommodates 80 students and 5 students share a single book. To improve this, the representatives said that they would change the current system and apply a new one. Accordingly, secondary education included grade 7-12 that is again classified into three parts. Grade 7 and 8 are said to be Junior Secondary education level. Next comes intermediate secondary school education that includes grade 9 and 10. Finally in grade 11 and 12, they would deal with preparatory secondary education and vocational preparation for the job and higher education. Criticizing the above points, EPRDF representatives Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with Minister of Education Genet Zewde argued that the current educational policy has registered remarkable results in meeting the country's demand of achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. It also considers the countries human power and natural resource. On the contrary, oppositions view with these regards is similar with the previous regimes, which brought no result. As to Tefera, the policy for this level was designed in such a way that the students would acquire the small-scale trainings that would enhance the agricultural and industrial sector of the country. In addition, it gave due attention to its quality. Likewise, the students are expected to have adequate skills, become responsible citizens and democrats and ready to fight corruption and maladministration in the society, Tefera added. According to Tefera, 80,000 are getting different trainings annually which was only 2,000 some ten years back and women's participation has reached 47.5 per cent in this regard. In addition, the types of trainings reached to 40 and the government is helping them to be self-supportive when they graduate. To realize this, short and long term trainings were provided to teachers and the various sectors of the society especially investors participation is so high. The debate on higher education system would also continue the coming Saturday (November 27, 2004). November 23, 2004 Commission issues licence to 284 investors ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has issued licence to 284 foreign and local investors with a registered capital of 2.52 billion birr during the first quarter of this fiscal year (July, August and September). Some 151 of the entrepreneurs who invested over 1.88 billion birr are foreigners, Commission Investment and Public Relations Department Acting Director, Yohannis Latamo said. Yohannes said the entrepreneurs were licensed to run projects in the areas of agriculture, industry, education, health and construction, consultancy, catering and tourism. According to the acting director, the projects are expected to create job opportunities to 13,841 people when they enter into production phase. He further indicated that the Commission has been taking various measures with a view to attracting increased foreign direct investment in the country. Investors from Israel, the Netherlands and China are engaged in floriculture, textiles, leather and leather products as well as dairy farming. The director attributed the rise in foreign direct investment to the recent official visits of the high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid to Israel and China. The high-level delegation that visited Italy recently has also invited Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia as the country has suitable agroecology to cotton development suitable in addition to its cheap labour. The Commission also plans to conduct investment promotion activities in the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia to attract foreign direct investment, especially in priority sectors like floriculture, horticulture as well as leather and leather products. Meanwhile, 119 entrepreneurs have pumped over one billion birr into various investment projects in West Shoa zone, Oromia State, the Zonal Investment Office said. The entrepreneurs are engaged in 131 projects, Office Head, Fufa Teso said Friday at the ongoing investment promotion and trade fair here. He said the investors have been involved in agriculture, industry, hotel, education, trade and other investment sectors. There is 41,000 hectares of investment sites in the zone, he said. He said 27,760 hectares has been designated for agriculture, 5,800 for forestry and 1,500 for industrial investments. Fufa said he was optimistic that the zone would be an investment destination as there has been enabling investment environment in the zone since last year in addition to the rich natural resources and tourist attraction in the area. He further said the investment promotion and trade fair kicked off November 18,2004 in the town are expected to boost investment activities in the zone. Committee passes resolutions on Ethio-Italy agreement ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Coordination Committee for the Return of Axum Obelisk has passed resolutions based on the relevant agreement Ethiopia reached with Italy during a recent visit to that country of a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Committee passed the resolutions here yesterday during a meeting presided over by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ambassador Teshome Toga. The resolutions provided for specific issues to enable the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Ethiopia and Italy during the visit on 18 and 19 November. On November 10, a joint technical committee of the two countries reached at a memorandum of understanding after deliberations on detailed issues on the return of the Ethiopian heritage. The resolutions passed by the Coordination Committee provides for the preliminary activities that should be carried out on the part of Ethiopia for the transportation and re-erection of the obelisk. The obelisk, one of the living witnesses of Ethiopia's ancient civilization and one of the few in the world - is due to come back to its rightful owners, the Ethiopian people, within a period from January to April next year. The committee will hold its sequel meeting next week, it was learnt. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov. 23,2004 ============================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Nov 26 12:40:39 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 04:40:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20041126124039.59506.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 25, 2004 Council of Ministers approves new peace initiative for Ethio-Eritrea conflict ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Council of Ministers approved a new peace initiative aimed at seeking a solution to the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. According to the Ministry of Information, the new peace initiative is to be submitted to the House of Peoples' Representatives today for a final decision. The Council in its session yesterday approved the initiative after a detailed evaluation on the objective reality that existed between the two countries. Although the Council of Ministers has exerted utmost efforts aimed at seeking a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, it was not possible to bring about sustainable peace between the two countries owing to various reasons. The ratification of the new initiative was promoted by the fact that establishing durable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea could enable the peoples of the two countries to live in peace and brotherhood. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers discussed the new peace initiative and approved it as it was consistent with Ethiopia' principles for establishing sustainable peace and promoting the spirit of good neighborliness. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is to present a report to the House of Peoples' Representatives, which is to be transmitted live on television and radio. Meles returns home after attending NEPAD Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday after attending the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism and the Executive Committee meetings in Algiers, Algeria. Numerous African Heads of State and Government including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attended the summit. In his address to the meeting, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika said Africans have been exerting huge efforts to speed up their national development programmes through NEPAD. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development programmes, Bouteflika said. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development prgrammes, Bouteflika said. He called for due attention to support the ongoing national capacity building activities geared towards alleviating the multi-faceted problems and speed up the development of the continent. He also indicated the need for NEPAD member countries to sustain their international development partnership with a view to creating better coordination. Regional economic society and organizations have been contributing hugely to the activities aimed at creating continental integration in Africa, he said. The international official development assistance being made in the framework of NEPAD has taken considerable share in helping Africans speed up development, he indicated. He also called for enhanced efforts towards tackling the HIV/AIDS, malaria and Epidemics in Africa. He said attention should be made towards creating economic stability through the enhancement of micro and small-scale employment generation schemes. Large-scale promotional activities should also be undertaken in Africa to draw sizable trade and investment to the continent, he said. Chairman of the Executive Committee and the peer review forum, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion said external challenges have been impeding the activities in Africa to speed up development. In the face of these challenges however, Africans have been implementing various activities in their political and economic reform programmes, Obasanjo said. He called on strong commitments on the part of Africans to create the legal conditions necessary to bring the Peer Review Mechanism to a success. The Peer Review Mechanism would enable Africans to share experiences, ensure good governance, improve socio-economic conditions and enhance Africa's roles in the international for a, he said. Reports pertinent to the NEPAD performance and the African Development Bank's support to NEPAD's projects were submitted and discussed upon at the meeting. The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday. November 26, 2004 Ethiopia offers new peace initiative to resolve boundary dispute with Eritrea by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The House of Peoples' Representatives yesterday approved a new five-point peace initiative designed by the government to address the Ethio-Eritrean boundary dispute in a peaceful and sustainable manner. In its 7th Regular Session, the House endorsed the peace proposal presented by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which, among others, includes Ethiopia's consent to accept in principle the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC). The House endorsed the plan in an overwhelming majority stating that the peace proposal would be instrumental in ensuring durable peace between the two countries and the Horn of Africa region as well. "The best option we have is to rule out the use of force as a means of resolving problems once and for all, and to solve problems and disputes only through peaceful means," Meles said explaining the first point of the peace proposal, which reaffirms Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute. The second point of the peace plan deals with tackling the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with a view to normalizing relations between the two nations. The Premier noted that normalization and good neighborliness between the two countries was in the interest of peace and in their mutual benefits. According to their point of the peace proposal, Ethiopia accepts in principle the decision of the EEBC. "Though the Commission's decision is unjust and illegal, Ethiopia accepts it in principle as this matter is not more important than ensuring durable peace," Meles said. The government of Eritrea has been refusing to respond favorably to Ethiopia's call for peace giving as justification Ethiopia's unwillingness to accept the decision of the Commission, he said. The Premier added that it has now been felt necessary and useful to adjust and modify Ethiopia's position with the hope that it would make the country's peace agenda more robust and effective. As a fourth point to the peace plan, Ethiopia agrees to pay its dues to the EEBC and to appoint field liaison officers. Accordingly, Ethiopia would resume paying its contribution and designating liaison officers, which had been interrupted following the unjust and illegal decision of the Commission. Meles said that the last facet in the five-point peace proposal has to do with starting dialogue immediately to implement the Commission's decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the peoples of the two countries. "It is critical that the negotiations and the resulting agreements take into account the acceptance by Ethiopia in principle of the Commission's decision and adherence to the principle of give and take in the course of implementing the decision," the Prime Minister told the Parliament. Meles expressed his conviction that the peace plan would help Ethiopia win the support of the international community thereby promoting its agenda with respect to development and good governance. He, however, stressed the need to exert efforts to ensure the readiness of the Eritrean government for dialogue. MPs, most of whom representatives of opposition parties, put forward questions and suggestions on the Premier's peace initiative. They sought clarification on what it meant by accepting in principle the decision of the Commission, which, the government itself considered as unjust and illegal. The opposition MPs also insisted that the public at all levels should discuss the peace plan before it is approved by the House. They also wanted to know why at this point in time the EPRDF-led government comes up with such a proposal. W Oppositions also blamed the government for lack of firm stand on the border issue. Prime Minister Meles responded that the government decided to accept in principle the unjust and illegal decision giving priority to its peace and development agenda. "The world is not always judged by legal and fair decisions. When we are faced with such a situation, it is a matter of choosing the lesser of the two evils," he said. Meles rejected the idea of passing peace plan for public decision saying that as a representative of the Ethiopian peoples as a whole, the House has the full mandate to decide on the proposal. Commenting on EPRDF's stand on the border issue, he said adjusting positions with the changing realities on the ground is a wise decision and an indicator of the existence of dynamism in the party and government leadership. The peace plan was not abrupt and haphazard action of the government, Meles said, adding that it was a result of intensive discussion and review by the party and government leadership as well as with international peace-loving partners. The 547-seat House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed the peace plan with 10 objections and three abstentions. ================================ Pol.ethiopia Nov.26,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia@yahoo.com Mon Nov 29 13:09:57 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 05:09:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041129130957.90683.qmail@web53301.mail.yahoo.com> November 27, 2004 Meles says new initiative significant for stability in the Horn Confers with Annan's Special Advisor ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the new peace initiative Ethiopia has put fourth to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute would have a huge significance and value for durable peace in the Horn of Africa. Ambassador's Dean in Ethiopia on his part says the initiative is acceptable not only in Africa but also in the world at large. During talks with resident diplomats (heads of foreign missions in Ethiopia) here yesterday, Meles said peace is second to one of all priorities for the Horn of Africa states. Prime Minister Meles told the resident diplomats that the new peace initiative is indicative of Ethiopia's firm commitments and determination for peace. There is no second option or substitute to peace in the Horn of Africa region and Ethiopia's new proposal takes important precedence of an international stature, Meles said. Ethiopia's acceptance in principle the decision passed by the Boundary Commission, however illegal and unjust it is, explains the country's unflinching stance for sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa, Meles said. Asked if Eritrea accepted the peace initiative, Prime Minister Meles said there has not been any official declaration from Asmara, but to judge from the hate-propaganda by the Eritrean Government, it seems that it has not accepted the proposal. Meles said he was informed by the special envoys of Algerian, Nigerian and South African presidents who have been to Asmara lately for talks on the peace process that they could not get access to the Eritrean President. The African Union as well as the UK, German and Austrian governments, have already accepted Ethiopia's initiative. The European Union (EU) also welcomed the new peace initiative of the Ethiopian Government to resolve its border row with Eritrea. The Ambassadors Dean, Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Sayed Fadal E-Seed on the occasion has commended Ethiopia for having reached such a noble decision. It is an initiative acceptable worldwide, he said, and expressed appreciation on behalf of the heads of foreign missions to Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Professor Geofferey Sacks has said the development programmes being implemented in Ethiopia are well directed to bring about speedy development. Sacks, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, made the remark here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles. Sacks told journalists that the ongoing development programmes in Ethiopia are the right ones to speed up economic growth and development. The ongoing efforts to providing health services, electricity supply and other infrastructure facilities to the grass roots would enable the realization of speedy development, he said. He lauded the activities in Ethiopia geared towards providing quality health services to the grass roots and the establishment of health centre to every 25,000 people. He called on the international donor organizations and countries to enhance their support to Ethiopia's multi-sector development endeavours. UK, Germany and Austria welcome New Peace Initiative ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The United Kingdom and Germany have welcomed Ethiopia's Five-point New Peace Initiative it offered to resolve the boundary dispute with Eritrea. "This is a welcome development. It represents an important step forward which the international community have been urging the Ethiopian Government to take," the British Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday. The release quoted Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, and Chris Millin, Minister for Africa both as saying, "We hope that Ethiopia and Eritrea can now move forwards together towards the resolution of this long and tragic dispute. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can." The Ethiopian leader called for the "root causes" of the conflict to be resolved through dialogue to help end border tensions and normalise relations. "Durable and sustainable peace is, moreover, in the mutual interest of the two peoples," he said. "Normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace and in their mutual interest." The Chinese news agency Xinhua also quoted a statement issued Thursday by Cahncellor Gerhard Schroeder Deputy Spokesman Thomas Steg that the Chancellor welcomed Prime Minister Meles' announcement that Ethiopia has accepted "in principle" the ruling of the independent Boundary Commission. "This is an important step" and gives new impulse to the mediation efforts, Schroeder was quoted as saying. He also urged both sides of the conflict to return to the negotiating table and solve remaining problems concerning the border dispute. The Government of Austria has also welcomed the Ethiopia's new peace. Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik said yesterday, "We wellcome the readiness of the Ethiopian Government for a peaceful settlement of the conflict with Eritrea." "Especially deserving is the willingness of Ethiopia to accept in principle the decision of the Boundary Commission; and to collaborate again with the Commission," said the Austrian Foreign Minister. Dr. Plassnik asked both parties to conduct negotiations to try to find a peaceful solution together for the implementation of the border. Similarly, the European Union (EU) has welcomed the Ethiopian Government's new peace initiative which accepts in principle the April 2002 decision of the Boundary Commission on the demarcation of its border with Eritrea. Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in a statement issued in Brussels by his spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, that Ethiopia's decision will lead to a speedy start of the demarcation of the border. The EU Solana said "encourages the government of Eritrea to respond positively to Ethiopia's offer of talks about the root causes of the conflict, with a view to normalizing relations between the two countries. Presenting the proposal to the House of Peoples' Representatives Thursday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said durable and sustainable peace is in the mutual interest of the two peoples. He said, normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace. Ethiopia needs lasting peace with Eritrea to fight poverty, backwardness: Bereket ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Information Minister Bereket Simon says that the five-point new peace initiative the Ethiopian Government offered to resolve the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute well explains the firm commitment of the country for lasting peace. In an interview with the BBC Thursday Bereket said that the initiative has made it clear that Ethiopia accepts in principle the ruling of the Boundary Commission's decision. "Now, we are saying we believe that the Commission has made mistakes in some parts of the decisions. But just because this is the rule of law, we accept it. That is what we are saying. "…In this initiative, we are expressing that we have accepted the Boundary Commission's decisions 'in principle'. But all the pertinent issues that have caused the relationship to deteriorate in the last some years must be addressed as well. Basically, Ethiopia is committed to peace and we believe sustainable peace is our strategic goal," Bereket told the BBC. Bereket said the new peace initiative intends to create a sustainable and lasting peace between the two states. "… the most deadly enemies of these countries are poverty and backwardness. So, in order to fight poverty and backwardness, we need to have a lasting peace between these two states." "…So, Ethiopia has come up with the proposal, with the new peace initiative that intends to bring about a sustainable and lasting peace between the two countries," Bereket told BBC. TPLF to field 190 candidates for upcoming elections ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that it has fielded 190 candidates who will contest for seats both in the state council and House of Peoples' Representatives in the upcoming national elections. TPLF Organizational Affairs Head Gobezay Wolde-Aregay said the candidates comprise women, youth, intellectuals and farmers. Some 40 per cent of the 38 candidates the Front fielded to contest for seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives are women with a view to increasing the participation of women, he said. Women also constitute 50 per cent of the 152 candidates fielded for seats in the state council, Gobezay said. He said serving the public with honest and diligence are the main criteria taken to choose the candidates but they will be replaced if they do not meet the requirement following evaluation by the public and members of the Front next month. NEB licenses CUD as national political party ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) has been certified as a political party operating across the nation, the National Electoral Board (NEB) said. The board told ENA yesterday that the political party, which is a coalition of five political organizations, was licensed as a national party as of 26 November 2004. The party has got legal recognition after the Board deliberated yesterday on the application of the Coalition as the other member parties of the Coalition had already been accredited, acting registrar of the Political Parties' Registration Office with the Board, Mekonnen Wondimu said. Members of the Coalition have submitted a merger document to the Board on 24 November 2004, he said, adding the Board granted the license to CUD after evaluating the document. According to the document, every political party joining the Coalition remains with its legal recognition, though the members of the Coalition agreed not to field a candidate anywhere another member of the Coalition is contesting. The Board has granted licenses to 72 political parties so far out of which 16 are operating at national level, the registrar said. November 28, 2004 IAAF pledges enhanced support to athletics in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has pledged continued assistance to athletics activities in Ethiopia. The Senegalese IAAF President Lamine Diack made the announcement here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Diack told journalists that IAAF will support the training and construction activities of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF). IAAF has been working in partnership with Ethiopia over the past four decades and its relations with the incumbent national federation of Ethiopia remains momentous, Diack said. Diack said his discussions with Prime Minister Meles centred on issues of enhancing partnership to strengthen athletics activities in Ethiopia. He said he looks forward to partaking next year's Ethiopian Great Run. During talks, Prime Minister Meles told Diack that various projects geared towards augmenting athletics in Ethiopia have well been in the pipeline. Meles said his government attaches due attention to the activities targeted at bolstering athletics in Ethiopia, and affirmed support to IAAF in its intervention in national athletics endeavours. The two parties have also exchanged views on ways of drawing enhanced international partnership to strengthen Ethiopia's athletics, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ambassador Teshome Toga said. IAAF has pledged to provide support to renew the Addis Ababa Stadium's track, Ambassador Teshome who attended the meeting said. It has also pledged to socialite support for the implementation of the Sendafa Athletics Village Project, he said. EAF has launched activities to construct athletics centres in the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states, according to the Minister. France commends Ethiopia's peace initiative ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz said the peace initiatives proposed by Ethiopia to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute is constructive and acceptable by his country. Ambassador Gompertz, in an exclusive interview with WIC Friday, said the new peace initiative would help resolve the border conflict between the two countries. He said the two countries could address their socio-economic problems by disengaging themselves from war and holding dialogue. According to the ambassador, the idea of resolving the Ethio-Eritrea conflict by peaceful means and the four other points indicated in the initiative reflect the desire of Ethiopia to do away with poverty. The ambassador promised consultancy, technical, professional and other supports for the success of the peace agreement. France and Germany resolved years long disputes not by war, but through dialogue of the two governments and peoples, he said, and hoped that Ethiopia and Eritrea too would address their problems through the same peaceful means. "Higher education crucial to build democracy" - EPRDF "Current education system violates academic freedom" - Oppositions by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - Representatives of the ruling Ethiopia Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), said that the current education policy is aimed not only at producing skilled manpower at higher level but also crucial to mould responsible citizens who strive to ensure good governance and democracy. Opposition parties on the other hand, indicated that the policy violates academic freedom especially in the higher institutions. At an electoral debate organized by the Addis Ababa University for the third time and held at the Ethiopian Convention Centre yesterday, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) debated on the country's higher education system. Accordingly, EPRDF defended the system while the three opposition parties explained their optional policies criticizing that of the EPRDF. EPRDF representatives, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde described the current policy as sound and appropriate on mainly because it is a means to achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. They said that the policy was designed in such a way that it would support the secondary education to fulfil the urgent trained manpower need of the country. It has also given greater attention to innovative approach and with the introduction of scientific and technological knowledge. According to EPRDF representatives, all stakeholders and pertinent scholars in particular, were involved in designing the policy, the ministers added. They further explained that a number of higher institutions have been constructed to train scholars in various fields of study giving speciale phases to fair distribution among states. They also indicated that the number of universities reached eight and the annual enrolment of higher institutions exceeded 30,000 as compared to years back when there were only two universities and 3,076 students enrolled in the higher institutions. In addition, the number of female students and teachers in this area increased from 3 to 13 and 10 to 30 per cent respectively during the same period, they pointed out. Furthermore, the annual enrolment rate in the post graduate programme has increased from 200 to 2,000 during the same time interval to with quality higher education. Speaking about cost sharing which the opposition parties have unanimously objected, the representatives said that it is meant to enhance the quality of education as the country's resource couldn't cover all education costs at this level. UEDF representatives on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in meeting the needs of the society, avoiding freshman courses in higher institutions, ensuring academic freedom and focusing on quantity at the expense of the quality. They said that if they come to power, their party would work focusing on building institution and human capacity with the provision of necessary educational materials so to make the institutions centres of excellence. UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part said that their party has already designed a new policy that would ensure academic freedom, encourage love-for-work, build innovative ability and self-confidence. The party representatives also said that they would raise the salary of instructors and restructure the administration system of higher institutions. They also indicated that they would allocate adequate budget for education as whole and higher institutions in particular. AEDP representatives are also of the opinion that the current policy has failed to produce the desired manpower because it is designed to promote political objectives. In addition, they criticized the policy for giving less emphasis to quality and inability to provide students and instructors with the necessary support. They told the gathering that their party would strive to solve all these problems in higher institutions. Opening the debate, President of AAU Andreas Eshete said that the debate is instrumental in coming up with constructive ideas and looking into the defects of the current policy. In this regard, the President underscored the importance of an appropriate policy to the country presenting it to the general public for discussion rather than accusing one another. Teachers and students' representatives; higher institution instructors, administrators and students; party members as well as dignitaries attended the four-hour live televised and braod-casted debate. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.29,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Nov 30 13:05:46 2004 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 05:05:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041130130547.25757.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 30, 2004 President stresses int'l partnership to resolve African conflict situation by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that international solidarity and co-operation are vital for Africa to overcome one of its challenges - conflict. Opening a three day international conference "African Conflict Management, Resolution, Post-conflict Recovery and Development" at the UNECA Conference Hall yesterday, the President underscored the importance of international co-operation in addition to the greater effort by Africa through continental and sub-regional organizations to mitigate and eventually resolve conflict situations in the continent. According to the President, lack of economic and social development and the hopelessness engendered by the same contributed to fueling conflicts in the continent. At the conference, organized by Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) President Girma underlined the need for strengthening international partnership in addressing the root causes as well as management of conflicts with the requisite determination and seriousness of purpose. The President also commended Africa's effort mainly by the African Union, IGAD and ECOWAS to enable the continent address its challenges in this area and manage the problem in specific regions of the continent. "It is not all doom and gloom in our continent. Indeed there have been real improvements in Africa in addressing the challenges of conflict." Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies Prof. Ali Maxrui on his part told the gathering that the overall pattern of violence on the African continent is disturbing and deserves analysis. "There are no simple and easy explanations for conflicts in Africa and the theories that have been advanced are both numerous and contradictory." According to the Professor, black violence of white roots; political boundaries created by colonial powers; religion and ethnicity; resource and identity; modern weapons and pre-modern armies as well as dualism and pluralism are the roots of conflict in Africa. "In the modern world, external aggression is no longer a viable mans of forging unity and building states. International way has become too dangerous. Africa must look to other solutions to bring an end to divisiveness," Prof. Mazrui indicated. As to the Director, cultivating toleration, developing pluralism of parties, improving civil-military relations, giving greater voice to African women and fostering innovative Pan-African solutions are some of the measures that should be applied by African nations to make positive and constructive moves to reduce and resolve conflicts. Also on the occasion, OSSREA Executive Secretary Dr. Alfred G. Nhema said that his organizations, established in 1980, is dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of research in the social science from a multi-disciplinary perspective through its mission of promoting dialogue and interaction between social scientists and policy-makers in the sub-region with the aim of strengthening the impact of research on policy formulation and development planning. "OSSREA is committed to the creation of an environment that encourages the fostering of a serious and prominent scholarly research and capacity-building institution that acts as the first part of call for our academics researchers, policy makers and the public at large," the Executive Secretary noted. Over 150 participants from various parts of the world are in attendance at the conference aimed at examining African conflicts, their management, resolution strategies, as well as mechanisms for post-conflict recovery and development while in which over 62 papers would be presented. Ethiopia MDGs need review assessment workshop opens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Ethiopia would achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through scaling up and accelerated implementation of development programmes complemented by increased international commitment. Speaking at a national workshop kicked off here yesterday to review the MDGs need assessment for Ethiopia, Addisu Legesse said Ethiopia would attain the MDGs by increasing and speeding up implementation of development programmes. He said, "… it is not difficult to realize the immense challenges facing Ethiopia to generate, sustained rapid broad-based growth and poverty reduction and hence realize the MDGs". Addisu said despite the challenges, Ethiopia could attain the MDGs through scaling up and action. The fundamental development objective of Ethiopia is to fight poverty, he said adding that capacity building in public and private sectors is critical in this regard. UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Modibo Toure commended Ethiopia's demonstrated commitment to meeting MDGs. He said, "Ethiopia is now the pioneer in MDGs-based Needs Assessment". Tour urged the international community to support Ethiopia's commitment towards achieving the goals. According to the representative, as a pilot country for the Millennium project, relevant line ministries and departments have drafted sectoral need assessments for rural development and food security, water, sanitation, health, education, private sector and trade as well as urban development. World Bank Country Director Ishac Diwan on his part said it is proper to ask whether the direction being pursued to meeting the MDGs would bring solutions. He said it is also important to question the plans set, visibility of the plans, availability of resources and other relevant questions. Diwan said WB would extend every support to Ethiopia towards achieving the MDGs. Ethiopia has been undertaking Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP) for three years now and nearing completion, head of Economic Policy and Plan Department with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Getachew Adem said. Ethiopia will achieve the MDGs if it obtains the necessary resources in the coming 11 years, he said adding that the support of partners in this regard is valuable. Getachew said UNDP and WB have expressed their readiness to render support to Ethiopia to realizing the MDGs. Senior government officials, representatives of the states, donors, private sectors and civil society organizations are in attendance at the three day long workshop. House decided plebiscite be held in 29 kebeles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board sad that the House of Federation has decided that a plebiscite would be held in the remaining 29 kebeles over which Somali and Oromia states, have territorial claims. Ethics Senior Professional with the Board Wondimu Mekonnen told ENA Sunday that the House had decided for the holding of the plebiscite for the second time in 29 out of the 39 kebeles. Wondimu said the timetable for the holding of the plebiscite in the kebeles, would be issued soon. The plebiscite will be held before the forthcoming regional and national elections take place, he said. Conductive situations have been created so far to hold the plebiscite in kebeles in Moyale Woreda, he added. Romania keen to further strengthen bilateral ties with Ethiopia by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - The Embassy of Romania said that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Romania are growing from time, to time. In a press conference called yesterday in connection with the country's National Day to be marked December 1, 2004, Charge d'Affaires Marius Nicolescu said" "With both country's placing due emphasis on economic diplomacy at the core of their international relations, economic ties between them have to be strengthened in the years ahead." The Embassy has designed a new strategy for boosting bilateral ties mainly in the economic field, he said. A bilateral agreement for avoiding double taxation and a memorandum of understanding for export promotion have been also singed, according to the charge d'affaires. The two countries are negotiating to conclude commercial and investment agreement, he said. Ethiopian and Romanian business delegation have also made reciprocal visits, he said. He added that the Romania-Ethiopia business website was launched for use by the two chambers of commerce. He also said that a strong agency that would communicate and provide detailed and relevant information whenever tender is floated in Ethiopia is desperately needed by business firms in Romania. The goods Romania exports to Ethiopia among others include building materials, glass sheets, wool product, chemicals and paper items while its companies are importing coffee, tea, hides and skin, he said. Mr. Nicolescu commended the Ethiopian Government for its commitment to have debate and discussion with opposition political parties prior to the upcoming national and regional election. Ethiopia and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1957. Great Run noble cause in fighting HIV/AIDS spread: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stressed the need to extend support to enable Ethiopians to involve actively and as much as possible in the Ethiopian Great Run. While addressing the more than 20,000 crowd who were taking part in the Ethiopian 2004 Run which took place here on Sunday in the metropolis, Meles said the Great Run is intended, among others, to promote athletics, and involve as many young people as possible in such a healthy endeavour. Meles said that the Great Run deserves respect and support for it is a noble cause in fighting the spread of the pandemic. "Allow me to express how pleased to be with you today on the occasion of the start of the Great Run," the Prime Minister said. "This Great Run is intended… among other things, to highlight the threat HIV/AIDS poses to the future of our country and to mobilize the people in the fight against the scourge," Meles said. "Each and every one of these objectives are noble objectives that deserve the support of everyone," he added. The Prime Minister thanked the organizers, particularly, Athlete Major Haile Gebre-Silassie for initiating and sustaining "this great initiative" and the participants in general. The 23-year-old Athlete Abebe Dinkessa finished first, Athlete Zenbaba Yigezu second and Athlete Maeregu Zewde third in the 10-kms road race. Athletics Abebe, Zenbaba and Maeregu finished the race in 29 minutes and 57 seconds, 30 minutes and 01 seconds and 30 minutes 04 seconds respectively. In the women's race, athletes Genet Getaneh, Taiba Erkeso and Eyerusalm Kuma completed first, second and third place respectively. A new feature of this year's event is a special Tricycle Race for 25 disabled participants, which was conducted before the start of the mass race. The tricycles were provided by Cheshire services. Great Run was also attended by Mr. Lamine Diack President of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF), senior government officials and resident ambassadors as well as invited guests. Meanwhile, in messages read out at the event, President Girma, Wolde-Giorgis City Mayor Arkebe Ekubay and Athlete Haile Gebre-Silassie called on the society at large to protect itself from HIV/AIDS. The Messages, prepared by the Ethiopia News Agency in cooperation with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office pointed out that the society should put into practice HIV/AIDS education. According to the messages, the public should understand well the messages such as "Value Your Life" and "Save Your Life" to develop the culture of self-control and abstain from promiscuous sex. President Girma stressed the need in his message not to discriminate and stigmatize but rather provide care and support to those living with the virus for doing so would further fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS. Showing sympathy to people living with the virus by avoiding discrimination and stigmatization would help save dozens of lives, he said. Arkebe said in his message that he was very much concerned about women, for "my fellow sisters with the age group of 15-24 are more exposed to HIV/AIDS that their membrethrens." He expressed hope that the problem would be tackled through the joint efforts of the city residents. Athlete Haile on his part said that the impact of HIV/AIDS coupled with poverty has become a serious threat to the country. He said continuous education should be provided to the society to minimize the spread of the pandemic. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.30,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 2 10:56:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041102085613.89139.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> October 30, 2004 Electoral Board to distribute candidacy endorsement signatures form ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The office of the National Electoral Board says it would begin distributing the form for of candidacy endorsement signature as of today. Deputy Office Head Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that interested candidates to compete in the upcoming national elections could collect the form either from their woredas or the headquarters of the National Electoral Board. He said private and candidates represented by political parties could begin the collection of signatures in their election constituencies and woredas. Private candidates are expected to bring the signatures of 1,000 supporters for verification, he said, adding that candidates represented by political parties could collect 500 signatures or above. He said the office has distributed fliers and election documents to most parts of the country. The collection of candidacy endorsement signature could take place until 6 January 2005, he said. First phase of Nile Basin project study finalized Addis to host African pre-conference on "Water for Food and Ecosystem" ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The first phase of the Nile Basin Project Study aimed at ensuring integrated water resource management among the Nile Riparian Countries has been finalized, coordinator of a project establishing a Nile Basin Authority said. The Coordinator, Fik Ahmed said Benshangul Gumuz is one of the various states benefiting from the Nile Basin Initiative. The coordinator made the statement here Thursday while speaking at a meeting aimed at introducing the findings of the study to the state executive bodies. The project study, which is underway as per the Master Plan of the Nile Basin Initiative, would help to establish an institution responsible to streamline the water resource management of the basin. The coordinator also said the study would be instrumental in providing valuable information on the implementation of the Master Plan among the federal and state offices. Experts explained the plan and implementation of the Nile Basin during the day-long meeting. Meanwhile, an African Pre-Conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems will take place here in Addis Ababa from 4-6 November this year, to feed into an international conference on the same topic scheduled to be held from January 31 - February 5, 2005 in the Hague. Organizers said focus of the discussion during the Pre-Conference is on realising sustainable water management for food production and ecosystem functions, building on ongoing activities like the Dialogue on Water, and Food and Environment. The conference aims to bring together around 100 representatives from governments, and observers from Pan African NGOs and the private sector, with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. The conference is organized by the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of the Netherlands. The Secretariat of the Conference is based in the FAO Office in Addis Ababa. Dev't can be attained only through ensuring good governance: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, it its weekly statement issued yesterday said that there is tangible evidence that asserts the possibility of extricating our country from poverty and backwardness. For sure, this attests to the fact that strengthening and sustaining the development activities with the massive participation of all citizens will absolve our country from the dreadful poverty within a short period of time, the statement said. According to the statement, the Ethiopian Government has reiterated time and again, its policy documents that huge human, land and other natural resources are the main assets to be developed so as to overcome the bitting poverty. The Statement also said that mitigating poverty and backwardness without instituting good governance and democratization is inconceivable. The statement further said that only people's concoction; determination and commitment to work hard can bring about a meaningful change in any country including ours. Of course, real development can be realized only when people deliberate and decide freely on their own destiny, it said. Based on this tacit understanding, the farmers' conferences that are underway in the country are the platforms that enhance people's genuine participation, the statement said, adding that the conferences are meant to evaluate the farmers' performances of the previous year. In realizing the ongoing activities of the farmers, the government has submitted a plan to the conference stipulating improvements on communal projects and with more emphasis on private plots, the statement said. October 31, 2004 UNMEE opens 5th outreach centre in Adigrat ADIGRAT, TIGRAY - The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) opened its fifth outreach centre in Adigrat Friday, October 29,2004. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNMEE Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila said that the centre would be of greater use in the provision of information on the activities of the Mission in particular and that of the UN in general. Ambassador Legwaila also indicated that UNMEE would use the centre as a channel to impart its message of the peace to the residents of the town and its environs visiting the centre and through its staff who make similar visits to the area. In addition, the opening of the centre would create conditions conductive to the final stage of the peace process- boarder demarcation - Ambassador Legwaila said. According to the Ambassador, Adigrat was chosen not only because it is the headquarters of sector centre and home to the 15th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry - otherwise known as INDBATT - but more importantly because of its convenient location at the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Adigrat City Mayor Goitom Negash on his part said that the centre would enable to improve the relationship between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea - through its adequate information on UNMEE and the UN towards their effort to safeguarding peace in the area. "The centre could also serve as a powerful instrument in ensuring development through the various organs involved and improving the quality (UNMEE P.7) Higher learning institutions should intensify efforts to bring about national transformation: Kassu HARAR (ENA) - The Alemaya University and other institutions of higher learning engaged in training manpower should enhance efforts more than ever to bring about national transformation through national capacity, Minister of infrastructure said. Higher learning institutions are responsible in cultivating efficient manpower towards the realization of rural centered development strategy the country is pursuing, Dr. Kassu Illala said. Speaking at the golder jubilee celebration of the Alemaya University yesterday, the minister said a daunting task is expected to the university in a bid to get rid of the age-old farming methods we inherited from our forefathers. The university is autonomous, Kassu said adding a more enabling environment has been created for the university to enable it move in the right direction on its own initiative. He said the university that graduated only 11 students with degree in agricultural science 50 years ago has now reached at a level where it has the capacity of graduating 1,500 students up to doctorate level. The university at present is training over 10,000 students in one or the other faculties of education, agriculture, health, animal science, medical science, business and economics engineering and law, Deputy President of the University, Dr. Belay Kassa said. He said the university is offering education in 62 programmes at certificate, diploma, degree, masters and doctorate degree levels at the education institutions it established in Alemaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga towns. A panel discussion was held on five papers and an exhibition depicting the university's activities over the past 50 years was staged in connection with the anniversary. The golden jubilee would continue today and medals and certificates would be awarded to individuals and institutions that made outstanding contributions in the agricultural sector. Since its establishment, the Alemaya University has graduated close to 14,000 students in various education fields and levels of life affected by the conflict," the Mayor added. The Centre in Adigrat is the 3rd in Ethiopia while the two are located in Addis Ababa and Makalle. So far, over 63,000 people have visited the Makalle outreach center. Members of the UNMEE Central Command and colleagues, representatives of the local authority in Adigrat, members of the NGO community, religious leaders, and other invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony. November 2, 2004 EPRDF, opposition party to hold discussion on election issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), and an opposition party, Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU) would hold a discussion aimed at working together on issues of election, the office of the EPRDF announced yesterday. The office said in its statement sent to ENA that the two parties would discuss, among others, agendas, that would enable them to work together in accordance with the agreement reached earlier between the representatives of the EPRDF and EDFU. The statement said EPRDF is desirous to reach agreement through discussion on election matters and other related issues by working together with those opposition parties, which it said, are legal and peaceful. The statement recalled that the representatives of EPRDF and members of the executives of opposition parties have been holding discussions both in person and through telephone at various times and occasions on issues of election. Pointing out that it is the unrestricted freedom of the public that ensures democracy, EPRDF said it would be necessary to create a forum that would serve all parties equally during election by removing impediments. Accordingly, all parties need to operate by respecting the national Constitution and Electoral Law. The statement said EPRDF has finalized preparation to make the 1997 E.C. national and state elections fair and democratic. It said the two previous elections had ensured the supremacy of the people and added that EPRDF is discharging its responsibilities now to make the upcoming elections fair and free. Meles arrives in China ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Xian, China Sunday on a week-long visit to the country. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the airport by Chinese senior government officials. The delegation, which started its visit in Shanxi Province, an exemplary province in its economic growth, will also visit an irrigation development activities that have enabled China to achieve rapid development and a model city, which has managed to extricate itself from poverty in a very short period of time. The delegation was to leave for Beijing, where it would hold talks with senior Chinese government officials, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks between the two sides will focus on issues of human resources development, tourism, trade and investment, among others. They will also hold discussions on ways of enabling Ethiopia to benefit from the privilege of exporting its certain commodities to China free of quota and duty. The visit is expected to create a special opportunity for Ethiopia to promote its tourism potential in China, according to the spokesperson. The high-level delegation which includes Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Finance and Economic State Minister Dr. Mulu Ketsela, Agriculture and Rural Development State Minister Belay Ejigu and other senior government officials left here for China Saturday midnight. It is to be recalled that a similar visit was made to China by a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by prime Minister Meles. Tripartite ministerial meet to be held here Friday ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia - comprising Sana'a Gathering for Cooperation - will meet in Ethiopia Friday, Yemen Times quoted a Yemeni official source as saying Sunday. Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi said that the meeting that will include the political and economic committees would look into several issues including the arrangement of the meeting of the presidents of the three states in the Sudan by the end of December. The meeting will also discuss drafts for a number of agreements to promote investments and organize commercial relations aiming to set up a free trade market between the three countries. The situation in Darfur as well as in Somalia particularly after the election of the new president Abdullahi Yusuf will be considered. The meeting of the foreign ministers will be followed by a meeting of the security committee in the three states. An agreement providing for the establishment of the gathering was signed by the end of December 2003 at a summit of the three counties in Ethiopia. Afar State said conducive to investment activities ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Deputy Chief Administrator of the Afar State called upon investors to get engaged in the agricultural investment activities, including in cotton production, as the state has created conducive atmosphere for investors. While paying field visit to the Gweane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company, Mohamed Tahiro Hamadu said the agricultural investments on cotton and sesame production could particularly bear fruit with the utilization of the Awash Basin and its tributaries. The state administration is providing all the necessary support to the Gewane Agricultural Development Company as it is working in harmony with the state's administration and the clan leaders; and is also creating job opportunities to the inhabitants in the state, he said. The State Administration is currently engaged in the preparation engaged in the preparation of pertinent policy, directive and regulation on land utilization and administration, he said, adding that, the effecting of the policy is believed to be instrumental in attracting investment flows to the state. Gewane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company General Manager, Tsegaye Tekle-Mariam said on his part that the company is engaged in the cultivation of cotton on over 1,000 hectares of land in the state with an outlay of 10 million birr. According to the general manager, the company is supplying its produce to local and foreign market and the textile industries with cotton production creating jobs to close to 4,000 citizens. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.2,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 3 15:56:59 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041103135659.37606.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 3, 2004 EPRDF accepts majority of electoral law amendments proposed by oppositions by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) disclosed that it has agreed in principle to the majority of proposals put forward by the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and other opposition parties to revise the existing electoral law. In a joint communiqué EPRDF and UEDF issued yesterday following discussions on election matters, EPRDF announced its consent to accept in principle all except two of some 29 amendment proposals made by oppositions. The Front has also expressed its readiness to work for the implementation of agreed amendments through proper government channels. Proposed revisions on issues related to changing the plurality of votes election system to a proportional representation one and replacing the existing electoral board with a new body comprising representatives of parties were not accepted by EPRDF. The UEDF described the initiative taken by the ruling party as a step forward and expressed its desire to continue negotiations on matters the two parties have held differing positions. "We have agreed to commit ourselves to ensuring the democratic nature of the election process by preempting election irregularities which might be created by members and supporters of both parties," executives of EPRDF and UEDF told a press conference held at Sheraton Addis. EPRDF indicated that it would soon make public a code of conduct it prepared as a guideline for its members and supporters taking part in the upcoming elections. UEDF on its part said that it would design its own election code of conduct by which its members and supports abide. The two parties have also reached a consensus to establish joint committees from federal down to grassroots levels with a view to addressing irregularities that might be encountered during the election process. UEDF has expressed its strong interest to participate in the national election to be held for the third time in the coming May. UEDF also said it would exert utmost efforts to enable all its member parties to take in the election. EPRDF on its part said that it was encouraged to learn that some member parties of the UEDF which were promoting armed struggle have decided to follow the peaceful path. The Front, however, indicated that it would not negotiate with these parties on election matters unless they officially renounce their former positions. Information Minister Bereket Simon, who is also Public Relations Head with EPRDF and Tsegaye Mammo, Organizational Affairs Head with the Front, signed the agreement on the part of EPRDF. Dr. Merera Gudina, Chairman of UEDF and Dr. Beyene Petros, its First Vice Chairman, signed the agreement for UEDF. UEDF is a coalition established last Ethiopian year with an initial membership of 15 political parties operating here and abroad. Meles to visit Germany, Austria ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will lead a high-level delegation to Germany and Austria in official visits to begin November 10, 2004. During the visits, Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with senior authorities in the two countries on bilateral and other issues of common interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in press release issued yesterday. The delegation is also scheduled to discuss relevant issues with representatives of the business community in the two countries, the release said. Meanwhile, a German delegation led by President Horst Kohler will pay an official visit to Ethiopia as of December 12, the same release said. President Kohler is expected to hold talks with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He is also scheduled to visit the Ethiopian Parliament and deliver a speech at the Office of the Commission of the African Union. President Kohler is also expected to tour various projects and institutions in Ethiopia, the release said citing a tentative programme of the visit. NEB certifies 69 political parties for election ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said it has issued eligibility certificates on 69 political parties, which are expected to take part in the upcoming national election. NEB has already given the legitimacy certificates to 69 political parties which are expected to compete in the third national election scheduled in May 2005, Acting Registrar of political parties with the Board, Mekonnen Wodaje told ENA yesterday. He said 13 of the political parties are operating at a national level while the remaining have state realm of influence. According to the official one of the parties is established by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. The Board is not only registering political parties but also monitoring them as it is part of its duties and responsibilities, he said. Some 40 million people are expected to cast votes in the upcoming national election, he said, adding the Board has already completed preparations of ballots. The NEB has also disclosed that contending candidates have already started collecting endorsement signatures as per the schedule. Some 547 members of the peoples representatives are expected to be elected at 547 constituencies, he said, adding all constituencies and polling stations, which were used during the previous two national election. Experiences gained during the previous national elections would be utilized with a view to carrying out free and fair election across the nation, he added. House passes three bills ratifying loan agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives passed three bills providing for the ratification of three loan agreements with a unanimous vote in its regular session held yesterday. The bills ratify the Loan Agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Credit Agreement between Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA). According to the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the bank would grant 6.24 million USD for financing the Kibre-Mengist Town Water Supply Project. The Credit Agreement signed between Ethiopian and IDA would enable Ethiopia get 66.9 million SDR (100 million USD) from IDA for financing Public Sector Capacity Building Programme Support Project. The other Credit Agreement would enable Ethiopia obtain a sum of 51.1 million SDR (75 million USD) from IDA for financing Water Supply and Sanitation Project, according to the agreement. According to the agreements, the loans are interest free, and compatible with the country's loan strategy. The loans are payable in 40 years with a ten-year grace period. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov. 3,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 4 11:05:43 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041104090543.74859.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> November 4, 2004 China desires to consolidate bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country desires to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. During talks held in Beijing with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday, the two sides have agreed to work in cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Ethiopia and China agreed to work in cooperation mainly in the economic, technique and education sectors. The Chinese President also lauded the leading role of Prime Minister Meles in widening the sphere of cooperation of the two countries and strengthening the longstanding relations that survived the test of time. The two sides have expressed satisfaction over their discussions and the understanding reached to raise the cooperation to a new level high in the years ahead. The Chinese President said also Ethiopia could lay a pivotal role in enabling China to consolidate its cooperation with other African countries. Prime Minister Meles said he was impressed by China's economic growth and development that took place in a relatively short period of time. He said the cooperation of the two countries has entered in to a new chapter during the last few years, adding that it was the interest of Africa to consolidate its cooperation with the emerging economic and power house of Asia. Prime Minister Meles also met and held discussions with members of the National Commission charged with the task of leading the Chinese Economic Reform Programme. Meles met and briefed 30 African resident ambassadors on the African Commission and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles signed a cooperation agreement Tuesday with the Chinese officials on economic, education and technique sectors, among others. An agreement was also reached to work in cooperation in the agriculture, textile, and infrastructure development and tourism fields as well, according to an official with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MPs child right training seminar preparatory meet opens by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dr. Petros Olango, said that Ethiopia is exerting utmost efforts in implementing child rights in conformity with national laws and international conventions making a series revisions on the former to make them compatible with the latter. Addressing the Preparatory Meeting for the seminar on the Training on Child Rights with Parliamentarians in Ethiopia held at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Dr. Petros said that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) has the mandate for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). "The parliament has an important role in overseeing the implementation of policies and programmes in accordance with the international conventions and national laws that effect children and youths", he said. Dr. Petros further said that the Social Affairs Standing Committee of the House has day-to-day oversight of the MOLSA. The Committee follows up the implementation of the recommendations of the UNC and CRC Committees within concerned Ministries and that of the National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children, he said. "Ethiopia is a country of young generation. More than half of our population consists of children and youths. And it is only with the provision of proper services like health and education to this group as well as protecting them from violence that our fight against abject poverty will be facilitated and sustainable development attained", he said. Mrs. Simone EK, Senior Advisor on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Europe and Sweden, in her opening remark lauded the Ethiopian Constitution for it contains a provision on children's rights. Simone EK on the occasion suggested some proposals for dialogue to further strengthen the political will, to apply the rights of the child and make a reality of the UN Convention and the rights of the child in an African context. The suggestions include, among others improving the knowledge of MPs on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; enabling MPs to have a better understanding of the rights of the child within the African context; and defining their role in the monitoring and general implementation of UN conventions on the rights of the child. Co-organized by Save the Children Sweden, Eastern and Central Africa Regional Office and the Social Affairs Standing Committee the two-day meeting was aimed at planning for a training seminar on child rights to be held in Addis in March-April 2005. Invited MPs from Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, South Africa and Sweden are expected to attend the seminar. The meeting is expected to come up with important plan and recommendations for the realization of the right of children in Ethiopia. Project to offer training to enhance women's political skills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Some 1,500 women will be offered trainers training as part of women's political skills project, a cross party NGO project funded by the British Council targeted to train in turn another 5,000 women in many different parts of the country to encourage women to actively participate in the upcoming state and national elections. Some 20 of the women drawn from the ruling, Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition parties as well as women associations have already begun to attend the training. The project has two main aims to spread the message: that every woman in Ethiopia has a right to vote as she wishes and to encourage as many women as possible to stand as candidates at the next election, according to a press statement issued by the Council. "Training is now taking place to encourage women to exercise their rights to participate," it said. People will vote for women candidates as they believe them to be more honest, hardworking and concerned about the needs of the ordinary people, the statement said. It said the participating parties and NGOs are currently are completing the cascade training which focuses on training awareness of rights, especially to political participation. President calls on World Vision to focus on health, environmental programmes ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said it would have a great importance if World Vision should focus on health and environmental development activities in Ethiopia. While conferring with World Vision International President Dean Hirsch here yesterday at the National Palace, President Girma said the organization would achieve fruitful results if it involves in HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental protection programmes. He said World Vision has a significant contribution in enhancing education and other development activities in different parts of the country. Girma expressed hope that World Vision would continue its development assistance to Ethiopia in the years ahead. Hirsch told journalists after the talks that his organization has been extending support to various development projects in the agriculture, health, environmental protection and health sectors, among others. World Vision has managed to transplant five million various tree seedlings through the popular participation of the public while it has been involved in HIV/AIDS intervention activities, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Hirsch as saying. Hirsch assured President Girma that his organization would further be continued. He said World Vision has made a 47 million birr support to Ethiopia. Hirsch is on a four-day working visit to Ethiopia. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.4,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 5 14:06:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041105120608.4235.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 5, 2004 Addisu says Africa's dev't ambition hinges on feeding itself ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse said that Africa cannot achieve its ambition for development, unless it can feed itself. Addis made the remark while opening African pre-conference: "Water for Food and Ecosystem" at the UN Conference Centre here yesterday. African governments must rise to the challenge of ensuring food self-sufficiency, he said, adding that they must also have the political will and commitment to implement the outcome of this pre-conference for accelerated, but environmentally friendly, and sustained development. Addisu who is also Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that both the Constitutive Act of the African Union and NEPAD provide the vision and programmes for the collective development of the continent. At the country level, however, he said, success would hinge on the kind of policies, programmes and resource as well as partnership, which governments would be prepared to put inplace to meet the challenges of food insecurity. Addisu said that sustainable use of water is of vital importance for the planet earth because it is fundamental for both food production and well functioning of the ecosystems. However, he said, unsustainable water use is very common, specially in African continent. Addisu said population growth and the expansion of water use per capita put increasing pressure on the availability and quality of water resources and the ecosystems as well. Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission Ms. Rosebud Kurwijila, said on her part that while there is considerable agricultural production potential in the form of vast arable land areas, actual food production of the continent is amongst the lowest in the world. She said that the governments and the people's inability to efficiently harness the limited fresh water resources and the insufficiency of strong inter-governmental trance-boundary water management institutions has largely constrained the continent's ability to develop and equitably distribute its water endowment. Growth in agriculture is the most beneficial for the poor because a one per cent increase in yield results in a decrease of 0.6 to 1.2 per cent of people living on less than one USD per day, Assistant Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Dr. Louise Fresco said. She said accordingly, Africa needs to continue to invest in unlocking the potential of its diversified agricultural systems- in rain fed agriculture, mittigation and mixed system. The outcome of the African pre-conference will be presented to an international conference on water for food to be held Jan. 31 - Feb. 5,2005 in the Hague, the Netherlands, as an input in its further discussion. The three day conference, held under the slogan "Make it Happen" was organized by the government of Ethiopia in cooperation with the African Union, FAO and the Danish Government. The conference, has brought together 100 representatives from African governments and observers from Pan African NGO's and the private sector with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. AAU invites political parties to debate on education policy ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa University (AAU) has organized debate on the education policy in which contestant parties in the upcoming national election are invited. In a press conference, he gave yesterday, University President Prof. Andreas Eshite said that the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and Opposition parties - The Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Democratic League (EDC) and All Amhara Unity Party - would debate for three consecutive Saturday beginning November 13,2004. The debate, focusing on primary, secondary, vocational and higher education would be transmitted live on ETV and Radio, he said. The debate, in which all stakeholders will attend, would enable to know the pros and cons of the country's education policy, he said. It will also enable international organizations to make financial support to the education sector by identifying the strength and weakness of the education policy, Prof. Andreas said. African diplomacy should be geared towards addressing continent's challenges: Prof. Kinfe by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD), Prof. Kinfe Abraham says that African diplomacy has to be geared towards addressing the continent's challenges and curbing the multifaceted problems facing it. Opening a seminar "The Challenges and Opportunities of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century," at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Prof. Kinfe indicated that the current challenges require modern diplomacy 'not a traditional cocktail approach' for the world is in an age of interdependence and speedy pace of modernization and technological development. "It is only through effective collaboration that African states would be able to develop themselves which requires modernizing their approach to diplomacy. If Africa fails to meet these challenges urgently, it would b difficult to anticipate how it can extricate itself from the pincer-grip of poverty and underdevelopment," he said. According to Prof. Kinfe, building peace and security, reducing poverty, establishing good governance and strengthening regional cooperation vial regional and intercontinental organizations are the key challenges. In a paper "The Role of Diplomacy in international Development" presented to the seminar, French Ambassador Stephane Gompertz said that discussion between and among businessmen, governments as well as diplomats is very critical for countries' speedy development in this era. "Though the advantages of their respective countries should be prioritized, diplomats should also consider the common advantage and interest of others for the development of one undoubtedly helps the other," the Ambassador said. Israeli Ambassador Doron M. Grossman in his paer "Diplomacy and Challenges of International Terrorism," emphasized the need for prioritizing development agenda to fight terrorism effectively. He said that reducing social grievances, becoming active in the multilateral scenes, promoting intereligious discussions as well as creating a very sophisticated diplomatic mission are indispensable to diplomats and missions as well if they are to benefit their countries. Also on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Wassawa Biriggwa, presented a paper "The Challenges of the 21st Century of International Terrorism". He said that the issue of terrorism has to be clearly defined and action should be taken according to the principles set forward. "The world has to agree on what terrorism and terrorist groups mean, identify its root causes and relentlessly fight irresponsible use of weapons and trafficking of arms," the ambassador said. Ambassador Mohammed Ali and Ato Tesfaye Yilma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke on the theme: "The Challenges of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century." In their presentation, they said that Africa must take all measures to put the AU on a firm, solid and sustainable foundation. This they added, requires a fundamental process and ushering in a new national and regional economic order. Members of the diplomatic corps, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society representatives and other invited guests were in attendance at the day-long seminar that assessed the current status of African diplomacy including the challenges and opportunities and come up with constructive and practical ideas on how the continent's economic diplomacy is enhanced. Similar papers were also presented and discussions conducted on ideas forwarded. Prime Minister urges Chinese investors to take part in Ethiopia's dev't endeavour BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese entrepreneurs could play a leading role in the construction, infrastructure and natural resources development endeavours of Ethiopia by diverting their capitals and introducing the easily adaptable Chinese technology, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. During talks held in Beijing yesterday with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister, the Chinese investors mentioned problems in obtaining land, license and visa. Commenting on the issues, the Prime Minister said industrial zones were established in more than 50 towns to address the problem, adding that constructive measures have also been taken to provide effective services in issuing visa. The over 70 investors and company owners who held discussions with the Prime Minister have shown great desire to take part in the development endeavours of Ethiopia, according to Deputy President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Prime Minister Meles assured the Chinese investors that his government has been tirelessly working to provide effective services to those interested in investing in Ethiopia. The investors said in separate and group discussions with the Prime Minister, they faced problems in the accusation of land issuance of licenses and visa. The Prime Minister said land has been a problem both for the local and foreign investors until recently. He, however, said the government has taken measures believed to be instrumental in addressing the problems identified in the process of handling the request of investors. The Prime Minister said the new procedure put in place could enable the investors to receive timely and appropriate answers to their requests. The Chinese investors could contribute to the development of Ethiopia in investing in the infrastructure and development of natural resources, he said. The Prime Minister invited Chinese investors to come to Ethiopia like their fellow countrymen who have been engaged in the telecommunications, road and power generation schemes as well as in the mining sector. The investors could also benefit from exemption of taxes to their exports to European and North American markets in addition to that of the Chinese one, he said. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.5,2004 ===================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 10 15:47:00 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041110134700.55115.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 6, 2004 USAID extends agricultural marketing credit to agribusiness's ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday signed loan-guarantee agreements with two Ethiopian banks that will allow them to offer short and medium-term loans for marketing and capital investment in the coffee, food grains, horticulture, and livestock products sectors. USAID Mission Director in Ethiopia William Hammink, Awash International Bank President Leikun Berhanu and President of Bank of Abyssinia Kebede Temesgen signed the agreement, according to a press statement by the US Embassy. The agreements provide the banks with short and medium-term credit estimated 18 million USD over five years, allowing them to make loans that will benefit thousands of small holder farmers, agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses, it said. This increased rural lending supports the Government of Ethiopia's rural development strategy of accelerated rural economic growth, enhanced trade competitiveness, and private-sector-led development, according to the statement. It said the Bank of Abyssinia and Awash Bank have demonstrated their strong commitment to rural development by expanding the availability of short-term and medium-term loans for key economic sectors in five states. Farmers living in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states would b the beneficiaries of the loan services. Joint efforts of stakeholders said essential to implement result of plebiscite ADDIS ABABA - State administrations, residents, governmental bodies and other stakeholders are expected to exert efforts in the spirit of responsibility, transparency and accountability to implement the outcome of the recent plebiscite held to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of kebeles bordering the two states, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday, the ministry said the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is engaged in diverse activities to enhance the democratic system and good governance in the country, as it believes efforts aimed at ensuring an accelerated economic development cannot bear fruit in their absence. It is important to note that a constitutional and democratic measure was taken to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of about 463 kebeles, it said. The claims submitted by the two states to the House of the Federation were endorsed and a plebiscite was held in most of the contested kebeles, it said. The constitutional response to address the claims that are a decisive significance to ensure the rights of the peoples and economic development was a matter of great importance, the statement said. According to the statement, the prime objective of the plebiscite is to ensure peace, good governance, a democratic system and sustainable economic development to benefit all the peoples. Seminar on Somalia stabilization conducted ADDIS ABABA - A two-day AU Planning and Strategy Seminar on Implementing a Cessation of Hostilities in Somalia opened at the African Union Conference Centre (AUCC) in Addis Ababa last Thursday. A press release sent to the Herald by African Union indicated that the seminar was declared open by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit. Ambassador Djinnit at the occasion reiterated the disposition of the African Union to deploy a Military Observation Mission in Somalia. He stated that the role of the mission would be mainly to build confidence and work jointly with the Somalis in support of their efforts towards normalizing the situation in the country. According to the release, Ambassador Djinnit seized the opportunity to encourage the Somalis to consolidate the gains they made at Mbaghati, Kenya and to endeavour to strengthen reconciliation in their country, adding that they should opt for dialogue and a peaceful means in addressing their various challenges. The overall aim of the seminar was to assist in the development of the future AU role in Somalia, and that of other donor organizations, in order to enhance the chances of stabilization and the success of the transitional institutions in Somalia, it was learnt. Conducive situations being created too effectively implement Youth Policy: Minister GAMBELLA (ENA) - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Ambassador Teshome Toga said conductive situations are being created with a view to implementing youth affairs' policies. Addressing a national forum aimed at familiarizing Youth Policy and Awareness Raising Forum in Gambella town here yesterday, Ambassador Teshome said priority has been given to the implementation of youth policies effectively. The opening of bureaus in charge of following up youth affairs issues in states and enabling the youth to engage in various activities by being organized in association and the construction of youth centres in various states are some of the conducive situations that are being carried out, he said. Ambassador Teshome said efforts are also being exerted to establish a coalition of youth against HIV/AIDS at national level. He said a 10 year strategic plan that would enable to implement youth development programme would also be designed. More than 250 stakeholders from pertinent offices are in attendance at the forum. November 7, 2004 Meles returns home concluding China visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home late Friday concluding his week-long working visit to China. During his stay there, Meles had held talks with the Chinese President on ways of expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries. He had also visited the Chinese Modern Agricultural Technology Center in Xian City. According to an agreement reached between the two countries, 40 Ethiopians would pursue their education in Chinese higher learning institutions. China would also provide a seven million birr support to Ethiopia. The delegation led by Prime Minister was informed during its visit in a farmers' locality that the farmers in the locality have their own residence while their income reached to 3,000 USD annually. The Ethiopian delegation and Chinese President and Prime Minister discussed the enhancement of political and economic cooperation between the two countries extensively. According to the agreement reached between the two sides, Ethiopia was allowed to export certain commodity items to China free of tariff and quota. China has also expressed its readiness to subsidise its enterprises which are interested to buy Ethiopian products, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the talks. During the talks Meles had held with Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing, he gave briefings on the investment potential Ethiopia has in textile, tannery and sugar development sectors. He said those who are interested to invest in the sectors would enjoy the privilege of exporting their items into American and European countries free of tariff and quota. Meles said efforts are also being exerted to address problems related to land, visa and licenses, among others, as soon as possible. He also told the Chinese investors that industrial zones have been demarcated in 50 towns in the country, which are suitable for investment. Ethiopia elected AMCOW Deputy Chairman for Eastern African Region ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia was elected as Deputy Chairman and Executive Council Member of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) for Eastern Africa Sub-Region Thursday during the Council's 5th regular meeting underway in Entebbe, Uganda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. In a press statement it sent to ENA Friday, the Ministry said that the Council will have 13 members of which five will be elected from each sub-region. The statement said that Ethiopia was also elected as member of the recently established Governing Council of the African water facility representing the sub-region. The meeting of the members of the Technical Committee of the Council was held on November 2,2004. Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia states will work together to enhance dev't: Minister ASSOSA (ENA) - The peoples of the Benshangul-Gumuz and Oromia states would work together for the enhancement of development thereby reduce poverty by strengthening their longstanding relations and cooperation, Defence Minister Abadula Gemeda said. Abadula said the inhabitants of the two states would strive for the common prosperity of the states. Abadula made the remark while visiting development activities being undertaken Benshangul-Gumuz State here yesterday. The peoples of the two states had struggled jointly to remove the previous regime and build the existing democratic system, he said. Abadula said the executives of the two state administrations on their part have the responsibility to exert maximum efforts to enable the inhabitants of the two states benefit from development achievements. He also stressed the need to conserve natural resources existing along the borders of the two states jointly. Speaking on his part, Benshangul Gumuz State Administration Chief Yaregal Aysheshum said consolidated efforts are needed to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring states. November 9, 2004 USAID committed to continue extending assistance to Ethiopia: Assistant Administrator ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistances said his organization would continue to extend support to food security programme and humanitarian activities in Ethiopia. After holding talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here yesterday, the Assistant Director, Roger Winter said USAID would extend assistance to programmes launched to ensure food security and food as well as non-food assistance to needy people in the 2005. The American Government would also work together with Ethiopia on safety net programme, Winter said. The support USAID will be giving will include the supply of drinking water, health care and veterinary services as well as shelter. Winter said his government is also desirous of supporting the activities being made to make 5.2 million needy people self-reliant in food. Meles expressed hope during the talks that the assistance being extended to Ethiopia would further be strengthened. He said it is also his belief that the US Government would give quick response to food requirement needed by food-deficit people in the coming year, according to simoen Mechale, Commissioner of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, who attended the talks. Prime Minister Meles and Winter had held constructive discussions on the peace process in the Sudan and humanitarian affairs as well. The discussion between the two officials centered on humanitarian affairs, the Commissioner said. Ethiopia's foreign relations being consolidated ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia over the past decade has forged bilateral relations to an unprecedented level, the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) said. EIIPD Director, Prof. Kinfe Abreham told ENA over the weekend that the country's diplomatic relations with other countries has reached a higher level both in depth and strategy. Prof. Kinfe said that the strengthening of bilateral relations with the various states has helped raise not only inflow of financial assistance and loan but also brought about a huge debt cancellation. The director attributed the success to the working visits of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which in turn helped heads of states and government come to Ethiopia for the same cause. He also said that EIIPD has contributed a lot toward boosting bilateral relations with the provision of short and long-term trainings to Ethiopian diplomats. Ethiopian diplomats abroad have also been doing everything possible to boost economic ties between the various countries and attract foreign direct investment into the country, the director said. The institute has been providing times information on various issues to Ethiopian diplomats here and abroad with a view to boosting economic relations with the various states, he said. In addition, the institute had conducted a research on Ethio-Arab relations and published it for public consumption, the director said, adding the finding indicated that the relations have been gaining momentum from time to time. Prof. Kinfe also said that the institute has conducted a feasibility study on water resources management of the Nile Basin. The director indicated that the institute has published a book entitled: "China Comes to Africa" showing that China has become a lucrative business centre for Ethiopian products. Ethiopian honoured with 2004 hero in Medicine Award ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Eleanor, Chicago-based International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) honoured Ethiopian Dr. Yigeremu Abebe with the 2004 Hero in Medicine Award, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. IAPAC named Dr. Yigeremu winner at a dinner reception and award ceremony held in Washington on October 1,2004, the Ministry quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington as saying. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that Dr. Yigeremu won the award for his contributions in HIV/AIDS prevention and control as well as support for PLWHAs and patients in Ethiopia. Founded in 1995, IAPAC has membership of more than 12,000 physicians and health professionals. IAPAC has been intervening in global health issues, particularly in HIV/AIDS policy and care. The 2004 annual award was given out for the seventh time. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Kassahun Ayele was the guest of honour at the award ceremony, which was attended by prominent physicians, scientist and philanthropists, the ministry said in a press release. Konare expressed deep concern at situation in Cote d'Ivoire ADDIS ABABA - The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Alpah Oumar Konare, expressed his deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a press statement issued by AU Sunday disclosed. The Chairperson condemned the attacks by government forces on the various locations in the north of Cote d'Ivoire, including those that hit the French Licorne forces. He also condemned the violence prevailing in Abidjan, including the attacks on the property of opposition leaders and of the media, as well as on foreign citizens and property, especially French citizens and their property, the statement said. The Chairperson of the AU Commission urged all the parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further aggravation of the situation. In particular, he urges President Gbangbo, the government of Cote d'Ivoire, and all political and social leaders to do every thing possible to maintain calm and to ensure the safety and protection of all life and property. The Chairperson of the Commission expressed support of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November 2004; and in particular, expressed satisfaction at the decision on the change of the rules of engagement of UNOCI as called for by the AU/ECOWAS Consultative meeting held at Ota, Nigeria, on 6 November, the statement added. The Chairperson of the AU Commission underlined the imperative need for a political solution to the conflict and urges all parties to commit themselves to dialogue. In this respect, and as a follow-up to the decision adopted at the Ota AU/ECOWAS Consultations, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has been mandated to undertake an urgent mission in consultation with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, with a view to promoting a political solution, the press statement recalled. Prior to this release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Konare also expressed his deep concern at the news of last Friday on the resumption of hostilities in Bouake, another press release from the union indicated. According to the earlier release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union called on both sides to exercise maximum restarting. He urged them to abandon any recourse to the military option and recommit themselves sin earnest to the process of implementation of the Accra III Agreement. In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union is in close consultation with the Chairman of the African Union, President Olisegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, on how best the African Union, working together with the countries of the region, can help defuse the present crisis, it was learnt. =================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.10,2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 12 10:20:35 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041112082036.8922.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 12, 2004 Ethiopia, Germany agree to consolidate ties ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The leaders of Ethiopia and Germany expressed their readiness to consolidate the century old relations and promote the bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples. Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Shrouder said Wednesday that relations between the two countries were on a firm ground. Briefing reporters following talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the German Chancellor said that Ethiopia has been playing a leading role for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa with especial emphasis on Somalia and the Sudan. Shorouder said his country has decided to train Ethiopian construction professionals, and the training programme would also begin as soon as possible. He said the visit of Prime Minister Meles to Germany would further consolidate the relations and give an impetus to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also said Ethiopia desires to strengthen its relations with Germany focusing on enhancement of capacity building. Meles said the relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and Germany need to focus on capacity building particularly in technical and vocational training. He made the remark while holding talks in Germany with authorities of various German governmental bodies and representatives of German organizations operating in Ethiopia. Meles had held the talks with different government officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Joschka Fischer and others. Pointing out that enhancing nation's capacity is instrumental to be competitive, Meles said, Ethiopia is keen that German NGOs need to focus their assistance to Ethiopia toward the strengthening of its capacity. Meanwhile, Capacity Building minister Tefera Walwa had held talks with senior government officials of Germany on bilateral issues. The delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was expected to leave Berlin for Vienna, Austria yesterday. House approves proclamations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives approved the agreements signed on antipersonnel landmines and on the prevention, use and trafficking of illegal arms. The House in its regular session yesterday endorsed the agreement on the prevention, use, stockpiling, transfer and destroying of anti-personnel landmines and the Nairobi Protocol on the Control and Prevention of Light and Small Arms Trafficking in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The House approved the proclamations with a unanimous vote after hearing the reports and proposals presented by the Foreign, Defence and Security as well as Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committees. Ratifying the agreements signed on the prevention, use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines has an advantage for the country, according to the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee. Anti-personnel landmines cause serious damages to human lives and property destruction as well as have a negative psychological impact and affect the progress of development. The ratification of the proclamation could greatly contribute to the enforcement of conventions the country signed for the respect of international legal principles. Most of the neighbouring and other African countries have already ratified the protocol, according to the Committee. The House also looked into the Nairobi Protocol signed on the control and prevention of the Trafficking of Light and Small Arms in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The ratification of the agreement could safeguard the interest of the nation and enable for the establishment of durable peace and stability, according to the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee of the House. Enforcing the law prohibiting the trafficking of illegal arms could enable to build confidence and trust among the neighbouring countries as well, the committee said. Archaeologists discover 30 million - year-old cave MIZAN (ENA) - A cave about 28-30 million years of age has reportedly been discovered in Tello Woreda, Keffa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The cave, which has a width and length of 80 and 100 metres respectively, has two entrances, two American archaeologists conducting a research in the woreda recently disclosed. The archaeologists said that they have found ash and stone tools inside the cave. Asked about the matter, Zonal Culture and Information Department Head Workagegnehu Kassa said the archaeological studies would continue in the woreda as there are many caves in the area. Speaker to attend Arafat's funeral AU sends message of condolences ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dawit Yohannes was to leave here for Egypt last evening to attend a State Funeral for Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat to be held in Cairo. The Speaker will express condolences over the death of Arafat to the people of Palestine on behalf of the people and Government of Ethiopia, according to a press statement sent to ENA by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Leaders of Arab countries and senior government officials from other countries across the world are expected to attend the ceremony. Arafat who was champion of the Palestinian cause for over four decades was declared dead early yesterday at a military hospital outside Paris at the age of 75. His body will be taken to Ramallah for burial tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konare and the AU Commission expressed condolence over the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the people of Palestine. In his message, Konare said that he learnt with deep sorrow the death of Arafat. "On behalf of myself and the Commission of the Africa Union, I send condolences to all Palestinians and in particular to his wife (SUHA Arafat) and the family," he said. The AU Commission reaffirms its commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent Homeland of Palestine. President holds talks with "Focus on the Family" delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Representatives of an organization called "Focus on the Family" expressed the desire of their organization to work on family, children and youth education affairs in Ethiopia. While conferring with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis here yesterday, the representatives said their organization is keen to offer education concerning parenting, marriage and self-worth to children and youth. They said, "Focus on the Family", which operates in 162 countries worldwide, provides the aforementioned services to children and youth. One million students from across the world get access to the education programme of the "Focus on the Family", an NGO, the representatives told President Girma. The organization has 5,000 communication institutions that would help it provide the services to beneficiaries, they said. Dr. James Dobson founded "Focus on the Family recognizing modern life can have corrosive effects upon the future well-being of mankind. =============================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.12,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 15 14:06:04 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041115120604.82238.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 13, 2004 Ethiopian high-level delegation arrives in Vienna ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Vienna, Austria, Thursday after completing its visit to Germany. Before leaving Germany, Prime Minister Meles and the delegation held talks with Germany President Claus Peter Nol as well as with the Minister of Defence and the members of parliament, foreign affairs and economic development standing committees. The discussion centered on the bilateral relation of the two countries, in which agreement has been reached for Germany to send to Ethiopia technical experts who would train Ethiopian professionals. German investors were said to have the will to engage in the trade and investment sectors in Ethiopia. The German President told Meles that his country would cooperate with Ethiopia in efforts towards ensuring peace in the Horn of Africa, Radio Ethiopia reported. Public Procurement bill tabled for discussion ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bill providing for Public Procurement was tabled for public discussion at the Parliament yesterday. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) said that the public hearing was organized by the Budgetary and Finance Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples Representatives. The bill refers to the procurement of goods, works and services, which the Ministry said constitutes a major share of public expenditure. Legal professionals with the Ministry told the public hearing that efforts to alleviating poverty would bear fruits through economic and efficient use of public funds. They said that procurement of goods, works and services would be instrumental to economic development at regional and national levels. Public procurement must be carried out in a manner, which is not only economic and efficient but also fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, they said. The ongoing civil service reform study of the Ministry prioritizes the procurement of goods, works and services of the government, they indicated. They said detailed study was conducted identifying difficulties, their causes and measures to rectify them in the implementation of procurement. The bill would enable the provision of incentives to local industries. The bill, if endorsed, will enable the establishment of a Public Procurement Agency, which will be responsible for supervision, follow-up and capacity building activities. Parties responsible to make upcoming election democratic: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement issued yesterday said it is clear that most favourable conditions are created for change in a country where political power emerges from the ballot box. This universal practice has proved that a better living standard is attainable where political power comes only from the ballot box, not from the barrel of a gun, the statement said. According to the statement, the overcoming our deplorable poverty and backwardness, and ensuring the respect of human and democratic rights are the cardinal agenda of our country. The statement further said that it is of paramount importance to exert maximum effort to make the upcoming national election free, fair and democratic. Above all, it said, the active participation of all the people in general and the political parties in particular contributes to a great deal to enhance the democratic system in the country. The political parties should have self-imposed duty to ensure respect for the benefits of the society in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Constitution, the statement underlined. In regard to this, the parties are expected to devise and present alternative policies and platforms to create many choices to the electorate. Of course, there should be dialogue and tolerance among the political parties to establish and promote a democratic culture, the statement reiterated. The statement also said that all parties have equal freedom and opportunity to run for seats in parliament in a multi-party system representing various sectors of the society. Ancient Ethiopian alphabet debuts on SMS ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - One of the world's ancient alphabets could flash on the screen of cell phones in the third-most-populous nation in Africa, easing communications for millions who can only read and write the Ethiopic script, AP reported Thursday. Ethiopian and United States based scientists adapted the script, which dates back to the fourth century, for use in text messages, the scientists said Thursday. "We are enabling one of humanity's oldest scripts to enter the wireless age," said Samuel Kinde, who proposed the research. "There is a significant amount of interest from potential users as well as from chipset manufacturers," said Samuel, an engineering professor from the University of California is San Diego. The Ethiopic script is used for Amharic - the national language of Ethiopia's 7- million people. Ethiopia is the only African nation with its own alphabet that is still widely used. Ethiopic is the medium for Ethiopian literature and is still in use in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, chanted by priests in incense-filled churches across the Horn of Africa nation. The script, however, is incompatible with modern communication devices because of its ungainly, 345-letter alphabet, compared with 26 letters in the Latin alphabet. Scientists had to make the ancient alphabet fit the standard handset. They cut it down to 210 characters before mapping a base alphabet of 28 letters on to a handset with users having to thumb in more keystrokes if they want the additional characters. Ethiopia lags behind in harnessing the modern technology. SMS was introduces last December. Kasu Illala, the Infrastructure Minister, said Ethiopia is one of the "least connected" countries in the world. November 14, 2004 Political parties debate on primary education system by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY) yesterday debated on the primary education system of the country. On the Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) yesterday here at the Ethiopian Convention Hall, the three parties made a warm debate on the current primary education system and defended their own views regarding the issue. Representing EPRDF, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa together with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde said that the policy was designed in accordance with the country's demand to achieve sustainable development and ensure good governance as well as democracy. According to Tefera, the policy for the primary level was designed in such a way that children could acquire basic knowledge and skills in order to transform the agricultural sector so as to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. "Unlike the previous times, children have got the opportunity of learning using their vernaculars. Accordingly, primary education is being provided with 22 vernaculars around the country. In addition, they learn English in order to be acquainted with international situations and peoples," Tefera said. To achieve these objectives, trainings have been provided at all levels, and schools were constructed allover the country, he said and went on to state that the enrolment rate at this level has exceeded 68 per cent as compared to only 20 per cent some ten years back. Girls enrolment has reached 59.1 per cent and there is a belief with the EPRDF that it would attain the MDGs with regard to the primary education, Tefera added. UEDF representatives Dr. Merara Gudina and Dr. Beyene Petros on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in expanding the preparatory and adult education. "There is a quality gap between urban and rural education system, the attention is not given to teachers' trainings and the self-contained system has negatively affected the children," they said. They said that they would strive to terminate the self-contained system and improve the standard of living of teachers if they come to office. Agreeing that the provision of education with the vernacular language is one of its programmes, UEDF-MEDHIN PARTY representative Ato Lidetu Ayalew said that the ruling party has politicized the policy and indicated how pessimist it is to achieve the MDG if thing go as they are citing the statistics presented by the ruling party as false. He said that UEDF-MEDHIN promotes the inclusion of the spirit of equity, freedom of thought, love for work, the importance of good governance and justice in its policy. He also said that this party would reconsider the budget allocation to education, if elected. In response to the validity of the statistics, EPRDF representatives indicated that the case has been proved time and again by international organizations. Opening the forum, President of the AAU Andreas Eshete said that such debates would enhance democratic culture among students, teachers and the public as a whole helping them question their leaders on their educational policy in particular and other policies in general. Teachers and students' associations representatives, AAU teachers, students from AAU teachers, students from AAU and other schools in the metropolis and many more people from different walks of life attended the live televised debate. The debate would continue in the coming two Saturdays (Nov. 20 and 27,2004) on the education sector. Board finalizing preparations for elections smooth conduct by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said that it has been finalizing preparations for the smooth conduct of May 2005 state and national elections. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Thursday, Senior Civic Education Training Expert Mekonnen Wondimu said that from experiences of the previous two elections and the lessons from past mistakes, the NEB is now confident enough to conduct the upcoming elections efficiently and effectively. Unlike the way it handled the previous elections, which demanded the support of different organizations, the Board has now built its capacity and is self-sufficient in all aspects, the expert added. Accordingly, it has established its own printing press to print documents for the elections, constructed a garage to smoothly handle the transportation service and also opened a training centre to build the capacity of its employees. Mekonnen, who is also Acting Registrar of the Office of the Political Party Registration with the Board, said that the Board has planned to develop data base, improved quality of ballots, designed geographical location systems as we; as telephone pool and radio communication systems for smooth and efficient operation of the information system during the election campaign. Asked as to when the submission of endorsement signature for verification by polling station offices would be finalized, Mekonnen said that it would last until January 6,2005. As to Mekonnen, every political party has to organize itself and ask the Board for accreditation with the chance to be registered if it fulfils all requirements set by the Board and the Constitution. "So far, 71 political parties have been recognized by the Board and the door is still open." For political parties at national level, they need to submit at least 1,500 endorsement signatures of which 40 per cent is from one state and the rest from four states with equal distribution (15 per cent). For state parties, 750 endorsement signatures either from a single state and the rest from other states provided that it is a permanent resident of a single state, he said. According to Mekonnen, 38,000 polling stations have been established throughout the country and the dispatch of necessary materials and logistics completed. The timetable also indicates that the polling-day is May 15,2005 and election outcomes at polling-station and constituency level would be published on May 16 and 21, 2005 respectively. The Board would verify and officially announce the outcome of the elections on June 8,2005. Commission consolidating ethics regulations preparation ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FECC) disclosed that it would further strengthen the preparation of ethics regulations for heads and employees of public organizations during the current Ethiopian year. Public Relations Senior Advisor with the Commission, Berhanu Assefa told WIC Friday that the devising of the regulation is instrumental in arresting corruption and maladministration in governmental institutions. The ethics regulation would be designed for members of parliament, political appointees, civil servants and heads, he said. He noted that the commission has prepared the regulation for the Federal Inland Revenue Authority, construction sector with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia during the past Ethiopian year. Preparation of the regulation is currently well underway for the Ministry of Education, Ethiopian Roads Authority and Food Administration with the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, he added. He said that FECC has also planned to devise the regulation for about 15 institutions alleged to be immersed in corruption and maladministration together with the setting up of criteria on the priority of the institutions. According to the senior advisor, the commission is also committed to providing technical and professional support to institutions which devise their own regulations. ===================== pol.ethiopia Nov. 15, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 17 16:14:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041117141425.36731.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 16, 2004 EPRDF Executive Committee concludes regular session ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Regular Session of the Executive Committee of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded here Sunday reviewing its first quarter year performance and endorsing future plan of action. The first quarter year performance and the state and national elections scheduled for next May, were among the top most agendas in which the Executive Committee of the Front had deliberated in its two-day session. The office of EPRDF told ENA yesterday that the Front has designed strategies enabling it to continue the various activities aimed at attaining speedy development and ensuring good governance. Priority was given to the enhancement of the preparation of executive bodies and the people on implementation and understanding the concepts of the plans during the first quarter year, the office said. Accordingly, executive bodies at all levels in states and Addis Ababa were given an opportunity to discuss in detail development plans and enrich them with additional ideas, it said. Consensus was also reached among the members of both the rural and urban communities on development and good governance. The people have also confirmed their readiness to implement the plans in the education, rural development, good governance and other sectors, the office said. Agreement has also been reached during consecutive conferences among the farmers that they are the main development force and that hard work is the only means for them to extricate themselves from poverty, the Front said. The session has also confirmed that the farmers had expressed commitment to further enhance the rural and agricultural development activities in their respective kebeles after evaluating their performances last year, it said. Agreement has also been reached during farmers' conferences that the resettlement activity launched to ensure food security last year has brought about fruitful results, the office said, adding that resettles have managed to generate additional income, which helped them improve their livelihood. Accordingly, the farmers have agreed to continue the government-designed resettlement programme, which they said, is the correct measure to ensure food security. The session has also learnt that the farming community is dedicated now more than ever before to implement the 1997 E.C. agricultural development strategies effectively. Regarding election, the Front has also evaluated in detail the activities being made by the Front regarding the upcoming regional and national elections. The regular session had decided that it was appropriate to accept suggestions forwarded by opposition parties on amending those points which are constructive and enshrined in the National Electoral Law. The Front has also availed itself of to call up opposition parties to develop the culture of working closely concerning election and express their readiness to take part in the forthcoming election with out any precondition. The Executive Committee of the EPRDF has also deliberated on the Ethio-Eritrea situation based on a report submitted to it. Accordingly, it has decided that the efforts being pursued by the Ethiopian Government to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully would further be strengthened. Australia cancels Ethiopia's debt ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Australia has cancelled a debt of a 7.9 million Australian dollar ($6.1 million) owed by Ethiopia after the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund rules that the country had qualified for debt relief, the Reuters reported. The Australian Government said the debt was cancelled because Ethiopia met the requirements of the enhanced. Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative by direction the proceeds of debt relief towards basic health, education and poverty reduction programme, according to the report. Norwegian Foreign Minister arrives ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Petersen arrived here yesterday on a two-day working visit to Ethiopia. While here, Petersen will hold talks with senior government officials on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway. He would also hold discussions with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Oumar Konare and other officials of the Union on the activities of AU. November 17, 2004 Meles holds talks with British MPs, Norwegian FM ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with British parliamentarians led by Laurence Robertsen. Prime Minister Meles on the occasion indicated that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain has been gathering momentum. Meles said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain should further be enhanced in trade and investment as well as people-to-people ties. Meles told the delegation that Ethiopia has embarked upon poverty reduction and food security activities as well as the Civil Service Reform Programme. He said activities have been in the pipeline towards bolstering and maintaining the development gains achieved so far. The two sides dwelt at length on the resettlement programme, HIV/AIDS interventions and activities underway to increase women's participation in the upcoming elections, among others, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. Rpbertsen told journalists after the meeting that issues discussed included global trade and Ethiopia's foreign debt. He said his delegation also discussed with Prime Minister Meles external hurdles posed against Ethiopia's development endeavours. The three-member British parliamentary delegation arrived here Monday on a working visit. The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to discuss ways of further strengthening the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, according to the Office of the House of Peoples' Representatives. During its stay here, the delegation will hold talks with House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and other senior government officials. It will also hold talks with representatives of British welfare organizations, the office said. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by Fekadu Hirpa Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Infrastructure Affairs Standing Committee of the House and the Ethio-British Friendship Team respectively. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles yesterday held talks with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Norway Jan Petersen. During talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Meles said Norway has been providing considerable support in Ethiopia. Meles said Norway's assistance to Ethiopia would be more vital if it focuses on food security and agriculture development endeavours. He called on Norway to also assist Ethiopia's democratization efforts. Meles has, meanwhile, commended Norway for the support it is providing to Ethiopia in the framework of bilateral cooperation. Meles also briefed Petersen about the upcoming 3rd national democratic elections. Meles said the ruling party has been holding a series of discussions with opposition parties on issues of the upcoming elections. The two sides also exchanged views on issues in the Horn of Africa and the role Ethiopia has been playing in the African Union and NEPAD, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The Norwegian Foreign Minister pledged that his government would assist in the democratization efforts in Ethiopia. Norway would focus support also on food security and agriculture development in Ethiopia; the official quoted Petersen as saying. After the meeting Petersen told journalists that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway has been growing in recent years. UN agencies dedicating Human Rights Day to rights education ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) and UNESCO are dedicating Human Rights Day 2004 on 10 December to human rights education. According to a UNESCO press release, yesterday the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO are encouraging other agencies and programmes of the United Nations System and relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to do the same. This year's observance will help highlight deliberations in the United Nations General Assembly, which is devoting a special plenary session on Human Rights Day to human rights education, the release said quoting High Commissioner Louise Arbour and UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Atsuura. Announcing the December 10 observance, Arbour said every year, Human Rights Day reminds us of persisting human rights problems in our communities and in the world, and of the huge effort still needed, on the part of each and everyone of us, to make human rights a reality for all according to the release. Human rights education is indispensable for every individual to fully enjoy and claim a life of security and dignity. The release also quoted Matsuura as saying. Human Rights Day should provide us with an opportunity to pay tribute to human rights educators indeed, human rights defenders who, informal and informal settings, in small or large communities, and often encountering difficulties and hazards, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights, they concluded. President says Ethiopia set to exploit tourism potential Confers with WTO Sec. General by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that Ethiopia has once again become keenly aware of its immense development potential in tourism, and efforts are underway to exploit it in the best interests of its people sustainably. Opening a three-day sub-regional workshop on "Tourism Statistics and Elaboration of A Tourism Satellite Account" at the UN Conference Centre yesterday, he said: "What started earlier with the adoption of market economic system, the privatization of government-owned tourism enterprises and decentralization of regulatory and administrative functions has continued in the liberal path to include the provision of investment incentives to tourism enterprises, expansion of educational and training facilities improvement of infrastructure, particularly with respect to airports, road networks and power supply and increased promotion and marketing of the country's attractions in strategic tourism markets." According to the president, in the current drive, which accords high priority to food security and elimination of poverty, tourism still maintains its importance, by helping create income supplements and providing alternative forms of employment in urban and rural areas. "As development is a shared responsibility and a shared task, the Ethiopian Government encourages private investors-foreign and domestic to engage in tourism enterprises, while limiting itself to functions more suited to the public sector," he added. Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar on his part said that for far too long in the past, tourism as a sector was not measured fully or comprehensively in many countries, with the consequence that its full magnitude as an economic sector, its numerous links to other sectors and its effect on balance of payments and international trade were not fully known or appreciated. "This obviously had influences on the formulation of policies and strategies, and in the allocation of priorities and resources by governments." The Commissioner explained that efforts spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and supported by a number of collaborating countries and international agencies over the years have succeeded in the creation of improved international standards and practices in tourism statistics, including tourism satellite accounts which are being increasingly adopted worldwide. The new approach would allow, among others, comprehensive statistical representation, valid and meaningful categorization of tourism-related economic activities and clear assessment of balance of payment, according to him. Participants from 17 countries including WTO Secretary General Mr. Francesco Frangialli were in attendance at the workshop, organized by WTO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourism Commission. According to a related ENA report President Girma held talks with Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Francesco Frangialli yesterday. The two sides discussed the relations between Ethiopia and WTO and the role the tourism industry could play in the efforts in Ethiopia to realize the rural development strategy, particularly in the area of food security, Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner who attended the meeting said. President Girma and Frangialli also exchanged views on the pilot project WTO launched in two countries in Africa including Ethiopia on "Sustainable Tourism and Eliminating Poverty". The two sides also discussed how best WTO can provide assistance to Ethiopia, Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar said. President Girma and Frangialli also discussed the tourism development activities in Ethiopia and ways of issuing visas at the Bole International Airport for tourists coming from 33 countries, according to the Commissioner. On the occasion, President Girma commended WTO for the support it has been extending to Ethiopia. Ethiopia has made improvements in visa, air transport and other related services in view of the big roles tourism plays in Ethiopia, Abdullahi said. Ethiopia will enhance efforts geared towards catering best services to tourists; Girma is quoted as saying. ================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.17,2004 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 18 14:48:41 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041118124841.64143.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 18, 2004 Meles, Addisu hold talks with Chinese official ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legese met and held discussions with Minister of International Relations of China Wang Jiangrui. During talks with the Chinese official, Prime Minister Meles said the cooperation of the two countries has been steadily growing. The two sides have also exchanged views on ways to further consolidate the bilateral cooperation of their countries. Prime Minister Meles said the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been willing to learn more from the economic miracles of China. The Prime Minister lauded the wisdom and the leadership skills of the Chinese Communist Party for enabling the country to achieve rapid economic development, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. Briefing reporters after an audience with the Prime Minister, Jiangrui said the recent visit of Meles to China was believed to give additional impetus to the cooperation of the tow countries. The discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Addisu and Mr. Jiangrui mainly focused on the cooperation that should exist between EPRDF and the Chinese Communist Party. China's support to the Ethiopian agriculture and rural development strategy designed to reduce the level of the biting poverty in the country was also raised during the discussion, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. China was also expected to support Ethiopia's efforts launched to train 55,000 professionals during the coming three years. The two sides have also agreed for the speedy implementation of the various agreements signed between the two countries. Inter-Africa Group organizes discussion on Training, Education Policy ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - A discussion on the countries Education and Training Policy organized by the Inter-Africa Group would be held today at the United Nations Conference Centre. According to a press release sent to WIC Tuesday by the Inter-Africa Group, the discussion was organized with a view to enabling the public become aware of the differences on the basic policy issues on education and problems witnessed during their implementation. The release said that scholars in the field and policy makers are expected to take part in the discussion. The forum would mainly focus on the emphasis to be given to the provision of primary education in the mother tongue of students and the merits and demerits it has on the overall development direction of the country's education and training policy, it said. It would also explore the existence of harmony between the formulation of curriculum and the economic development of the country as well as to the recently introduced cost sharing mechanism in the country's educational system, the release added. There would also be an opportunity to explore the integration of efforts in the implementation of the education policy in compliance with the decentralized administrative system together with the drawbacks of the policy implementation, it said. According to the release, discussions on the differences of views surrounding the implementation of self contained teaching method being introduced in the first cycle of the primary education are also parts of the issues to be entertained during the forum. AU welcomes UN decision to hold meetings on African issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to hold meetings in Nairobi on 18th and 19th November 2004 aimed at addressing the conflict situations on the continent. It also encouraged the Security Council to seize the opportunity of these meetings to address the various conflict situations on the continent, including the peace process in Somalia. According to an AU communiqué sent to ENA yesterday, PSC of the African Union encouraged the efforts to support the transitional institutions established within the framework of the now concluded Somali National Reconciliation Conference organized under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). It emphasized the importance of the provisions of the protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council on the Peace and Security Council on the need for a close collaboration and cooperation between the UN and the AU in general, the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council in particular, in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa. In the decisions adopted at its twentieth meeting, the PSC also mandated the Chairperson for the month of November 2004 to join the AU delegation that will participate in the Security Council meetings in Nairobi and requested the AU delegation to seize the opportunity to undertake consultations with the Security Council members on the way and means to strengthen and formalize the cooperation between the PSC and the Security Council. On the protection force for the political leaders in Burundi, the Council recalled the decision adopted by the 91st Ordinary Session of the Central organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, mandating the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) for an initial period of one year, pending the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission. It stressed the indispensable role that the protection force continues to play a role in the promotion of a climate of security and confidence, particularly in the context of the forth-coming elections that would mark the end of the transition in Burundi, in April 2005. The Council decided to authorize the protection force to operate under the mandate of the AU to continue to provide protection services to political leaders in Burundi and other support as may be required. The Council also reiterated its grave concern at the prevailing situation in Cote d'Ivoire as well as its conviction that the crisis in that country can only be resolved through a peaceful and political means. Party introduces programme, ready to participate in upcoming election Coalition urges opposition to establish joint front by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The newly established party Keste Damena Ethiopia (Rainbow Ethiopia) introduced its programmes to its followers and other party representatives working in the country and expressed its readiness to actively participate in the upcoming election. At the introduction ceremony held at the Semen Hotel yesterday, the party leaders, maintaining democratic culture, freedom, equality justice and enhancing youth participation; striving to improve economic development as well as cherishing the nations and nationalities cultural heritages are top priorities of their party's policy, among others. Citing opposition parties' failure in bringing about alternative and sound policies to the public, President of the party Dr. Birhanu Nega underscored the importance of boosting the parties strength so as to become a strong contestants with the ruling party. According to the president, one of the main impediments for the in competitiveness of other parties with EPRDF is their ever-increasing number without coordinated struggle. Thus he suggested that the formation of one strong party would bring the capacity to compete with the same. "We are very keen and ready to make a difference in the upcoming election by working towards this end," he said. Public Relations head with the party Prof. Mesfin Wolde-Mariam on his part in indicated his party's interest to compete with the ruling party in a very democratic manner. He said that the party would give higher priority to the active participation of the youth in the development endeavors and political activity for the youth constitute 72 per cent of the entire population, according to the Professor. It was also disclosed on the occasion that the party has elected Dr. Befekadu Degife and Dr. Shimelis Tekle-Tsadik as Vice-President and Secretary of the party, respectively. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy said, opposition poletical parties active in the country should develop the culture of forming a joint front and narrowing differences in a bid to help develop democracy. The Coalition comprises the All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party-Medhin Democratic Party (EDUP-EMDP), Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL) and Keste Demena Ethiopia-Movement for Democracy and Social Justice emphasized on the importance of working jointly, ENA reported. According to the organization the political parties were to announce the establishment of the Coalition to the public yesterday. It said although there are many opposition political parties active in the country, the importance of working in cooperation and in alliance was not common. Unless the opposition parties form a joint front, it would be difficult to achieve satisfactory results in the upcoming national elections slated for May 2005, it said. ============================== pol.ethiopia Nov.18,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 23 14:15:07 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041123121507.90347.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> November 20, 2004 Ethiopia, Italy sign agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Italy have signed agreements that would finalize the return of Axum Obelisk and a 220 million euro loan for a hydro electric power project. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi signed the agreement last Thursday while in Rome on a two day working visit. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Alfredo Mantica signed the agreements that enable finalize preparations for the return of Axum Obelisk, the loan for Gilgel Gibe hydro electric power project and other accords. Seyoum noted on the occasion that the agreement with regard to the return of the Axum Obelisk would close the chapter that has impeded the cooperation between the two countries. Seyoum said the agreement signed to enable finalize the preparations launched for the return of the Obelisk would bolster the cooperation between the two countries. He further said the sealed agreement shows the willingness of the government of Italy to respect the peace accord concluded between the two countries in 1947. According to the Foreign Minister, the Axum Obelisk is due to come back home in the period between the coming January and March. The agreement demands the technical support of UNESCO in re-erecting the Obelisk here in Ethiopia, Seyoum said. He also said that the 220 million euro loan agreement with Italy enables Ethiopia produce additional 450 mega watt from the Gilgel Gibe project. According to the minister, the Gilgel Gibe project loan agreement is the first of its kind for the Italian Government to make such huge financing in a single project. The delegation has also signed a cultural agreement with the Italian Government. Addisu says peace, good governance should be given due attention ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said attention should be given to ensuring peace and good governance to enable the people of Somali State to benefit from development achievements. Addisu Legesse stressed the need that peace and good governance should be given due attention to be able to enhance the all-round development activities underway in the state. He made the statement while addressing the meeting organized to evaluate the 1997 E.C. first quarter year performance that got underway here yesterday. Addisu also said striving to increase education coverage, which he said, is at low level, to 60 per cent in the next three with a view to minimizing shortage of skilled labour. He said it is only possible that the budget allocated by the government is utilized for intended purpose that the people in the state would be able to benefit from achievements. The Deputy Prime Minister said it is only possible when the leaderships of the state government strive for extricating the people from their complex socio-economic problems by freeing themselves from corruption. He said it was inappropriate for certain authorities of the state government to sell relief grain and use the proceeds from it for their personal benefits. Addisu said attention should also be given to woreda-centered development activities aimed at alleviating poverty. A representative of the state capacity building bureau said on his part that 800 under qualified people who were employed in government offices and taking salary inappropriately for several years were dismissed. They were now replaced by competent and qualified personnel, he added. Speaking on his part, the State Administration Acting Chief Abdul Jibril Abubekar said activities are well underway to enable the people in the state to benefit from development achievements. A team comprising senior government officials led by Addisu had also held a discussion with community leaders in the state on peace and good governance yesterday. Concerted efforts of stakeholders said essential to accelerate industrial dev’t ADDIS ABABA – The development of the industrial sector in one of the major national priority activities underway to raise the economic progress and to improve the living condition of the people, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry said in its weekly statement issued yesterday that although agriculture employs the vast majority of the people and is the backbone of the national economy at present, it is inevitable that industry will eventually take over as the mainstay of our economy. Effective economic transformation can only be realized when the role of agriculture is replaced by the industrial sector, it said adding our country can secure its fair share from the highly centralized global economy only by ensuring competent industrial development. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), aware of the role of industry in the national economy, has devised a policy and strategy guideline and is engaged in practical activities to create favorable conditions to facilitate the development of the sector, it said. As a result of the numerous reform steps taken to promote the sector, a number of local entrepreneurs are engaged in investment activities with an encouraging level of foreign investor participation, the statement said. According to the statement, the consolidation of peace, good governance and democratization in our country has encouraged investors and there is a steady growth in the flow of foreign investment. The Ethiopian Industry week, which is being observed for the fourth time in the country, and is believed to be instrumental to enhance the various efforts underway to scale up the development of the sector, is an important event that creates conditions to bring all stakeholders together and enable them identify impediments and constraints and seek solutions, it said. The statement finally called upon all stakeholders to exert maximum efforts to ensure the rapid development of the industrial sector. November 22, 2004 Meles calls on Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia Italian President says signed agreement opens new chapter in Ethio-Italy relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called upon members of the Italian business community to invest in Ethiopia. During a discussion he held with the Italian business community in Rome Friday, Prime Minister Meles said Ethiopia has done everything possible to attract potential investors. The Italian investors on their part expressed their desire to invest in Ethiopia in various potential investment sectors. They said they were keen to invest in textile, coffee, leather and agro industrial development sectors. Prime Minister Meles assured the Italian business community that the government is ready to tackle any bottlenecks that would hamper their business activities in Ethiopia. Some of the Italian entrepreneurs who have already invested and those who show interest to invest in Ethiopia expressed appreciation to the support being given to them. They however said the government has to do more to remove some impediments in the transport sector and other bureaucratic problems. Prime Minister Meles said on the occasion that his government will do all in its capacity to solve the stated problems. Meanwhile, Italian President Carlo Axegelio Ciampi said his country would further enhance its cooperation with Ethiopia, as the signing of the agreement providing for the return of Axum Obelisk, between the two countries has opened a new chapter in their relations. While conferring with Prime Minister Meles in Rome on Friday, President Ciampi said Italy and Ethiopia would further consolidate the bilateral cooperation between them in development, trade and investment sectors. Ciampi said he was happy over the signing of the agreement, which he said, "Has opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries." The president said he would exert maximum effort to persuade Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia. President Ciampi said the efforts launched by Italy and Ethiopia to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is enabling to achieve fruitful results. Speaking on his part, Prime Minister Meles said a grant of 220 million euros made by Italy for the implementation of hydroelectric power project in Ethiopia with low interest rate shows Italy's desire to further strengthen its cooperation with Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles disclosed that Italy would cancel a 450 million euro debt Ethiopia owes to it. An agreement providing for the cancellation of the debt is expected to be signed by next December. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived here Friday concluding its two-day visit to Italy. Political parties debate on secondary education by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) yesterday criticized the stands of three political parties with regard to secondary education as well as vocational and skill training systems of the country. On the live televised Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) here yesterday at the Convention Hall, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) made a heated debate while presenting their own views regarding the issue. The opposition parties predominantly opposed the current policies and strategies and suggested the substitution of a new one except AEDP which said that it would design a policy discussing with all parts of the society pertaining to the sector if elected. As to the representatives of UEDF on the other hand, the involvement of unskilled teachers in the area, inadequate salary to teachers, defects of language skills of students and teachers, unfair distribution of education in the rural and urban areas as well as states are some of the defects of the current educational policy. They said that 60 per cent of the current teachers at this level have inadequate skills, and only 30 per cent of the whole population are getting the appropriate skill at this level. If the party could come to power, the representatives reaffirmed that they would strive to raise the quality of education by providing short and long term trainings to teachers, improve the salary of teachers, make the class size proportional with the number of students, give more access to detainees in the education sector. UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part related the defect with lack of educational inputs, administrative problems, contents of the books and classroom congestions among others. According to the representatives, only 20 per cent of those age group got the access to secondary education. In addition, women's in grade 9 and 10 enrolment is 36 per cent, vocational and skill trainings were provided to 47 per cent and 28 per cent for the non-vocational sector. They also said that only 36 per cent of high school teachers got appropriate training. In addition, a classroom accommodates 80 students and 5 students share a single book. To improve this, the representatives said that they would change the current system and apply a new one. Accordingly, secondary education included grade 7-12 that is again classified into three parts. Grade 7 and 8 are said to be Junior Secondary education level. Next comes intermediate secondary school education that includes grade 9 and 10. Finally in grade 11 and 12, they would deal with preparatory secondary education and vocational preparation for the job and higher education. Criticizing the above points, EPRDF representatives Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with Minister of Education Genet Zewde argued that the current educational policy has registered remarkable results in meeting the country's demand of achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. It also considers the countries human power and natural resource. On the contrary, oppositions view with these regards is similar with the previous regimes, which brought no result. As to Tefera, the policy for this level was designed in such a way that the students would acquire the small-scale trainings that would enhance the agricultural and industrial sector of the country. In addition, it gave due attention to its quality. Likewise, the students are expected to have adequate skills, become responsible citizens and democrats and ready to fight corruption and maladministration in the society, Tefera added. According to Tefera, 80,000 are getting different trainings annually which was only 2,000 some ten years back and women's participation has reached 47.5 per cent in this regard. In addition, the types of trainings reached to 40 and the government is helping them to be self-supportive when they graduate. To realize this, short and long term trainings were provided to teachers and the various sectors of the society especially investors participation is so high. The debate on higher education system would also continue the coming Saturday (November 27, 2004). November 23, 2004 Commission issues licence to 284 investors ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has issued licence to 284 foreign and local investors with a registered capital of 2.52 billion birr during the first quarter of this fiscal year (July, August and September). Some 151 of the entrepreneurs who invested over 1.88 billion birr are foreigners, Commission Investment and Public Relations Department Acting Director, Yohannis Latamo said. Yohannes said the entrepreneurs were licensed to run projects in the areas of agriculture, industry, education, health and construction, consultancy, catering and tourism. According to the acting director, the projects are expected to create job opportunities to 13,841 people when they enter into production phase. He further indicated that the Commission has been taking various measures with a view to attracting increased foreign direct investment in the country. Investors from Israel, the Netherlands and China are engaged in floriculture, textiles, leather and leather products as well as dairy farming. The director attributed the rise in foreign direct investment to the recent official visits of the high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid to Israel and China. The high-level delegation that visited Italy recently has also invited Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia as the country has suitable agroecology to cotton development suitable in addition to its cheap labour. The Commission also plans to conduct investment promotion activities in the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia to attract foreign direct investment, especially in priority sectors like floriculture, horticulture as well as leather and leather products. Meanwhile, 119 entrepreneurs have pumped over one billion birr into various investment projects in West Shoa zone, Oromia State, the Zonal Investment Office said. The entrepreneurs are engaged in 131 projects, Office Head, Fufa Teso said Friday at the ongoing investment promotion and trade fair here. He said the investors have been involved in agriculture, industry, hotel, education, trade and other investment sectors. There is 41,000 hectares of investment sites in the zone, he said. He said 27,760 hectares has been designated for agriculture, 5,800 for forestry and 1,500 for industrial investments. Fufa said he was optimistic that the zone would be an investment destination as there has been enabling investment environment in the zone since last year in addition to the rich natural resources and tourist attraction in the area. He further said the investment promotion and trade fair kicked off November 18,2004 in the town are expected to boost investment activities in the zone. Committee passes resolutions on Ethio-Italy agreement ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Coordination Committee for the Return of Axum Obelisk has passed resolutions based on the relevant agreement Ethiopia reached with Italy during a recent visit to that country of a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Committee passed the resolutions here yesterday during a meeting presided over by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ambassador Teshome Toga. The resolutions provided for specific issues to enable the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Ethiopia and Italy during the visit on 18 and 19 November. On November 10, a joint technical committee of the two countries reached at a memorandum of understanding after deliberations on detailed issues on the return of the Ethiopian heritage. The resolutions passed by the Coordination Committee provides for the preliminary activities that should be carried out on the part of Ethiopia for the transportation and re-erection of the obelisk. The obelisk, one of the living witnesses of Ethiopia's ancient civilization and one of the few in the world - is due to come back to its rightful owners, the Ethiopian people, within a period from January to April next year. The committee will hold its sequel meeting next week, it was learnt. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov. 23,2004 ============================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 26 14:40:39 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20041126124039.59506.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 25, 2004 Council of Ministers approves new peace initiative for Ethio-Eritrea conflict ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Council of Ministers approved a new peace initiative aimed at seeking a solution to the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. According to the Ministry of Information, the new peace initiative is to be submitted to the House of Peoples' Representatives today for a final decision. The Council in its session yesterday approved the initiative after a detailed evaluation on the objective reality that existed between the two countries. Although the Council of Ministers has exerted utmost efforts aimed at seeking a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, it was not possible to bring about sustainable peace between the two countries owing to various reasons. The ratification of the new initiative was promoted by the fact that establishing durable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea could enable the peoples of the two countries to live in peace and brotherhood. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers discussed the new peace initiative and approved it as it was consistent with Ethiopia' principles for establishing sustainable peace and promoting the spirit of good neighborliness. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is to present a report to the House of Peoples' Representatives, which is to be transmitted live on television and radio. Meles returns home after attending NEPAD Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday after attending the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism and the Executive Committee meetings in Algiers, Algeria. Numerous African Heads of State and Government including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attended the summit. In his address to the meeting, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika said Africans have been exerting huge efforts to speed up their national development programmes through NEPAD. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development programmes, Bouteflika said. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development prgrammes, Bouteflika said. He called for due attention to support the ongoing national capacity building activities geared towards alleviating the multi-faceted problems and speed up the development of the continent. He also indicated the need for NEPAD member countries to sustain their international development partnership with a view to creating better coordination. Regional economic society and organizations have been contributing hugely to the activities aimed at creating continental integration in Africa, he said. The international official development assistance being made in the framework of NEPAD has taken considerable share in helping Africans speed up development, he indicated. He also called for enhanced efforts towards tackling the HIV/AIDS, malaria and Epidemics in Africa. He said attention should be made towards creating economic stability through the enhancement of micro and small-scale employment generation schemes. Large-scale promotional activities should also be undertaken in Africa to draw sizable trade and investment to the continent, he said. Chairman of the Executive Committee and the peer review forum, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion said external challenges have been impeding the activities in Africa to speed up development. In the face of these challenges however, Africans have been implementing various activities in their political and economic reform programmes, Obasanjo said. He called on strong commitments on the part of Africans to create the legal conditions necessary to bring the Peer Review Mechanism to a success. The Peer Review Mechanism would enable Africans to share experiences, ensure good governance, improve socio-economic conditions and enhance Africa's roles in the international for a, he said. Reports pertinent to the NEPAD performance and the African Development Bank's support to NEPAD's projects were submitted and discussed upon at the meeting. The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday. November 26, 2004 Ethiopia offers new peace initiative to resolve boundary dispute with Eritrea by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The House of Peoples' Representatives yesterday approved a new five-point peace initiative designed by the government to address the Ethio-Eritrean boundary dispute in a peaceful and sustainable manner. In its 7th Regular Session, the House endorsed the peace proposal presented by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which, among others, includes Ethiopia's consent to accept in principle the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC). The House endorsed the plan in an overwhelming majority stating that the peace proposal would be instrumental in ensuring durable peace between the two countries and the Horn of Africa region as well. "The best option we have is to rule out the use of force as a means of resolving problems once and for all, and to solve problems and disputes only through peaceful means," Meles said explaining the first point of the peace proposal, which reaffirms Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute. The second point of the peace plan deals with tackling the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with a view to normalizing relations between the two nations. The Premier noted that normalization and good neighborliness between the two countries was in the interest of peace and in their mutual benefits. According to their point of the peace proposal, Ethiopia accepts in principle the decision of the EEBC. "Though the Commission's decision is unjust and illegal, Ethiopia accepts it in principle as this matter is not more important than ensuring durable peace," Meles said. The government of Eritrea has been refusing to respond favorably to Ethiopia's call for peace giving as justification Ethiopia's unwillingness to accept the decision of the Commission, he said. The Premier added that it has now been felt necessary and useful to adjust and modify Ethiopia's position with the hope that it would make the country's peace agenda more robust and effective. As a fourth point to the peace plan, Ethiopia agrees to pay its dues to the EEBC and to appoint field liaison officers. Accordingly, Ethiopia would resume paying its contribution and designating liaison officers, which had been interrupted following the unjust and illegal decision of the Commission. Meles said that the last facet in the five-point peace proposal has to do with starting dialogue immediately to implement the Commission's decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the peoples of the two countries. "It is critical that the negotiations and the resulting agreements take into account the acceptance by Ethiopia in principle of the Commission's decision and adherence to the principle of give and take in the course of implementing the decision," the Prime Minister told the Parliament. Meles expressed his conviction that the peace plan would help Ethiopia win the support of the international community thereby promoting its agenda with respect to development and good governance. He, however, stressed the need to exert efforts to ensure the readiness of the Eritrean government for dialogue. MPs, most of whom representatives of opposition parties, put forward questions and suggestions on the Premier's peace initiative. They sought clarification on what it meant by accepting in principle the decision of the Commission, which, the government itself considered as unjust and illegal. The opposition MPs also insisted that the public at all levels should discuss the peace plan before it is approved by the House. They also wanted to know why at this point in time the EPRDF-led government comes up with such a proposal. W Oppositions also blamed the government for lack of firm stand on the border issue. Prime Minister Meles responded that the government decided to accept in principle the unjust and illegal decision giving priority to its peace and development agenda. "The world is not always judged by legal and fair decisions. When we are faced with such a situation, it is a matter of choosing the lesser of the two evils," he said. Meles rejected the idea of passing peace plan for public decision saying that as a representative of the Ethiopian peoples as a whole, the House has the full mandate to decide on the proposal. Commenting on EPRDF's stand on the border issue, he said adjusting positions with the changing realities on the ground is a wise decision and an indicator of the existence of dynamism in the party and government leadership. The peace plan was not abrupt and haphazard action of the government, Meles said, adding that it was a result of intensive discussion and review by the party and government leadership as well as with international peace-loving partners. The 547-seat House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed the peace plan with 10 objections and three abstentions. ================================ Pol.ethiopia Nov.26,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 29 15:09:57 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041129130957.90683.qmail@web53301.mail.yahoo.com> November 27, 2004 Meles says new initiative significant for stability in the Horn Confers with Annan's Special Advisor ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the new peace initiative Ethiopia has put fourth to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute would have a huge significance and value for durable peace in the Horn of Africa. Ambassador's Dean in Ethiopia on his part says the initiative is acceptable not only in Africa but also in the world at large. During talks with resident diplomats (heads of foreign missions in Ethiopia) here yesterday, Meles said peace is second to one of all priorities for the Horn of Africa states. Prime Minister Meles told the resident diplomats that the new peace initiative is indicative of Ethiopia's firm commitments and determination for peace. There is no second option or substitute to peace in the Horn of Africa region and Ethiopia's new proposal takes important precedence of an international stature, Meles said. Ethiopia's acceptance in principle the decision passed by the Boundary Commission, however illegal and unjust it is, explains the country's unflinching stance for sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa, Meles said. Asked if Eritrea accepted the peace initiative, Prime Minister Meles said there has not been any official declaration from Asmara, but to judge from the hate-propaganda by the Eritrean Government, it seems that it has not accepted the proposal. Meles said he was informed by the special envoys of Algerian, Nigerian and South African presidents who have been to Asmara lately for talks on the peace process that they could not get access to the Eritrean President. The African Union as well as the UK, German and Austrian governments, have already accepted Ethiopia's initiative. The European Union (EU) also welcomed the new peace initiative of the Ethiopian Government to resolve its border row with Eritrea. The Ambassadors Dean, Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Sayed Fadal E-Seed on the occasion has commended Ethiopia for having reached such a noble decision. It is an initiative acceptable worldwide, he said, and expressed appreciation on behalf of the heads of foreign missions to Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Professor Geofferey Sacks has said the development programmes being implemented in Ethiopia are well directed to bring about speedy development. Sacks, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, made the remark here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles. Sacks told journalists that the ongoing development programmes in Ethiopia are the right ones to speed up economic growth and development. The ongoing efforts to providing health services, electricity supply and other infrastructure facilities to the grass roots would enable the realization of speedy development, he said. He lauded the activities in Ethiopia geared towards providing quality health services to the grass roots and the establishment of health centre to every 25,000 people. He called on the international donor organizations and countries to enhance their support to Ethiopia's multi-sector development endeavours. UK, Germany and Austria welcome New Peace Initiative ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The United Kingdom and Germany have welcomed Ethiopia's Five-point New Peace Initiative it offered to resolve the boundary dispute with Eritrea. "This is a welcome development. It represents an important step forward which the international community have been urging the Ethiopian Government to take," the British Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday. The release quoted Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, and Chris Millin, Minister for Africa both as saying, "We hope that Ethiopia and Eritrea can now move forwards together towards the resolution of this long and tragic dispute. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can." The Ethiopian leader called for the "root causes" of the conflict to be resolved through dialogue to help end border tensions and normalise relations. "Durable and sustainable peace is, moreover, in the mutual interest of the two peoples," he said. "Normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace and in their mutual interest." The Chinese news agency Xinhua also quoted a statement issued Thursday by Cahncellor Gerhard Schroeder Deputy Spokesman Thomas Steg that the Chancellor welcomed Prime Minister Meles' announcement that Ethiopia has accepted "in principle" the ruling of the independent Boundary Commission. "This is an important step" and gives new impulse to the mediation efforts, Schroeder was quoted as saying. He also urged both sides of the conflict to return to the negotiating table and solve remaining problems concerning the border dispute. The Government of Austria has also welcomed the Ethiopia's new peace. Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik said yesterday, "We wellcome the readiness of the Ethiopian Government for a peaceful settlement of the conflict with Eritrea." "Especially deserving is the willingness of Ethiopia to accept in principle the decision of the Boundary Commission; and to collaborate again with the Commission," said the Austrian Foreign Minister. Dr. Plassnik asked both parties to conduct negotiations to try to find a peaceful solution together for the implementation of the border. Similarly, the European Union (EU) has welcomed the Ethiopian Government's new peace initiative which accepts in principle the April 2002 decision of the Boundary Commission on the demarcation of its border with Eritrea. Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in a statement issued in Brussels by his spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, that Ethiopia's decision will lead to a speedy start of the demarcation of the border. The EU Solana said "encourages the government of Eritrea to respond positively to Ethiopia's offer of talks about the root causes of the conflict, with a view to normalizing relations between the two countries. Presenting the proposal to the House of Peoples' Representatives Thursday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said durable and sustainable peace is in the mutual interest of the two peoples. He said, normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace. Ethiopia needs lasting peace with Eritrea to fight poverty, backwardness: Bereket ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Information Minister Bereket Simon says that the five-point new peace initiative the Ethiopian Government offered to resolve the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute well explains the firm commitment of the country for lasting peace. In an interview with the BBC Thursday Bereket said that the initiative has made it clear that Ethiopia accepts in principle the ruling of the Boundary Commission's decision. "Now, we are saying we believe that the Commission has made mistakes in some parts of the decisions. But just because this is the rule of law, we accept it. That is what we are saying. "…In this initiative, we are expressing that we have accepted the Boundary Commission's decisions 'in principle'. But all the pertinent issues that have caused the relationship to deteriorate in the last some years must be addressed as well. Basically, Ethiopia is committed to peace and we believe sustainable peace is our strategic goal," Bereket told the BBC. Bereket said the new peace initiative intends to create a sustainable and lasting peace between the two states. "… the most deadly enemies of these countries are poverty and backwardness. So, in order to fight poverty and backwardness, we need to have a lasting peace between these two states." "…So, Ethiopia has come up with the proposal, with the new peace initiative that intends to bring about a sustainable and lasting peace between the two countries," Bereket told BBC. TPLF to field 190 candidates for upcoming elections ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that it has fielded 190 candidates who will contest for seats both in the state council and House of Peoples' Representatives in the upcoming national elections. TPLF Organizational Affairs Head Gobezay Wolde-Aregay said the candidates comprise women, youth, intellectuals and farmers. Some 40 per cent of the 38 candidates the Front fielded to contest for seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives are women with a view to increasing the participation of women, he said. Women also constitute 50 per cent of the 152 candidates fielded for seats in the state council, Gobezay said. He said serving the public with honest and diligence are the main criteria taken to choose the candidates but they will be replaced if they do not meet the requirement following evaluation by the public and members of the Front next month. NEB licenses CUD as national political party ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) has been certified as a political party operating across the nation, the National Electoral Board (NEB) said. The board told ENA yesterday that the political party, which is a coalition of five political organizations, was licensed as a national party as of 26 November 2004. The party has got legal recognition after the Board deliberated yesterday on the application of the Coalition as the other member parties of the Coalition had already been accredited, acting registrar of the Political Parties' Registration Office with the Board, Mekonnen Wondimu said. Members of the Coalition have submitted a merger document to the Board on 24 November 2004, he said, adding the Board granted the license to CUD after evaluating the document. According to the document, every political party joining the Coalition remains with its legal recognition, though the members of the Coalition agreed not to field a candidate anywhere another member of the Coalition is contesting. The Board has granted licenses to 72 political parties so far out of which 16 are operating at national level, the registrar said. November 28, 2004 IAAF pledges enhanced support to athletics in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has pledged continued assistance to athletics activities in Ethiopia. The Senegalese IAAF President Lamine Diack made the announcement here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Diack told journalists that IAAF will support the training and construction activities of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF). IAAF has been working in partnership with Ethiopia over the past four decades and its relations with the incumbent national federation of Ethiopia remains momentous, Diack said. Diack said his discussions with Prime Minister Meles centred on issues of enhancing partnership to strengthen athletics activities in Ethiopia. He said he looks forward to partaking next year's Ethiopian Great Run. During talks, Prime Minister Meles told Diack that various projects geared towards augmenting athletics in Ethiopia have well been in the pipeline. Meles said his government attaches due attention to the activities targeted at bolstering athletics in Ethiopia, and affirmed support to IAAF in its intervention in national athletics endeavours. The two parties have also exchanged views on ways of drawing enhanced international partnership to strengthen Ethiopia's athletics, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ambassador Teshome Toga said. IAAF has pledged to provide support to renew the Addis Ababa Stadium's track, Ambassador Teshome who attended the meeting said. It has also pledged to socialite support for the implementation of the Sendafa Athletics Village Project, he said. EAF has launched activities to construct athletics centres in the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states, according to the Minister. France commends Ethiopia's peace initiative ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz said the peace initiatives proposed by Ethiopia to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute is constructive and acceptable by his country. Ambassador Gompertz, in an exclusive interview with WIC Friday, said the new peace initiative would help resolve the border conflict between the two countries. He said the two countries could address their socio-economic problems by disengaging themselves from war and holding dialogue. According to the ambassador, the idea of resolving the Ethio-Eritrea conflict by peaceful means and the four other points indicated in the initiative reflect the desire of Ethiopia to do away with poverty. The ambassador promised consultancy, technical, professional and other supports for the success of the peace agreement. France and Germany resolved years long disputes not by war, but through dialogue of the two governments and peoples, he said, and hoped that Ethiopia and Eritrea too would address their problems through the same peaceful means. "Higher education crucial to build democracy" - EPRDF "Current education system violates academic freedom" - Oppositions by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - Representatives of the ruling Ethiopia Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), said that the current education policy is aimed not only at producing skilled manpower at higher level but also crucial to mould responsible citizens who strive to ensure good governance and democracy. Opposition parties on the other hand, indicated that the policy violates academic freedom especially in the higher institutions. At an electoral debate organized by the Addis Ababa University for the third time and held at the Ethiopian Convention Centre yesterday, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) debated on the country's higher education system. Accordingly, EPRDF defended the system while the three opposition parties explained their optional policies criticizing that of the EPRDF. EPRDF representatives, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde described the current policy as sound and appropriate on mainly because it is a means to achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. They said that the policy was designed in such a way that it would support the secondary education to fulfil the urgent trained manpower need of the country. It has also given greater attention to innovative approach and with the introduction of scientific and technological knowledge. According to EPRDF representatives, all stakeholders and pertinent scholars in particular, were involved in designing the policy, the ministers added. They further explained that a number of higher institutions have been constructed to train scholars in various fields of study giving speciale phases to fair distribution among states. They also indicated that the number of universities reached eight and the annual enrolment of higher institutions exceeded 30,000 as compared to years back when there were only two universities and 3,076 students enrolled in the higher institutions. In addition, the number of female students and teachers in this area increased from 3 to 13 and 10 to 30 per cent respectively during the same period, they pointed out. Furthermore, the annual enrolment rate in the post graduate programme has increased from 200 to 2,000 during the same time interval to with quality higher education. Speaking about cost sharing which the opposition parties have unanimously objected, the representatives said that it is meant to enhance the quality of education as the country's resource couldn't cover all education costs at this level. UEDF representatives on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in meeting the needs of the society, avoiding freshman courses in higher institutions, ensuring academic freedom and focusing on quantity at the expense of the quality. They said that if they come to power, their party would work focusing on building institution and human capacity with the provision of necessary educational materials so to make the institutions centres of excellence. UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part said that their party has already designed a new policy that would ensure academic freedom, encourage love-for-work, build innovative ability and self-confidence. The party representatives also said that they would raise the salary of instructors and restructure the administration system of higher institutions. They also indicated that they would allocate adequate budget for education as whole and higher institutions in particular. AEDP representatives are also of the opinion that the current policy has failed to produce the desired manpower because it is designed to promote political objectives. In addition, they criticized the policy for giving less emphasis to quality and inability to provide students and instructors with the necessary support. They told the gathering that their party would strive to solve all these problems in higher institutions. Opening the debate, President of AAU Andreas Eshete said that the debate is instrumental in coming up with constructive ideas and looking into the defects of the current policy. In this regard, the President underscored the importance of an appropriate policy to the country presenting it to the general public for discussion rather than accusing one another. Teachers and students' representatives; higher institution instructors, administrators and students; party members as well as dignitaries attended the four-hour live televised and braod-casted debate. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.29,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 30 15:05:46 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:38 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041130130547.25757.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 30, 2004 President stresses int'l partnership to resolve African conflict situation by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that international solidarity and co-operation are vital for Africa to overcome one of its challenges - conflict. Opening a three day international conference "African Conflict Management, Resolution, Post-conflict Recovery and Development" at the UNECA Conference Hall yesterday, the President underscored the importance of international co-operation in addition to the greater effort by Africa through continental and sub-regional organizations to mitigate and eventually resolve conflict situations in the continent. According to the President, lack of economic and social development and the hopelessness engendered by the same contributed to fueling conflicts in the continent. At the conference, organized by Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) President Girma underlined the need for strengthening international partnership in addressing the root causes as well as management of conflicts with the requisite determination and seriousness of purpose. The President also commended Africa's effort mainly by the African Union, IGAD and ECOWAS to enable the continent address its challenges in this area and manage the problem in specific regions of the continent. "It is not all doom and gloom in our continent. Indeed there have been real improvements in Africa in addressing the challenges of conflict." Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies Prof. Ali Maxrui on his part told the gathering that the overall pattern of violence on the African continent is disturbing and deserves analysis. "There are no simple and easy explanations for conflicts in Africa and the theories that have been advanced are both numerous and contradictory." According to the Professor, black violence of white roots; political boundaries created by colonial powers; religion and ethnicity; resource and identity; modern weapons and pre-modern armies as well as dualism and pluralism are the roots of conflict in Africa. "In the modern world, external aggression is no longer a viable mans of forging unity and building states. International way has become too dangerous. Africa must look to other solutions to bring an end to divisiveness," Prof. Mazrui indicated. As to the Director, cultivating toleration, developing pluralism of parties, improving civil-military relations, giving greater voice to African women and fostering innovative Pan-African solutions are some of the measures that should be applied by African nations to make positive and constructive moves to reduce and resolve conflicts. Also on the occasion, OSSREA Executive Secretary Dr. Alfred G. Nhema said that his organizations, established in 1980, is dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of research in the social science from a multi-disciplinary perspective through its mission of promoting dialogue and interaction between social scientists and policy-makers in the sub-region with the aim of strengthening the impact of research on policy formulation and development planning. "OSSREA is committed to the creation of an environment that encourages the fostering of a serious and prominent scholarly research and capacity-building institution that acts as the first part of call for our academics researchers, policy makers and the public at large," the Executive Secretary noted. Over 150 participants from various parts of the world are in attendance at the conference aimed at examining African conflicts, their management, resolution strategies, as well as mechanisms for post-conflict recovery and development while in which over 62 papers would be presented. Ethiopia MDGs need review assessment workshop opens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Ethiopia would achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through scaling up and accelerated implementation of development programmes complemented by increased international commitment. Speaking at a national workshop kicked off here yesterday to review the MDGs need assessment for Ethiopia, Addisu Legesse said Ethiopia would attain the MDGs by increasing and speeding up implementation of development programmes. He said, "… it is not difficult to realize the immense challenges facing Ethiopia to generate, sustained rapid broad-based growth and poverty reduction and hence realize the MDGs". Addisu said despite the challenges, Ethiopia could attain the MDGs through scaling up and action. The fundamental development objective of Ethiopia is to fight poverty, he said adding that capacity building in public and private sectors is critical in this regard. UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Modibo Toure commended Ethiopia's demonstrated commitment to meeting MDGs. He said, "Ethiopia is now the pioneer in MDGs-based Needs Assessment". Tour urged the international community to support Ethiopia's commitment towards achieving the goals. According to the representative, as a pilot country for the Millennium project, relevant line ministries and departments have drafted sectoral need assessments for rural development and food security, water, sanitation, health, education, private sector and trade as well as urban development. World Bank Country Director Ishac Diwan on his part said it is proper to ask whether the direction being pursued to meeting the MDGs would bring solutions. He said it is also important to question the plans set, visibility of the plans, availability of resources and other relevant questions. Diwan said WB would extend every support to Ethiopia towards achieving the MDGs. Ethiopia has been undertaking Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP) for three years now and nearing completion, head of Economic Policy and Plan Department with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Getachew Adem said. Ethiopia will achieve the MDGs if it obtains the necessary resources in the coming 11 years, he said adding that the support of partners in this regard is valuable. Getachew said UNDP and WB have expressed their readiness to render support to Ethiopia to realizing the MDGs. Senior government officials, representatives of the states, donors, private sectors and civil society organizations are in attendance at the three day long workshop. House decided plebiscite be held in 29 kebeles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board sad that the House of Federation has decided that a plebiscite would be held in the remaining 29 kebeles over which Somali and Oromia states, have territorial claims. Ethics Senior Professional with the Board Wondimu Mekonnen told ENA Sunday that the House had decided for the holding of the plebiscite for the second time in 29 out of the 39 kebeles. Wondimu said the timetable for the holding of the plebiscite in the kebeles, would be issued soon. The plebiscite will be held before the forthcoming regional and national elections take place, he said. Conductive situations have been created so far to hold the plebiscite in kebeles in Moyale Woreda, he added. Romania keen to further strengthen bilateral ties with Ethiopia by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - The Embassy of Romania said that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Romania are growing from time, to time. In a press conference called yesterday in connection with the country's National Day to be marked December 1, 2004, Charge d'Affaires Marius Nicolescu said" "With both country's placing due emphasis on economic diplomacy at the core of their international relations, economic ties between them have to be strengthened in the years ahead." The Embassy has designed a new strategy for boosting bilateral ties mainly in the economic field, he said. A bilateral agreement for avoiding double taxation and a memorandum of understanding for export promotion have been also singed, according to the charge d'affaires. The two countries are negotiating to conclude commercial and investment agreement, he said. Ethiopian and Romanian business delegation have also made reciprocal visits, he said. He added that the Romania-Ethiopia business website was launched for use by the two chambers of commerce. He also said that a strong agency that would communicate and provide detailed and relevant information whenever tender is floated in Ethiopia is desperately needed by business firms in Romania. The goods Romania exports to Ethiopia among others include building materials, glass sheets, wool product, chemicals and paper items while its companies are importing coffee, tea, hides and skin, he said. Mr. Nicolescu commended the Ethiopian Government for its commitment to have debate and discussion with opposition political parties prior to the upcoming national and regional election. Ethiopia and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1957. Great Run noble cause in fighting HIV/AIDS spread: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stressed the need to extend support to enable Ethiopians to involve actively and as much as possible in the Ethiopian Great Run. While addressing the more than 20,000 crowd who were taking part in the Ethiopian 2004 Run which took place here on Sunday in the metropolis, Meles said the Great Run is intended, among others, to promote athletics, and involve as many young people as possible in such a healthy endeavour. Meles said that the Great Run deserves respect and support for it is a noble cause in fighting the spread of the pandemic. "Allow me to express how pleased to be with you today on the occasion of the start of the Great Run," the Prime Minister said. "This Great Run is intended… among other things, to highlight the threat HIV/AIDS poses to the future of our country and to mobilize the people in the fight against the scourge," Meles said. "Each and every one of these objectives are noble objectives that deserve the support of everyone," he added. The Prime Minister thanked the organizers, particularly, Athlete Major Haile Gebre-Silassie for initiating and sustaining "this great initiative" and the participants in general. The 23-year-old Athlete Abebe Dinkessa finished first, Athlete Zenbaba Yigezu second and Athlete Maeregu Zewde third in the 10-kms road race. Athletics Abebe, Zenbaba and Maeregu finished the race in 29 minutes and 57 seconds, 30 minutes and 01 seconds and 30 minutes 04 seconds respectively. In the women's race, athletes Genet Getaneh, Taiba Erkeso and Eyerusalm Kuma completed first, second and third place respectively. A new feature of this year's event is a special Tricycle Race for 25 disabled participants, which was conducted before the start of the mass race. The tricycles were provided by Cheshire services. Great Run was also attended by Mr. Lamine Diack President of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF), senior government officials and resident ambassadors as well as invited guests. Meanwhile, in messages read out at the event, President Girma, Wolde-Giorgis City Mayor Arkebe Ekubay and Athlete Haile Gebre-Silassie called on the society at large to protect itself from HIV/AIDS. The Messages, prepared by the Ethiopia News Agency in cooperation with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office pointed out that the society should put into practice HIV/AIDS education. According to the messages, the public should understand well the messages such as "Value Your Life" and "Save Your Life" to develop the culture of self-control and abstain from promiscuous sex. President Girma stressed the need in his message not to discriminate and stigmatize but rather provide care and support to those living with the virus for doing so would further fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS. Showing sympathy to people living with the virus by avoiding discrimination and stigmatization would help save dozens of lives, he said. Arkebe said in his message that he was very much concerned about women, for "my fellow sisters with the age group of 15-24 are more exposed to HIV/AIDS that their membrethrens." He expressed hope that the problem would be tackled through the joint efforts of the city residents. Athlete Haile on his part said that the impact of HIV/AIDS coupled with poverty has become a serious threat to the country. He said continuous education should be provided to the society to minimize the spread of the pandemic. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.30,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 2 10:56:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:41 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041102085613.89139.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> October 30, 2004 Electoral Board to distribute candidacy endorsement signatures form ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The office of the National Electoral Board says it would begin distributing the form for of candidacy endorsement signature as of today. Deputy Office Head Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that interested candidates to compete in the upcoming national elections could collect the form either from their woredas or the headquarters of the National Electoral Board. He said private and candidates represented by political parties could begin the collection of signatures in their election constituencies and woredas. Private candidates are expected to bring the signatures of 1,000 supporters for verification, he said, adding that candidates represented by political parties could collect 500 signatures or above. He said the office has distributed fliers and election documents to most parts of the country. The collection of candidacy endorsement signature could take place until 6 January 2005, he said. First phase of Nile Basin project study finalized Addis to host African pre-conference on "Water for Food and Ecosystem" ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The first phase of the Nile Basin Project Study aimed at ensuring integrated water resource management among the Nile Riparian Countries has been finalized, coordinator of a project establishing a Nile Basin Authority said. The Coordinator, Fik Ahmed said Benshangul Gumuz is one of the various states benefiting from the Nile Basin Initiative. The coordinator made the statement here Thursday while speaking at a meeting aimed at introducing the findings of the study to the state executive bodies. The project study, which is underway as per the Master Plan of the Nile Basin Initiative, would help to establish an institution responsible to streamline the water resource management of the basin. The coordinator also said the study would be instrumental in providing valuable information on the implementation of the Master Plan among the federal and state offices. Experts explained the plan and implementation of the Nile Basin during the day-long meeting. Meanwhile, an African Pre-Conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems will take place here in Addis Ababa from 4-6 November this year, to feed into an international conference on the same topic scheduled to be held from January 31 - February 5, 2005 in the Hague. Organizers said focus of the discussion during the Pre-Conference is on realising sustainable water management for food production and ecosystem functions, building on ongoing activities like the Dialogue on Water, and Food and Environment. The conference aims to bring together around 100 representatives from governments, and observers from Pan African NGOs and the private sector, with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. The conference is organized by the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of the Netherlands. The Secretariat of the Conference is based in the FAO Office in Addis Ababa. Dev't can be attained only through ensuring good governance: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, it its weekly statement issued yesterday said that there is tangible evidence that asserts the possibility of extricating our country from poverty and backwardness. For sure, this attests to the fact that strengthening and sustaining the development activities with the massive participation of all citizens will absolve our country from the dreadful poverty within a short period of time, the statement said. According to the statement, the Ethiopian Government has reiterated time and again, its policy documents that huge human, land and other natural resources are the main assets to be developed so as to overcome the bitting poverty. The Statement also said that mitigating poverty and backwardness without instituting good governance and democratization is inconceivable. The statement further said that only people's concoction; determination and commitment to work hard can bring about a meaningful change in any country including ours. Of course, real development can be realized only when people deliberate and decide freely on their own destiny, it said. Based on this tacit understanding, the farmers' conferences that are underway in the country are the platforms that enhance people's genuine participation, the statement said, adding that the conferences are meant to evaluate the farmers' performances of the previous year. In realizing the ongoing activities of the farmers, the government has submitted a plan to the conference stipulating improvements on communal projects and with more emphasis on private plots, the statement said. October 31, 2004 UNMEE opens 5th outreach centre in Adigrat ADIGRAT, TIGRAY - The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) opened its fifth outreach centre in Adigrat Friday, October 29,2004. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNMEE Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila said that the centre would be of greater use in the provision of information on the activities of the Mission in particular and that of the UN in general. Ambassador Legwaila also indicated that UNMEE would use the centre as a channel to impart its message of the peace to the residents of the town and its environs visiting the centre and through its staff who make similar visits to the area. In addition, the opening of the centre would create conditions conductive to the final stage of the peace process- boarder demarcation - Ambassador Legwaila said. According to the Ambassador, Adigrat was chosen not only because it is the headquarters of sector centre and home to the 15th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry - otherwise known as INDBATT - but more importantly because of its convenient location at the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Adigrat City Mayor Goitom Negash on his part said that the centre would enable to improve the relationship between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea - through its adequate information on UNMEE and the UN towards their effort to safeguarding peace in the area. "The centre could also serve as a powerful instrument in ensuring development through the various organs involved and improving the quality (UNMEE P.7) Higher learning institutions should intensify efforts to bring about national transformation: Kassu HARAR (ENA) - The Alemaya University and other institutions of higher learning engaged in training manpower should enhance efforts more than ever to bring about national transformation through national capacity, Minister of infrastructure said. Higher learning institutions are responsible in cultivating efficient manpower towards the realization of rural centered development strategy the country is pursuing, Dr. Kassu Illala said. Speaking at the golder jubilee celebration of the Alemaya University yesterday, the minister said a daunting task is expected to the university in a bid to get rid of the age-old farming methods we inherited from our forefathers. The university is autonomous, Kassu said adding a more enabling environment has been created for the university to enable it move in the right direction on its own initiative. He said the university that graduated only 11 students with degree in agricultural science 50 years ago has now reached at a level where it has the capacity of graduating 1,500 students up to doctorate level. The university at present is training over 10,000 students in one or the other faculties of education, agriculture, health, animal science, medical science, business and economics engineering and law, Deputy President of the University, Dr. Belay Kassa said. He said the university is offering education in 62 programmes at certificate, diploma, degree, masters and doctorate degree levels at the education institutions it established in Alemaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga towns. A panel discussion was held on five papers and an exhibition depicting the university's activities over the past 50 years was staged in connection with the anniversary. The golden jubilee would continue today and medals and certificates would be awarded to individuals and institutions that made outstanding contributions in the agricultural sector. Since its establishment, the Alemaya University has graduated close to 14,000 students in various education fields and levels of life affected by the conflict," the Mayor added. The Centre in Adigrat is the 3rd in Ethiopia while the two are located in Addis Ababa and Makalle. So far, over 63,000 people have visited the Makalle outreach center. Members of the UNMEE Central Command and colleagues, representatives of the local authority in Adigrat, members of the NGO community, religious leaders, and other invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony. November 2, 2004 EPRDF, opposition party to hold discussion on election issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), and an opposition party, Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU) would hold a discussion aimed at working together on issues of election, the office of the EPRDF announced yesterday. The office said in its statement sent to ENA that the two parties would discuss, among others, agendas, that would enable them to work together in accordance with the agreement reached earlier between the representatives of the EPRDF and EDFU. The statement said EPRDF is desirous to reach agreement through discussion on election matters and other related issues by working together with those opposition parties, which it said, are legal and peaceful. The statement recalled that the representatives of EPRDF and members of the executives of opposition parties have been holding discussions both in person and through telephone at various times and occasions on issues of election. Pointing out that it is the unrestricted freedom of the public that ensures democracy, EPRDF said it would be necessary to create a forum that would serve all parties equally during election by removing impediments. Accordingly, all parties need to operate by respecting the national Constitution and Electoral Law. The statement said EPRDF has finalized preparation to make the 1997 E.C. national and state elections fair and democratic. It said the two previous elections had ensured the supremacy of the people and added that EPRDF is discharging its responsibilities now to make the upcoming elections fair and free. Meles arrives in China ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Xian, China Sunday on a week-long visit to the country. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the airport by Chinese senior government officials. The delegation, which started its visit in Shanxi Province, an exemplary province in its economic growth, will also visit an irrigation development activities that have enabled China to achieve rapid development and a model city, which has managed to extricate itself from poverty in a very short period of time. The delegation was to leave for Beijing, where it would hold talks with senior Chinese government officials, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks between the two sides will focus on issues of human resources development, tourism, trade and investment, among others. They will also hold discussions on ways of enabling Ethiopia to benefit from the privilege of exporting its certain commodities to China free of quota and duty. The visit is expected to create a special opportunity for Ethiopia to promote its tourism potential in China, according to the spokesperson. The high-level delegation which includes Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Finance and Economic State Minister Dr. Mulu Ketsela, Agriculture and Rural Development State Minister Belay Ejigu and other senior government officials left here for China Saturday midnight. It is to be recalled that a similar visit was made to China by a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by prime Minister Meles. Tripartite ministerial meet to be held here Friday ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia - comprising Sana'a Gathering for Cooperation - will meet in Ethiopia Friday, Yemen Times quoted a Yemeni official source as saying Sunday. Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi said that the meeting that will include the political and economic committees would look into several issues including the arrangement of the meeting of the presidents of the three states in the Sudan by the end of December. The meeting will also discuss drafts for a number of agreements to promote investments and organize commercial relations aiming to set up a free trade market between the three countries. The situation in Darfur as well as in Somalia particularly after the election of the new president Abdullahi Yusuf will be considered. The meeting of the foreign ministers will be followed by a meeting of the security committee in the three states. An agreement providing for the establishment of the gathering was signed by the end of December 2003 at a summit of the three counties in Ethiopia. Afar State said conducive to investment activities ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Deputy Chief Administrator of the Afar State called upon investors to get engaged in the agricultural investment activities, including in cotton production, as the state has created conducive atmosphere for investors. While paying field visit to the Gweane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company, Mohamed Tahiro Hamadu said the agricultural investments on cotton and sesame production could particularly bear fruit with the utilization of the Awash Basin and its tributaries. The state administration is providing all the necessary support to the Gewane Agricultural Development Company as it is working in harmony with the state's administration and the clan leaders; and is also creating job opportunities to the inhabitants in the state, he said. The State Administration is currently engaged in the preparation engaged in the preparation of pertinent policy, directive and regulation on land utilization and administration, he said, adding that, the effecting of the policy is believed to be instrumental in attracting investment flows to the state. Gewane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company General Manager, Tsegaye Tekle-Mariam said on his part that the company is engaged in the cultivation of cotton on over 1,000 hectares of land in the state with an outlay of 10 million birr. According to the general manager, the company is supplying its produce to local and foreign market and the textile industries with cotton production creating jobs to close to 4,000 citizens. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.2,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 3 15:56:59 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:41 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041103135659.37606.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 3, 2004 EPRDF accepts majority of electoral law amendments proposed by oppositions by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) disclosed that it has agreed in principle to the majority of proposals put forward by the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and other opposition parties to revise the existing electoral law. In a joint communiqué EPRDF and UEDF issued yesterday following discussions on election matters, EPRDF announced its consent to accept in principle all except two of some 29 amendment proposals made by oppositions. The Front has also expressed its readiness to work for the implementation of agreed amendments through proper government channels. Proposed revisions on issues related to changing the plurality of votes election system to a proportional representation one and replacing the existing electoral board with a new body comprising representatives of parties were not accepted by EPRDF. The UEDF described the initiative taken by the ruling party as a step forward and expressed its desire to continue negotiations on matters the two parties have held differing positions. "We have agreed to commit ourselves to ensuring the democratic nature of the election process by preempting election irregularities which might be created by members and supporters of both parties," executives of EPRDF and UEDF told a press conference held at Sheraton Addis. EPRDF indicated that it would soon make public a code of conduct it prepared as a guideline for its members and supporters taking part in the upcoming elections. UEDF on its part said that it would design its own election code of conduct by which its members and supports abide. The two parties have also reached a consensus to establish joint committees from federal down to grassroots levels with a view to addressing irregularities that might be encountered during the election process. UEDF has expressed its strong interest to participate in the national election to be held for the third time in the coming May. UEDF also said it would exert utmost efforts to enable all its member parties to take in the election. EPRDF on its part said that it was encouraged to learn that some member parties of the UEDF which were promoting armed struggle have decided to follow the peaceful path. The Front, however, indicated that it would not negotiate with these parties on election matters unless they officially renounce their former positions. Information Minister Bereket Simon, who is also Public Relations Head with EPRDF and Tsegaye Mammo, Organizational Affairs Head with the Front, signed the agreement on the part of EPRDF. Dr. Merera Gudina, Chairman of UEDF and Dr. Beyene Petros, its First Vice Chairman, signed the agreement for UEDF. UEDF is a coalition established last Ethiopian year with an initial membership of 15 political parties operating here and abroad. Meles to visit Germany, Austria ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will lead a high-level delegation to Germany and Austria in official visits to begin November 10, 2004. During the visits, Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with senior authorities in the two countries on bilateral and other issues of common interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in press release issued yesterday. The delegation is also scheduled to discuss relevant issues with representatives of the business community in the two countries, the release said. Meanwhile, a German delegation led by President Horst Kohler will pay an official visit to Ethiopia as of December 12, the same release said. President Kohler is expected to hold talks with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He is also scheduled to visit the Ethiopian Parliament and deliver a speech at the Office of the Commission of the African Union. President Kohler is also expected to tour various projects and institutions in Ethiopia, the release said citing a tentative programme of the visit. NEB certifies 69 political parties for election ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said it has issued eligibility certificates on 69 political parties, which are expected to take part in the upcoming national election. NEB has already given the legitimacy certificates to 69 political parties which are expected to compete in the third national election scheduled in May 2005, Acting Registrar of political parties with the Board, Mekonnen Wodaje told ENA yesterday. He said 13 of the political parties are operating at a national level while the remaining have state realm of influence. According to the official one of the parties is established by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. The Board is not only registering political parties but also monitoring them as it is part of its duties and responsibilities, he said. Some 40 million people are expected to cast votes in the upcoming national election, he said, adding the Board has already completed preparations of ballots. The NEB has also disclosed that contending candidates have already started collecting endorsement signatures as per the schedule. Some 547 members of the peoples representatives are expected to be elected at 547 constituencies, he said, adding all constituencies and polling stations, which were used during the previous two national election. Experiences gained during the previous national elections would be utilized with a view to carrying out free and fair election across the nation, he added. House passes three bills ratifying loan agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives passed three bills providing for the ratification of three loan agreements with a unanimous vote in its regular session held yesterday. The bills ratify the Loan Agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Credit Agreement between Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA). According to the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the bank would grant 6.24 million USD for financing the Kibre-Mengist Town Water Supply Project. The Credit Agreement signed between Ethiopian and IDA would enable Ethiopia get 66.9 million SDR (100 million USD) from IDA for financing Public Sector Capacity Building Programme Support Project. The other Credit Agreement would enable Ethiopia obtain a sum of 51.1 million SDR (75 million USD) from IDA for financing Water Supply and Sanitation Project, according to the agreement. According to the agreements, the loans are interest free, and compatible with the country's loan strategy. The loans are payable in 40 years with a ten-year grace period. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov. 3,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 4 11:05:43 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:41 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041104090543.74859.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> November 4, 2004 China desires to consolidate bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country desires to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. During talks held in Beijing with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday, the two sides have agreed to work in cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Ethiopia and China agreed to work in cooperation mainly in the economic, technique and education sectors. The Chinese President also lauded the leading role of Prime Minister Meles in widening the sphere of cooperation of the two countries and strengthening the longstanding relations that survived the test of time. The two sides have expressed satisfaction over their discussions and the understanding reached to raise the cooperation to a new level high in the years ahead. The Chinese President said also Ethiopia could lay a pivotal role in enabling China to consolidate its cooperation with other African countries. Prime Minister Meles said he was impressed by China's economic growth and development that took place in a relatively short period of time. He said the cooperation of the two countries has entered in to a new chapter during the last few years, adding that it was the interest of Africa to consolidate its cooperation with the emerging economic and power house of Asia. Prime Minister Meles also met and held discussions with members of the National Commission charged with the task of leading the Chinese Economic Reform Programme. Meles met and briefed 30 African resident ambassadors on the African Commission and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles signed a cooperation agreement Tuesday with the Chinese officials on economic, education and technique sectors, among others. An agreement was also reached to work in cooperation in the agriculture, textile, and infrastructure development and tourism fields as well, according to an official with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MPs child right training seminar preparatory meet opens by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dr. Petros Olango, said that Ethiopia is exerting utmost efforts in implementing child rights in conformity with national laws and international conventions making a series revisions on the former to make them compatible with the latter. Addressing the Preparatory Meeting for the seminar on the Training on Child Rights with Parliamentarians in Ethiopia held at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Dr. Petros said that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) has the mandate for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). "The parliament has an important role in overseeing the implementation of policies and programmes in accordance with the international conventions and national laws that effect children and youths", he said. Dr. Petros further said that the Social Affairs Standing Committee of the House has day-to-day oversight of the MOLSA. The Committee follows up the implementation of the recommendations of the UNC and CRC Committees within concerned Ministries and that of the National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children, he said. "Ethiopia is a country of young generation. More than half of our population consists of children and youths. And it is only with the provision of proper services like health and education to this group as well as protecting them from violence that our fight against abject poverty will be facilitated and sustainable development attained", he said. Mrs. Simone EK, Senior Advisor on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Europe and Sweden, in her opening remark lauded the Ethiopian Constitution for it contains a provision on children's rights. Simone EK on the occasion suggested some proposals for dialogue to further strengthen the political will, to apply the rights of the child and make a reality of the UN Convention and the rights of the child in an African context. The suggestions include, among others improving the knowledge of MPs on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; enabling MPs to have a better understanding of the rights of the child within the African context; and defining their role in the monitoring and general implementation of UN conventions on the rights of the child. Co-organized by Save the Children Sweden, Eastern and Central Africa Regional Office and the Social Affairs Standing Committee the two-day meeting was aimed at planning for a training seminar on child rights to be held in Addis in March-April 2005. Invited MPs from Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, South Africa and Sweden are expected to attend the seminar. The meeting is expected to come up with important plan and recommendations for the realization of the right of children in Ethiopia. Project to offer training to enhance women's political skills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Some 1,500 women will be offered trainers training as part of women's political skills project, a cross party NGO project funded by the British Council targeted to train in turn another 5,000 women in many different parts of the country to encourage women to actively participate in the upcoming state and national elections. Some 20 of the women drawn from the ruling, Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition parties as well as women associations have already begun to attend the training. The project has two main aims to spread the message: that every woman in Ethiopia has a right to vote as she wishes and to encourage as many women as possible to stand as candidates at the next election, according to a press statement issued by the Council. "Training is now taking place to encourage women to exercise their rights to participate," it said. People will vote for women candidates as they believe them to be more honest, hardworking and concerned about the needs of the ordinary people, the statement said. It said the participating parties and NGOs are currently are completing the cascade training which focuses on training awareness of rights, especially to political participation. President calls on World Vision to focus on health, environmental programmes ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said it would have a great importance if World Vision should focus on health and environmental development activities in Ethiopia. While conferring with World Vision International President Dean Hirsch here yesterday at the National Palace, President Girma said the organization would achieve fruitful results if it involves in HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental protection programmes. He said World Vision has a significant contribution in enhancing education and other development activities in different parts of the country. Girma expressed hope that World Vision would continue its development assistance to Ethiopia in the years ahead. Hirsch told journalists after the talks that his organization has been extending support to various development projects in the agriculture, health, environmental protection and health sectors, among others. World Vision has managed to transplant five million various tree seedlings through the popular participation of the public while it has been involved in HIV/AIDS intervention activities, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Hirsch as saying. Hirsch assured President Girma that his organization would further be continued. He said World Vision has made a 47 million birr support to Ethiopia. Hirsch is on a four-day working visit to Ethiopia. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.4,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 5 14:06:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:41 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041105120608.4235.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 5, 2004 Addisu says Africa's dev't ambition hinges on feeding itself ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse said that Africa cannot achieve its ambition for development, unless it can feed itself. Addis made the remark while opening African pre-conference: "Water for Food and Ecosystem" at the UN Conference Centre here yesterday. African governments must rise to the challenge of ensuring food self-sufficiency, he said, adding that they must also have the political will and commitment to implement the outcome of this pre-conference for accelerated, but environmentally friendly, and sustained development. Addisu who is also Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that both the Constitutive Act of the African Union and NEPAD provide the vision and programmes for the collective development of the continent. At the country level, however, he said, success would hinge on the kind of policies, programmes and resource as well as partnership, which governments would be prepared to put inplace to meet the challenges of food insecurity. Addisu said that sustainable use of water is of vital importance for the planet earth because it is fundamental for both food production and well functioning of the ecosystems. However, he said, unsustainable water use is very common, specially in African continent. Addisu said population growth and the expansion of water use per capita put increasing pressure on the availability and quality of water resources and the ecosystems as well. Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission Ms. Rosebud Kurwijila, said on her part that while there is considerable agricultural production potential in the form of vast arable land areas, actual food production of the continent is amongst the lowest in the world. She said that the governments and the people's inability to efficiently harness the limited fresh water resources and the insufficiency of strong inter-governmental trance-boundary water management institutions has largely constrained the continent's ability to develop and equitably distribute its water endowment. Growth in agriculture is the most beneficial for the poor because a one per cent increase in yield results in a decrease of 0.6 to 1.2 per cent of people living on less than one USD per day, Assistant Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Dr. Louise Fresco said. She said accordingly, Africa needs to continue to invest in unlocking the potential of its diversified agricultural systems- in rain fed agriculture, mittigation and mixed system. The outcome of the African pre-conference will be presented to an international conference on water for food to be held Jan. 31 - Feb. 5,2005 in the Hague, the Netherlands, as an input in its further discussion. The three day conference, held under the slogan "Make it Happen" was organized by the government of Ethiopia in cooperation with the African Union, FAO and the Danish Government. The conference, has brought together 100 representatives from African governments and observers from Pan African NGO's and the private sector with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. AAU invites political parties to debate on education policy ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa University (AAU) has organized debate on the education policy in which contestant parties in the upcoming national election are invited. In a press conference, he gave yesterday, University President Prof. Andreas Eshite said that the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and Opposition parties - The Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Democratic League (EDC) and All Amhara Unity Party - would debate for three consecutive Saturday beginning November 13,2004. The debate, focusing on primary, secondary, vocational and higher education would be transmitted live on ETV and Radio, he said. The debate, in which all stakeholders will attend, would enable to know the pros and cons of the country's education policy, he said. It will also enable international organizations to make financial support to the education sector by identifying the strength and weakness of the education policy, Prof. Andreas said. African diplomacy should be geared towards addressing continent's challenges: Prof. Kinfe by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD), Prof. Kinfe Abraham says that African diplomacy has to be geared towards addressing the continent's challenges and curbing the multifaceted problems facing it. Opening a seminar "The Challenges and Opportunities of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century," at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Prof. Kinfe indicated that the current challenges require modern diplomacy 'not a traditional cocktail approach' for the world is in an age of interdependence and speedy pace of modernization and technological development. "It is only through effective collaboration that African states would be able to develop themselves which requires modernizing their approach to diplomacy. If Africa fails to meet these challenges urgently, it would b difficult to anticipate how it can extricate itself from the pincer-grip of poverty and underdevelopment," he said. According to Prof. Kinfe, building peace and security, reducing poverty, establishing good governance and strengthening regional cooperation vial regional and intercontinental organizations are the key challenges. In a paper "The Role of Diplomacy in international Development" presented to the seminar, French Ambassador Stephane Gompertz said that discussion between and among businessmen, governments as well as diplomats is very critical for countries' speedy development in this era. "Though the advantages of their respective countries should be prioritized, diplomats should also consider the common advantage and interest of others for the development of one undoubtedly helps the other," the Ambassador said. Israeli Ambassador Doron M. Grossman in his paer "Diplomacy and Challenges of International Terrorism," emphasized the need for prioritizing development agenda to fight terrorism effectively. He said that reducing social grievances, becoming active in the multilateral scenes, promoting intereligious discussions as well as creating a very sophisticated diplomatic mission are indispensable to diplomats and missions as well if they are to benefit their countries. Also on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Wassawa Biriggwa, presented a paper "The Challenges of the 21st Century of International Terrorism". He said that the issue of terrorism has to be clearly defined and action should be taken according to the principles set forward. "The world has to agree on what terrorism and terrorist groups mean, identify its root causes and relentlessly fight irresponsible use of weapons and trafficking of arms," the ambassador said. Ambassador Mohammed Ali and Ato Tesfaye Yilma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke on the theme: "The Challenges of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century." In their presentation, they said that Africa must take all measures to put the AU on a firm, solid and sustainable foundation. This they added, requires a fundamental process and ushering in a new national and regional economic order. Members of the diplomatic corps, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society representatives and other invited guests were in attendance at the day-long seminar that assessed the current status of African diplomacy including the challenges and opportunities and come up with constructive and practical ideas on how the continent's economic diplomacy is enhanced. Similar papers were also presented and discussions conducted on ideas forwarded. Prime Minister urges Chinese investors to take part in Ethiopia's dev't endeavour BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese entrepreneurs could play a leading role in the construction, infrastructure and natural resources development endeavours of Ethiopia by diverting their capitals and introducing the easily adaptable Chinese technology, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. During talks held in Beijing yesterday with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister, the Chinese investors mentioned problems in obtaining land, license and visa. Commenting on the issues, the Prime Minister said industrial zones were established in more than 50 towns to address the problem, adding that constructive measures have also been taken to provide effective services in issuing visa. The over 70 investors and company owners who held discussions with the Prime Minister have shown great desire to take part in the development endeavours of Ethiopia, according to Deputy President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Prime Minister Meles assured the Chinese investors that his government has been tirelessly working to provide effective services to those interested in investing in Ethiopia. The investors said in separate and group discussions with the Prime Minister, they faced problems in the accusation of land issuance of licenses and visa. The Prime Minister said land has been a problem both for the local and foreign investors until recently. He, however, said the government has taken measures believed to be instrumental in addressing the problems identified in the process of handling the request of investors. The Prime Minister said the new procedure put in place could enable the investors to receive timely and appropriate answers to their requests. The Chinese investors could contribute to the development of Ethiopia in investing in the infrastructure and development of natural resources, he said. The Prime Minister invited Chinese investors to come to Ethiopia like their fellow countrymen who have been engaged in the telecommunications, road and power generation schemes as well as in the mining sector. The investors could also benefit from exemption of taxes to their exports to European and North American markets in addition to that of the Chinese one, he said. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.5,2004 ===================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 10 15:47:00 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041110134700.55115.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 6, 2004 USAID extends agricultural marketing credit to agribusiness's ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday signed loan-guarantee agreements with two Ethiopian banks that will allow them to offer short and medium-term loans for marketing and capital investment in the coffee, food grains, horticulture, and livestock products sectors. USAID Mission Director in Ethiopia William Hammink, Awash International Bank President Leikun Berhanu and President of Bank of Abyssinia Kebede Temesgen signed the agreement, according to a press statement by the US Embassy. The agreements provide the banks with short and medium-term credit estimated 18 million USD over five years, allowing them to make loans that will benefit thousands of small holder farmers, agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses, it said. This increased rural lending supports the Government of Ethiopia's rural development strategy of accelerated rural economic growth, enhanced trade competitiveness, and private-sector-led development, according to the statement. It said the Bank of Abyssinia and Awash Bank have demonstrated their strong commitment to rural development by expanding the availability of short-term and medium-term loans for key economic sectors in five states. Farmers living in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states would b the beneficiaries of the loan services. Joint efforts of stakeholders said essential to implement result of plebiscite ADDIS ABABA - State administrations, residents, governmental bodies and other stakeholders are expected to exert efforts in the spirit of responsibility, transparency and accountability to implement the outcome of the recent plebiscite held to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of kebeles bordering the two states, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday, the ministry said the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is engaged in diverse activities to enhance the democratic system and good governance in the country, as it believes efforts aimed at ensuring an accelerated economic development cannot bear fruit in their absence. It is important to note that a constitutional and democratic measure was taken to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of about 463 kebeles, it said. The claims submitted by the two states to the House of the Federation were endorsed and a plebiscite was held in most of the contested kebeles, it said. The constitutional response to address the claims that are a decisive significance to ensure the rights of the peoples and economic development was a matter of great importance, the statement said. According to the statement, the prime objective of the plebiscite is to ensure peace, good governance, a democratic system and sustainable economic development to benefit all the peoples. Seminar on Somalia stabilization conducted ADDIS ABABA - A two-day AU Planning and Strategy Seminar on Implementing a Cessation of Hostilities in Somalia opened at the African Union Conference Centre (AUCC) in Addis Ababa last Thursday. A press release sent to the Herald by African Union indicated that the seminar was declared open by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit. Ambassador Djinnit at the occasion reiterated the disposition of the African Union to deploy a Military Observation Mission in Somalia. He stated that the role of the mission would be mainly to build confidence and work jointly with the Somalis in support of their efforts towards normalizing the situation in the country. According to the release, Ambassador Djinnit seized the opportunity to encourage the Somalis to consolidate the gains they made at Mbaghati, Kenya and to endeavour to strengthen reconciliation in their country, adding that they should opt for dialogue and a peaceful means in addressing their various challenges. The overall aim of the seminar was to assist in the development of the future AU role in Somalia, and that of other donor organizations, in order to enhance the chances of stabilization and the success of the transitional institutions in Somalia, it was learnt. Conducive situations being created too effectively implement Youth Policy: Minister GAMBELLA (ENA) - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Ambassador Teshome Toga said conductive situations are being created with a view to implementing youth affairs' policies. Addressing a national forum aimed at familiarizing Youth Policy and Awareness Raising Forum in Gambella town here yesterday, Ambassador Teshome said priority has been given to the implementation of youth policies effectively. The opening of bureaus in charge of following up youth affairs issues in states and enabling the youth to engage in various activities by being organized in association and the construction of youth centres in various states are some of the conducive situations that are being carried out, he said. Ambassador Teshome said efforts are also being exerted to establish a coalition of youth against HIV/AIDS at national level. He said a 10 year strategic plan that would enable to implement youth development programme would also be designed. More than 250 stakeholders from pertinent offices are in attendance at the forum. November 7, 2004 Meles returns home concluding China visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home late Friday concluding his week-long working visit to China. During his stay there, Meles had held talks with the Chinese President on ways of expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries. He had also visited the Chinese Modern Agricultural Technology Center in Xian City. According to an agreement reached between the two countries, 40 Ethiopians would pursue their education in Chinese higher learning institutions. China would also provide a seven million birr support to Ethiopia. The delegation led by Prime Minister was informed during its visit in a farmers' locality that the farmers in the locality have their own residence while their income reached to 3,000 USD annually. The Ethiopian delegation and Chinese President and Prime Minister discussed the enhancement of political and economic cooperation between the two countries extensively. According to the agreement reached between the two sides, Ethiopia was allowed to export certain commodity items to China free of tariff and quota. China has also expressed its readiness to subsidise its enterprises which are interested to buy Ethiopian products, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the talks. During the talks Meles had held with Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing, he gave briefings on the investment potential Ethiopia has in textile, tannery and sugar development sectors. He said those who are interested to invest in the sectors would enjoy the privilege of exporting their items into American and European countries free of tariff and quota. Meles said efforts are also being exerted to address problems related to land, visa and licenses, among others, as soon as possible. He also told the Chinese investors that industrial zones have been demarcated in 50 towns in the country, which are suitable for investment. Ethiopia elected AMCOW Deputy Chairman for Eastern African Region ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia was elected as Deputy Chairman and Executive Council Member of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) for Eastern Africa Sub-Region Thursday during the Council's 5th regular meeting underway in Entebbe, Uganda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. In a press statement it sent to ENA Friday, the Ministry said that the Council will have 13 members of which five will be elected from each sub-region. The statement said that Ethiopia was also elected as member of the recently established Governing Council of the African water facility representing the sub-region. The meeting of the members of the Technical Committee of the Council was held on November 2,2004. Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia states will work together to enhance dev't: Minister ASSOSA (ENA) - The peoples of the Benshangul-Gumuz and Oromia states would work together for the enhancement of development thereby reduce poverty by strengthening their longstanding relations and cooperation, Defence Minister Abadula Gemeda said. Abadula said the inhabitants of the two states would strive for the common prosperity of the states. Abadula made the remark while visiting development activities being undertaken Benshangul-Gumuz State here yesterday. The peoples of the two states had struggled jointly to remove the previous regime and build the existing democratic system, he said. Abadula said the executives of the two state administrations on their part have the responsibility to exert maximum efforts to enable the inhabitants of the two states benefit from development achievements. He also stressed the need to conserve natural resources existing along the borders of the two states jointly. Speaking on his part, Benshangul Gumuz State Administration Chief Yaregal Aysheshum said consolidated efforts are needed to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring states. November 9, 2004 USAID committed to continue extending assistance to Ethiopia: Assistant Administrator ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistances said his organization would continue to extend support to food security programme and humanitarian activities in Ethiopia. After holding talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here yesterday, the Assistant Director, Roger Winter said USAID would extend assistance to programmes launched to ensure food security and food as well as non-food assistance to needy people in the 2005. The American Government would also work together with Ethiopia on safety net programme, Winter said. The support USAID will be giving will include the supply of drinking water, health care and veterinary services as well as shelter. Winter said his government is also desirous of supporting the activities being made to make 5.2 million needy people self-reliant in food. Meles expressed hope during the talks that the assistance being extended to Ethiopia would further be strengthened. He said it is also his belief that the US Government would give quick response to food requirement needed by food-deficit people in the coming year, according to simoen Mechale, Commissioner of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, who attended the talks. Prime Minister Meles and Winter had held constructive discussions on the peace process in the Sudan and humanitarian affairs as well. The discussion between the two officials centered on humanitarian affairs, the Commissioner said. Ethiopia's foreign relations being consolidated ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia over the past decade has forged bilateral relations to an unprecedented level, the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) said. EIIPD Director, Prof. Kinfe Abreham told ENA over the weekend that the country's diplomatic relations with other countries has reached a higher level both in depth and strategy. Prof. Kinfe said that the strengthening of bilateral relations with the various states has helped raise not only inflow of financial assistance and loan but also brought about a huge debt cancellation. The director attributed the success to the working visits of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which in turn helped heads of states and government come to Ethiopia for the same cause. He also said that EIIPD has contributed a lot toward boosting bilateral relations with the provision of short and long-term trainings to Ethiopian diplomats. Ethiopian diplomats abroad have also been doing everything possible to boost economic ties between the various countries and attract foreign direct investment into the country, the director said. The institute has been providing times information on various issues to Ethiopian diplomats here and abroad with a view to boosting economic relations with the various states, he said. In addition, the institute had conducted a research on Ethio-Arab relations and published it for public consumption, the director said, adding the finding indicated that the relations have been gaining momentum from time to time. Prof. Kinfe also said that the institute has conducted a feasibility study on water resources management of the Nile Basin. The director indicated that the institute has published a book entitled: "China Comes to Africa" showing that China has become a lucrative business centre for Ethiopian products. Ethiopian honoured with 2004 hero in Medicine Award ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Eleanor, Chicago-based International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) honoured Ethiopian Dr. Yigeremu Abebe with the 2004 Hero in Medicine Award, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. IAPAC named Dr. Yigeremu winner at a dinner reception and award ceremony held in Washington on October 1,2004, the Ministry quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington as saying. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that Dr. Yigeremu won the award for his contributions in HIV/AIDS prevention and control as well as support for PLWHAs and patients in Ethiopia. Founded in 1995, IAPAC has membership of more than 12,000 physicians and health professionals. IAPAC has been intervening in global health issues, particularly in HIV/AIDS policy and care. The 2004 annual award was given out for the seventh time. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Kassahun Ayele was the guest of honour at the award ceremony, which was attended by prominent physicians, scientist and philanthropists, the ministry said in a press release. Konare expressed deep concern at situation in Cote d'Ivoire ADDIS ABABA - The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Alpah Oumar Konare, expressed his deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a press statement issued by AU Sunday disclosed. The Chairperson condemned the attacks by government forces on the various locations in the north of Cote d'Ivoire, including those that hit the French Licorne forces. He also condemned the violence prevailing in Abidjan, including the attacks on the property of opposition leaders and of the media, as well as on foreign citizens and property, especially French citizens and their property, the statement said. The Chairperson of the AU Commission urged all the parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further aggravation of the situation. In particular, he urges President Gbangbo, the government of Cote d'Ivoire, and all political and social leaders to do every thing possible to maintain calm and to ensure the safety and protection of all life and property. The Chairperson of the Commission expressed support of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November 2004; and in particular, expressed satisfaction at the decision on the change of the rules of engagement of UNOCI as called for by the AU/ECOWAS Consultative meeting held at Ota, Nigeria, on 6 November, the statement added. The Chairperson of the AU Commission underlined the imperative need for a political solution to the conflict and urges all parties to commit themselves to dialogue. In this respect, and as a follow-up to the decision adopted at the Ota AU/ECOWAS Consultations, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has been mandated to undertake an urgent mission in consultation with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, with a view to promoting a political solution, the press statement recalled. Prior to this release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Konare also expressed his deep concern at the news of last Friday on the resumption of hostilities in Bouake, another press release from the union indicated. According to the earlier release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union called on both sides to exercise maximum restarting. He urged them to abandon any recourse to the military option and recommit themselves sin earnest to the process of implementation of the Accra III Agreement. In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union is in close consultation with the Chairman of the African Union, President Olisegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, on how best the African Union, working together with the countries of the region, can help defuse the present crisis, it was learnt. =================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.10,2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 12 10:20:35 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041112082036.8922.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 12, 2004 Ethiopia, Germany agree to consolidate ties ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The leaders of Ethiopia and Germany expressed their readiness to consolidate the century old relations and promote the bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples. Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Shrouder said Wednesday that relations between the two countries were on a firm ground. Briefing reporters following talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the German Chancellor said that Ethiopia has been playing a leading role for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa with especial emphasis on Somalia and the Sudan. Shorouder said his country has decided to train Ethiopian construction professionals, and the training programme would also begin as soon as possible. He said the visit of Prime Minister Meles to Germany would further consolidate the relations and give an impetus to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also said Ethiopia desires to strengthen its relations with Germany focusing on enhancement of capacity building. Meles said the relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and Germany need to focus on capacity building particularly in technical and vocational training. He made the remark while holding talks in Germany with authorities of various German governmental bodies and representatives of German organizations operating in Ethiopia. Meles had held the talks with different government officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Joschka Fischer and others. Pointing out that enhancing nation's capacity is instrumental to be competitive, Meles said, Ethiopia is keen that German NGOs need to focus their assistance to Ethiopia toward the strengthening of its capacity. Meanwhile, Capacity Building minister Tefera Walwa had held talks with senior government officials of Germany on bilateral issues. The delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was expected to leave Berlin for Vienna, Austria yesterday. House approves proclamations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives approved the agreements signed on antipersonnel landmines and on the prevention, use and trafficking of illegal arms. The House in its regular session yesterday endorsed the agreement on the prevention, use, stockpiling, transfer and destroying of anti-personnel landmines and the Nairobi Protocol on the Control and Prevention of Light and Small Arms Trafficking in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The House approved the proclamations with a unanimous vote after hearing the reports and proposals presented by the Foreign, Defence and Security as well as Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committees. Ratifying the agreements signed on the prevention, use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines has an advantage for the country, according to the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee. Anti-personnel landmines cause serious damages to human lives and property destruction as well as have a negative psychological impact and affect the progress of development. The ratification of the proclamation could greatly contribute to the enforcement of conventions the country signed for the respect of international legal principles. Most of the neighbouring and other African countries have already ratified the protocol, according to the Committee. The House also looked into the Nairobi Protocol signed on the control and prevention of the Trafficking of Light and Small Arms in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The ratification of the agreement could safeguard the interest of the nation and enable for the establishment of durable peace and stability, according to the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee of the House. Enforcing the law prohibiting the trafficking of illegal arms could enable to build confidence and trust among the neighbouring countries as well, the committee said. Archaeologists discover 30 million - year-old cave MIZAN (ENA) - A cave about 28-30 million years of age has reportedly been discovered in Tello Woreda, Keffa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The cave, which has a width and length of 80 and 100 metres respectively, has two entrances, two American archaeologists conducting a research in the woreda recently disclosed. The archaeologists said that they have found ash and stone tools inside the cave. Asked about the matter, Zonal Culture and Information Department Head Workagegnehu Kassa said the archaeological studies would continue in the woreda as there are many caves in the area. Speaker to attend Arafat's funeral AU sends message of condolences ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dawit Yohannes was to leave here for Egypt last evening to attend a State Funeral for Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat to be held in Cairo. The Speaker will express condolences over the death of Arafat to the people of Palestine on behalf of the people and Government of Ethiopia, according to a press statement sent to ENA by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Leaders of Arab countries and senior government officials from other countries across the world are expected to attend the ceremony. Arafat who was champion of the Palestinian cause for over four decades was declared dead early yesterday at a military hospital outside Paris at the age of 75. His body will be taken to Ramallah for burial tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konare and the AU Commission expressed condolence over the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the people of Palestine. In his message, Konare said that he learnt with deep sorrow the death of Arafat. "On behalf of myself and the Commission of the Africa Union, I send condolences to all Palestinians and in particular to his wife (SUHA Arafat) and the family," he said. The AU Commission reaffirms its commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent Homeland of Palestine. President holds talks with "Focus on the Family" delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Representatives of an organization called "Focus on the Family" expressed the desire of their organization to work on family, children and youth education affairs in Ethiopia. While conferring with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis here yesterday, the representatives said their organization is keen to offer education concerning parenting, marriage and self-worth to children and youth. They said, "Focus on the Family", which operates in 162 countries worldwide, provides the aforementioned services to children and youth. One million students from across the world get access to the education programme of the "Focus on the Family", an NGO, the representatives told President Girma. The organization has 5,000 communication institutions that would help it provide the services to beneficiaries, they said. Dr. James Dobson founded "Focus on the Family recognizing modern life can have corrosive effects upon the future well-being of mankind. =============================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.12,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 15 14:06:04 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041115120604.82238.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 13, 2004 Ethiopian high-level delegation arrives in Vienna ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Vienna, Austria, Thursday after completing its visit to Germany. Before leaving Germany, Prime Minister Meles and the delegation held talks with Germany President Claus Peter Nol as well as with the Minister of Defence and the members of parliament, foreign affairs and economic development standing committees. The discussion centered on the bilateral relation of the two countries, in which agreement has been reached for Germany to send to Ethiopia technical experts who would train Ethiopian professionals. German investors were said to have the will to engage in the trade and investment sectors in Ethiopia. The German President told Meles that his country would cooperate with Ethiopia in efforts towards ensuring peace in the Horn of Africa, Radio Ethiopia reported. Public Procurement bill tabled for discussion ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bill providing for Public Procurement was tabled for public discussion at the Parliament yesterday. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) said that the public hearing was organized by the Budgetary and Finance Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples Representatives. The bill refers to the procurement of goods, works and services, which the Ministry said constitutes a major share of public expenditure. Legal professionals with the Ministry told the public hearing that efforts to alleviating poverty would bear fruits through economic and efficient use of public funds. They said that procurement of goods, works and services would be instrumental to economic development at regional and national levels. Public procurement must be carried out in a manner, which is not only economic and efficient but also fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, they said. The ongoing civil service reform study of the Ministry prioritizes the procurement of goods, works and services of the government, they indicated. They said detailed study was conducted identifying difficulties, their causes and measures to rectify them in the implementation of procurement. The bill would enable the provision of incentives to local industries. The bill, if endorsed, will enable the establishment of a Public Procurement Agency, which will be responsible for supervision, follow-up and capacity building activities. Parties responsible to make upcoming election democratic: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement issued yesterday said it is clear that most favourable conditions are created for change in a country where political power emerges from the ballot box. This universal practice has proved that a better living standard is attainable where political power comes only from the ballot box, not from the barrel of a gun, the statement said. According to the statement, the overcoming our deplorable poverty and backwardness, and ensuring the respect of human and democratic rights are the cardinal agenda of our country. The statement further said that it is of paramount importance to exert maximum effort to make the upcoming national election free, fair and democratic. Above all, it said, the active participation of all the people in general and the political parties in particular contributes to a great deal to enhance the democratic system in the country. The political parties should have self-imposed duty to ensure respect for the benefits of the society in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Constitution, the statement underlined. In regard to this, the parties are expected to devise and present alternative policies and platforms to create many choices to the electorate. Of course, there should be dialogue and tolerance among the political parties to establish and promote a democratic culture, the statement reiterated. The statement also said that all parties have equal freedom and opportunity to run for seats in parliament in a multi-party system representing various sectors of the society. Ancient Ethiopian alphabet debuts on SMS ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - One of the world's ancient alphabets could flash on the screen of cell phones in the third-most-populous nation in Africa, easing communications for millions who can only read and write the Ethiopic script, AP reported Thursday. Ethiopian and United States based scientists adapted the script, which dates back to the fourth century, for use in text messages, the scientists said Thursday. "We are enabling one of humanity's oldest scripts to enter the wireless age," said Samuel Kinde, who proposed the research. "There is a significant amount of interest from potential users as well as from chipset manufacturers," said Samuel, an engineering professor from the University of California is San Diego. The Ethiopic script is used for Amharic - the national language of Ethiopia's 7- million people. Ethiopia is the only African nation with its own alphabet that is still widely used. Ethiopic is the medium for Ethiopian literature and is still in use in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, chanted by priests in incense-filled churches across the Horn of Africa nation. The script, however, is incompatible with modern communication devices because of its ungainly, 345-letter alphabet, compared with 26 letters in the Latin alphabet. Scientists had to make the ancient alphabet fit the standard handset. They cut it down to 210 characters before mapping a base alphabet of 28 letters on to a handset with users having to thumb in more keystrokes if they want the additional characters. Ethiopia lags behind in harnessing the modern technology. SMS was introduces last December. Kasu Illala, the Infrastructure Minister, said Ethiopia is one of the "least connected" countries in the world. November 14, 2004 Political parties debate on primary education system by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY) yesterday debated on the primary education system of the country. On the Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) yesterday here at the Ethiopian Convention Hall, the three parties made a warm debate on the current primary education system and defended their own views regarding the issue. Representing EPRDF, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa together with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde said that the policy was designed in accordance with the country's demand to achieve sustainable development and ensure good governance as well as democracy. According to Tefera, the policy for the primary level was designed in such a way that children could acquire basic knowledge and skills in order to transform the agricultural sector so as to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. "Unlike the previous times, children have got the opportunity of learning using their vernaculars. Accordingly, primary education is being provided with 22 vernaculars around the country. In addition, they learn English in order to be acquainted with international situations and peoples," Tefera said. To achieve these objectives, trainings have been provided at all levels, and schools were constructed allover the country, he said and went on to state that the enrolment rate at this level has exceeded 68 per cent as compared to only 20 per cent some ten years back. Girls enrolment has reached 59.1 per cent and there is a belief with the EPRDF that it would attain the MDGs with regard to the primary education, Tefera added. UEDF representatives Dr. Merara Gudina and Dr. Beyene Petros on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in expanding the preparatory and adult education. "There is a quality gap between urban and rural education system, the attention is not given to teachers' trainings and the self-contained system has negatively affected the children," they said. They said that they would strive to terminate the self-contained system and improve the standard of living of teachers if they come to office. Agreeing that the provision of education with the vernacular language is one of its programmes, UEDF-MEDHIN PARTY representative Ato Lidetu Ayalew said that the ruling party has politicized the policy and indicated how pessimist it is to achieve the MDG if thing go as they are citing the statistics presented by the ruling party as false. He said that UEDF-MEDHIN promotes the inclusion of the spirit of equity, freedom of thought, love for work, the importance of good governance and justice in its policy. He also said that this party would reconsider the budget allocation to education, if elected. In response to the validity of the statistics, EPRDF representatives indicated that the case has been proved time and again by international organizations. Opening the forum, President of the AAU Andreas Eshete said that such debates would enhance democratic culture among students, teachers and the public as a whole helping them question their leaders on their educational policy in particular and other policies in general. Teachers and students' associations representatives, AAU teachers, students from AAU teachers, students from AAU and other schools in the metropolis and many more people from different walks of life attended the live televised debate. The debate would continue in the coming two Saturdays (Nov. 20 and 27,2004) on the education sector. Board finalizing preparations for elections smooth conduct by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said that it has been finalizing preparations for the smooth conduct of May 2005 state and national elections. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Thursday, Senior Civic Education Training Expert Mekonnen Wondimu said that from experiences of the previous two elections and the lessons from past mistakes, the NEB is now confident enough to conduct the upcoming elections efficiently and effectively. Unlike the way it handled the previous elections, which demanded the support of different organizations, the Board has now built its capacity and is self-sufficient in all aspects, the expert added. Accordingly, it has established its own printing press to print documents for the elections, constructed a garage to smoothly handle the transportation service and also opened a training centre to build the capacity of its employees. Mekonnen, who is also Acting Registrar of the Office of the Political Party Registration with the Board, said that the Board has planned to develop data base, improved quality of ballots, designed geographical location systems as we; as telephone pool and radio communication systems for smooth and efficient operation of the information system during the election campaign. Asked as to when the submission of endorsement signature for verification by polling station offices would be finalized, Mekonnen said that it would last until January 6,2005. As to Mekonnen, every political party has to organize itself and ask the Board for accreditation with the chance to be registered if it fulfils all requirements set by the Board and the Constitution. "So far, 71 political parties have been recognized by the Board and the door is still open." For political parties at national level, they need to submit at least 1,500 endorsement signatures of which 40 per cent is from one state and the rest from four states with equal distribution (15 per cent). For state parties, 750 endorsement signatures either from a single state and the rest from other states provided that it is a permanent resident of a single state, he said. According to Mekonnen, 38,000 polling stations have been established throughout the country and the dispatch of necessary materials and logistics completed. The timetable also indicates that the polling-day is May 15,2005 and election outcomes at polling-station and constituency level would be published on May 16 and 21, 2005 respectively. The Board would verify and officially announce the outcome of the elections on June 8,2005. Commission consolidating ethics regulations preparation ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FECC) disclosed that it would further strengthen the preparation of ethics regulations for heads and employees of public organizations during the current Ethiopian year. Public Relations Senior Advisor with the Commission, Berhanu Assefa told WIC Friday that the devising of the regulation is instrumental in arresting corruption and maladministration in governmental institutions. The ethics regulation would be designed for members of parliament, political appointees, civil servants and heads, he said. He noted that the commission has prepared the regulation for the Federal Inland Revenue Authority, construction sector with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia during the past Ethiopian year. Preparation of the regulation is currently well underway for the Ministry of Education, Ethiopian Roads Authority and Food Administration with the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, he added. He said that FECC has also planned to devise the regulation for about 15 institutions alleged to be immersed in corruption and maladministration together with the setting up of criteria on the priority of the institutions. According to the senior advisor, the commission is also committed to providing technical and professional support to institutions which devise their own regulations. ===================== pol.ethiopia Nov. 15, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 17 16:14:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041117141425.36731.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 16, 2004 EPRDF Executive Committee concludes regular session ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Regular Session of the Executive Committee of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded here Sunday reviewing its first quarter year performance and endorsing future plan of action. The first quarter year performance and the state and national elections scheduled for next May, were among the top most agendas in which the Executive Committee of the Front had deliberated in its two-day session. The office of EPRDF told ENA yesterday that the Front has designed strategies enabling it to continue the various activities aimed at attaining speedy development and ensuring good governance. Priority was given to the enhancement of the preparation of executive bodies and the people on implementation and understanding the concepts of the plans during the first quarter year, the office said. Accordingly, executive bodies at all levels in states and Addis Ababa were given an opportunity to discuss in detail development plans and enrich them with additional ideas, it said. Consensus was also reached among the members of both the rural and urban communities on development and good governance. The people have also confirmed their readiness to implement the plans in the education, rural development, good governance and other sectors, the office said. Agreement has also been reached during consecutive conferences among the farmers that they are the main development force and that hard work is the only means for them to extricate themselves from poverty, the Front said. The session has also confirmed that the farmers had expressed commitment to further enhance the rural and agricultural development activities in their respective kebeles after evaluating their performances last year, it said. Agreement has also been reached during farmers' conferences that the resettlement activity launched to ensure food security last year has brought about fruitful results, the office said, adding that resettles have managed to generate additional income, which helped them improve their livelihood. Accordingly, the farmers have agreed to continue the government-designed resettlement programme, which they said, is the correct measure to ensure food security. The session has also learnt that the farming community is dedicated now more than ever before to implement the 1997 E.C. agricultural development strategies effectively. Regarding election, the Front has also evaluated in detail the activities being made by the Front regarding the upcoming regional and national elections. The regular session had decided that it was appropriate to accept suggestions forwarded by opposition parties on amending those points which are constructive and enshrined in the National Electoral Law. The Front has also availed itself of to call up opposition parties to develop the culture of working closely concerning election and express their readiness to take part in the forthcoming election with out any precondition. The Executive Committee of the EPRDF has also deliberated on the Ethio-Eritrea situation based on a report submitted to it. Accordingly, it has decided that the efforts being pursued by the Ethiopian Government to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully would further be strengthened. Australia cancels Ethiopia's debt ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Australia has cancelled a debt of a 7.9 million Australian dollar ($6.1 million) owed by Ethiopia after the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund rules that the country had qualified for debt relief, the Reuters reported. The Australian Government said the debt was cancelled because Ethiopia met the requirements of the enhanced. Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative by direction the proceeds of debt relief towards basic health, education and poverty reduction programme, according to the report. Norwegian Foreign Minister arrives ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Petersen arrived here yesterday on a two-day working visit to Ethiopia. While here, Petersen will hold talks with senior government officials on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway. He would also hold discussions with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Oumar Konare and other officials of the Union on the activities of AU. November 17, 2004 Meles holds talks with British MPs, Norwegian FM ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with British parliamentarians led by Laurence Robertsen. Prime Minister Meles on the occasion indicated that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain has been gathering momentum. Meles said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain should further be enhanced in trade and investment as well as people-to-people ties. Meles told the delegation that Ethiopia has embarked upon poverty reduction and food security activities as well as the Civil Service Reform Programme. He said activities have been in the pipeline towards bolstering and maintaining the development gains achieved so far. The two sides dwelt at length on the resettlement programme, HIV/AIDS interventions and activities underway to increase women's participation in the upcoming elections, among others, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. Rpbertsen told journalists after the meeting that issues discussed included global trade and Ethiopia's foreign debt. He said his delegation also discussed with Prime Minister Meles external hurdles posed against Ethiopia's development endeavours. The three-member British parliamentary delegation arrived here Monday on a working visit. The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to discuss ways of further strengthening the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, according to the Office of the House of Peoples' Representatives. During its stay here, the delegation will hold talks with House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and other senior government officials. It will also hold talks with representatives of British welfare organizations, the office said. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by Fekadu Hirpa Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Infrastructure Affairs Standing Committee of the House and the Ethio-British Friendship Team respectively. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles yesterday held talks with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Norway Jan Petersen. During talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Meles said Norway has been providing considerable support in Ethiopia. Meles said Norway's assistance to Ethiopia would be more vital if it focuses on food security and agriculture development endeavours. He called on Norway to also assist Ethiopia's democratization efforts. Meles has, meanwhile, commended Norway for the support it is providing to Ethiopia in the framework of bilateral cooperation. Meles also briefed Petersen about the upcoming 3rd national democratic elections. Meles said the ruling party has been holding a series of discussions with opposition parties on issues of the upcoming elections. The two sides also exchanged views on issues in the Horn of Africa and the role Ethiopia has been playing in the African Union and NEPAD, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The Norwegian Foreign Minister pledged that his government would assist in the democratization efforts in Ethiopia. Norway would focus support also on food security and agriculture development in Ethiopia; the official quoted Petersen as saying. After the meeting Petersen told journalists that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway has been growing in recent years. UN agencies dedicating Human Rights Day to rights education ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) and UNESCO are dedicating Human Rights Day 2004 on 10 December to human rights education. According to a UNESCO press release, yesterday the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO are encouraging other agencies and programmes of the United Nations System and relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to do the same. This year's observance will help highlight deliberations in the United Nations General Assembly, which is devoting a special plenary session on Human Rights Day to human rights education, the release said quoting High Commissioner Louise Arbour and UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Atsuura. Announcing the December 10 observance, Arbour said every year, Human Rights Day reminds us of persisting human rights problems in our communities and in the world, and of the huge effort still needed, on the part of each and everyone of us, to make human rights a reality for all according to the release. Human rights education is indispensable for every individual to fully enjoy and claim a life of security and dignity. The release also quoted Matsuura as saying. Human Rights Day should provide us with an opportunity to pay tribute to human rights educators indeed, human rights defenders who, informal and informal settings, in small or large communities, and often encountering difficulties and hazards, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights, they concluded. President says Ethiopia set to exploit tourism potential Confers with WTO Sec. General by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that Ethiopia has once again become keenly aware of its immense development potential in tourism, and efforts are underway to exploit it in the best interests of its people sustainably. Opening a three-day sub-regional workshop on "Tourism Statistics and Elaboration of A Tourism Satellite Account" at the UN Conference Centre yesterday, he said: "What started earlier with the adoption of market economic system, the privatization of government-owned tourism enterprises and decentralization of regulatory and administrative functions has continued in the liberal path to include the provision of investment incentives to tourism enterprises, expansion of educational and training facilities improvement of infrastructure, particularly with respect to airports, road networks and power supply and increased promotion and marketing of the country's attractions in strategic tourism markets." According to the president, in the current drive, which accords high priority to food security and elimination of poverty, tourism still maintains its importance, by helping create income supplements and providing alternative forms of employment in urban and rural areas. "As development is a shared responsibility and a shared task, the Ethiopian Government encourages private investors-foreign and domestic to engage in tourism enterprises, while limiting itself to functions more suited to the public sector," he added. Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar on his part said that for far too long in the past, tourism as a sector was not measured fully or comprehensively in many countries, with the consequence that its full magnitude as an economic sector, its numerous links to other sectors and its effect on balance of payments and international trade were not fully known or appreciated. "This obviously had influences on the formulation of policies and strategies, and in the allocation of priorities and resources by governments." The Commissioner explained that efforts spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and supported by a number of collaborating countries and international agencies over the years have succeeded in the creation of improved international standards and practices in tourism statistics, including tourism satellite accounts which are being increasingly adopted worldwide. The new approach would allow, among others, comprehensive statistical representation, valid and meaningful categorization of tourism-related economic activities and clear assessment of balance of payment, according to him. Participants from 17 countries including WTO Secretary General Mr. Francesco Frangialli were in attendance at the workshop, organized by WTO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourism Commission. According to a related ENA report President Girma held talks with Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Francesco Frangialli yesterday. The two sides discussed the relations between Ethiopia and WTO and the role the tourism industry could play in the efforts in Ethiopia to realize the rural development strategy, particularly in the area of food security, Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner who attended the meeting said. President Girma and Frangialli also exchanged views on the pilot project WTO launched in two countries in Africa including Ethiopia on "Sustainable Tourism and Eliminating Poverty". The two sides also discussed how best WTO can provide assistance to Ethiopia, Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar said. President Girma and Frangialli also discussed the tourism development activities in Ethiopia and ways of issuing visas at the Bole International Airport for tourists coming from 33 countries, according to the Commissioner. On the occasion, President Girma commended WTO for the support it has been extending to Ethiopia. Ethiopia has made improvements in visa, air transport and other related services in view of the big roles tourism plays in Ethiopia, Abdullahi said. Ethiopia will enhance efforts geared towards catering best services to tourists; Girma is quoted as saying. ================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.17,2004 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 18 14:48:41 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041118124841.64143.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 18, 2004 Meles, Addisu hold talks with Chinese official ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legese met and held discussions with Minister of International Relations of China Wang Jiangrui. During talks with the Chinese official, Prime Minister Meles said the cooperation of the two countries has been steadily growing. The two sides have also exchanged views on ways to further consolidate the bilateral cooperation of their countries. Prime Minister Meles said the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been willing to learn more from the economic miracles of China. The Prime Minister lauded the wisdom and the leadership skills of the Chinese Communist Party for enabling the country to achieve rapid economic development, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. Briefing reporters after an audience with the Prime Minister, Jiangrui said the recent visit of Meles to China was believed to give additional impetus to the cooperation of the tow countries. The discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Addisu and Mr. Jiangrui mainly focused on the cooperation that should exist between EPRDF and the Chinese Communist Party. China's support to the Ethiopian agriculture and rural development strategy designed to reduce the level of the biting poverty in the country was also raised during the discussion, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. China was also expected to support Ethiopia's efforts launched to train 55,000 professionals during the coming three years. The two sides have also agreed for the speedy implementation of the various agreements signed between the two countries. Inter-Africa Group organizes discussion on Training, Education Policy ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - A discussion on the countries Education and Training Policy organized by the Inter-Africa Group would be held today at the United Nations Conference Centre. According to a press release sent to WIC Tuesday by the Inter-Africa Group, the discussion was organized with a view to enabling the public become aware of the differences on the basic policy issues on education and problems witnessed during their implementation. The release said that scholars in the field and policy makers are expected to take part in the discussion. The forum would mainly focus on the emphasis to be given to the provision of primary education in the mother tongue of students and the merits and demerits it has on the overall development direction of the country's education and training policy, it said. It would also explore the existence of harmony between the formulation of curriculum and the economic development of the country as well as to the recently introduced cost sharing mechanism in the country's educational system, the release added. There would also be an opportunity to explore the integration of efforts in the implementation of the education policy in compliance with the decentralized administrative system together with the drawbacks of the policy implementation, it said. According to the release, discussions on the differences of views surrounding the implementation of self contained teaching method being introduced in the first cycle of the primary education are also parts of the issues to be entertained during the forum. AU welcomes UN decision to hold meetings on African issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to hold meetings in Nairobi on 18th and 19th November 2004 aimed at addressing the conflict situations on the continent. It also encouraged the Security Council to seize the opportunity of these meetings to address the various conflict situations on the continent, including the peace process in Somalia. According to an AU communiqué sent to ENA yesterday, PSC of the African Union encouraged the efforts to support the transitional institutions established within the framework of the now concluded Somali National Reconciliation Conference organized under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). It emphasized the importance of the provisions of the protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council on the Peace and Security Council on the need for a close collaboration and cooperation between the UN and the AU in general, the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council in particular, in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa. In the decisions adopted at its twentieth meeting, the PSC also mandated the Chairperson for the month of November 2004 to join the AU delegation that will participate in the Security Council meetings in Nairobi and requested the AU delegation to seize the opportunity to undertake consultations with the Security Council members on the way and means to strengthen and formalize the cooperation between the PSC and the Security Council. On the protection force for the political leaders in Burundi, the Council recalled the decision adopted by the 91st Ordinary Session of the Central organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, mandating the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) for an initial period of one year, pending the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission. It stressed the indispensable role that the protection force continues to play a role in the promotion of a climate of security and confidence, particularly in the context of the forth-coming elections that would mark the end of the transition in Burundi, in April 2005. The Council decided to authorize the protection force to operate under the mandate of the AU to continue to provide protection services to political leaders in Burundi and other support as may be required. The Council also reiterated its grave concern at the prevailing situation in Cote d'Ivoire as well as its conviction that the crisis in that country can only be resolved through a peaceful and political means. Party introduces programme, ready to participate in upcoming election Coalition urges opposition to establish joint front by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The newly established party Keste Damena Ethiopia (Rainbow Ethiopia) introduced its programmes to its followers and other party representatives working in the country and expressed its readiness to actively participate in the upcoming election. At the introduction ceremony held at the Semen Hotel yesterday, the party leaders, maintaining democratic culture, freedom, equality justice and enhancing youth participation; striving to improve economic development as well as cherishing the nations and nationalities cultural heritages are top priorities of their party's policy, among others. Citing opposition parties' failure in bringing about alternative and sound policies to the public, President of the party Dr. Birhanu Nega underscored the importance of boosting the parties strength so as to become a strong contestants with the ruling party. According to the president, one of the main impediments for the in competitiveness of other parties with EPRDF is their ever-increasing number without coordinated struggle. Thus he suggested that the formation of one strong party would bring the capacity to compete with the same. "We are very keen and ready to make a difference in the upcoming election by working towards this end," he said. Public Relations head with the party Prof. Mesfin Wolde-Mariam on his part in indicated his party's interest to compete with the ruling party in a very democratic manner. He said that the party would give higher priority to the active participation of the youth in the development endeavors and political activity for the youth constitute 72 per cent of the entire population, according to the Professor. It was also disclosed on the occasion that the party has elected Dr. Befekadu Degife and Dr. Shimelis Tekle-Tsadik as Vice-President and Secretary of the party, respectively. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy said, opposition poletical parties active in the country should develop the culture of forming a joint front and narrowing differences in a bid to help develop democracy. The Coalition comprises the All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party-Medhin Democratic Party (EDUP-EMDP), Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL) and Keste Demena Ethiopia-Movement for Democracy and Social Justice emphasized on the importance of working jointly, ENA reported. According to the organization the political parties were to announce the establishment of the Coalition to the public yesterday. It said although there are many opposition political parties active in the country, the importance of working in cooperation and in alliance was not common. Unless the opposition parties form a joint front, it would be difficult to achieve satisfactory results in the upcoming national elections slated for May 2005, it said. ============================== pol.ethiopia Nov.18,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 23 14:15:07 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041123121507.90347.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> November 20, 2004 Ethiopia, Italy sign agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Italy have signed agreements that would finalize the return of Axum Obelisk and a 220 million euro loan for a hydro electric power project. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi signed the agreement last Thursday while in Rome on a two day working visit. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Alfredo Mantica signed the agreements that enable finalize preparations for the return of Axum Obelisk, the loan for Gilgel Gibe hydro electric power project and other accords. Seyoum noted on the occasion that the agreement with regard to the return of the Axum Obelisk would close the chapter that has impeded the cooperation between the two countries. Seyoum said the agreement signed to enable finalize the preparations launched for the return of the Obelisk would bolster the cooperation between the two countries. He further said the sealed agreement shows the willingness of the government of Italy to respect the peace accord concluded between the two countries in 1947. According to the Foreign Minister, the Axum Obelisk is due to come back home in the period between the coming January and March. The agreement demands the technical support of UNESCO in re-erecting the Obelisk here in Ethiopia, Seyoum said. He also said that the 220 million euro loan agreement with Italy enables Ethiopia produce additional 450 mega watt from the Gilgel Gibe project. According to the minister, the Gilgel Gibe project loan agreement is the first of its kind for the Italian Government to make such huge financing in a single project. The delegation has also signed a cultural agreement with the Italian Government. Addisu says peace, good governance should be given due attention ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said attention should be given to ensuring peace and good governance to enable the people of Somali State to benefit from development achievements. Addisu Legesse stressed the need that peace and good governance should be given due attention to be able to enhance the all-round development activities underway in the state. He made the statement while addressing the meeting organized to evaluate the 1997 E.C. first quarter year performance that got underway here yesterday. Addisu also said striving to increase education coverage, which he said, is at low level, to 60 per cent in the next three with a view to minimizing shortage of skilled labour. He said it is only possible that the budget allocated by the government is utilized for intended purpose that the people in the state would be able to benefit from achievements. The Deputy Prime Minister said it is only possible when the leaderships of the state government strive for extricating the people from their complex socio-economic problems by freeing themselves from corruption. He said it was inappropriate for certain authorities of the state government to sell relief grain and use the proceeds from it for their personal benefits. Addisu said attention should also be given to woreda-centered development activities aimed at alleviating poverty. A representative of the state capacity building bureau said on his part that 800 under qualified people who were employed in government offices and taking salary inappropriately for several years were dismissed. They were now replaced by competent and qualified personnel, he added. Speaking on his part, the State Administration Acting Chief Abdul Jibril Abubekar said activities are well underway to enable the people in the state to benefit from development achievements. A team comprising senior government officials led by Addisu had also held a discussion with community leaders in the state on peace and good governance yesterday. Concerted efforts of stakeholders said essential to accelerate industrial dev’t ADDIS ABABA – The development of the industrial sector in one of the major national priority activities underway to raise the economic progress and to improve the living condition of the people, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry said in its weekly statement issued yesterday that although agriculture employs the vast majority of the people and is the backbone of the national economy at present, it is inevitable that industry will eventually take over as the mainstay of our economy. Effective economic transformation can only be realized when the role of agriculture is replaced by the industrial sector, it said adding our country can secure its fair share from the highly centralized global economy only by ensuring competent industrial development. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), aware of the role of industry in the national economy, has devised a policy and strategy guideline and is engaged in practical activities to create favorable conditions to facilitate the development of the sector, it said. As a result of the numerous reform steps taken to promote the sector, a number of local entrepreneurs are engaged in investment activities with an encouraging level of foreign investor participation, the statement said. According to the statement, the consolidation of peace, good governance and democratization in our country has encouraged investors and there is a steady growth in the flow of foreign investment. The Ethiopian Industry week, which is being observed for the fourth time in the country, and is believed to be instrumental to enhance the various efforts underway to scale up the development of the sector, is an important event that creates conditions to bring all stakeholders together and enable them identify impediments and constraints and seek solutions, it said. The statement finally called upon all stakeholders to exert maximum efforts to ensure the rapid development of the industrial sector. November 22, 2004 Meles calls on Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia Italian President says signed agreement opens new chapter in Ethio-Italy relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called upon members of the Italian business community to invest in Ethiopia. During a discussion he held with the Italian business community in Rome Friday, Prime Minister Meles said Ethiopia has done everything possible to attract potential investors. The Italian investors on their part expressed their desire to invest in Ethiopia in various potential investment sectors. They said they were keen to invest in textile, coffee, leather and agro industrial development sectors. Prime Minister Meles assured the Italian business community that the government is ready to tackle any bottlenecks that would hamper their business activities in Ethiopia. Some of the Italian entrepreneurs who have already invested and those who show interest to invest in Ethiopia expressed appreciation to the support being given to them. They however said the government has to do more to remove some impediments in the transport sector and other bureaucratic problems. Prime Minister Meles said on the occasion that his government will do all in its capacity to solve the stated problems. Meanwhile, Italian President Carlo Axegelio Ciampi said his country would further enhance its cooperation with Ethiopia, as the signing of the agreement providing for the return of Axum Obelisk, between the two countries has opened a new chapter in their relations. While conferring with Prime Minister Meles in Rome on Friday, President Ciampi said Italy and Ethiopia would further consolidate the bilateral cooperation between them in development, trade and investment sectors. Ciampi said he was happy over the signing of the agreement, which he said, "Has opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries." The president said he would exert maximum effort to persuade Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia. President Ciampi said the efforts launched by Italy and Ethiopia to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is enabling to achieve fruitful results. Speaking on his part, Prime Minister Meles said a grant of 220 million euros made by Italy for the implementation of hydroelectric power project in Ethiopia with low interest rate shows Italy's desire to further strengthen its cooperation with Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles disclosed that Italy would cancel a 450 million euro debt Ethiopia owes to it. An agreement providing for the cancellation of the debt is expected to be signed by next December. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived here Friday concluding its two-day visit to Italy. Political parties debate on secondary education by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) yesterday criticized the stands of three political parties with regard to secondary education as well as vocational and skill training systems of the country. On the live televised Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) here yesterday at the Convention Hall, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) made a heated debate while presenting their own views regarding the issue. The opposition parties predominantly opposed the current policies and strategies and suggested the substitution of a new one except AEDP which said that it would design a policy discussing with all parts of the society pertaining to the sector if elected. As to the representatives of UEDF on the other hand, the involvement of unskilled teachers in the area, inadequate salary to teachers, defects of language skills of students and teachers, unfair distribution of education in the rural and urban areas as well as states are some of the defects of the current educational policy. They said that 60 per cent of the current teachers at this level have inadequate skills, and only 30 per cent of the whole population are getting the appropriate skill at this level. If the party could come to power, the representatives reaffirmed that they would strive to raise the quality of education by providing short and long term trainings to teachers, improve the salary of teachers, make the class size proportional with the number of students, give more access to detainees in the education sector. UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part related the defect with lack of educational inputs, administrative problems, contents of the books and classroom congestions among others. According to the representatives, only 20 per cent of those age group got the access to secondary education. In addition, women's in grade 9 and 10 enrolment is 36 per cent, vocational and skill trainings were provided to 47 per cent and 28 per cent for the non-vocational sector. They also said that only 36 per cent of high school teachers got appropriate training. In addition, a classroom accommodates 80 students and 5 students share a single book. To improve this, the representatives said that they would change the current system and apply a new one. Accordingly, secondary education included grade 7-12 that is again classified into three parts. Grade 7 and 8 are said to be Junior Secondary education level. Next comes intermediate secondary school education that includes grade 9 and 10. Finally in grade 11 and 12, they would deal with preparatory secondary education and vocational preparation for the job and higher education. Criticizing the above points, EPRDF representatives Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with Minister of Education Genet Zewde argued that the current educational policy has registered remarkable results in meeting the country's demand of achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. It also considers the countries human power and natural resource. On the contrary, oppositions view with these regards is similar with the previous regimes, which brought no result. As to Tefera, the policy for this level was designed in such a way that the students would acquire the small-scale trainings that would enhance the agricultural and industrial sector of the country. In addition, it gave due attention to its quality. Likewise, the students are expected to have adequate skills, become responsible citizens and democrats and ready to fight corruption and maladministration in the society, Tefera added. According to Tefera, 80,000 are getting different trainings annually which was only 2,000 some ten years back and women's participation has reached 47.5 per cent in this regard. In addition, the types of trainings reached to 40 and the government is helping them to be self-supportive when they graduate. To realize this, short and long term trainings were provided to teachers and the various sectors of the society especially investors participation is so high. The debate on higher education system would also continue the coming Saturday (November 27, 2004). November 23, 2004 Commission issues licence to 284 investors ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has issued licence to 284 foreign and local investors with a registered capital of 2.52 billion birr during the first quarter of this fiscal year (July, August and September). Some 151 of the entrepreneurs who invested over 1.88 billion birr are foreigners, Commission Investment and Public Relations Department Acting Director, Yohannis Latamo said. Yohannes said the entrepreneurs were licensed to run projects in the areas of agriculture, industry, education, health and construction, consultancy, catering and tourism. According to the acting director, the projects are expected to create job opportunities to 13,841 people when they enter into production phase. He further indicated that the Commission has been taking various measures with a view to attracting increased foreign direct investment in the country. Investors from Israel, the Netherlands and China are engaged in floriculture, textiles, leather and leather products as well as dairy farming. The director attributed the rise in foreign direct investment to the recent official visits of the high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid to Israel and China. The high-level delegation that visited Italy recently has also invited Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia as the country has suitable agroecology to cotton development suitable in addition to its cheap labour. The Commission also plans to conduct investment promotion activities in the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia to attract foreign direct investment, especially in priority sectors like floriculture, horticulture as well as leather and leather products. Meanwhile, 119 entrepreneurs have pumped over one billion birr into various investment projects in West Shoa zone, Oromia State, the Zonal Investment Office said. The entrepreneurs are engaged in 131 projects, Office Head, Fufa Teso said Friday at the ongoing investment promotion and trade fair here. He said the investors have been involved in agriculture, industry, hotel, education, trade and other investment sectors. There is 41,000 hectares of investment sites in the zone, he said. He said 27,760 hectares has been designated for agriculture, 5,800 for forestry and 1,500 for industrial investments. Fufa said he was optimistic that the zone would be an investment destination as there has been enabling investment environment in the zone since last year in addition to the rich natural resources and tourist attraction in the area. He further said the investment promotion and trade fair kicked off November 18,2004 in the town are expected to boost investment activities in the zone. Committee passes resolutions on Ethio-Italy agreement ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Coordination Committee for the Return of Axum Obelisk has passed resolutions based on the relevant agreement Ethiopia reached with Italy during a recent visit to that country of a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Committee passed the resolutions here yesterday during a meeting presided over by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ambassador Teshome Toga. The resolutions provided for specific issues to enable the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Ethiopia and Italy during the visit on 18 and 19 November. On November 10, a joint technical committee of the two countries reached at a memorandum of understanding after deliberations on detailed issues on the return of the Ethiopian heritage. The resolutions passed by the Coordination Committee provides for the preliminary activities that should be carried out on the part of Ethiopia for the transportation and re-erection of the obelisk. The obelisk, one of the living witnesses of Ethiopia's ancient civilization and one of the few in the world - is due to come back to its rightful owners, the Ethiopian people, within a period from January to April next year. The committee will hold its sequel meeting next week, it was learnt. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov. 23,2004 ============================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 26 14:40:39 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20041126124039.59506.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 25, 2004 Council of Ministers approves new peace initiative for Ethio-Eritrea conflict ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Council of Ministers approved a new peace initiative aimed at seeking a solution to the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. According to the Ministry of Information, the new peace initiative is to be submitted to the House of Peoples' Representatives today for a final decision. The Council in its session yesterday approved the initiative after a detailed evaluation on the objective reality that existed between the two countries. Although the Council of Ministers has exerted utmost efforts aimed at seeking a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, it was not possible to bring about sustainable peace between the two countries owing to various reasons. The ratification of the new initiative was promoted by the fact that establishing durable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea could enable the peoples of the two countries to live in peace and brotherhood. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers discussed the new peace initiative and approved it as it was consistent with Ethiopia' principles for establishing sustainable peace and promoting the spirit of good neighborliness. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is to present a report to the House of Peoples' Representatives, which is to be transmitted live on television and radio. Meles returns home after attending NEPAD Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday after attending the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism and the Executive Committee meetings in Algiers, Algeria. Numerous African Heads of State and Government including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attended the summit. In his address to the meeting, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika said Africans have been exerting huge efforts to speed up their national development programmes through NEPAD. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development programmes, Bouteflika said. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development prgrammes, Bouteflika said. He called for due attention to support the ongoing national capacity building activities geared towards alleviating the multi-faceted problems and speed up the development of the continent. He also indicated the need for NEPAD member countries to sustain their international development partnership with a view to creating better coordination. Regional economic society and organizations have been contributing hugely to the activities aimed at creating continental integration in Africa, he said. The international official development assistance being made in the framework of NEPAD has taken considerable share in helping Africans speed up development, he indicated. He also called for enhanced efforts towards tackling the HIV/AIDS, malaria and Epidemics in Africa. He said attention should be made towards creating economic stability through the enhancement of micro and small-scale employment generation schemes. Large-scale promotional activities should also be undertaken in Africa to draw sizable trade and investment to the continent, he said. Chairman of the Executive Committee and the peer review forum, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion said external challenges have been impeding the activities in Africa to speed up development. In the face of these challenges however, Africans have been implementing various activities in their political and economic reform programmes, Obasanjo said. He called on strong commitments on the part of Africans to create the legal conditions necessary to bring the Peer Review Mechanism to a success. The Peer Review Mechanism would enable Africans to share experiences, ensure good governance, improve socio-economic conditions and enhance Africa's roles in the international for a, he said. Reports pertinent to the NEPAD performance and the African Development Bank's support to NEPAD's projects were submitted and discussed upon at the meeting. The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday. November 26, 2004 Ethiopia offers new peace initiative to resolve boundary dispute with Eritrea by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The House of Peoples' Representatives yesterday approved a new five-point peace initiative designed by the government to address the Ethio-Eritrean boundary dispute in a peaceful and sustainable manner. In its 7th Regular Session, the House endorsed the peace proposal presented by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which, among others, includes Ethiopia's consent to accept in principle the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC). The House endorsed the plan in an overwhelming majority stating that the peace proposal would be instrumental in ensuring durable peace between the two countries and the Horn of Africa region as well. "The best option we have is to rule out the use of force as a means of resolving problems once and for all, and to solve problems and disputes only through peaceful means," Meles said explaining the first point of the peace proposal, which reaffirms Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute. The second point of the peace plan deals with tackling the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with a view to normalizing relations between the two nations. The Premier noted that normalization and good neighborliness between the two countries was in the interest of peace and in their mutual benefits. According to their point of the peace proposal, Ethiopia accepts in principle the decision of the EEBC. "Though the Commission's decision is unjust and illegal, Ethiopia accepts it in principle as this matter is not more important than ensuring durable peace," Meles said. The government of Eritrea has been refusing to respond favorably to Ethiopia's call for peace giving as justification Ethiopia's unwillingness to accept the decision of the Commission, he said. The Premier added that it has now been felt necessary and useful to adjust and modify Ethiopia's position with the hope that it would make the country's peace agenda more robust and effective. As a fourth point to the peace plan, Ethiopia agrees to pay its dues to the EEBC and to appoint field liaison officers. Accordingly, Ethiopia would resume paying its contribution and designating liaison officers, which had been interrupted following the unjust and illegal decision of the Commission. Meles said that the last facet in the five-point peace proposal has to do with starting dialogue immediately to implement the Commission's decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the peoples of the two countries. "It is critical that the negotiations and the resulting agreements take into account the acceptance by Ethiopia in principle of the Commission's decision and adherence to the principle of give and take in the course of implementing the decision," the Prime Minister told the Parliament. Meles expressed his conviction that the peace plan would help Ethiopia win the support of the international community thereby promoting its agenda with respect to development and good governance. He, however, stressed the need to exert efforts to ensure the readiness of the Eritrean government for dialogue. MPs, most of whom representatives of opposition parties, put forward questions and suggestions on the Premier's peace initiative. They sought clarification on what it meant by accepting in principle the decision of the Commission, which, the government itself considered as unjust and illegal. The opposition MPs also insisted that the public at all levels should discuss the peace plan before it is approved by the House. They also wanted to know why at this point in time the EPRDF-led government comes up with such a proposal. W Oppositions also blamed the government for lack of firm stand on the border issue. Prime Minister Meles responded that the government decided to accept in principle the unjust and illegal decision giving priority to its peace and development agenda. "The world is not always judged by legal and fair decisions. When we are faced with such a situation, it is a matter of choosing the lesser of the two evils," he said. Meles rejected the idea of passing peace plan for public decision saying that as a representative of the Ethiopian peoples as a whole, the House has the full mandate to decide on the proposal. Commenting on EPRDF's stand on the border issue, he said adjusting positions with the changing realities on the ground is a wise decision and an indicator of the existence of dynamism in the party and government leadership. The peace plan was not abrupt and haphazard action of the government, Meles said, adding that it was a result of intensive discussion and review by the party and government leadership as well as with international peace-loving partners. The 547-seat House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed the peace plan with 10 objections and three abstentions. ================================ Pol.ethiopia Nov.26,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 29 15:09:57 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041129130957.90683.qmail@web53301.mail.yahoo.com> November 27, 2004 Meles says new initiative significant for stability in the Horn Confers with Annan's Special Advisor ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the new peace initiative Ethiopia has put fourth to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute would have a huge significance and value for durable peace in the Horn of Africa. Ambassador's Dean in Ethiopia on his part says the initiative is acceptable not only in Africa but also in the world at large. During talks with resident diplomats (heads of foreign missions in Ethiopia) here yesterday, Meles said peace is second to one of all priorities for the Horn of Africa states. Prime Minister Meles told the resident diplomats that the new peace initiative is indicative of Ethiopia's firm commitments and determination for peace. There is no second option or substitute to peace in the Horn of Africa region and Ethiopia's new proposal takes important precedence of an international stature, Meles said. Ethiopia's acceptance in principle the decision passed by the Boundary Commission, however illegal and unjust it is, explains the country's unflinching stance for sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa, Meles said. Asked if Eritrea accepted the peace initiative, Prime Minister Meles said there has not been any official declaration from Asmara, but to judge from the hate-propaganda by the Eritrean Government, it seems that it has not accepted the proposal. Meles said he was informed by the special envoys of Algerian, Nigerian and South African presidents who have been to Asmara lately for talks on the peace process that they could not get access to the Eritrean President. The African Union as well as the UK, German and Austrian governments, have already accepted Ethiopia's initiative. The European Union (EU) also welcomed the new peace initiative of the Ethiopian Government to resolve its border row with Eritrea. The Ambassadors Dean, Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Sayed Fadal E-Seed on the occasion has commended Ethiopia for having reached such a noble decision. It is an initiative acceptable worldwide, he said, and expressed appreciation on behalf of the heads of foreign missions to Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Professor Geofferey Sacks has said the development programmes being implemented in Ethiopia are well directed to bring about speedy development. Sacks, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, made the remark here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles. Sacks told journalists that the ongoing development programmes in Ethiopia are the right ones to speed up economic growth and development. The ongoing efforts to providing health services, electricity supply and other infrastructure facilities to the grass roots would enable the realization of speedy development, he said. He lauded the activities in Ethiopia geared towards providing quality health services to the grass roots and the establishment of health centre to every 25,000 people. He called on the international donor organizations and countries to enhance their support to Ethiopia's multi-sector development endeavours. UK, Germany and Austria welcome New Peace Initiative ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The United Kingdom and Germany have welcomed Ethiopia's Five-point New Peace Initiative it offered to resolve the boundary dispute with Eritrea. "This is a welcome development. It represents an important step forward which the international community have been urging the Ethiopian Government to take," the British Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday. The release quoted Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, and Chris Millin, Minister for Africa both as saying, "We hope that Ethiopia and Eritrea can now move forwards together towards the resolution of this long and tragic dispute. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can." The Ethiopian leader called for the "root causes" of the conflict to be resolved through dialogue to help end border tensions and normalise relations. "Durable and sustainable peace is, moreover, in the mutual interest of the two peoples," he said. "Normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace and in their mutual interest." The Chinese news agency Xinhua also quoted a statement issued Thursday by Cahncellor Gerhard Schroeder Deputy Spokesman Thomas Steg that the Chancellor welcomed Prime Minister Meles' announcement that Ethiopia has accepted "in principle" the ruling of the independent Boundary Commission. "This is an important step" and gives new impulse to the mediation efforts, Schroeder was quoted as saying. He also urged both sides of the conflict to return to the negotiating table and solve remaining problems concerning the border dispute. The Government of Austria has also welcomed the Ethiopia's new peace. Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik said yesterday, "We wellcome the readiness of the Ethiopian Government for a peaceful settlement of the conflict with Eritrea." "Especially deserving is the willingness of Ethiopia to accept in principle the decision of the Boundary Commission; and to collaborate again with the Commission," said the Austrian Foreign Minister. Dr. Plassnik asked both parties to conduct negotiations to try to find a peaceful solution together for the implementation of the border. Similarly, the European Union (EU) has welcomed the Ethiopian Government's new peace initiative which accepts in principle the April 2002 decision of the Boundary Commission on the demarcation of its border with Eritrea. Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in a statement issued in Brussels by his spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, that Ethiopia's decision will lead to a speedy start of the demarcation of the border. The EU Solana said "encourages the government of Eritrea to respond positively to Ethiopia's offer of talks about the root causes of the conflict, with a view to normalizing relations between the two countries. Presenting the proposal to the House of Peoples' Representatives Thursday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said durable and sustainable peace is in the mutual interest of the two peoples. He said, normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace. Ethiopia needs lasting peace with Eritrea to fight poverty, backwardness: Bereket ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Information Minister Bereket Simon says that the five-point new peace initiative the Ethiopian Government offered to resolve the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute well explains the firm commitment of the country for lasting peace. In an interview with the BBC Thursday Bereket said that the initiative has made it clear that Ethiopia accepts in principle the ruling of the Boundary Commission's decision. "Now, we are saying we believe that the Commission has made mistakes in some parts of the decisions. But just because this is the rule of law, we accept it. That is what we are saying. "…In this initiative, we are expressing that we have accepted the Boundary Commission's decisions 'in principle'. But all the pertinent issues that have caused the relationship to deteriorate in the last some years must be addressed as well. Basically, Ethiopia is committed to peace and we believe sustainable peace is our strategic goal," Bereket told the BBC. Bereket said the new peace initiative intends to create a sustainable and lasting peace between the two states. "… the most deadly enemies of these countries are poverty and backwardness. So, in order to fight poverty and backwardness, we need to have a lasting peace between these two states." "…So, Ethiopia has come up with the proposal, with the new peace initiative that intends to bring about a sustainable and lasting peace between the two countries," Bereket told BBC. TPLF to field 190 candidates for upcoming elections ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that it has fielded 190 candidates who will contest for seats both in the state council and House of Peoples' Representatives in the upcoming national elections. TPLF Organizational Affairs Head Gobezay Wolde-Aregay said the candidates comprise women, youth, intellectuals and farmers. Some 40 per cent of the 38 candidates the Front fielded to contest for seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives are women with a view to increasing the participation of women, he said. Women also constitute 50 per cent of the 152 candidates fielded for seats in the state council, Gobezay said. He said serving the public with honest and diligence are the main criteria taken to choose the candidates but they will be replaced if they do not meet the requirement following evaluation by the public and members of the Front next month. NEB licenses CUD as national political party ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) has been certified as a political party operating across the nation, the National Electoral Board (NEB) said. The board told ENA yesterday that the political party, which is a coalition of five political organizations, was licensed as a national party as of 26 November 2004. The party has got legal recognition after the Board deliberated yesterday on the application of the Coalition as the other member parties of the Coalition had already been accredited, acting registrar of the Political Parties' Registration Office with the Board, Mekonnen Wondimu said. Members of the Coalition have submitted a merger document to the Board on 24 November 2004, he said, adding the Board granted the license to CUD after evaluating the document. According to the document, every political party joining the Coalition remains with its legal recognition, though the members of the Coalition agreed not to field a candidate anywhere another member of the Coalition is contesting. The Board has granted licenses to 72 political parties so far out of which 16 are operating at national level, the registrar said. November 28, 2004 IAAF pledges enhanced support to athletics in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has pledged continued assistance to athletics activities in Ethiopia. The Senegalese IAAF President Lamine Diack made the announcement here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Diack told journalists that IAAF will support the training and construction activities of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF). IAAF has been working in partnership with Ethiopia over the past four decades and its relations with the incumbent national federation of Ethiopia remains momentous, Diack said. Diack said his discussions with Prime Minister Meles centred on issues of enhancing partnership to strengthen athletics activities in Ethiopia. He said he looks forward to partaking next year's Ethiopian Great Run. During talks, Prime Minister Meles told Diack that various projects geared towards augmenting athletics in Ethiopia have well been in the pipeline. Meles said his government attaches due attention to the activities targeted at bolstering athletics in Ethiopia, and affirmed support to IAAF in its intervention in national athletics endeavours. The two parties have also exchanged views on ways of drawing enhanced international partnership to strengthen Ethiopia's athletics, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ambassador Teshome Toga said. IAAF has pledged to provide support to renew the Addis Ababa Stadium's track, Ambassador Teshome who attended the meeting said. It has also pledged to socialite support for the implementation of the Sendafa Athletics Village Project, he said. EAF has launched activities to construct athletics centres in the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states, according to the Minister. France commends Ethiopia's peace initiative ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz said the peace initiatives proposed by Ethiopia to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute is constructive and acceptable by his country. Ambassador Gompertz, in an exclusive interview with WIC Friday, said the new peace initiative would help resolve the border conflict between the two countries. He said the two countries could address their socio-economic problems by disengaging themselves from war and holding dialogue. According to the ambassador, the idea of resolving the Ethio-Eritrea conflict by peaceful means and the four other points indicated in the initiative reflect the desire of Ethiopia to do away with poverty. The ambassador promised consultancy, technical, professional and other supports for the success of the peace agreement. France and Germany resolved years long disputes not by war, but through dialogue of the two governments and peoples, he said, and hoped that Ethiopia and Eritrea too would address their problems through the same peaceful means. "Higher education crucial to build democracy" - EPRDF "Current education system violates academic freedom" - Oppositions by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - Representatives of the ruling Ethiopia Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), said that the current education policy is aimed not only at producing skilled manpower at higher level but also crucial to mould responsible citizens who strive to ensure good governance and democracy. Opposition parties on the other hand, indicated that the policy violates academic freedom especially in the higher institutions. At an electoral debate organized by the Addis Ababa University for the third time and held at the Ethiopian Convention Centre yesterday, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) debated on the country's higher education system. Accordingly, EPRDF defended the system while the three opposition parties explained their optional policies criticizing that of the EPRDF. EPRDF representatives, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde described the current policy as sound and appropriate on mainly because it is a means to achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. They said that the policy was designed in such a way that it would support the secondary education to fulfil the urgent trained manpower need of the country. It has also given greater attention to innovative approach and with the introduction of scientific and technological knowledge. According to EPRDF representatives, all stakeholders and pertinent scholars in particular, were involved in designing the policy, the ministers added. They further explained that a number of higher institutions have been constructed to train scholars in various fields of study giving speciale phases to fair distribution among states. They also indicated that the number of universities reached eight and the annual enrolment of higher institutions exceeded 30,000 as compared to years back when there were only two universities and 3,076 students enrolled in the higher institutions. In addition, the number of female students and teachers in this area increased from 3 to 13 and 10 to 30 per cent respectively during the same period, they pointed out. Furthermore, the annual enrolment rate in the post graduate programme has increased from 200 to 2,000 during the same time interval to with quality higher education. Speaking about cost sharing which the opposition parties have unanimously objected, the representatives said that it is meant to enhance the quality of education as the country's resource couldn't cover all education costs at this level. UEDF representatives on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in meeting the needs of the society, avoiding freshman courses in higher institutions, ensuring academic freedom and focusing on quantity at the expense of the quality. They said that if they come to power, their party would work focusing on building institution and human capacity with the provision of necessary educational materials so to make the institutions centres of excellence. UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part said that their party has already designed a new policy that would ensure academic freedom, encourage love-for-work, build innovative ability and self-confidence. The party representatives also said that they would raise the salary of instructors and restructure the administration system of higher institutions. They also indicated that they would allocate adequate budget for education as whole and higher institutions in particular. AEDP representatives are also of the opinion that the current policy has failed to produce the desired manpower because it is designed to promote political objectives. In addition, they criticized the policy for giving less emphasis to quality and inability to provide students and instructors with the necessary support. They told the gathering that their party would strive to solve all these problems in higher institutions. Opening the debate, President of AAU Andreas Eshete said that the debate is instrumental in coming up with constructive ideas and looking into the defects of the current policy. In this regard, the President underscored the importance of an appropriate policy to the country presenting it to the general public for discussion rather than accusing one another. Teachers and students' representatives; higher institution instructors, administrators and students; party members as well as dignitaries attended the four-hour live televised and braod-casted debate. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.29,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 30 15:05:46 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:42 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041130130547.25757.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 30, 2004 President stresses int'l partnership to resolve African conflict situation by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that international solidarity and co-operation are vital for Africa to overcome one of its challenges - conflict. Opening a three day international conference "African Conflict Management, Resolution, Post-conflict Recovery and Development" at the UNECA Conference Hall yesterday, the President underscored the importance of international co-operation in addition to the greater effort by Africa through continental and sub-regional organizations to mitigate and eventually resolve conflict situations in the continent. According to the President, lack of economic and social development and the hopelessness engendered by the same contributed to fueling conflicts in the continent. At the conference, organized by Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) President Girma underlined the need for strengthening international partnership in addressing the root causes as well as management of conflicts with the requisite determination and seriousness of purpose. The President also commended Africa's effort mainly by the African Union, IGAD and ECOWAS to enable the continent address its challenges in this area and manage the problem in specific regions of the continent. "It is not all doom and gloom in our continent. Indeed there have been real improvements in Africa in addressing the challenges of conflict." Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies Prof. Ali Maxrui on his part told the gathering that the overall pattern of violence on the African continent is disturbing and deserves analysis. "There are no simple and easy explanations for conflicts in Africa and the theories that have been advanced are both numerous and contradictory." According to the Professor, black violence of white roots; political boundaries created by colonial powers; religion and ethnicity; resource and identity; modern weapons and pre-modern armies as well as dualism and pluralism are the roots of conflict in Africa. "In the modern world, external aggression is no longer a viable mans of forging unity and building states. International way has become too dangerous. Africa must look to other solutions to bring an end to divisiveness," Prof. Mazrui indicated. As to the Director, cultivating toleration, developing pluralism of parties, improving civil-military relations, giving greater voice to African women and fostering innovative Pan-African solutions are some of the measures that should be applied by African nations to make positive and constructive moves to reduce and resolve conflicts. Also on the occasion, OSSREA Executive Secretary Dr. Alfred G. Nhema said that his organizations, established in 1980, is dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of research in the social science from a multi-disciplinary perspective through its mission of promoting dialogue and interaction between social scientists and policy-makers in the sub-region with the aim of strengthening the impact of research on policy formulation and development planning. "OSSREA is committed to the creation of an environment that encourages the fostering of a serious and prominent scholarly research and capacity-building institution that acts as the first part of call for our academics researchers, policy makers and the public at large," the Executive Secretary noted. Over 150 participants from various parts of the world are in attendance at the conference aimed at examining African conflicts, their management, resolution strategies, as well as mechanisms for post-conflict recovery and development while in which over 62 papers would be presented. Ethiopia MDGs need review assessment workshop opens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Ethiopia would achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through scaling up and accelerated implementation of development programmes complemented by increased international commitment. Speaking at a national workshop kicked off here yesterday to review the MDGs need assessment for Ethiopia, Addisu Legesse said Ethiopia would attain the MDGs by increasing and speeding up implementation of development programmes. He said, "… it is not difficult to realize the immense challenges facing Ethiopia to generate, sustained rapid broad-based growth and poverty reduction and hence realize the MDGs". Addisu said despite the challenges, Ethiopia could attain the MDGs through scaling up and action. The fundamental development objective of Ethiopia is to fight poverty, he said adding that capacity building in public and private sectors is critical in this regard. UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Modibo Toure commended Ethiopia's demonstrated commitment to meeting MDGs. He said, "Ethiopia is now the pioneer in MDGs-based Needs Assessment". Tour urged the international community to support Ethiopia's commitment towards achieving the goals. According to the representative, as a pilot country for the Millennium project, relevant line ministries and departments have drafted sectoral need assessments for rural development and food security, water, sanitation, health, education, private sector and trade as well as urban development. World Bank Country Director Ishac Diwan on his part said it is proper to ask whether the direction being pursued to meeting the MDGs would bring solutions. He said it is also important to question the plans set, visibility of the plans, availability of resources and other relevant questions. Diwan said WB would extend every support to Ethiopia towards achieving the MDGs. Ethiopia has been undertaking Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP) for three years now and nearing completion, head of Economic Policy and Plan Department with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Getachew Adem said. Ethiopia will achieve the MDGs if it obtains the necessary resources in the coming 11 years, he said adding that the support of partners in this regard is valuable. Getachew said UNDP and WB have expressed their readiness to render support to Ethiopia to realizing the MDGs. Senior government officials, representatives of the states, donors, private sectors and civil society organizations are in attendance at the three day long workshop. House decided plebiscite be held in 29 kebeles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board sad that the House of Federation has decided that a plebiscite would be held in the remaining 29 kebeles over which Somali and Oromia states, have territorial claims. Ethics Senior Professional with the Board Wondimu Mekonnen told ENA Sunday that the House had decided for the holding of the plebiscite for the second time in 29 out of the 39 kebeles. Wondimu said the timetable for the holding of the plebiscite in the kebeles, would be issued soon. The plebiscite will be held before the forthcoming regional and national elections take place, he said. Conductive situations have been created so far to hold the plebiscite in kebeles in Moyale Woreda, he added. Romania keen to further strengthen bilateral ties with Ethiopia by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - The Embassy of Romania said that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Romania are growing from time, to time. In a press conference called yesterday in connection with the country's National Day to be marked December 1, 2004, Charge d'Affaires Marius Nicolescu said" "With both country's placing due emphasis on economic diplomacy at the core of their international relations, economic ties between them have to be strengthened in the years ahead." The Embassy has designed a new strategy for boosting bilateral ties mainly in the economic field, he said. A bilateral agreement for avoiding double taxation and a memorandum of understanding for export promotion have been also singed, according to the charge d'affaires. The two countries are negotiating to conclude commercial and investment agreement, he said. Ethiopian and Romanian business delegation have also made reciprocal visits, he said. He added that the Romania-Ethiopia business website was launched for use by the two chambers of commerce. He also said that a strong agency that would communicate and provide detailed and relevant information whenever tender is floated in Ethiopia is desperately needed by business firms in Romania. The goods Romania exports to Ethiopia among others include building materials, glass sheets, wool product, chemicals and paper items while its companies are importing coffee, tea, hides and skin, he said. Mr. Nicolescu commended the Ethiopian Government for its commitment to have debate and discussion with opposition political parties prior to the upcoming national and regional election. Ethiopia and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1957. Great Run noble cause in fighting HIV/AIDS spread: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stressed the need to extend support to enable Ethiopians to involve actively and as much as possible in the Ethiopian Great Run. While addressing the more than 20,000 crowd who were taking part in the Ethiopian 2004 Run which took place here on Sunday in the metropolis, Meles said the Great Run is intended, among others, to promote athletics, and involve as many young people as possible in such a healthy endeavour. Meles said that the Great Run deserves respect and support for it is a noble cause in fighting the spread of the pandemic. "Allow me to express how pleased to be with you today on the occasion of the start of the Great Run," the Prime Minister said. "This Great Run is intended… among other things, to highlight the threat HIV/AIDS poses to the future of our country and to mobilize the people in the fight against the scourge," Meles said. "Each and every one of these objectives are noble objectives that deserve the support of everyone," he added. The Prime Minister thanked the organizers, particularly, Athlete Major Haile Gebre-Silassie for initiating and sustaining "this great initiative" and the participants in general. The 23-year-old Athlete Abebe Dinkessa finished first, Athlete Zenbaba Yigezu second and Athlete Maeregu Zewde third in the 10-kms road race. Athletics Abebe, Zenbaba and Maeregu finished the race in 29 minutes and 57 seconds, 30 minutes and 01 seconds and 30 minutes 04 seconds respectively. In the women's race, athletes Genet Getaneh, Taiba Erkeso and Eyerusalm Kuma completed first, second and third place respectively. A new feature of this year's event is a special Tricycle Race for 25 disabled participants, which was conducted before the start of the mass race. The tricycles were provided by Cheshire services. Great Run was also attended by Mr. Lamine Diack President of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF), senior government officials and resident ambassadors as well as invited guests. Meanwhile, in messages read out at the event, President Girma, Wolde-Giorgis City Mayor Arkebe Ekubay and Athlete Haile Gebre-Silassie called on the society at large to protect itself from HIV/AIDS. The Messages, prepared by the Ethiopia News Agency in cooperation with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office pointed out that the society should put into practice HIV/AIDS education. According to the messages, the public should understand well the messages such as "Value Your Life" and "Save Your Life" to develop the culture of self-control and abstain from promiscuous sex. President Girma stressed the need in his message not to discriminate and stigmatize but rather provide care and support to those living with the virus for doing so would further fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS. Showing sympathy to people living with the virus by avoiding discrimination and stigmatization would help save dozens of lives, he said. Arkebe said in his message that he was very much concerned about women, for "my fellow sisters with the age group of 15-24 are more exposed to HIV/AIDS that their membrethrens." He expressed hope that the problem would be tackled through the joint efforts of the city residents. Athlete Haile on his part said that the impact of HIV/AIDS coupled with poverty has become a serious threat to the country. He said continuous education should be provided to the society to minimize the spread of the pandemic. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.30,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 2 10:56:13 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041102085613.89139.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> October 30, 2004 Electoral Board to distribute candidacy endorsement signatures form ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The office of the National Electoral Board says it would begin distributing the form for of candidacy endorsement signature as of today. Deputy Office Head Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that interested candidates to compete in the upcoming national elections could collect the form either from their woredas or the headquarters of the National Electoral Board. He said private and candidates represented by political parties could begin the collection of signatures in their election constituencies and woredas. Private candidates are expected to bring the signatures of 1,000 supporters for verification, he said, adding that candidates represented by political parties could collect 500 signatures or above. He said the office has distributed fliers and election documents to most parts of the country. The collection of candidacy endorsement signature could take place until 6 January 2005, he said. First phase of Nile Basin project study finalized Addis to host African pre-conference on "Water for Food and Ecosystem" ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The first phase of the Nile Basin Project Study aimed at ensuring integrated water resource management among the Nile Riparian Countries has been finalized, coordinator of a project establishing a Nile Basin Authority said. The Coordinator, Fik Ahmed said Benshangul Gumuz is one of the various states benefiting from the Nile Basin Initiative. The coordinator made the statement here Thursday while speaking at a meeting aimed at introducing the findings of the study to the state executive bodies. The project study, which is underway as per the Master Plan of the Nile Basin Initiative, would help to establish an institution responsible to streamline the water resource management of the basin. The coordinator also said the study would be instrumental in providing valuable information on the implementation of the Master Plan among the federal and state offices. Experts explained the plan and implementation of the Nile Basin during the day-long meeting. Meanwhile, an African Pre-Conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems will take place here in Addis Ababa from 4-6 November this year, to feed into an international conference on the same topic scheduled to be held from January 31 - February 5, 2005 in the Hague. Organizers said focus of the discussion during the Pre-Conference is on realising sustainable water management for food production and ecosystem functions, building on ongoing activities like the Dialogue on Water, and Food and Environment. The conference aims to bring together around 100 representatives from governments, and observers from Pan African NGOs and the private sector, with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. The conference is organized by the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of the Netherlands. The Secretariat of the Conference is based in the FAO Office in Addis Ababa. Dev't can be attained only through ensuring good governance: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, it its weekly statement issued yesterday said that there is tangible evidence that asserts the possibility of extricating our country from poverty and backwardness. For sure, this attests to the fact that strengthening and sustaining the development activities with the massive participation of all citizens will absolve our country from the dreadful poverty within a short period of time, the statement said. According to the statement, the Ethiopian Government has reiterated time and again, its policy documents that huge human, land and other natural resources are the main assets to be developed so as to overcome the bitting poverty. The Statement also said that mitigating poverty and backwardness without instituting good governance and democratization is inconceivable. The statement further said that only people's concoction; determination and commitment to work hard can bring about a meaningful change in any country including ours. Of course, real development can be realized only when people deliberate and decide freely on their own destiny, it said. Based on this tacit understanding, the farmers' conferences that are underway in the country are the platforms that enhance people's genuine participation, the statement said, adding that the conferences are meant to evaluate the farmers' performances of the previous year. In realizing the ongoing activities of the farmers, the government has submitted a plan to the conference stipulating improvements on communal projects and with more emphasis on private plots, the statement said. October 31, 2004 UNMEE opens 5th outreach centre in Adigrat ADIGRAT, TIGRAY - The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) opened its fifth outreach centre in Adigrat Friday, October 29,2004. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UNMEE Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila said that the centre would be of greater use in the provision of information on the activities of the Mission in particular and that of the UN in general. Ambassador Legwaila also indicated that UNMEE would use the centre as a channel to impart its message of the peace to the residents of the town and its environs visiting the centre and through its staff who make similar visits to the area. In addition, the opening of the centre would create conditions conductive to the final stage of the peace process- boarder demarcation - Ambassador Legwaila said. According to the Ambassador, Adigrat was chosen not only because it is the headquarters of sector centre and home to the 15th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry - otherwise known as INDBATT - but more importantly because of its convenient location at the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Adigrat City Mayor Goitom Negash on his part said that the centre would enable to improve the relationship between the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea - through its adequate information on UNMEE and the UN towards their effort to safeguarding peace in the area. "The centre could also serve as a powerful instrument in ensuring development through the various organs involved and improving the quality (UNMEE P.7) Higher learning institutions should intensify efforts to bring about national transformation: Kassu HARAR (ENA) - The Alemaya University and other institutions of higher learning engaged in training manpower should enhance efforts more than ever to bring about national transformation through national capacity, Minister of infrastructure said. Higher learning institutions are responsible in cultivating efficient manpower towards the realization of rural centered development strategy the country is pursuing, Dr. Kassu Illala said. Speaking at the golder jubilee celebration of the Alemaya University yesterday, the minister said a daunting task is expected to the university in a bid to get rid of the age-old farming methods we inherited from our forefathers. The university is autonomous, Kassu said adding a more enabling environment has been created for the university to enable it move in the right direction on its own initiative. He said the university that graduated only 11 students with degree in agricultural science 50 years ago has now reached at a level where it has the capacity of graduating 1,500 students up to doctorate level. The university at present is training over 10,000 students in one or the other faculties of education, agriculture, health, animal science, medical science, business and economics engineering and law, Deputy President of the University, Dr. Belay Kassa said. He said the university is offering education in 62 programmes at certificate, diploma, degree, masters and doctorate degree levels at the education institutions it established in Alemaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga towns. A panel discussion was held on five papers and an exhibition depicting the university's activities over the past 50 years was staged in connection with the anniversary. The golden jubilee would continue today and medals and certificates would be awarded to individuals and institutions that made outstanding contributions in the agricultural sector. Since its establishment, the Alemaya University has graduated close to 14,000 students in various education fields and levels of life affected by the conflict," the Mayor added. The Centre in Adigrat is the 3rd in Ethiopia while the two are located in Addis Ababa and Makalle. So far, over 63,000 people have visited the Makalle outreach center. Members of the UNMEE Central Command and colleagues, representatives of the local authority in Adigrat, members of the NGO community, religious leaders, and other invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony. November 2, 2004 EPRDF, opposition party to hold discussion on election issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF), and an opposition party, Ethiopian Democratic Forces Union (EDFU) would hold a discussion aimed at working together on issues of election, the office of the EPRDF announced yesterday. The office said in its statement sent to ENA that the two parties would discuss, among others, agendas, that would enable them to work together in accordance with the agreement reached earlier between the representatives of the EPRDF and EDFU. The statement said EPRDF is desirous to reach agreement through discussion on election matters and other related issues by working together with those opposition parties, which it said, are legal and peaceful. The statement recalled that the representatives of EPRDF and members of the executives of opposition parties have been holding discussions both in person and through telephone at various times and occasions on issues of election. Pointing out that it is the unrestricted freedom of the public that ensures democracy, EPRDF said it would be necessary to create a forum that would serve all parties equally during election by removing impediments. Accordingly, all parties need to operate by respecting the national Constitution and Electoral Law. The statement said EPRDF has finalized preparation to make the 1997 E.C. national and state elections fair and democratic. It said the two previous elections had ensured the supremacy of the people and added that EPRDF is discharging its responsibilities now to make the upcoming elections fair and free. Meles arrives in China ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Xian, China Sunday on a week-long visit to the country. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the airport by Chinese senior government officials. The delegation, which started its visit in Shanxi Province, an exemplary province in its economic growth, will also visit an irrigation development activities that have enabled China to achieve rapid development and a model city, which has managed to extricate itself from poverty in a very short period of time. The delegation was to leave for Beijing, where it would hold talks with senior Chinese government officials, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks between the two sides will focus on issues of human resources development, tourism, trade and investment, among others. They will also hold discussions on ways of enabling Ethiopia to benefit from the privilege of exporting its certain commodities to China free of quota and duty. The visit is expected to create a special opportunity for Ethiopia to promote its tourism potential in China, according to the spokesperson. The high-level delegation which includes Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Finance and Economic State Minister Dr. Mulu Ketsela, Agriculture and Rural Development State Minister Belay Ejigu and other senior government officials left here for China Saturday midnight. It is to be recalled that a similar visit was made to China by a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by prime Minister Meles. Tripartite ministerial meet to be held here Friday ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, Sudan and Ethiopia - comprising Sana'a Gathering for Cooperation - will meet in Ethiopia Friday, Yemen Times quoted a Yemeni official source as saying Sunday. Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi said that the meeting that will include the political and economic committees would look into several issues including the arrangement of the meeting of the presidents of the three states in the Sudan by the end of December. The meeting will also discuss drafts for a number of agreements to promote investments and organize commercial relations aiming to set up a free trade market between the three countries. The situation in Darfur as well as in Somalia particularly after the election of the new president Abdullahi Yusuf will be considered. The meeting of the foreign ministers will be followed by a meeting of the security committee in the three states. An agreement providing for the establishment of the gathering was signed by the end of December 2003 at a summit of the three counties in Ethiopia. Afar State said conducive to investment activities ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - Deputy Chief Administrator of the Afar State called upon investors to get engaged in the agricultural investment activities, including in cotton production, as the state has created conducive atmosphere for investors. While paying field visit to the Gweane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company, Mohamed Tahiro Hamadu said the agricultural investments on cotton and sesame production could particularly bear fruit with the utilization of the Awash Basin and its tributaries. The state administration is providing all the necessary support to the Gewane Agricultural Development Company as it is working in harmony with the state's administration and the clan leaders; and is also creating job opportunities to the inhabitants in the state, he said. The State Administration is currently engaged in the preparation engaged in the preparation of pertinent policy, directive and regulation on land utilization and administration, he said, adding that, the effecting of the policy is believed to be instrumental in attracting investment flows to the state. Gewane Agricultural Development Private Limited Company General Manager, Tsegaye Tekle-Mariam said on his part that the company is engaged in the cultivation of cotton on over 1,000 hectares of land in the state with an outlay of 10 million birr. According to the general manager, the company is supplying its produce to local and foreign market and the textile industries with cotton production creating jobs to close to 4,000 citizens. ======================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.2,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 3 15:56:59 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041103135659.37606.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 3, 2004 EPRDF accepts majority of electoral law amendments proposed by oppositions by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) disclosed that it has agreed in principle to the majority of proposals put forward by the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and other opposition parties to revise the existing electoral law. In a joint communiqué EPRDF and UEDF issued yesterday following discussions on election matters, EPRDF announced its consent to accept in principle all except two of some 29 amendment proposals made by oppositions. The Front has also expressed its readiness to work for the implementation of agreed amendments through proper government channels. Proposed revisions on issues related to changing the plurality of votes election system to a proportional representation one and replacing the existing electoral board with a new body comprising representatives of parties were not accepted by EPRDF. The UEDF described the initiative taken by the ruling party as a step forward and expressed its desire to continue negotiations on matters the two parties have held differing positions. "We have agreed to commit ourselves to ensuring the democratic nature of the election process by preempting election irregularities which might be created by members and supporters of both parties," executives of EPRDF and UEDF told a press conference held at Sheraton Addis. EPRDF indicated that it would soon make public a code of conduct it prepared as a guideline for its members and supporters taking part in the upcoming elections. UEDF on its part said that it would design its own election code of conduct by which its members and supports abide. The two parties have also reached a consensus to establish joint committees from federal down to grassroots levels with a view to addressing irregularities that might be encountered during the election process. UEDF has expressed its strong interest to participate in the national election to be held for the third time in the coming May. UEDF also said it would exert utmost efforts to enable all its member parties to take in the election. EPRDF on its part said that it was encouraged to learn that some member parties of the UEDF which were promoting armed struggle have decided to follow the peaceful path. The Front, however, indicated that it would not negotiate with these parties on election matters unless they officially renounce their former positions. Information Minister Bereket Simon, who is also Public Relations Head with EPRDF and Tsegaye Mammo, Organizational Affairs Head with the Front, signed the agreement on the part of EPRDF. Dr. Merera Gudina, Chairman of UEDF and Dr. Beyene Petros, its First Vice Chairman, signed the agreement for UEDF. UEDF is a coalition established last Ethiopian year with an initial membership of 15 political parties operating here and abroad. Meles to visit Germany, Austria ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will lead a high-level delegation to Germany and Austria in official visits to begin November 10, 2004. During the visits, Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with senior authorities in the two countries on bilateral and other issues of common interest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in press release issued yesterday. The delegation is also scheduled to discuss relevant issues with representatives of the business community in the two countries, the release said. Meanwhile, a German delegation led by President Horst Kohler will pay an official visit to Ethiopia as of December 12, the same release said. President Kohler is expected to hold talks with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He is also scheduled to visit the Ethiopian Parliament and deliver a speech at the Office of the Commission of the African Union. President Kohler is also expected to tour various projects and institutions in Ethiopia, the release said citing a tentative programme of the visit. NEB certifies 69 political parties for election ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said it has issued eligibility certificates on 69 political parties, which are expected to take part in the upcoming national election. NEB has already given the legitimacy certificates to 69 political parties which are expected to compete in the third national election scheduled in May 2005, Acting Registrar of political parties with the Board, Mekonnen Wodaje told ENA yesterday. He said 13 of the political parties are operating at a national level while the remaining have state realm of influence. According to the official one of the parties is established by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. The Board is not only registering political parties but also monitoring them as it is part of its duties and responsibilities, he said. Some 40 million people are expected to cast votes in the upcoming national election, he said, adding the Board has already completed preparations of ballots. The NEB has also disclosed that contending candidates have already started collecting endorsement signatures as per the schedule. Some 547 members of the peoples representatives are expected to be elected at 547 constituencies, he said, adding all constituencies and polling stations, which were used during the previous two national election. Experiences gained during the previous national elections would be utilized with a view to carrying out free and fair election across the nation, he added. House passes three bills ratifying loan agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives passed three bills providing for the ratification of three loan agreements with a unanimous vote in its regular session held yesterday. The bills ratify the Loan Agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Credit Agreement between Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA). According to the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the bank would grant 6.24 million USD for financing the Kibre-Mengist Town Water Supply Project. The Credit Agreement signed between Ethiopian and IDA would enable Ethiopia get 66.9 million SDR (100 million USD) from IDA for financing Public Sector Capacity Building Programme Support Project. The other Credit Agreement would enable Ethiopia obtain a sum of 51.1 million SDR (75 million USD) from IDA for financing Water Supply and Sanitation Project, according to the agreement. According to the agreements, the loans are interest free, and compatible with the country's loan strategy. The loans are payable in 40 years with a ten-year grace period. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov. 3,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 4 11:05:43 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041104090543.74859.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> November 4, 2004 China desires to consolidate bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country desires to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. During talks held in Beijing with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday, the two sides have agreed to work in cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Ethiopia and China agreed to work in cooperation mainly in the economic, technique and education sectors. The Chinese President also lauded the leading role of Prime Minister Meles in widening the sphere of cooperation of the two countries and strengthening the longstanding relations that survived the test of time. The two sides have expressed satisfaction over their discussions and the understanding reached to raise the cooperation to a new level high in the years ahead. The Chinese President said also Ethiopia could lay a pivotal role in enabling China to consolidate its cooperation with other African countries. Prime Minister Meles said he was impressed by China's economic growth and development that took place in a relatively short period of time. He said the cooperation of the two countries has entered in to a new chapter during the last few years, adding that it was the interest of Africa to consolidate its cooperation with the emerging economic and power house of Asia. Prime Minister Meles also met and held discussions with members of the National Commission charged with the task of leading the Chinese Economic Reform Programme. Meles met and briefed 30 African resident ambassadors on the African Commission and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles signed a cooperation agreement Tuesday with the Chinese officials on economic, education and technique sectors, among others. An agreement was also reached to work in cooperation in the agriculture, textile, and infrastructure development and tourism fields as well, according to an official with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MPs child right training seminar preparatory meet opens by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dr. Petros Olango, said that Ethiopia is exerting utmost efforts in implementing child rights in conformity with national laws and international conventions making a series revisions on the former to make them compatible with the latter. Addressing the Preparatory Meeting for the seminar on the Training on Child Rights with Parliamentarians in Ethiopia held at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Dr. Petros said that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) has the mandate for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). "The parliament has an important role in overseeing the implementation of policies and programmes in accordance with the international conventions and national laws that effect children and youths", he said. Dr. Petros further said that the Social Affairs Standing Committee of the House has day-to-day oversight of the MOLSA. The Committee follows up the implementation of the recommendations of the UNC and CRC Committees within concerned Ministries and that of the National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children, he said. "Ethiopia is a country of young generation. More than half of our population consists of children and youths. And it is only with the provision of proper services like health and education to this group as well as protecting them from violence that our fight against abject poverty will be facilitated and sustainable development attained", he said. Mrs. Simone EK, Senior Advisor on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Europe and Sweden, in her opening remark lauded the Ethiopian Constitution for it contains a provision on children's rights. Simone EK on the occasion suggested some proposals for dialogue to further strengthen the political will, to apply the rights of the child and make a reality of the UN Convention and the rights of the child in an African context. The suggestions include, among others improving the knowledge of MPs on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; enabling MPs to have a better understanding of the rights of the child within the African context; and defining their role in the monitoring and general implementation of UN conventions on the rights of the child. Co-organized by Save the Children Sweden, Eastern and Central Africa Regional Office and the Social Affairs Standing Committee the two-day meeting was aimed at planning for a training seminar on child rights to be held in Addis in March-April 2005. Invited MPs from Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, South Africa and Sweden are expected to attend the seminar. The meeting is expected to come up with important plan and recommendations for the realization of the right of children in Ethiopia. Project to offer training to enhance women's political skills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Some 1,500 women will be offered trainers training as part of women's political skills project, a cross party NGO project funded by the British Council targeted to train in turn another 5,000 women in many different parts of the country to encourage women to actively participate in the upcoming state and national elections. Some 20 of the women drawn from the ruling, Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition parties as well as women associations have already begun to attend the training. The project has two main aims to spread the message: that every woman in Ethiopia has a right to vote as she wishes and to encourage as many women as possible to stand as candidates at the next election, according to a press statement issued by the Council. "Training is now taking place to encourage women to exercise their rights to participate," it said. People will vote for women candidates as they believe them to be more honest, hardworking and concerned about the needs of the ordinary people, the statement said. It said the participating parties and NGOs are currently are completing the cascade training which focuses on training awareness of rights, especially to political participation. President calls on World Vision to focus on health, environmental programmes ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said it would have a great importance if World Vision should focus on health and environmental development activities in Ethiopia. While conferring with World Vision International President Dean Hirsch here yesterday at the National Palace, President Girma said the organization would achieve fruitful results if it involves in HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental protection programmes. He said World Vision has a significant contribution in enhancing education and other development activities in different parts of the country. Girma expressed hope that World Vision would continue its development assistance to Ethiopia in the years ahead. Hirsch told journalists after the talks that his organization has been extending support to various development projects in the agriculture, health, environmental protection and health sectors, among others. World Vision has managed to transplant five million various tree seedlings through the popular participation of the public while it has been involved in HIV/AIDS intervention activities, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Hirsch as saying. Hirsch assured President Girma that his organization would further be continued. He said World Vision has made a 47 million birr support to Ethiopia. Hirsch is on a four-day working visit to Ethiopia. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.4,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 5 14:06:08 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041105120608.4235.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 5, 2004 Addisu says Africa's dev't ambition hinges on feeding itself ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse said that Africa cannot achieve its ambition for development, unless it can feed itself. Addis made the remark while opening African pre-conference: "Water for Food and Ecosystem" at the UN Conference Centre here yesterday. African governments must rise to the challenge of ensuring food self-sufficiency, he said, adding that they must also have the political will and commitment to implement the outcome of this pre-conference for accelerated, but environmentally friendly, and sustained development. Addisu who is also Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said that both the Constitutive Act of the African Union and NEPAD provide the vision and programmes for the collective development of the continent. At the country level, however, he said, success would hinge on the kind of policies, programmes and resource as well as partnership, which governments would be prepared to put inplace to meet the challenges of food insecurity. Addisu said that sustainable use of water is of vital importance for the planet earth because it is fundamental for both food production and well functioning of the ecosystems. However, he said, unsustainable water use is very common, specially in African continent. Addisu said population growth and the expansion of water use per capita put increasing pressure on the availability and quality of water resources and the ecosystems as well. Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission Ms. Rosebud Kurwijila, said on her part that while there is considerable agricultural production potential in the form of vast arable land areas, actual food production of the continent is amongst the lowest in the world. She said that the governments and the people's inability to efficiently harness the limited fresh water resources and the insufficiency of strong inter-governmental trance-boundary water management institutions has largely constrained the continent's ability to develop and equitably distribute its water endowment. Growth in agriculture is the most beneficial for the poor because a one per cent increase in yield results in a decrease of 0.6 to 1.2 per cent of people living on less than one USD per day, Assistant Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Dr. Louise Fresco said. She said accordingly, Africa needs to continue to invest in unlocking the potential of its diversified agricultural systems- in rain fed agriculture, mittigation and mixed system. The outcome of the African pre-conference will be presented to an international conference on water for food to be held Jan. 31 - Feb. 5,2005 in the Hague, the Netherlands, as an input in its further discussion. The three day conference, held under the slogan "Make it Happen" was organized by the government of Ethiopia in cooperation with the African Union, FAO and the Danish Government. The conference, has brought together 100 representatives from African governments and observers from Pan African NGO's and the private sector with expertise in the field of water management for food production and/or ecosystem functions in Africa. AAU invites political parties to debate on education policy ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Addis Ababa University (AAU) has organized debate on the education policy in which contestant parties in the upcoming national election are invited. In a press conference, he gave yesterday, University President Prof. Andreas Eshite said that the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and Opposition parties - The Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Democratic League (EDC) and All Amhara Unity Party - would debate for three consecutive Saturday beginning November 13,2004. The debate, focusing on primary, secondary, vocational and higher education would be transmitted live on ETV and Radio, he said. The debate, in which all stakeholders will attend, would enable to know the pros and cons of the country's education policy, he said. It will also enable international organizations to make financial support to the education sector by identifying the strength and weakness of the education policy, Prof. Andreas said. African diplomacy should be geared towards addressing continent's challenges: Prof. Kinfe by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD), Prof. Kinfe Abraham says that African diplomacy has to be geared towards addressing the continent's challenges and curbing the multifaceted problems facing it. Opening a seminar "The Challenges and Opportunities of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century," at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Prof. Kinfe indicated that the current challenges require modern diplomacy 'not a traditional cocktail approach' for the world is in an age of interdependence and speedy pace of modernization and technological development. "It is only through effective collaboration that African states would be able to develop themselves which requires modernizing their approach to diplomacy. If Africa fails to meet these challenges urgently, it would b difficult to anticipate how it can extricate itself from the pincer-grip of poverty and underdevelopment," he said. According to Prof. Kinfe, building peace and security, reducing poverty, establishing good governance and strengthening regional cooperation vial regional and intercontinental organizations are the key challenges. In a paper "The Role of Diplomacy in international Development" presented to the seminar, French Ambassador Stephane Gompertz said that discussion between and among businessmen, governments as well as diplomats is very critical for countries' speedy development in this era. "Though the advantages of their respective countries should be prioritized, diplomats should also consider the common advantage and interest of others for the development of one undoubtedly helps the other," the Ambassador said. Israeli Ambassador Doron M. Grossman in his paer "Diplomacy and Challenges of International Terrorism," emphasized the need for prioritizing development agenda to fight terrorism effectively. He said that reducing social grievances, becoming active in the multilateral scenes, promoting intereligious discussions as well as creating a very sophisticated diplomatic mission are indispensable to diplomats and missions as well if they are to benefit their countries. Also on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Wassawa Biriggwa, presented a paper "The Challenges of the 21st Century of International Terrorism". He said that the issue of terrorism has to be clearly defined and action should be taken according to the principles set forward. "The world has to agree on what terrorism and terrorist groups mean, identify its root causes and relentlessly fight irresponsible use of weapons and trafficking of arms," the ambassador said. Ambassador Mohammed Ali and Ato Tesfaye Yilma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke on the theme: "The Challenges of African Diplomacy in the 21st Century." In their presentation, they said that Africa must take all measures to put the AU on a firm, solid and sustainable foundation. This they added, requires a fundamental process and ushering in a new national and regional economic order. Members of the diplomatic corps, diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society representatives and other invited guests were in attendance at the day-long seminar that assessed the current status of African diplomacy including the challenges and opportunities and come up with constructive and practical ideas on how the continent's economic diplomacy is enhanced. Similar papers were also presented and discussions conducted on ideas forwarded. Prime Minister urges Chinese investors to take part in Ethiopia's dev't endeavour BEIJING (ENA) - Chinese entrepreneurs could play a leading role in the construction, infrastructure and natural resources development endeavours of Ethiopia by diverting their capitals and introducing the easily adaptable Chinese technology, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. During talks held in Beijing yesterday with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister, the Chinese investors mentioned problems in obtaining land, license and visa. Commenting on the issues, the Prime Minister said industrial zones were established in more than 50 towns to address the problem, adding that constructive measures have also been taken to provide effective services in issuing visa. The over 70 investors and company owners who held discussions with the Prime Minister have shown great desire to take part in the development endeavours of Ethiopia, according to Deputy President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Prime Minister Meles assured the Chinese investors that his government has been tirelessly working to provide effective services to those interested in investing in Ethiopia. The investors said in separate and group discussions with the Prime Minister, they faced problems in the accusation of land issuance of licenses and visa. The Prime Minister said land has been a problem both for the local and foreign investors until recently. He, however, said the government has taken measures believed to be instrumental in addressing the problems identified in the process of handling the request of investors. The Prime Minister said the new procedure put in place could enable the investors to receive timely and appropriate answers to their requests. The Chinese investors could contribute to the development of Ethiopia in investing in the infrastructure and development of natural resources, he said. The Prime Minister invited Chinese investors to come to Ethiopia like their fellow countrymen who have been engaged in the telecommunications, road and power generation schemes as well as in the mining sector. The investors could also benefit from exemption of taxes to their exports to European and North American markets in addition to that of the Chinese one, he said. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.5,2004 ===================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 10 15:47:00 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041110134700.55115.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 6, 2004 USAID extends agricultural marketing credit to agribusiness's ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday signed loan-guarantee agreements with two Ethiopian banks that will allow them to offer short and medium-term loans for marketing and capital investment in the coffee, food grains, horticulture, and livestock products sectors. USAID Mission Director in Ethiopia William Hammink, Awash International Bank President Leikun Berhanu and President of Bank of Abyssinia Kebede Temesgen signed the agreement, according to a press statement by the US Embassy. The agreements provide the banks with short and medium-term credit estimated 18 million USD over five years, allowing them to make loans that will benefit thousands of small holder farmers, agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses, it said. This increased rural lending supports the Government of Ethiopia's rural development strategy of accelerated rural economic growth, enhanced trade competitiveness, and private-sector-led development, according to the statement. It said the Bank of Abyssinia and Awash Bank have demonstrated their strong commitment to rural development by expanding the availability of short-term and medium-term loans for key economic sectors in five states. Farmers living in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states would b the beneficiaries of the loan services. Joint efforts of stakeholders said essential to implement result of plebiscite ADDIS ABABA - State administrations, residents, governmental bodies and other stakeholders are expected to exert efforts in the spirit of responsibility, transparency and accountability to implement the outcome of the recent plebiscite held to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of kebeles bordering the two states, the Ministry of Information said. In its weekly statement issued yesterday, the ministry said the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is engaged in diverse activities to enhance the democratic system and good governance in the country, as it believes efforts aimed at ensuring an accelerated economic development cannot bear fruit in their absence. It is important to note that a constitutional and democratic measure was taken to settle the claims lodged by the Oromia and Somali states over the administrative jurisdiction of about 463 kebeles, it said. The claims submitted by the two states to the House of the Federation were endorsed and a plebiscite was held in most of the contested kebeles, it said. The constitutional response to address the claims that are a decisive significance to ensure the rights of the peoples and economic development was a matter of great importance, the statement said. According to the statement, the prime objective of the plebiscite is to ensure peace, good governance, a democratic system and sustainable economic development to benefit all the peoples. Seminar on Somalia stabilization conducted ADDIS ABABA - A two-day AU Planning and Strategy Seminar on Implementing a Cessation of Hostilities in Somalia opened at the African Union Conference Centre (AUCC) in Addis Ababa last Thursday. A press release sent to the Herald by African Union indicated that the seminar was declared open by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit. Ambassador Djinnit at the occasion reiterated the disposition of the African Union to deploy a Military Observation Mission in Somalia. He stated that the role of the mission would be mainly to build confidence and work jointly with the Somalis in support of their efforts towards normalizing the situation in the country. According to the release, Ambassador Djinnit seized the opportunity to encourage the Somalis to consolidate the gains they made at Mbaghati, Kenya and to endeavour to strengthen reconciliation in their country, adding that they should opt for dialogue and a peaceful means in addressing their various challenges. The overall aim of the seminar was to assist in the development of the future AU role in Somalia, and that of other donor organizations, in order to enhance the chances of stabilization and the success of the transitional institutions in Somalia, it was learnt. Conducive situations being created too effectively implement Youth Policy: Minister GAMBELLA (ENA) - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Ambassador Teshome Toga said conductive situations are being created with a view to implementing youth affairs' policies. Addressing a national forum aimed at familiarizing Youth Policy and Awareness Raising Forum in Gambella town here yesterday, Ambassador Teshome said priority has been given to the implementation of youth policies effectively. The opening of bureaus in charge of following up youth affairs issues in states and enabling the youth to engage in various activities by being organized in association and the construction of youth centres in various states are some of the conducive situations that are being carried out, he said. Ambassador Teshome said efforts are also being exerted to establish a coalition of youth against HIV/AIDS at national level. He said a 10 year strategic plan that would enable to implement youth development programme would also be designed. More than 250 stakeholders from pertinent offices are in attendance at the forum. November 7, 2004 Meles returns home concluding China visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home late Friday concluding his week-long working visit to China. During his stay there, Meles had held talks with the Chinese President on ways of expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries. He had also visited the Chinese Modern Agricultural Technology Center in Xian City. According to an agreement reached between the two countries, 40 Ethiopians would pursue their education in Chinese higher learning institutions. China would also provide a seven million birr support to Ethiopia. The delegation led by Prime Minister was informed during its visit in a farmers' locality that the farmers in the locality have their own residence while their income reached to 3,000 USD annually. The Ethiopian delegation and Chinese President and Prime Minister discussed the enhancement of political and economic cooperation between the two countries extensively. According to the agreement reached between the two sides, Ethiopia was allowed to export certain commodity items to China free of tariff and quota. China has also expressed its readiness to subsidise its enterprises which are interested to buy Ethiopian products, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the talks. During the talks Meles had held with Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing, he gave briefings on the investment potential Ethiopia has in textile, tannery and sugar development sectors. He said those who are interested to invest in the sectors would enjoy the privilege of exporting their items into American and European countries free of tariff and quota. Meles said efforts are also being exerted to address problems related to land, visa and licenses, among others, as soon as possible. He also told the Chinese investors that industrial zones have been demarcated in 50 towns in the country, which are suitable for investment. Ethiopia elected AMCOW Deputy Chairman for Eastern African Region ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia was elected as Deputy Chairman and Executive Council Member of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) for Eastern Africa Sub-Region Thursday during the Council's 5th regular meeting underway in Entebbe, Uganda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. In a press statement it sent to ENA Friday, the Ministry said that the Council will have 13 members of which five will be elected from each sub-region. The statement said that Ethiopia was also elected as member of the recently established Governing Council of the African water facility representing the sub-region. The meeting of the members of the Technical Committee of the Council was held on November 2,2004. Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia states will work together to enhance dev't: Minister ASSOSA (ENA) - The peoples of the Benshangul-Gumuz and Oromia states would work together for the enhancement of development thereby reduce poverty by strengthening their longstanding relations and cooperation, Defence Minister Abadula Gemeda said. Abadula said the inhabitants of the two states would strive for the common prosperity of the states. Abadula made the remark while visiting development activities being undertaken Benshangul-Gumuz State here yesterday. The peoples of the two states had struggled jointly to remove the previous regime and build the existing democratic system, he said. Abadula said the executives of the two state administrations on their part have the responsibility to exert maximum efforts to enable the inhabitants of the two states benefit from development achievements. He also stressed the need to conserve natural resources existing along the borders of the two states jointly. Speaking on his part, Benshangul Gumuz State Administration Chief Yaregal Aysheshum said consolidated efforts are needed to further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring states. November 9, 2004 USAID committed to continue extending assistance to Ethiopia: Assistant Administrator ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistances said his organization would continue to extend support to food security programme and humanitarian activities in Ethiopia. After holding talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here yesterday, the Assistant Director, Roger Winter said USAID would extend assistance to programmes launched to ensure food security and food as well as non-food assistance to needy people in the 2005. The American Government would also work together with Ethiopia on safety net programme, Winter said. The support USAID will be giving will include the supply of drinking water, health care and veterinary services as well as shelter. Winter said his government is also desirous of supporting the activities being made to make 5.2 million needy people self-reliant in food. Meles expressed hope during the talks that the assistance being extended to Ethiopia would further be strengthened. He said it is also his belief that the US Government would give quick response to food requirement needed by food-deficit people in the coming year, according to simoen Mechale, Commissioner of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, who attended the talks. Prime Minister Meles and Winter had held constructive discussions on the peace process in the Sudan and humanitarian affairs as well. The discussion between the two officials centered on humanitarian affairs, the Commissioner said. Ethiopia's foreign relations being consolidated ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Ethiopia over the past decade has forged bilateral relations to an unprecedented level, the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD) said. EIIPD Director, Prof. Kinfe Abreham told ENA over the weekend that the country's diplomatic relations with other countries has reached a higher level both in depth and strategy. Prof. Kinfe said that the strengthening of bilateral relations with the various states has helped raise not only inflow of financial assistance and loan but also brought about a huge debt cancellation. The director attributed the success to the working visits of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which in turn helped heads of states and government come to Ethiopia for the same cause. He also said that EIIPD has contributed a lot toward boosting bilateral relations with the provision of short and long-term trainings to Ethiopian diplomats. Ethiopian diplomats abroad have also been doing everything possible to boost economic ties between the various countries and attract foreign direct investment into the country, the director said. The institute has been providing times information on various issues to Ethiopian diplomats here and abroad with a view to boosting economic relations with the various states, he said. In addition, the institute had conducted a research on Ethio-Arab relations and published it for public consumption, the director said, adding the finding indicated that the relations have been gaining momentum from time to time. Prof. Kinfe also said that the institute has conducted a feasibility study on water resources management of the Nile Basin. The director indicated that the institute has published a book entitled: "China Comes to Africa" showing that China has become a lucrative business centre for Ethiopian products. Ethiopian honoured with 2004 hero in Medicine Award ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Eleanor, Chicago-based International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) honoured Ethiopian Dr. Yigeremu Abebe with the 2004 Hero in Medicine Award, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. IAPAC named Dr. Yigeremu winner at a dinner reception and award ceremony held in Washington on October 1,2004, the Ministry quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington as saying. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that Dr. Yigeremu won the award for his contributions in HIV/AIDS prevention and control as well as support for PLWHAs and patients in Ethiopia. Founded in 1995, IAPAC has membership of more than 12,000 physicians and health professionals. IAPAC has been intervening in global health issues, particularly in HIV/AIDS policy and care. The 2004 annual award was given out for the seventh time. Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. Kassahun Ayele was the guest of honour at the award ceremony, which was attended by prominent physicians, scientist and philanthropists, the ministry said in a press release. Konare expressed deep concern at situation in Cote d'Ivoire ADDIS ABABA - The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Alpah Oumar Konare, expressed his deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a press statement issued by AU Sunday disclosed. The Chairperson condemned the attacks by government forces on the various locations in the north of Cote d'Ivoire, including those that hit the French Licorne forces. He also condemned the violence prevailing in Abidjan, including the attacks on the property of opposition leaders and of the media, as well as on foreign citizens and property, especially French citizens and their property, the statement said. The Chairperson of the AU Commission urged all the parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent a further aggravation of the situation. In particular, he urges President Gbangbo, the government of Cote d'Ivoire, and all political and social leaders to do every thing possible to maintain calm and to ensure the safety and protection of all life and property. The Chairperson of the Commission expressed support of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November 2004; and in particular, expressed satisfaction at the decision on the change of the rules of engagement of UNOCI as called for by the AU/ECOWAS Consultative meeting held at Ota, Nigeria, on 6 November, the statement added. The Chairperson of the AU Commission underlined the imperative need for a political solution to the conflict and urges all parties to commit themselves to dialogue. In this respect, and as a follow-up to the decision adopted at the Ota AU/ECOWAS Consultations, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has been mandated to undertake an urgent mission in consultation with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, with a view to promoting a political solution, the press statement recalled. Prior to this release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Konare also expressed his deep concern at the news of last Friday on the resumption of hostilities in Bouake, another press release from the union indicated. According to the earlier release, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union called on both sides to exercise maximum restarting. He urged them to abandon any recourse to the military option and recommit themselves sin earnest to the process of implementation of the Accra III Agreement. In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union is in close consultation with the Chairman of the African Union, President Olisegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, on how best the African Union, working together with the countries of the region, can help defuse the present crisis, it was learnt. =================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.10,2004 ==================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 12 10:20:35 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041112082036.8922.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> November 12, 2004 Ethiopia, Germany agree to consolidate ties ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The leaders of Ethiopia and Germany expressed their readiness to consolidate the century old relations and promote the bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples. Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Shrouder said Wednesday that relations between the two countries were on a firm ground. Briefing reporters following talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the German Chancellor said that Ethiopia has been playing a leading role for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa with especial emphasis on Somalia and the Sudan. Shorouder said his country has decided to train Ethiopian construction professionals, and the training programme would also begin as soon as possible. He said the visit of Prime Minister Meles to Germany would further consolidate the relations and give an impetus to the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also said Ethiopia desires to strengthen its relations with Germany focusing on enhancement of capacity building. Meles said the relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and Germany need to focus on capacity building particularly in technical and vocational training. He made the remark while holding talks in Germany with authorities of various German governmental bodies and representatives of German organizations operating in Ethiopia. Meles had held the talks with different government officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Joschka Fischer and others. Pointing out that enhancing nation's capacity is instrumental to be competitive, Meles said, Ethiopia is keen that German NGOs need to focus their assistance to Ethiopia toward the strengthening of its capacity. Meanwhile, Capacity Building minister Tefera Walwa had held talks with senior government officials of Germany on bilateral issues. The delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was expected to leave Berlin for Vienna, Austria yesterday. House approves proclamations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The House of Peoples' Representatives approved the agreements signed on antipersonnel landmines and on the prevention, use and trafficking of illegal arms. The House in its regular session yesterday endorsed the agreement on the prevention, use, stockpiling, transfer and destroying of anti-personnel landmines and the Nairobi Protocol on the Control and Prevention of Light and Small Arms Trafficking in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The House approved the proclamations with a unanimous vote after hearing the reports and proposals presented by the Foreign, Defence and Security as well as Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committees. Ratifying the agreements signed on the prevention, use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines has an advantage for the country, according to the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee. Anti-personnel landmines cause serious damages to human lives and property destruction as well as have a negative psychological impact and affect the progress of development. The ratification of the proclamation could greatly contribute to the enforcement of conventions the country signed for the respect of international legal principles. Most of the neighbouring and other African countries have already ratified the protocol, according to the Committee. The House also looked into the Nairobi Protocol signed on the control and prevention of the Trafficking of Light and Small Arms in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The ratification of the agreement could safeguard the interest of the nation and enable for the establishment of durable peace and stability, according to the Legal and Administrative Affairs Standing Committee of the House. Enforcing the law prohibiting the trafficking of illegal arms could enable to build confidence and trust among the neighbouring countries as well, the committee said. Archaeologists discover 30 million - year-old cave MIZAN (ENA) - A cave about 28-30 million years of age has reportedly been discovered in Tello Woreda, Keffa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The cave, which has a width and length of 80 and 100 metres respectively, has two entrances, two American archaeologists conducting a research in the woreda recently disclosed. The archaeologists said that they have found ash and stone tools inside the cave. Asked about the matter, Zonal Culture and Information Department Head Workagegnehu Kassa said the archaeological studies would continue in the woreda as there are many caves in the area. Speaker to attend Arafat's funeral AU sends message of condolences ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Dawit Yohannes was to leave here for Egypt last evening to attend a State Funeral for Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat to be held in Cairo. The Speaker will express condolences over the death of Arafat to the people of Palestine on behalf of the people and Government of Ethiopia, according to a press statement sent to ENA by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Leaders of Arab countries and senior government officials from other countries across the world are expected to attend the ceremony. Arafat who was champion of the Palestinian cause for over four decades was declared dead early yesterday at a military hospital outside Paris at the age of 75. His body will be taken to Ramallah for burial tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konare and the AU Commission expressed condolence over the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the people of Palestine. In his message, Konare said that he learnt with deep sorrow the death of Arafat. "On behalf of myself and the Commission of the Africa Union, I send condolences to all Palestinians and in particular to his wife (SUHA Arafat) and the family," he said. The AU Commission reaffirms its commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people for an independent Homeland of Palestine. President holds talks with "Focus on the Family" delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Representatives of an organization called "Focus on the Family" expressed the desire of their organization to work on family, children and youth education affairs in Ethiopia. While conferring with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis here yesterday, the representatives said their organization is keen to offer education concerning parenting, marriage and self-worth to children and youth. They said, "Focus on the Family", which operates in 162 countries worldwide, provides the aforementioned services to children and youth. One million students from across the world get access to the education programme of the "Focus on the Family", an NGO, the representatives told President Girma. The organization has 5,000 communication institutions that would help it provide the services to beneficiaries, they said. Dr. James Dobson founded "Focus on the Family recognizing modern life can have corrosive effects upon the future well-being of mankind. =============================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.12,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 15 14:06:04 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041115120604.82238.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 13, 2004 Ethiopian high-level delegation arrives in Vienna ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived in Vienna, Austria, Thursday after completing its visit to Germany. Before leaving Germany, Prime Minister Meles and the delegation held talks with Germany President Claus Peter Nol as well as with the Minister of Defence and the members of parliament, foreign affairs and economic development standing committees. The discussion centered on the bilateral relation of the two countries, in which agreement has been reached for Germany to send to Ethiopia technical experts who would train Ethiopian professionals. German investors were said to have the will to engage in the trade and investment sectors in Ethiopia. The German President told Meles that his country would cooperate with Ethiopia in efforts towards ensuring peace in the Horn of Africa, Radio Ethiopia reported. Public Procurement bill tabled for discussion ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A bill providing for Public Procurement was tabled for public discussion at the Parliament yesterday. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) said that the public hearing was organized by the Budgetary and Finance Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples Representatives. The bill refers to the procurement of goods, works and services, which the Ministry said constitutes a major share of public expenditure. Legal professionals with the Ministry told the public hearing that efforts to alleviating poverty would bear fruits through economic and efficient use of public funds. They said that procurement of goods, works and services would be instrumental to economic development at regional and national levels. Public procurement must be carried out in a manner, which is not only economic and efficient but also fair, transparent and non-discriminatory, they said. The ongoing civil service reform study of the Ministry prioritizes the procurement of goods, works and services of the government, they indicated. They said detailed study was conducted identifying difficulties, their causes and measures to rectify them in the implementation of procurement. The bill would enable the provision of incentives to local industries. The bill, if endorsed, will enable the establishment of a Public Procurement Agency, which will be responsible for supervision, follow-up and capacity building activities. Parties responsible to make upcoming election democratic: Ministry ADDIS ABABA - The Ministry of Information, in its weekly statement issued yesterday said it is clear that most favourable conditions are created for change in a country where political power emerges from the ballot box. This universal practice has proved that a better living standard is attainable where political power comes only from the ballot box, not from the barrel of a gun, the statement said. According to the statement, the overcoming our deplorable poverty and backwardness, and ensuring the respect of human and democratic rights are the cardinal agenda of our country. The statement further said that it is of paramount importance to exert maximum effort to make the upcoming national election free, fair and democratic. Above all, it said, the active participation of all the people in general and the political parties in particular contributes to a great deal to enhance the democratic system in the country. The political parties should have self-imposed duty to ensure respect for the benefits of the society in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Constitution, the statement underlined. In regard to this, the parties are expected to devise and present alternative policies and platforms to create many choices to the electorate. Of course, there should be dialogue and tolerance among the political parties to establish and promote a democratic culture, the statement reiterated. The statement also said that all parties have equal freedom and opportunity to run for seats in parliament in a multi-party system representing various sectors of the society. Ancient Ethiopian alphabet debuts on SMS ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - One of the world's ancient alphabets could flash on the screen of cell phones in the third-most-populous nation in Africa, easing communications for millions who can only read and write the Ethiopic script, AP reported Thursday. Ethiopian and United States based scientists adapted the script, which dates back to the fourth century, for use in text messages, the scientists said Thursday. "We are enabling one of humanity's oldest scripts to enter the wireless age," said Samuel Kinde, who proposed the research. "There is a significant amount of interest from potential users as well as from chipset manufacturers," said Samuel, an engineering professor from the University of California is San Diego. The Ethiopic script is used for Amharic - the national language of Ethiopia's 7- million people. Ethiopia is the only African nation with its own alphabet that is still widely used. Ethiopic is the medium for Ethiopian literature and is still in use in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, chanted by priests in incense-filled churches across the Horn of Africa nation. The script, however, is incompatible with modern communication devices because of its ungainly, 345-letter alphabet, compared with 26 letters in the Latin alphabet. Scientists had to make the ancient alphabet fit the standard handset. They cut it down to 210 characters before mapping a base alphabet of 28 letters on to a handset with users having to thumb in more keystrokes if they want the additional characters. Ethiopia lags behind in harnessing the modern technology. SMS was introduces last December. Kasu Illala, the Infrastructure Minister, said Ethiopia is one of the "least connected" countries in the world. November 14, 2004 Political parties debate on primary education system by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY) yesterday debated on the primary education system of the country. On the Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) yesterday here at the Ethiopian Convention Hall, the three parties made a warm debate on the current primary education system and defended their own views regarding the issue. Representing EPRDF, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa together with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde said that the policy was designed in accordance with the country's demand to achieve sustainable development and ensure good governance as well as democracy. According to Tefera, the policy for the primary level was designed in such a way that children could acquire basic knowledge and skills in order to transform the agricultural sector so as to extricate the country from poverty and backwardness. "Unlike the previous times, children have got the opportunity of learning using their vernaculars. Accordingly, primary education is being provided with 22 vernaculars around the country. In addition, they learn English in order to be acquainted with international situations and peoples," Tefera said. To achieve these objectives, trainings have been provided at all levels, and schools were constructed allover the country, he said and went on to state that the enrolment rate at this level has exceeded 68 per cent as compared to only 20 per cent some ten years back. Girls enrolment has reached 59.1 per cent and there is a belief with the EPRDF that it would attain the MDGs with regard to the primary education, Tefera added. UEDF representatives Dr. Merara Gudina and Dr. Beyene Petros on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in expanding the preparatory and adult education. "There is a quality gap between urban and rural education system, the attention is not given to teachers' trainings and the self-contained system has negatively affected the children," they said. They said that they would strive to terminate the self-contained system and improve the standard of living of teachers if they come to office. Agreeing that the provision of education with the vernacular language is one of its programmes, UEDF-MEDHIN PARTY representative Ato Lidetu Ayalew said that the ruling party has politicized the policy and indicated how pessimist it is to achieve the MDG if thing go as they are citing the statistics presented by the ruling party as false. He said that UEDF-MEDHIN promotes the inclusion of the spirit of equity, freedom of thought, love for work, the importance of good governance and justice in its policy. He also said that this party would reconsider the budget allocation to education, if elected. In response to the validity of the statistics, EPRDF representatives indicated that the case has been proved time and again by international organizations. Opening the forum, President of the AAU Andreas Eshete said that such debates would enhance democratic culture among students, teachers and the public as a whole helping them question their leaders on their educational policy in particular and other policies in general. Teachers and students' associations representatives, AAU teachers, students from AAU teachers, students from AAU and other schools in the metropolis and many more people from different walks of life attended the live televised debate. The debate would continue in the coming two Saturdays (Nov. 20 and 27,2004) on the education sector. Board finalizing preparations for elections smooth conduct by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The National Electoral Board (NEB) said that it has been finalizing preparations for the smooth conduct of May 2005 state and national elections. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Thursday, Senior Civic Education Training Expert Mekonnen Wondimu said that from experiences of the previous two elections and the lessons from past mistakes, the NEB is now confident enough to conduct the upcoming elections efficiently and effectively. Unlike the way it handled the previous elections, which demanded the support of different organizations, the Board has now built its capacity and is self-sufficient in all aspects, the expert added. Accordingly, it has established its own printing press to print documents for the elections, constructed a garage to smoothly handle the transportation service and also opened a training centre to build the capacity of its employees. Mekonnen, who is also Acting Registrar of the Office of the Political Party Registration with the Board, said that the Board has planned to develop data base, improved quality of ballots, designed geographical location systems as we; as telephone pool and radio communication systems for smooth and efficient operation of the information system during the election campaign. Asked as to when the submission of endorsement signature for verification by polling station offices would be finalized, Mekonnen said that it would last until January 6,2005. As to Mekonnen, every political party has to organize itself and ask the Board for accreditation with the chance to be registered if it fulfils all requirements set by the Board and the Constitution. "So far, 71 political parties have been recognized by the Board and the door is still open." For political parties at national level, they need to submit at least 1,500 endorsement signatures of which 40 per cent is from one state and the rest from four states with equal distribution (15 per cent). For state parties, 750 endorsement signatures either from a single state and the rest from other states provided that it is a permanent resident of a single state, he said. According to Mekonnen, 38,000 polling stations have been established throughout the country and the dispatch of necessary materials and logistics completed. The timetable also indicates that the polling-day is May 15,2005 and election outcomes at polling-station and constituency level would be published on May 16 and 21, 2005 respectively. The Board would verify and officially announce the outcome of the elections on June 8,2005. Commission consolidating ethics regulations preparation ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FECC) disclosed that it would further strengthen the preparation of ethics regulations for heads and employees of public organizations during the current Ethiopian year. Public Relations Senior Advisor with the Commission, Berhanu Assefa told WIC Friday that the devising of the regulation is instrumental in arresting corruption and maladministration in governmental institutions. The ethics regulation would be designed for members of parliament, political appointees, civil servants and heads, he said. He noted that the commission has prepared the regulation for the Federal Inland Revenue Authority, construction sector with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia during the past Ethiopian year. Preparation of the regulation is currently well underway for the Ministry of Education, Ethiopian Roads Authority and Food Administration with the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, he added. He said that FECC has also planned to devise the regulation for about 15 institutions alleged to be immersed in corruption and maladministration together with the setting up of criteria on the priority of the institutions. According to the senior advisor, the commission is also committed to providing technical and professional support to institutions which devise their own regulations. ===================== pol.ethiopia Nov. 15, 2004 =============== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Wed Nov 17 16:14:25 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041117141425.36731.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 16, 2004 EPRDF Executive Committee concludes regular session ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Regular Session of the Executive Committee of the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded here Sunday reviewing its first quarter year performance and endorsing future plan of action. The first quarter year performance and the state and national elections scheduled for next May, were among the top most agendas in which the Executive Committee of the Front had deliberated in its two-day session. The office of EPRDF told ENA yesterday that the Front has designed strategies enabling it to continue the various activities aimed at attaining speedy development and ensuring good governance. Priority was given to the enhancement of the preparation of executive bodies and the people on implementation and understanding the concepts of the plans during the first quarter year, the office said. Accordingly, executive bodies at all levels in states and Addis Ababa were given an opportunity to discuss in detail development plans and enrich them with additional ideas, it said. Consensus was also reached among the members of both the rural and urban communities on development and good governance. The people have also confirmed their readiness to implement the plans in the education, rural development, good governance and other sectors, the office said. Agreement has also been reached during consecutive conferences among the farmers that they are the main development force and that hard work is the only means for them to extricate themselves from poverty, the Front said. The session has also confirmed that the farmers had expressed commitment to further enhance the rural and agricultural development activities in their respective kebeles after evaluating their performances last year, it said. Agreement has also been reached during farmers' conferences that the resettlement activity launched to ensure food security last year has brought about fruitful results, the office said, adding that resettles have managed to generate additional income, which helped them improve their livelihood. Accordingly, the farmers have agreed to continue the government-designed resettlement programme, which they said, is the correct measure to ensure food security. The session has also learnt that the farming community is dedicated now more than ever before to implement the 1997 E.C. agricultural development strategies effectively. Regarding election, the Front has also evaluated in detail the activities being made by the Front regarding the upcoming regional and national elections. The regular session had decided that it was appropriate to accept suggestions forwarded by opposition parties on amending those points which are constructive and enshrined in the National Electoral Law. The Front has also availed itself of to call up opposition parties to develop the culture of working closely concerning election and express their readiness to take part in the forthcoming election with out any precondition. The Executive Committee of the EPRDF has also deliberated on the Ethio-Eritrea situation based on a report submitted to it. Accordingly, it has decided that the efforts being pursued by the Ethiopian Government to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully would further be strengthened. Australia cancels Ethiopia's debt ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Australia has cancelled a debt of a 7.9 million Australian dollar ($6.1 million) owed by Ethiopia after the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund rules that the country had qualified for debt relief, the Reuters reported. The Australian Government said the debt was cancelled because Ethiopia met the requirements of the enhanced. Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative by direction the proceeds of debt relief towards basic health, education and poverty reduction programme, according to the report. Norwegian Foreign Minister arrives ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Petersen arrived here yesterday on a two-day working visit to Ethiopia. While here, Petersen will hold talks with senior government officials on bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway. He would also hold discussions with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Oumar Konare and other officials of the Union on the activities of AU. November 17, 2004 Meles holds talks with British MPs, Norwegian FM ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with British parliamentarians led by Laurence Robertsen. Prime Minister Meles on the occasion indicated that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain has been gathering momentum. Meles said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain should further be enhanced in trade and investment as well as people-to-people ties. Meles told the delegation that Ethiopia has embarked upon poverty reduction and food security activities as well as the Civil Service Reform Programme. He said activities have been in the pipeline towards bolstering and maintaining the development gains achieved so far. The two sides dwelt at length on the resettlement programme, HIV/AIDS interventions and activities underway to increase women's participation in the upcoming elections, among others, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. Rpbertsen told journalists after the meeting that issues discussed included global trade and Ethiopia's foreign debt. He said his delegation also discussed with Prime Minister Meles external hurdles posed against Ethiopia's development endeavours. The three-member British parliamentary delegation arrived here Monday on a working visit. The main purpose of the visit of the delegation is to discuss ways of further strengthening the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, according to the Office of the House of Peoples' Representatives. During its stay here, the delegation will hold talks with House Speaker Dawit Yohannes and other senior government officials. It will also hold talks with representatives of British welfare organizations, the office said. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by Fekadu Hirpa Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Infrastructure Affairs Standing Committee of the House and the Ethio-British Friendship Team respectively. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles yesterday held talks with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Norway Jan Petersen. During talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Meles said Norway has been providing considerable support in Ethiopia. Meles said Norway's assistance to Ethiopia would be more vital if it focuses on food security and agriculture development endeavours. He called on Norway to also assist Ethiopia's democratization efforts. Meles has, meanwhile, commended Norway for the support it is providing to Ethiopia in the framework of bilateral cooperation. Meles also briefed Petersen about the upcoming 3rd national democratic elections. Meles said the ruling party has been holding a series of discussions with opposition parties on issues of the upcoming elections. The two sides also exchanged views on issues in the Horn of Africa and the role Ethiopia has been playing in the African Union and NEPAD, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The Norwegian Foreign Minister pledged that his government would assist in the democratization efforts in Ethiopia. Norway would focus support also on food security and agriculture development in Ethiopia; the official quoted Petersen as saying. After the meeting Petersen told journalists that the cooperation between Ethiopia and Norway has been growing in recent years. UN agencies dedicating Human Rights Day to rights education ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) and UNESCO are dedicating Human Rights Day 2004 on 10 December to human rights education. According to a UNESCO press release, yesterday the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO are encouraging other agencies and programmes of the United Nations System and relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to do the same. This year's observance will help highlight deliberations in the United Nations General Assembly, which is devoting a special plenary session on Human Rights Day to human rights education, the release said quoting High Commissioner Louise Arbour and UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Atsuura. Announcing the December 10 observance, Arbour said every year, Human Rights Day reminds us of persisting human rights problems in our communities and in the world, and of the huge effort still needed, on the part of each and everyone of us, to make human rights a reality for all according to the release. Human rights education is indispensable for every individual to fully enjoy and claim a life of security and dignity. The release also quoted Matsuura as saying. Human Rights Day should provide us with an opportunity to pay tribute to human rights educators indeed, human rights defenders who, informal and informal settings, in small or large communities, and often encountering difficulties and hazards, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights, they concluded. President says Ethiopia set to exploit tourism potential Confers with WTO Sec. General by Yemane Terefe ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that Ethiopia has once again become keenly aware of its immense development potential in tourism, and efforts are underway to exploit it in the best interests of its people sustainably. Opening a three-day sub-regional workshop on "Tourism Statistics and Elaboration of A Tourism Satellite Account" at the UN Conference Centre yesterday, he said: "What started earlier with the adoption of market economic system, the privatization of government-owned tourism enterprises and decentralization of regulatory and administrative functions has continued in the liberal path to include the provision of investment incentives to tourism enterprises, expansion of educational and training facilities improvement of infrastructure, particularly with respect to airports, road networks and power supply and increased promotion and marketing of the country's attractions in strategic tourism markets." According to the president, in the current drive, which accords high priority to food security and elimination of poverty, tourism still maintains its importance, by helping create income supplements and providing alternative forms of employment in urban and rural areas. "As development is a shared responsibility and a shared task, the Ethiopian Government encourages private investors-foreign and domestic to engage in tourism enterprises, while limiting itself to functions more suited to the public sector," he added. Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar on his part said that for far too long in the past, tourism as a sector was not measured fully or comprehensively in many countries, with the consequence that its full magnitude as an economic sector, its numerous links to other sectors and its effect on balance of payments and international trade were not fully known or appreciated. "This obviously had influences on the formulation of policies and strategies, and in the allocation of priorities and resources by governments." The Commissioner explained that efforts spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and supported by a number of collaborating countries and international agencies over the years have succeeded in the creation of improved international standards and practices in tourism statistics, including tourism satellite accounts which are being increasingly adopted worldwide. The new approach would allow, among others, comprehensive statistical representation, valid and meaningful categorization of tourism-related economic activities and clear assessment of balance of payment, according to him. Participants from 17 countries including WTO Secretary General Mr. Francesco Frangialli were in attendance at the workshop, organized by WTO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourism Commission. According to a related ENA report President Girma held talks with Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Francesco Frangialli yesterday. The two sides discussed the relations between Ethiopia and WTO and the role the tourism industry could play in the efforts in Ethiopia to realize the rural development strategy, particularly in the area of food security, Ethiopian Tourism Commissioner who attended the meeting said. President Girma and Frangialli also exchanged views on the pilot project WTO launched in two countries in Africa including Ethiopia on "Sustainable Tourism and Eliminating Poverty". The two sides also discussed how best WTO can provide assistance to Ethiopia, Commissioner Abdullahi Yusuf Sukkar said. President Girma and Frangialli also discussed the tourism development activities in Ethiopia and ways of issuing visas at the Bole International Airport for tourists coming from 33 countries, according to the Commissioner. On the occasion, President Girma commended WTO for the support it has been extending to Ethiopia. Ethiopia has made improvements in visa, air transport and other related services in view of the big roles tourism plays in Ethiopia, Abdullahi said. Ethiopia will enhance efforts geared towards catering best services to tourists; Girma is quoted as saying. ================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov.17,2004 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Nov 18 14:48:41 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041118124841.64143.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> November 18, 2004 Meles, Addisu hold talks with Chinese official ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Addisu Legese met and held discussions with Minister of International Relations of China Wang Jiangrui. During talks with the Chinese official, Prime Minister Meles said the cooperation of the two countries has been steadily growing. The two sides have also exchanged views on ways to further consolidate the bilateral cooperation of their countries. Prime Minister Meles said the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been willing to learn more from the economic miracles of China. The Prime Minister lauded the wisdom and the leadership skills of the Chinese Communist Party for enabling the country to achieve rapid economic development, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. Briefing reporters after an audience with the Prime Minister, Jiangrui said the recent visit of Meles to China was believed to give additional impetus to the cooperation of the tow countries. The discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Addisu and Mr. Jiangrui mainly focused on the cooperation that should exist between EPRDF and the Chinese Communist Party. China's support to the Ethiopian agriculture and rural development strategy designed to reduce the level of the biting poverty in the country was also raised during the discussion, according to an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion. China was also expected to support Ethiopia's efforts launched to train 55,000 professionals during the coming three years. The two sides have also agreed for the speedy implementation of the various agreements signed between the two countries. Inter-Africa Group organizes discussion on Training, Education Policy ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - A discussion on the countries Education and Training Policy organized by the Inter-Africa Group would be held today at the United Nations Conference Centre. According to a press release sent to WIC Tuesday by the Inter-Africa Group, the discussion was organized with a view to enabling the public become aware of the differences on the basic policy issues on education and problems witnessed during their implementation. The release said that scholars in the field and policy makers are expected to take part in the discussion. The forum would mainly focus on the emphasis to be given to the provision of primary education in the mother tongue of students and the merits and demerits it has on the overall development direction of the country's education and training policy, it said. It would also explore the existence of harmony between the formulation of curriculum and the economic development of the country as well as to the recently introduced cost sharing mechanism in the country's educational system, the release added. There would also be an opportunity to explore the integration of efforts in the implementation of the education policy in compliance with the decentralized administrative system together with the drawbacks of the policy implementation, it said. According to the release, discussions on the differences of views surrounding the implementation of self contained teaching method being introduced in the first cycle of the primary education are also parts of the issues to be entertained during the forum. AU welcomes UN decision to hold meetings on African issues ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to hold meetings in Nairobi on 18th and 19th November 2004 aimed at addressing the conflict situations on the continent. It also encouraged the Security Council to seize the opportunity of these meetings to address the various conflict situations on the continent, including the peace process in Somalia. According to an AU communiqué sent to ENA yesterday, PSC of the African Union encouraged the efforts to support the transitional institutions established within the framework of the now concluded Somali National Reconciliation Conference organized under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). It emphasized the importance of the provisions of the protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council on the Peace and Security Council on the need for a close collaboration and cooperation between the UN and the AU in general, the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council in particular, in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa. In the decisions adopted at its twentieth meeting, the PSC also mandated the Chairperson for the month of November 2004 to join the AU delegation that will participate in the Security Council meetings in Nairobi and requested the AU delegation to seize the opportunity to undertake consultations with the Security Council members on the way and means to strengthen and formalize the cooperation between the PSC and the Security Council. On the protection force for the political leaders in Burundi, the Council recalled the decision adopted by the 91st Ordinary Session of the Central organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, mandating the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) for an initial period of one year, pending the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission. It stressed the indispensable role that the protection force continues to play a role in the promotion of a climate of security and confidence, particularly in the context of the forth-coming elections that would mark the end of the transition in Burundi, in April 2005. The Council decided to authorize the protection force to operate under the mandate of the AU to continue to provide protection services to political leaders in Burundi and other support as may be required. The Council also reiterated its grave concern at the prevailing situation in Cote d'Ivoire as well as its conviction that the crisis in that country can only be resolved through a peaceful and political means. Party introduces programme, ready to participate in upcoming election Coalition urges opposition to establish joint front by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The newly established party Keste Damena Ethiopia (Rainbow Ethiopia) introduced its programmes to its followers and other party representatives working in the country and expressed its readiness to actively participate in the upcoming election. At the introduction ceremony held at the Semen Hotel yesterday, the party leaders, maintaining democratic culture, freedom, equality justice and enhancing youth participation; striving to improve economic development as well as cherishing the nations and nationalities cultural heritages are top priorities of their party's policy, among others. Citing opposition parties' failure in bringing about alternative and sound policies to the public, President of the party Dr. Birhanu Nega underscored the importance of boosting the parties strength so as to become a strong contestants with the ruling party. According to the president, one of the main impediments for the in competitiveness of other parties with EPRDF is their ever-increasing number without coordinated struggle. Thus he suggested that the formation of one strong party would bring the capacity to compete with the same. "We are very keen and ready to make a difference in the upcoming election by working towards this end," he said. Public Relations head with the party Prof. Mesfin Wolde-Mariam on his part in indicated his party's interest to compete with the ruling party in a very democratic manner. He said that the party would give higher priority to the active participation of the youth in the development endeavors and political activity for the youth constitute 72 per cent of the entire population, according to the Professor. It was also disclosed on the occasion that the party has elected Dr. Befekadu Degife and Dr. Shimelis Tekle-Tsadik as Vice-President and Secretary of the party, respectively. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy said, opposition poletical parties active in the country should develop the culture of forming a joint front and narrowing differences in a bid to help develop democracy. The Coalition comprises the All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party-Medhin Democratic Party (EDUP-EMDP), Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL) and Keste Demena Ethiopia-Movement for Democracy and Social Justice emphasized on the importance of working jointly, ENA reported. According to the organization the political parties were to announce the establishment of the Coalition to the public yesterday. It said although there are many opposition political parties active in the country, the importance of working in cooperation and in alliance was not common. Unless the opposition parties form a joint front, it would be difficult to achieve satisfactory results in the upcoming national elections slated for May 2005, it said. ============================== pol.ethiopia Nov.18,2004 =================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 23 14:15:07 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041123121507.90347.qmail@web53303.mail.yahoo.com> November 20, 2004 Ethiopia, Italy sign agreements ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Italy have signed agreements that would finalize the return of Axum Obelisk and a 220 million euro loan for a hydro electric power project. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi signed the agreement last Thursday while in Rome on a two day working visit. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Alfredo Mantica signed the agreements that enable finalize preparations for the return of Axum Obelisk, the loan for Gilgel Gibe hydro electric power project and other accords. Seyoum noted on the occasion that the agreement with regard to the return of the Axum Obelisk would close the chapter that has impeded the cooperation between the two countries. Seyoum said the agreement signed to enable finalize the preparations launched for the return of the Obelisk would bolster the cooperation between the two countries. He further said the sealed agreement shows the willingness of the government of Italy to respect the peace accord concluded between the two countries in 1947. According to the Foreign Minister, the Axum Obelisk is due to come back home in the period between the coming January and March. The agreement demands the technical support of UNESCO in re-erecting the Obelisk here in Ethiopia, Seyoum said. He also said that the 220 million euro loan agreement with Italy enables Ethiopia produce additional 450 mega watt from the Gilgel Gibe project. According to the minister, the Gilgel Gibe project loan agreement is the first of its kind for the Italian Government to make such huge financing in a single project. The delegation has also signed a cultural agreement with the Italian Government. Addisu says peace, good governance should be given due attention ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said attention should be given to ensuring peace and good governance to enable the people of Somali State to benefit from development achievements. Addisu Legesse stressed the need that peace and good governance should be given due attention to be able to enhance the all-round development activities underway in the state. He made the statement while addressing the meeting organized to evaluate the 1997 E.C. first quarter year performance that got underway here yesterday. Addisu also said striving to increase education coverage, which he said, is at low level, to 60 per cent in the next three with a view to minimizing shortage of skilled labour. He said it is only possible that the budget allocated by the government is utilized for intended purpose that the people in the state would be able to benefit from achievements. The Deputy Prime Minister said it is only possible when the leaderships of the state government strive for extricating the people from their complex socio-economic problems by freeing themselves from corruption. He said it was inappropriate for certain authorities of the state government to sell relief grain and use the proceeds from it for their personal benefits. Addisu said attention should also be given to woreda-centered development activities aimed at alleviating poverty. A representative of the state capacity building bureau said on his part that 800 under qualified people who were employed in government offices and taking salary inappropriately for several years were dismissed. They were now replaced by competent and qualified personnel, he added. Speaking on his part, the State Administration Acting Chief Abdul Jibril Abubekar said activities are well underway to enable the people in the state to benefit from development achievements. A team comprising senior government officials led by Addisu had also held a discussion with community leaders in the state on peace and good governance yesterday. Concerted efforts of stakeholders said essential to accelerate industrial dev’t ADDIS ABABA – The development of the industrial sector in one of the major national priority activities underway to raise the economic progress and to improve the living condition of the people, the Ministry of Information said. The ministry said in its weekly statement issued yesterday that although agriculture employs the vast majority of the people and is the backbone of the national economy at present, it is inevitable that industry will eventually take over as the mainstay of our economy. Effective economic transformation can only be realized when the role of agriculture is replaced by the industrial sector, it said adding our country can secure its fair share from the highly centralized global economy only by ensuring competent industrial development. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), aware of the role of industry in the national economy, has devised a policy and strategy guideline and is engaged in practical activities to create favorable conditions to facilitate the development of the sector, it said. As a result of the numerous reform steps taken to promote the sector, a number of local entrepreneurs are engaged in investment activities with an encouraging level of foreign investor participation, the statement said. According to the statement, the consolidation of peace, good governance and democratization in our country has encouraged investors and there is a steady growth in the flow of foreign investment. The Ethiopian Industry week, which is being observed for the fourth time in the country, and is believed to be instrumental to enhance the various efforts underway to scale up the development of the sector, is an important event that creates conditions to bring all stakeholders together and enable them identify impediments and constraints and seek solutions, it said. The statement finally called upon all stakeholders to exert maximum efforts to ensure the rapid development of the industrial sector. November 22, 2004 Meles calls on Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia Italian President says signed agreement opens new chapter in Ethio-Italy relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called upon members of the Italian business community to invest in Ethiopia. During a discussion he held with the Italian business community in Rome Friday, Prime Minister Meles said Ethiopia has done everything possible to attract potential investors. The Italian investors on their part expressed their desire to invest in Ethiopia in various potential investment sectors. They said they were keen to invest in textile, coffee, leather and agro industrial development sectors. Prime Minister Meles assured the Italian business community that the government is ready to tackle any bottlenecks that would hamper their business activities in Ethiopia. Some of the Italian entrepreneurs who have already invested and those who show interest to invest in Ethiopia expressed appreciation to the support being given to them. They however said the government has to do more to remove some impediments in the transport sector and other bureaucratic problems. Prime Minister Meles said on the occasion that his government will do all in its capacity to solve the stated problems. Meanwhile, Italian President Carlo Axegelio Ciampi said his country would further enhance its cooperation with Ethiopia, as the signing of the agreement providing for the return of Axum Obelisk, between the two countries has opened a new chapter in their relations. While conferring with Prime Minister Meles in Rome on Friday, President Ciampi said Italy and Ethiopia would further consolidate the bilateral cooperation between them in development, trade and investment sectors. Ciampi said he was happy over the signing of the agreement, which he said, "Has opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries." The president said he would exert maximum effort to persuade Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia. President Ciampi said the efforts launched by Italy and Ethiopia to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is enabling to achieve fruitful results. Speaking on his part, Prime Minister Meles said a grant of 220 million euros made by Italy for the implementation of hydroelectric power project in Ethiopia with low interest rate shows Italy's desire to further strengthen its cooperation with Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles disclosed that Italy would cancel a 450 million euro debt Ethiopia owes to it. An agreement providing for the cancellation of the debt is expected to be signed by next December. The high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived here Friday concluding its two-day visit to Italy. Political parties debate on secondary education by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - The ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) yesterday criticized the stands of three political parties with regard to secondary education as well as vocational and skill training systems of the country. On the live televised Electoral Debate organized by the Addis Ababa University (AAU) here yesterday at the Convention Hall, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) made a heated debate while presenting their own views regarding the issue. The opposition parties predominantly opposed the current policies and strategies and suggested the substitution of a new one except AEDP which said that it would design a policy discussing with all parts of the society pertaining to the sector if elected. As to the representatives of UEDF on the other hand, the involvement of unskilled teachers in the area, inadequate salary to teachers, defects of language skills of students and teachers, unfair distribution of education in the rural and urban areas as well as states are some of the defects of the current educational policy. They said that 60 per cent of the current teachers at this level have inadequate skills, and only 30 per cent of the whole population are getting the appropriate skill at this level. If the party could come to power, the representatives reaffirmed that they would strive to raise the quality of education by providing short and long term trainings to teachers, improve the salary of teachers, make the class size proportional with the number of students, give more access to detainees in the education sector. UEDP- MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part related the defect with lack of educational inputs, administrative problems, contents of the books and classroom congestions among others. According to the representatives, only 20 per cent of those age group got the access to secondary education. In addition, women's in grade 9 and 10 enrolment is 36 per cent, vocational and skill trainings were provided to 47 per cent and 28 per cent for the non-vocational sector. They also said that only 36 per cent of high school teachers got appropriate training. In addition, a classroom accommodates 80 students and 5 students share a single book. To improve this, the representatives said that they would change the current system and apply a new one. Accordingly, secondary education included grade 7-12 that is again classified into three parts. Grade 7 and 8 are said to be Junior Secondary education level. Next comes intermediate secondary school education that includes grade 9 and 10. Finally in grade 11 and 12, they would deal with preparatory secondary education and vocational preparation for the job and higher education. Criticizing the above points, EPRDF representatives Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with Minister of Education Genet Zewde argued that the current educational policy has registered remarkable results in meeting the country's demand of achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. It also considers the countries human power and natural resource. On the contrary, oppositions view with these regards is similar with the previous regimes, which brought no result. As to Tefera, the policy for this level was designed in such a way that the students would acquire the small-scale trainings that would enhance the agricultural and industrial sector of the country. In addition, it gave due attention to its quality. Likewise, the students are expected to have adequate skills, become responsible citizens and democrats and ready to fight corruption and maladministration in the society, Tefera added. According to Tefera, 80,000 are getting different trainings annually which was only 2,000 some ten years back and women's participation has reached 47.5 per cent in this regard. In addition, the types of trainings reached to 40 and the government is helping them to be self-supportive when they graduate. To realize this, short and long term trainings were provided to teachers and the various sectors of the society especially investors participation is so high. The debate on higher education system would also continue the coming Saturday (November 27, 2004). November 23, 2004 Commission issues licence to 284 investors ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has issued licence to 284 foreign and local investors with a registered capital of 2.52 billion birr during the first quarter of this fiscal year (July, August and September). Some 151 of the entrepreneurs who invested over 1.88 billion birr are foreigners, Commission Investment and Public Relations Department Acting Director, Yohannis Latamo said. Yohannes said the entrepreneurs were licensed to run projects in the areas of agriculture, industry, education, health and construction, consultancy, catering and tourism. According to the acting director, the projects are expected to create job opportunities to 13,841 people when they enter into production phase. He further indicated that the Commission has been taking various measures with a view to attracting increased foreign direct investment in the country. Investors from Israel, the Netherlands and China are engaged in floriculture, textiles, leather and leather products as well as dairy farming. The director attributed the rise in foreign direct investment to the recent official visits of the high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid to Israel and China. The high-level delegation that visited Italy recently has also invited Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia as the country has suitable agroecology to cotton development suitable in addition to its cheap labour. The Commission also plans to conduct investment promotion activities in the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia to attract foreign direct investment, especially in priority sectors like floriculture, horticulture as well as leather and leather products. Meanwhile, 119 entrepreneurs have pumped over one billion birr into various investment projects in West Shoa zone, Oromia State, the Zonal Investment Office said. The entrepreneurs are engaged in 131 projects, Office Head, Fufa Teso said Friday at the ongoing investment promotion and trade fair here. He said the investors have been involved in agriculture, industry, hotel, education, trade and other investment sectors. There is 41,000 hectares of investment sites in the zone, he said. He said 27,760 hectares has been designated for agriculture, 5,800 for forestry and 1,500 for industrial investments. Fufa said he was optimistic that the zone would be an investment destination as there has been enabling investment environment in the zone since last year in addition to the rich natural resources and tourist attraction in the area. He further said the investment promotion and trade fair kicked off November 18,2004 in the town are expected to boost investment activities in the zone. Committee passes resolutions on Ethio-Italy agreement ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Coordination Committee for the Return of Axum Obelisk has passed resolutions based on the relevant agreement Ethiopia reached with Italy during a recent visit to that country of a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Committee passed the resolutions here yesterday during a meeting presided over by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ambassador Teshome Toga. The resolutions provided for specific issues to enable the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Ethiopia and Italy during the visit on 18 and 19 November. On November 10, a joint technical committee of the two countries reached at a memorandum of understanding after deliberations on detailed issues on the return of the Ethiopian heritage. The resolutions passed by the Coordination Committee provides for the preliminary activities that should be carried out on the part of Ethiopia for the transportation and re-erection of the obelisk. The obelisk, one of the living witnesses of Ethiopia's ancient civilization and one of the few in the world - is due to come back to its rightful owners, the Ethiopian people, within a period from January to April next year. The committee will hold its sequel meeting next week, it was learnt. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia Nov. 23,2004 ============================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Nov 26 14:40:39 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Itmes Message-ID: <20041126124039.59506.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> November 25, 2004 Council of Ministers approves new peace initiative for Ethio-Eritrea conflict ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Council of Ministers approved a new peace initiative aimed at seeking a solution to the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. According to the Ministry of Information, the new peace initiative is to be submitted to the House of Peoples' Representatives today for a final decision. The Council in its session yesterday approved the initiative after a detailed evaluation on the objective reality that existed between the two countries. Although the Council of Ministers has exerted utmost efforts aimed at seeking a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, it was not possible to bring about sustainable peace between the two countries owing to various reasons. The ratification of the new initiative was promoted by the fact that establishing durable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea could enable the peoples of the two countries to live in peace and brotherhood. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers discussed the new peace initiative and approved it as it was consistent with Ethiopia' principles for establishing sustainable peace and promoting the spirit of good neighborliness. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is to present a report to the House of Peoples' Representatives, which is to be transmitted live on television and radio. Meles returns home after attending NEPAD Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday after attending the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism and the Executive Committee meetings in Algiers, Algeria. Numerous African Heads of State and Government including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attended the summit. In his address to the meeting, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika said Africans have been exerting huge efforts to speed up their national development programmes through NEPAD. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development programmes, Bouteflika said. NEPAD would facilitate the conditions for the implementation by Africans of sustainable development prgrammes, Bouteflika said. He called for due attention to support the ongoing national capacity building activities geared towards alleviating the multi-faceted problems and speed up the development of the continent. He also indicated the need for NEPAD member countries to sustain their international development partnership with a view to creating better coordination. Regional economic society and organizations have been contributing hugely to the activities aimed at creating continental integration in Africa, he said. The international official development assistance being made in the framework of NEPAD has taken considerable share in helping Africans speed up development, he indicated. He also called for enhanced efforts towards tackling the HIV/AIDS, malaria and Epidemics in Africa. He said attention should be made towards creating economic stability through the enhancement of micro and small-scale employment generation schemes. Large-scale promotional activities should also be undertaken in Africa to draw sizable trade and investment to the continent, he said. Chairman of the Executive Committee and the peer review forum, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion said external challenges have been impeding the activities in Africa to speed up development. In the face of these challenges however, Africans have been implementing various activities in their political and economic reform programmes, Obasanjo said. He called on strong commitments on the part of Africans to create the legal conditions necessary to bring the Peer Review Mechanism to a success. The Peer Review Mechanism would enable Africans to share experiences, ensure good governance, improve socio-economic conditions and enhance Africa's roles in the international for a, he said. Reports pertinent to the NEPAD performance and the African Development Bank's support to NEPAD's projects were submitted and discussed upon at the meeting. The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned home earlier yesterday. November 26, 2004 Ethiopia offers new peace initiative to resolve boundary dispute with Eritrea by Getahun Amogne ADDIS ABABA - The House of Peoples' Representatives yesterday approved a new five-point peace initiative designed by the government to address the Ethio-Eritrean boundary dispute in a peaceful and sustainable manner. In its 7th Regular Session, the House endorsed the peace proposal presented by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which, among others, includes Ethiopia's consent to accept in principle the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC). The House endorsed the plan in an overwhelming majority stating that the peace proposal would be instrumental in ensuring durable peace between the two countries and the Horn of Africa region as well. "The best option we have is to rule out the use of force as a means of resolving problems once and for all, and to solve problems and disputes only through peaceful means," Meles said explaining the first point of the peace proposal, which reaffirms Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute. The second point of the peace plan deals with tackling the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with a view to normalizing relations between the two nations. The Premier noted that normalization and good neighborliness between the two countries was in the interest of peace and in their mutual benefits. According to their point of the peace proposal, Ethiopia accepts in principle the decision of the EEBC. "Though the Commission's decision is unjust and illegal, Ethiopia accepts it in principle as this matter is not more important than ensuring durable peace," Meles said. The government of Eritrea has been refusing to respond favorably to Ethiopia's call for peace giving as justification Ethiopia's unwillingness to accept the decision of the Commission, he said. The Premier added that it has now been felt necessary and useful to adjust and modify Ethiopia's position with the hope that it would make the country's peace agenda more robust and effective. As a fourth point to the peace plan, Ethiopia agrees to pay its dues to the EEBC and to appoint field liaison officers. Accordingly, Ethiopia would resume paying its contribution and designating liaison officers, which had been interrupted following the unjust and illegal decision of the Commission. Meles said that the last facet in the five-point peace proposal has to do with starting dialogue immediately to implement the Commission's decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the peoples of the two countries. "It is critical that the negotiations and the resulting agreements take into account the acceptance by Ethiopia in principle of the Commission's decision and adherence to the principle of give and take in the course of implementing the decision," the Prime Minister told the Parliament. Meles expressed his conviction that the peace plan would help Ethiopia win the support of the international community thereby promoting its agenda with respect to development and good governance. He, however, stressed the need to exert efforts to ensure the readiness of the Eritrean government for dialogue. MPs, most of whom representatives of opposition parties, put forward questions and suggestions on the Premier's peace initiative. They sought clarification on what it meant by accepting in principle the decision of the Commission, which, the government itself considered as unjust and illegal. The opposition MPs also insisted that the public at all levels should discuss the peace plan before it is approved by the House. They also wanted to know why at this point in time the EPRDF-led government comes up with such a proposal. W Oppositions also blamed the government for lack of firm stand on the border issue. Prime Minister Meles responded that the government decided to accept in principle the unjust and illegal decision giving priority to its peace and development agenda. "The world is not always judged by legal and fair decisions. When we are faced with such a situation, it is a matter of choosing the lesser of the two evils," he said. Meles rejected the idea of passing peace plan for public decision saying that as a representative of the Ethiopian peoples as a whole, the House has the full mandate to decide on the proposal. Commenting on EPRDF's stand on the border issue, he said adjusting positions with the changing realities on the ground is a wise decision and an indicator of the existence of dynamism in the party and government leadership. The peace plan was not abrupt and haphazard action of the government, Meles said, adding that it was a result of intensive discussion and review by the party and government leadership as well as with international peace-loving partners. The 547-seat House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed the peace plan with 10 objections and three abstentions. ================================ Pol.ethiopia Nov.26,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Nov 29 15:09:57 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041129130957.90683.qmail@web53301.mail.yahoo.com> November 27, 2004 Meles says new initiative significant for stability in the Horn Confers with Annan's Special Advisor ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the new peace initiative Ethiopia has put fourth to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute would have a huge significance and value for durable peace in the Horn of Africa. Ambassador's Dean in Ethiopia on his part says the initiative is acceptable not only in Africa but also in the world at large. During talks with resident diplomats (heads of foreign missions in Ethiopia) here yesterday, Meles said peace is second to one of all priorities for the Horn of Africa states. Prime Minister Meles told the resident diplomats that the new peace initiative is indicative of Ethiopia's firm commitments and determination for peace. There is no second option or substitute to peace in the Horn of Africa region and Ethiopia's new proposal takes important precedence of an international stature, Meles said. Ethiopia's acceptance in principle the decision passed by the Boundary Commission, however illegal and unjust it is, explains the country's unflinching stance for sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa, Meles said. Asked if Eritrea accepted the peace initiative, Prime Minister Meles said there has not been any official declaration from Asmara, but to judge from the hate-propaganda by the Eritrean Government, it seems that it has not accepted the proposal. Meles said he was informed by the special envoys of Algerian, Nigerian and South African presidents who have been to Asmara lately for talks on the peace process that they could not get access to the Eritrean President. The African Union as well as the UK, German and Austrian governments, have already accepted Ethiopia's initiative. The European Union (EU) also welcomed the new peace initiative of the Ethiopian Government to resolve its border row with Eritrea. The Ambassadors Dean, Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Sayed Fadal E-Seed on the occasion has commended Ethiopia for having reached such a noble decision. It is an initiative acceptable worldwide, he said, and expressed appreciation on behalf of the heads of foreign missions to Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Professor Geofferey Sacks has said the development programmes being implemented in Ethiopia are well directed to bring about speedy development. Sacks, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, made the remark here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles. Sacks told journalists that the ongoing development programmes in Ethiopia are the right ones to speed up economic growth and development. The ongoing efforts to providing health services, electricity supply and other infrastructure facilities to the grass roots would enable the realization of speedy development, he said. He lauded the activities in Ethiopia geared towards providing quality health services to the grass roots and the establishment of health centre to every 25,000 people. He called on the international donor organizations and countries to enhance their support to Ethiopia's multi-sector development endeavours. UK, Germany and Austria welcome New Peace Initiative ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The United Kingdom and Germany have welcomed Ethiopia's Five-point New Peace Initiative it offered to resolve the boundary dispute with Eritrea. "This is a welcome development. It represents an important step forward which the international community have been urging the Ethiopian Government to take," the British Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday. The release quoted Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, and Chris Millin, Minister for Africa both as saying, "We hope that Ethiopia and Eritrea can now move forwards together towards the resolution of this long and tragic dispute. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can." The Ethiopian leader called for the "root causes" of the conflict to be resolved through dialogue to help end border tensions and normalise relations. "Durable and sustainable peace is, moreover, in the mutual interest of the two peoples," he said. "Normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace and in their mutual interest." The Chinese news agency Xinhua also quoted a statement issued Thursday by Cahncellor Gerhard Schroeder Deputy Spokesman Thomas Steg that the Chancellor welcomed Prime Minister Meles' announcement that Ethiopia has accepted "in principle" the ruling of the independent Boundary Commission. "This is an important step" and gives new impulse to the mediation efforts, Schroeder was quoted as saying. He also urged both sides of the conflict to return to the negotiating table and solve remaining problems concerning the border dispute. The Government of Austria has also welcomed the Ethiopia's new peace. Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Ursula Plassnik said yesterday, "We wellcome the readiness of the Ethiopian Government for a peaceful settlement of the conflict with Eritrea." "Especially deserving is the willingness of Ethiopia to accept in principle the decision of the Boundary Commission; and to collaborate again with the Commission," said the Austrian Foreign Minister. Dr. Plassnik asked both parties to conduct negotiations to try to find a peaceful solution together for the implementation of the border. Similarly, the European Union (EU) has welcomed the Ethiopian Government's new peace initiative which accepts in principle the April 2002 decision of the Boundary Commission on the demarcation of its border with Eritrea. Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in a statement issued in Brussels by his spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, that Ethiopia's decision will lead to a speedy start of the demarcation of the border. The EU Solana said "encourages the government of Eritrea to respond positively to Ethiopia's offer of talks about the root causes of the conflict, with a view to normalizing relations between the two countries. Presenting the proposal to the House of Peoples' Representatives Thursday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said durable and sustainable peace is in the mutual interest of the two peoples. He said, normalisation and good neighborliness between the two countries is in the interest of peace. Ethiopia needs lasting peace with Eritrea to fight poverty, backwardness: Bereket ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Information Minister Bereket Simon says that the five-point new peace initiative the Ethiopian Government offered to resolve the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute well explains the firm commitment of the country for lasting peace. In an interview with the BBC Thursday Bereket said that the initiative has made it clear that Ethiopia accepts in principle the ruling of the Boundary Commission's decision. "Now, we are saying we believe that the Commission has made mistakes in some parts of the decisions. But just because this is the rule of law, we accept it. That is what we are saying. "…In this initiative, we are expressing that we have accepted the Boundary Commission's decisions 'in principle'. But all the pertinent issues that have caused the relationship to deteriorate in the last some years must be addressed as well. Basically, Ethiopia is committed to peace and we believe sustainable peace is our strategic goal," Bereket told the BBC. Bereket said the new peace initiative intends to create a sustainable and lasting peace between the two states. "… the most deadly enemies of these countries are poverty and backwardness. So, in order to fight poverty and backwardness, we need to have a lasting peace between these two states." "…So, Ethiopia has come up with the proposal, with the new peace initiative that intends to bring about a sustainable and lasting peace between the two countries," Bereket told BBC. TPLF to field 190 candidates for upcoming elections ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) announced that it has fielded 190 candidates who will contest for seats both in the state council and House of Peoples' Representatives in the upcoming national elections. TPLF Organizational Affairs Head Gobezay Wolde-Aregay said the candidates comprise women, youth, intellectuals and farmers. Some 40 per cent of the 38 candidates the Front fielded to contest for seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives are women with a view to increasing the participation of women, he said. Women also constitute 50 per cent of the 152 candidates fielded for seats in the state council, Gobezay said. He said serving the public with honest and diligence are the main criteria taken to choose the candidates but they will be replaced if they do not meet the requirement following evaluation by the public and members of the Front next month. NEB licenses CUD as national political party ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) has been certified as a political party operating across the nation, the National Electoral Board (NEB) said. The board told ENA yesterday that the political party, which is a coalition of five political organizations, was licensed as a national party as of 26 November 2004. The party has got legal recognition after the Board deliberated yesterday on the application of the Coalition as the other member parties of the Coalition had already been accredited, acting registrar of the Political Parties' Registration Office with the Board, Mekonnen Wondimu said. Members of the Coalition have submitted a merger document to the Board on 24 November 2004, he said, adding the Board granted the license to CUD after evaluating the document. According to the document, every political party joining the Coalition remains with its legal recognition, though the members of the Coalition agreed not to field a candidate anywhere another member of the Coalition is contesting. The Board has granted licenses to 72 political parties so far out of which 16 are operating at national level, the registrar said. November 28, 2004 IAAF pledges enhanced support to athletics in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has pledged continued assistance to athletics activities in Ethiopia. The Senegalese IAAF President Lamine Diack made the announcement here yesterday after talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Diack told journalists that IAAF will support the training and construction activities of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF). IAAF has been working in partnership with Ethiopia over the past four decades and its relations with the incumbent national federation of Ethiopia remains momentous, Diack said. Diack said his discussions with Prime Minister Meles centred on issues of enhancing partnership to strengthen athletics activities in Ethiopia. He said he looks forward to partaking next year's Ethiopian Great Run. During talks, Prime Minister Meles told Diack that various projects geared towards augmenting athletics in Ethiopia have well been in the pipeline. Meles said his government attaches due attention to the activities targeted at bolstering athletics in Ethiopia, and affirmed support to IAAF in its intervention in national athletics endeavours. The two parties have also exchanged views on ways of drawing enhanced international partnership to strengthen Ethiopia's athletics, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Ambassador Teshome Toga said. IAAF has pledged to provide support to renew the Addis Ababa Stadium's track, Ambassador Teshome who attended the meeting said. It has also pledged to socialite support for the implementation of the Sendafa Athletics Village Project, he said. EAF has launched activities to construct athletics centres in the Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states, according to the Minister. France commends Ethiopia's peace initiative ADDIS ABABA (WIC) - French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz said the peace initiatives proposed by Ethiopia to resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute is constructive and acceptable by his country. Ambassador Gompertz, in an exclusive interview with WIC Friday, said the new peace initiative would help resolve the border conflict between the two countries. He said the two countries could address their socio-economic problems by disengaging themselves from war and holding dialogue. According to the ambassador, the idea of resolving the Ethio-Eritrea conflict by peaceful means and the four other points indicated in the initiative reflect the desire of Ethiopia to do away with poverty. The ambassador promised consultancy, technical, professional and other supports for the success of the peace agreement. France and Germany resolved years long disputes not by war, but through dialogue of the two governments and peoples, he said, and hoped that Ethiopia and Eritrea too would address their problems through the same peaceful means. "Higher education crucial to build democracy" - EPRDF "Current education system violates academic freedom" - Oppositions by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - Representatives of the ruling Ethiopia Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), said that the current education policy is aimed not only at producing skilled manpower at higher level but also crucial to mould responsible citizens who strive to ensure good governance and democracy. Opposition parties on the other hand, indicated that the policy violates academic freedom especially in the higher institutions. At an electoral debate organized by the Addis Ababa University for the third time and held at the Ethiopian Convention Centre yesterday, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic- Medhin Party (UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY) and the All Ethiopian Democratic Party (AEDP) debated on the country's higher education system. Accordingly, EPRDF defended the system while the three opposition parties explained their optional policies criticizing that of the EPRDF. EPRDF representatives, Minister of Capacity Building Tefera Walwa along with the Minister of Education Genet Zewde described the current policy as sound and appropriate on mainly because it is a means to achieving sustainable development and ensuring good governance as well as democracy. They said that the policy was designed in such a way that it would support the secondary education to fulfil the urgent trained manpower need of the country. It has also given greater attention to innovative approach and with the introduction of scientific and technological knowledge. According to EPRDF representatives, all stakeholders and pertinent scholars in particular, were involved in designing the policy, the ministers added. They further explained that a number of higher institutions have been constructed to train scholars in various fields of study giving speciale phases to fair distribution among states. They also indicated that the number of universities reached eight and the annual enrolment of higher institutions exceeded 30,000 as compared to years back when there were only two universities and 3,076 students enrolled in the higher institutions. In addition, the number of female students and teachers in this area increased from 3 to 13 and 10 to 30 per cent respectively during the same period, they pointed out. Furthermore, the annual enrolment rate in the post graduate programme has increased from 200 to 2,000 during the same time interval to with quality higher education. Speaking about cost sharing which the opposition parties have unanimously objected, the representatives said that it is meant to enhance the quality of education as the country's resource couldn't cover all education costs at this level. UEDF representatives on their part criticized the EPRDF policy, especially for its failure in meeting the needs of the society, avoiding freshman courses in higher institutions, ensuring academic freedom and focusing on quantity at the expense of the quality. They said that if they come to power, their party would work focusing on building institution and human capacity with the provision of necessary educational materials so to make the institutions centres of excellence. UEDP-MEDHIN PARTY representatives on their part said that their party has already designed a new policy that would ensure academic freedom, encourage love-for-work, build innovative ability and self-confidence. The party representatives also said that they would raise the salary of instructors and restructure the administration system of higher institutions. They also indicated that they would allocate adequate budget for education as whole and higher institutions in particular. AEDP representatives are also of the opinion that the current policy has failed to produce the desired manpower because it is designed to promote political objectives. In addition, they criticized the policy for giving less emphasis to quality and inability to provide students and instructors with the necessary support. They told the gathering that their party would strive to solve all these problems in higher institutions. Opening the debate, President of AAU Andreas Eshete said that the debate is instrumental in coming up with constructive ideas and looking into the defects of the current policy. In this regard, the President underscored the importance of an appropriate policy to the country presenting it to the general public for discussion rather than accusing one another. Teachers and students' representatives; higher institution instructors, administrators and students; party members as well as dignitaries attended the four-hour live televised and braod-casted debate. ============================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.29,2004 ================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Nov 30 15:05:46 2004 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:15 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20041130130547.25757.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> November 30, 2004 President stresses int'l partnership to resolve African conflict situation by Shimelis Meressa ADDIS ABABA - President Girma Wolde-Giorgis says that international solidarity and co-operation are vital for Africa to overcome one of its challenges - conflict. Opening a three day international conference "African Conflict Management, Resolution, Post-conflict Recovery and Development" at the UNECA Conference Hall yesterday, the President underscored the importance of international co-operation in addition to the greater effort by Africa through continental and sub-regional organizations to mitigate and eventually resolve conflict situations in the continent. According to the President, lack of economic and social development and the hopelessness engendered by the same contributed to fueling conflicts in the continent. At the conference, organized by Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) President Girma underlined the need for strengthening international partnership in addressing the root causes as well as management of conflicts with the requisite determination and seriousness of purpose. The President also commended Africa's effort mainly by the African Union, IGAD and ECOWAS to enable the continent address its challenges in this area and manage the problem in specific regions of the continent. "It is not all doom and gloom in our continent. Indeed there have been real improvements in Africa in addressing the challenges of conflict." Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies Prof. Ali Maxrui on his part told the gathering that the overall pattern of violence on the African continent is disturbing and deserves analysis. "There are no simple and easy explanations for conflicts in Africa and the theories that have been advanced are both numerous and contradictory." According to the Professor, black violence of white roots; political boundaries created by colonial powers; religion and ethnicity; resource and identity; modern weapons and pre-modern armies as well as dualism and pluralism are the roots of conflict in Africa. "In the modern world, external aggression is no longer a viable mans of forging unity and building states. International way has become too dangerous. Africa must look to other solutions to bring an end to divisiveness," Prof. Mazrui indicated. As to the Director, cultivating toleration, developing pluralism of parties, improving civil-military relations, giving greater voice to African women and fostering innovative Pan-African solutions are some of the measures that should be applied by African nations to make positive and constructive moves to reduce and resolve conflicts. Also on the occasion, OSSREA Executive Secretary Dr. Alfred G. Nhema said that his organizations, established in 1980, is dedicated to the encouragement and promotion of research in the social science from a multi-disciplinary perspective through its mission of promoting dialogue and interaction between social scientists and policy-makers in the sub-region with the aim of strengthening the impact of research on policy formulation and development planning. "OSSREA is committed to the creation of an environment that encourages the fostering of a serious and prominent scholarly research and capacity-building institution that acts as the first part of call for our academics researchers, policy makers and the public at large," the Executive Secretary noted. Over 150 participants from various parts of the world are in attendance at the conference aimed at examining African conflicts, their management, resolution strategies, as well as mechanisms for post-conflict recovery and development while in which over 62 papers would be presented. Ethiopia MDGs need review assessment workshop opens ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Ethiopia would achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through scaling up and accelerated implementation of development programmes complemented by increased international commitment. Speaking at a national workshop kicked off here yesterday to review the MDGs need assessment for Ethiopia, Addisu Legesse said Ethiopia would attain the MDGs by increasing and speeding up implementation of development programmes. He said, "… it is not difficult to realize the immense challenges facing Ethiopia to generate, sustained rapid broad-based growth and poverty reduction and hence realize the MDGs". Addisu said despite the challenges, Ethiopia could attain the MDGs through scaling up and action. The fundamental development objective of Ethiopia is to fight poverty, he said adding that capacity building in public and private sectors is critical in this regard. UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Modibo Toure commended Ethiopia's demonstrated commitment to meeting MDGs. He said, "Ethiopia is now the pioneer in MDGs-based Needs Assessment". Tour urged the international community to support Ethiopia's commitment towards achieving the goals. According to the representative, as a pilot country for the Millennium project, relevant line ministries and departments have drafted sectoral need assessments for rural development and food security, water, sanitation, health, education, private sector and trade as well as urban development. World Bank Country Director Ishac Diwan on his part said it is proper to ask whether the direction being pursued to meeting the MDGs would bring solutions. He said it is also important to question the plans set, visibility of the plans, availability of resources and other relevant questions. Diwan said WB would extend every support to Ethiopia towards achieving the MDGs. Ethiopia has been undertaking Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP) for three years now and nearing completion, head of Economic Policy and Plan Department with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Getachew Adem said. Ethiopia will achieve the MDGs if it obtains the necessary resources in the coming 11 years, he said adding that the support of partners in this regard is valuable. Getachew said UNDP and WB have expressed their readiness to render support to Ethiopia to realizing the MDGs. Senior government officials, representatives of the states, donors, private sectors and civil society organizations are in attendance at the three day long workshop. House decided plebiscite be held in 29 kebeles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The National Electoral Board sad that the House of Federation has decided that a plebiscite would be held in the remaining 29 kebeles over which Somali and Oromia states, have territorial claims. Ethics Senior Professional with the Board Wondimu Mekonnen told ENA Sunday that the House had decided for the holding of the plebiscite for the second time in 29 out of the 39 kebeles. Wondimu said the timetable for the holding of the plebiscite in the kebeles, would be issued soon. The plebiscite will be held before the forthcoming regional and national elections take place, he said. Conductive situations have been created so far to hold the plebiscite in kebeles in Moyale Woreda, he added. Romania keen to further strengthen bilateral ties with Ethiopia by Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA - The Embassy of Romania said that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Romania are growing from time, to time. In a press conference called yesterday in connection with the country's National Day to be marked December 1, 2004, Charge d'Affaires Marius Nicolescu said" "With both country's placing due emphasis on economic diplomacy at the core of their international relations, economic ties between them have to be strengthened in the years ahead." The Embassy has designed a new strategy for boosting bilateral ties mainly in the economic field, he said. A bilateral agreement for avoiding double taxation and a memorandum of understanding for export promotion have been also singed, according to the charge d'affaires. The two countries are negotiating to conclude commercial and investment agreement, he said. Ethiopian and Romanian business delegation have also made reciprocal visits, he said. He added that the Romania-Ethiopia business website was launched for use by the two chambers of commerce. He also said that a strong agency that would communicate and provide detailed and relevant information whenever tender is floated in Ethiopia is desperately needed by business firms in Romania. The goods Romania exports to Ethiopia among others include building materials, glass sheets, wool product, chemicals and paper items while its companies are importing coffee, tea, hides and skin, he said. Mr. Nicolescu commended the Ethiopian Government for its commitment to have debate and discussion with opposition political parties prior to the upcoming national and regional election. Ethiopia and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1957. Great Run noble cause in fighting HIV/AIDS spread: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stressed the need to extend support to enable Ethiopians to involve actively and as much as possible in the Ethiopian Great Run. While addressing the more than 20,000 crowd who were taking part in the Ethiopian 2004 Run which took place here on Sunday in the metropolis, Meles said the Great Run is intended, among others, to promote athletics, and involve as many young people as possible in such a healthy endeavour. Meles said that the Great Run deserves respect and support for it is a noble cause in fighting the spread of the pandemic. "Allow me to express how pleased to be with you today on the occasion of the start of the Great Run," the Prime Minister said. "This Great Run is intended… among other things, to highlight the threat HIV/AIDS poses to the future of our country and to mobilize the people in the fight against the scourge," Meles said. "Each and every one of these objectives are noble objectives that deserve the support of everyone," he added. The Prime Minister thanked the organizers, particularly, Athlete Major Haile Gebre-Silassie for initiating and sustaining "this great initiative" and the participants in general. The 23-year-old Athlete Abebe Dinkessa finished first, Athlete Zenbaba Yigezu second and Athlete Maeregu Zewde third in the 10-kms road race. Athletics Abebe, Zenbaba and Maeregu finished the race in 29 minutes and 57 seconds, 30 minutes and 01 seconds and 30 minutes 04 seconds respectively. In the women's race, athletes Genet Getaneh, Taiba Erkeso and Eyerusalm Kuma completed first, second and third place respectively. A new feature of this year's event is a special Tricycle Race for 25 disabled participants, which was conducted before the start of the mass race. The tricycles were provided by Cheshire services. Great Run was also attended by Mr. Lamine Diack President of the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF), senior government officials and resident ambassadors as well as invited guests. Meanwhile, in messages read out at the event, President Girma, Wolde-Giorgis City Mayor Arkebe Ekubay and Athlete Haile Gebre-Silassie called on the society at large to protect itself from HIV/AIDS. The Messages, prepared by the Ethiopia News Agency in cooperation with the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office pointed out that the society should put into practice HIV/AIDS education. According to the messages, the public should understand well the messages such as "Value Your Life" and "Save Your Life" to develop the culture of self-control and abstain from promiscuous sex. President Girma stressed the need in his message not to discriminate and stigmatize but rather provide care and support to those living with the virus for doing so would further fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS. Showing sympathy to people living with the virus by avoiding discrimination and stigmatization would help save dozens of lives, he said. Arkebe said in his message that he was very much concerned about women, for "my fellow sisters with the age group of 15-24 are more exposed to HIV/AIDS that their membrethrens." He expressed hope that the problem would be tackled through the joint efforts of the city residents. Athlete Haile on his part said that the impact of HIV/AIDS coupled with poverty has become a serious threat to the country. He said continuous education should be provided to the society to minimize the spread of the pandemic. ================================= Pol.ethiopia Nov.30,2004 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail