From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Apr 1 13:56:17 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 05:56:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050401135618.16821.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> March 31, 2005 Benshangul-Gumuz State launches five-year food security strategy By Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA – The Benshangul Gumuz State yesterday launched a five-year food security strategy whose formulation has taken 18 months. The strategy, which will run until 2010, was launched at a one-day donor conference: “Food Security for Poverty Alleviation,” held at the Addis Ababa Hilton. A total of 280,061,635 birr is required to implement the programme of which, the government would cover 81,217,874.15 birr and the remaining 170,837,597.35 birr by donor and NGO sources. Opening the conference, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said: “The strategy that lies before us will provide the necessary framework and guiding principles for how best to go about fulfilling the potentials of the state.” The President also said that Benshangul-Gumuz is generally well endowed by nature and has, in most parts, a lush natural cover, good water resources, cultivable land, and relatively low density of population compared to many parts of the country. But we have to look closer at the complex causes of poverty and food insecurity, the president said, and needs to be an integrated phase and comprehensive intervention, Abay added. “The key success factors are ownership of the programme by the people and the state, making use of the available labour force and natural resources and building up the all-round capacity of the state and the people to implement, own as well as benefit from the programme,” he said. Abay also appealed to all donors to pledge generously in the spirit of partnership to implement the programme. The food security strategy will address agriculture, livestock, environment and natural resource management, gender, socio-demography and capacity building, among others. Due to lack of internal capacity and funding, the state had not developed its own food security programme in the past. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded the strategic plan. Over 80 participants drawn from NGOs, donors, federal and Benshangul-Gumuz State Government attended the day-long conference. April 1, 2005 Meles holds talk with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussion centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Standby force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation to Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. ==================================== pol.ethiopia April 1,2005 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates. http://personals.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Fri Apr 8 11:29:12 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 04:29:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] New Items Message-ID: <20050408112912.63417.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> April 7, 2005 Meles holds talks with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussions centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by Force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Stand by force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The three-member delegation includes the Education, Pension and Labour Affairs Committee as well as the Secretary of State’s African Affairs Sub-committee. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate, also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. Council, union leaders agree to conduct in-campus election process ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Leaders of Students’ Councils and Unions of higher learning institutions have agreed to conduct in-campus voter registration as per the timetable to be set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Students studying in higher learning institutions far away from their regions of residence had requested the Board to seek ways of enabling them exercise their rights. The Board heed to their calls in arranging in-campus voters’ registration schedule. Deputy Head of NEBE Secretariat, Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that leaders of students’ councils and unions of higher learning institutions including the Addis Ababa University have received the necessary training that would enable them participate in the May 2005 national elections. He said 55 members of the students’ unions drawn from the various higher learning institutions across Ethiopia left for their respective institutions on Thursday upon completion of the training. According to Tesfaye, the trainees have received special election documents for delivery to their respective institutions. The trainees would summon general meeting upon arrival at their respective institutions to prepare voting of election executives and election observers, he said. The NEBE would assign an expert at each institution to provide support to effectively undertake voter registration and voting processes, Tesfaye said. The Deputy Head urged administrative bodies at each institution to extend the necessary support towards accomplishment of the election processes at various levels. He said leaders of students’ councils and unions would closely work with the office of the board. The trainees were drawn from higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, Debre Zeit, Nazareth, Awasa, Dilla, Arba Minch, Alemaya, Makalle, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Jimma and Ambo. Meanwhile, Afro-Flag Youth Vision Association says it has begun providing election education to young people in Adama city of Oromia State with a view to enabling the youth actively participate in the national elections in May. Team Representatives with the Association, Shiferaw Lencho and Yeshi Yitagesu said the education is being provided to the youths since last Saturday. The Representatives said the education focused on voting, ethics and the concept of democracy. They said the Association would also organize election related panel discussions and other forums continuously for youths and residents. Established in 1995 E.C., the Association has been carrying out similar activities in six state towns including Addis Ababa, according to the representatives. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia April 8,2005 ============================= __________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun. http://www.advision.webevents.yahoo.com/emoticontest From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 06:50:48 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 23:50:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050412065048.78539.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> April 9, 2005 Council of Ministers passes resolutions on three bills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Council of Ministers during its session yesterday has passed resolutions on three bills. The Council passed the resolution on the bill providing for land tenure, another on the loan agreement for the implementation technology development, and yet another providing for plant cross-breeders patent right. The statement the Cabinet office told ENA said the bill providing for land tenure arose from need to redevelop urban lands in line with town plans for uses, among others, of residential housing, infrastructure and investment. This is because towns in the country are widening and urban populations increasing. It was also deemed necessary to put in place a legal instrument to facilitate the designation of rural lands for development activities and to enable the provision of compensations for those who may be relocated in the process. The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs. The Council after looking into the bill and making some amendments unanimously referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives. The other bill provides for the agreement reached between the Government of Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA) on a loan provision for the implementation of information communication development project. The project is aimed at creating easy access to essential market, development and social services information to the public through information and communication technology so as to help them upgrade their living standards. The Council after looking into the bill referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for endorsement. Similarly, the Council discussed the bill providing for the patent rights on plant genetic insemination. It is believed to ensure the rights of owners of new research findings. The bill also considers the right of the farmers who are responsible for conserving the genetic resources. Ethiopia, Uganda sign air services MoU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Uganda yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) here yesterday. The agreement would help the two sisterly countries to, among other things, open and allow for multiple designations of airlines, and abolition of restrictions on capacity, frequency and type of aircraft for commercial purposes. It also gives co-operative arrangement between designated airlines of both countries in marketing, training equipment utilization, blocked-space and code-sharing or leasing. Acting Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), Tefera Mekonnen and Ugandan Transport and Communication Director under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Houses and Communications, Grace James Itazi signed the agreement. After signing the agreement, Tefera said the BASA agreement was designed in accordance with the regional policies that call for implementation of the 5th freedom of air in Africa. Itazi said on his part that the BASA agreement would enable the two countries to promote trade, tourism and cooperation through efficient and effective air transport services. April 10, 2005 EPRDF says gov’t committed to rights, privileges of youth, oppositions argue to the contrary ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) says government’s Rural and Industrial Development, Capacity Building and other policies have ensured the privileges and participation of the youth. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) alleges that all the governments that came to power since the imperial regime part with the youth only in times of external aggression, or at state occasions where the rulers appear to be cheered by crowd waving flags. The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on its part alleges that the incumbent government has been engaged in activities that weaken the nation and incapacitating the generation. The claim-blame came here yesterday at an electoral debate organized by the Kebele 01/02/03 Youth Association in the Addis Ketema Sub-City and Social Services as well as Urban Policy. EPRDF representatives said that tangible results have been registered in the efforts the Front deployed to alleviate the problem of unemployment. They said, more than 70,000 youths have to become owners of their own business within a short period of time through micro-and small-scale schemes, municipal services, construction, food preparation and various other income-generating projects. The EPRDF representatives said that the young generation should be commended for the energy and vitality they have displayed and for honouring dutifulness above all things. They said the oppositions have been engaged in belittling and disregarding the youth. EPRDF has been implementing a wide-range of activities to enable the youth to lead meaningful life, they said. CUD representatives alleged that the youth in Ethiopia have been denied of their opportunities and led to a life of destitution, exile and imprisonment. The education system failed to provide hope to the youth, they said, adding CUD, if elected, would formulate suitable and transparent national policy. The CUD representatives said, if elected, they would generate large-scale employment for the youth, and would engage the youth in rural areas in off farm activities. UEDF representatives on their part said that Ethiopia needs fearless young people that don not give away their liberty. EPRDF, they alleged, has not given the young such a change. EPRDF is making the youth to sing only to the tune of revolutionary democracy, they said, adding the employment is given only to core members of the EPRDF and supporters. If elected, they pledged to formulate a policy of transparency and accountability. Young panelists drawn from educational institutions, HIV/AIDS associations, women’s associations and youth associations have raised queries on various issues to which the political parties have responded. Leaders’ meet to establish East African Standby Force ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that leaders’ meet establishing the East African Standby Force will be held here tomorrow. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that leaders and other senior officials from the Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and other neighbouring countries will attend the meeting. At the end of the day-long meeting leaders of the various countries are expected to sign an agreement establishing the East African Standby Force. According to the Ministry, the headquarters of the Standby Force, in Addis would also be inaugurated. ================================= Pol.ethiopia April 12,2005 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia@yahoo.com Thu Apr 14 13:20:51 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 06:20:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050414132051.21043.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 13, 2005 Parties form joint forums 190 TPLF candidates on election campaigns ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Five political parties in Sidama Zone of the Southrern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State have formed a joint forum with a view to resolving problems that may arise in the run up, the Zonal Election Office said. Office Head Berhanu Dukamo told ENA yesterday that the joint forum was formed, by the South Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM), the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), the Sidama Hadicho Peoples’ Democratic Organization (SHPDO) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (FDM). Berhanu said that the parties have set up an executive committee consisting of one member from each party. Similarly, four political parties and independent contestants running for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in Bale Zone of Oromia State have formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office Coordinator Dejene Bekele told ENA recently that the joint forum was formed by the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO), CUD, OFDM, the United Ethiopia Democratic Front (UEDF) and independent Candidates. The joint forum was established with a view to resolving possible disputes among contesting parties in a democratic manner, he said. The joint forum will also be established at constituency level, he added. Some political parties including the Oromo Liberation National Party (OLNP), Oromo Abbo Liberation Front (OALF) and the Geda System Advancement Party (GSAP) did not take part in the establishment of the forum although they were invited, he said. Bogale further indicated that they have been invited to attend at the second meeting of the forum which is scheduled to be held April 19, 2005. Three political parties active in Alamata and Hintalo-Wajirat woredas of the Southern Tigray Zone have also formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office coordinator Bogale Tessema said yesterday that the joint forum was established by the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), UEDF and CUD. Bogale said two independent and 74 candidates of TPLF, CUD. UEDF, United Ethiopian Democratic Party-MEDHIN (UEDP-MEDHIN) and All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP) are currently conducting election campaigns in the zone. Meanwhile, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) says its 190 candidates vying for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in the Tigray State have been launching election campaigns. The candidates are those who had undergone and passed critical public evaluation earlier, TPLF office told ENA Monday. The office said 38 of the candidates would run for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives while the remaining for the State Council. Women candidates contesting for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Council constitute 36.6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, according to the office. Candidates representing all the nationalities in the State are vying at various constituencies, the office said. TPLF, over the past years, helped over half a million people from women and youth associations as well as farmers’ cooperatives in the state to benefit from micro and small-scale businesses, extension services and other development endeavours, the office indicated. According to the office, TPLF has exerted efforts to help thousands of people get job opportunities. Food security strategies are being implemented the office said. Over 66,000 farmers are engaged in a number of agricultural packages. Leaders leave for home after attending EASBRIG launch ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Presidents of Djibouti, Sudan and the Transitional Government of Somali left for home yesterday after attending the Summit of East African Heads of State and Government establishing the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) here in Addis. Upon departure at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Presidents Ismael Omar Guelleh, Omar Hassan Al-Beshir and Abdullahi Yussuf were seen off by senior government officials. The presidents have also attended the inaugural ceremony of the Head-quarters of EASBRIG here in Addis. Heads of State and Government of the East African Countries including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi have attended the inaugural ceremony of the Headquarters of the EASBRIG. EASBRIG was established based on the resolution adopted by the African Union (AU) to establish Standby Brigades at each of the Five Sub-Regions of Africa. The remaining four Sub-Regions will also establish similar Standby Brigades. Meet discusses strengthening Ethio-Oman trade, economic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and Omani representatives of the Investment and Foreign Trade Centre and other officials held discussions aimed at strengthening Ethio-Oman trade and economic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ministry told ENA in a press release sent yesterday that the two sides held the discussions on 2-5 April 2005 in Musqat, Oman. The release said that the Omani delegation comprised investors, vice minister of trade and industry, Minister of tourism, vice minister of petroleum and natural gas, head of the African department, minister of agriculture and fishery as well as officials of investment and foreign trade promotion center. The Ethiopian Embassy delegation was led by Ambassador Abdi Delal. The two sides discussed at length on the direction of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the release quoted the Ethiopian Embassy as saying. The Ethiopian delegation on the occasion briefed the Omani investors about the conducive investment climate in Ethiopia and called on them to invest in sectors of their choice. The Ethiopian Embassy officials at a dinner thrown by the Oman Investment and Foreign Trade Centre made demonstrations about the Ethiopian exports as well as investment and tourism activities before about 80 Omani investors. On the occasion, the Omani investors raised questions regarding about investment security, tax levying, project site arrangement as well as Ethiopia’s exports and information availability about the ports Ethiopia uses for its import-export activities. Responding to the questions, the Ethiopian delegation distributed documents pertinent to Ethiopia’s investment code, trade and legal frameworks as well as illustrated documents of tourist attractions. The Omani investors have visited exhibits of samples of export items. At the conclusion of the visit by the Ethiopian Embassy delegation, President of the Oman Investment and Trade Centre Salim Bin expressed gratitude to the members of the Ethiopian mission for having provided the demonstrations. He expressed conviction that the Omani investors will respond positively to the call made to invest in Ethiopia. Ambassador Abdi on his part pledged that his mission will facilitate a visit to Ethiopia for a relevant Omani delegation to get first hand experience of the multifaceted development and democratization activities underway in the new Ethiopia. April 14, 2005 Premier leaves for Paris on an official visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left for Paris yesterday leading a high-level delegation on an official three-day visit to France. Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with President Jacques Chirac, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as other senior officials of that country on issues of common interest. The prime Minister is also scheduled to meet various bodies of the French Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe and America Directorates, Acting Director General Girum Abay said. The Ethiopian delegation will hold talks with French investors and businesspeople on ways of strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said. The visit is expected to contribute towards increasing French support to Ethiopia’s capacity building endeavours strengthening their relations, he indicated. The visit will also play significant role towards making Ethiopia destination to French investors, augmenting the share of Ethiopia’s export trade in French markets and creating sustained diplomatic partnership between the two countries, he noted. It is in the interest of Ethiopia that the French Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Ethiopia concentrates on education, water resources development, justice system, and capacity building, he said. According to the Acting Director General, continued efforts will be made on the part of Ethiopia to provide support to prospective French investors to engage in various investments sectors, particularly those development sectors the Ethiopian Government has prioritized. French investors are encouraged to invest in leather and leather products, textile, agro processing, horticulture and floriculture, he said. The Prime Minister’s visit is believed to contribute to create such a partnership whereby France, using its influence in the multilateral arena, will be assisting Ethiopia in all-round diplomatic, political, development and technical fields of cooperation, and also backs Ethiopia’s Africa policy. Discussions will also be held on ways of how France would assist in the peace, development and democratization efforts in the Horn of African as well as the realization of NEPAD programmes, he said. Members of the delegation include Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and other senior government officials. Ethiopia designs five-year AIDS Emergency Relief Strategic Plan ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The preparation of a five-year strategic plan for US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Ethiopia has been completed, Plan Country Coordinator announced. The Country Coordinator Aeron Snipe said the national strategic plan is aimed at maximizing the country’s benefit from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as Ethiopia is one of the focus countries of the US President’s initiative. The country coordinator made the announcement yesterday while addressing a day-long Second Annual National Stakeholders Meeting held here in Addis. Snipt said the document comprises critical areas for interventions that include HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention as well as supportive intervention schemes like ensuring bold leadership, policy dialogue and reform, capacity development, and systematic coordination and communication. The coordinator also said the document clearly stipulates the opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia in implementing the five-year strategic plan. Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E.Brazeal said the five year plan is prepared based on the input obtained from the First National Stakeholders Meeting held in September 2004. Ambassador Brazeal said the strategic plan would help US government assist national efforts geared toward fighting the pandemic through collaboration and partnership. The US government is ready to assist Ethiopia, among others, in increasing public awareness on voluntary testing and counseling, supporting orphans, and scaling-up free anti-retroviral treatments, the Ambassador said. According to the Ambassador, the Second Field Meeting of the President’s Emergency Plan, which brings together 15 focus countries, is scheduled for 22-27 May 2005 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The various development partners including UNAIDS, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and Mekdim-Ethiopia renewed commitments toward fighting the pandemic. The day-long meeting, which is aimed at forging strong partnership among the various stakeholders, has brought together over 200 participants from government offices, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies and other pertinent bodies. PAP delegation to observe nat’l elections here ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chairperson of the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee with the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives said the Pan African Parliament has decided to send election observer mission to Ethiopia in the upcoming third national elections. The Pan African Parliament has also approved over 5 million USD annual budgets. Chairman of the Standing Committee, Haile-Kiros Gessesse said in a statement he gave yesterday that the PAP has decided to send election observers to Ethiopia as part of its efforts to closely monitor the activities of member countries in building up democracy. Haile-Kiros was Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Delegation in the PAP meeting Held recently in South African city of Matran. Haile-Kiros said the PAP has also plans to deploy election observer missions to various member countries in the future. The Deputy Head of the Ethiopian parliamentary delegation to the PAP meeting also said the continental parliament has approved a 5.7 million US dollars annual budget for its overall activities. Haile-Kiros said the Pan African Parliament obtains is budget from contributions member countries make through the African Union. Haile-kiros said the PAP has lauded the report presented to it by the current Chairman of the AU, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to Haile-Kiros, the PAP meeting deliberated on the source of finance for development activities in the continent’s development partners as well as on a range of related continental issues. Some 46 countries have attended the PAP meeting held from March 2 through April 13, 2005 in South Africa. ============================== Pol.ethiopia April 14,2005 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia@yahoo.com Tue Apr 19 07:33:44 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:33:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050419073345.31972.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 16, 2005 Joint forum hears party complaints ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Contesting political parties and the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) presented their complaints on what they said are “illegal activities” committed in the run up to the election to the joint forum. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it would investigate the case and take the necessary measures. At the joint forum meeting held at the NEBE office yesterday, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) complained that supporters of the EPRDF have intimidated its candidates and members in various parts of the country. In its written and oral complaints it presented to the Board, CUD said that arrest of members without due process of law, harassment, intimidations, physical injury, death and hindering the election campaign and other illegal practices were committed by administrative bodies and supporters of the ruling party. EPRDF on its part said that contestant parties have been engaged in destructive campaign such as saying “the government is toppled down” and are agitating the public not to pay tax and repay loans as well as trying to snatch gun from security forces. In its complaints presented to the board, EPRDF said that the contesting parties have been promoting violence with the aim of creating conflicts in Amhara, Oromia, the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states. Chairman of the Joint Forum, Kemal Bedri said that the Board will investigate the appeals presented by both parties and take necessary measures at all levels. As signs of unnecessary frictions were observed due to election campaigns being conducted in market places, Kemal recommended the suspension of election campaigns at market places. Due to the fact that representatives of different parties have reflected different ideas, Kemal said the board will pass resolutions on the matter. A solemn promise drafted by the NEBE with a view to making the upcoming national elections free from violence has been distributed to all contesting political parties and is expected to be endorsed next week following the inclusion of their inputs. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) accused officials of the ruling party of tormenting, beating, and imprisoning CUD’s members at a time when it is making necessary preparations to take part in the upcoming national elections. In a statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine members of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine member of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement said the CUD members have been arrested under the excuse of agitating the public on behalf of the Coalition, adding they remained in prison until the issuance of the statement. The statement also said the Gibe Woreda Administrator, Fekadu Je’ebo and another individual named Desalegn Suraj have disturbed and interrupted a meeting organized by members of the Coalition. The Statement said although the two officials were driven away from the meeting area with the joint efforts of the public they have continued to harass the public. The CUD statement also said two of its members named Abera Aseffa and Fekadu Abebe who were campaigning in Deramalo Constituency, North Omo Zone of the Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples State, have still been in prison. Parliamentary delegation leaves for Mali ACP-EU Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – A three member delegation of the House of Peoples’ Representatives has left for Bamako, Mali, attend the ninth African-Carbbean-Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) joint parliamentary summit. The delegation led by Chairman of the House Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee Haile-Kiros Gessesse left for Mali late Thursday, the House said in a release it sent to ENA yesterday. Africans’ integrated effort key for sustainable peace, stability: Ministry ADDIS ABABA – Many party of the globe are currently characterized by encouraging economic and political development, the Ministry of Information said in its weekly statement issued yesterday. The weekly statement says, on the contrary, viable economic and political changes in Africa have not been registered yet. Anyone with clear conscience can understand that economic and political progress can never be achieved without sustainable peace and security, the statement indicated. Somehow, the joint effort of Africans to tackle their problems and ensure all-round changes to help their people, to overcome poverty and backwardness is gathering momentum, the statement underlined. In line with this, the establishment of East African Standby Brigade launched at the beginning of the week, here in Addis, is believed to be instrumental to step up political and economic changes in the continent, the statement further added. According to the statement, it needs to be noted that the East African Standby Brigade, which is part of the African Standby Force (ASF) and which was inaugurated on Monday, April 11, 2005 is to play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, it is important to note that the founding states of the East African Standby Brigade chose Ethiopia as the seat of the Standby Brigade Headquarters, the statement elaborated. It is also a genuine expression of the regional states’ profound confidence and trust in Ethiopia, the statement said. April 17, 2005 City gov’t to provide special support to would be relocated residents ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Addis Ababa City Administration says it would provide support to metropolitans who will be relocated from their residential areas due to the housing development activities. City Government, Mayor Arkebe Equbay said that the support would aim at ensuring that relocated residents would not face problems of educations, health and transport facilities, and called on city dwellers to stand on the administration’s side in the implementation of the housing development programme. Arkebe made the remarks in a statement he gave yesterday on current activities and future plan of the Administration in relation to the housing development programmes. The children of relocated residents would be given enrolment priority in government schools, Mayor Arkebe said, adding that a guideline has already been prepared to facilitate ways of covering the one-year fees for low income parents whose children are pursuing their education in public schools. Arkebe further said that the administration has worked out ways in which children of low income households could get health care services for free at nearly health stations to their new residential areas. With regard to transportation, the Mayor said that the administration would give upto 300 birr to cover loading and transportation cost of their belongings and paraphernalia. Arkebe further said that the administration has also arranged ways in which each member of relocated households will get a one-year free fare on the Anbessa City Bus to alleviate their transportation problems. Arkebe disclosed that as the administration would be engaged in identifying sites for the construction of 60,000 condominium houses next Ethiopian year no residents would be relocated from their current residential area until next September. Nothing that residents would be relocated for housing development and the construction of road, Arkebe said that the administration has been implementing such activities with maximum care and in a manner that will not severely affect the stability of residents. Currently, 500 residents have been relocated for the housing development and sheltered in make-shift houses, the Mayor said, adding that they would be given priority to occupy the newly constructed houses. No resident will in subsequent housing constructions be made to stay in makeshift houses, he said. Arkebe said that apart from the housing development activate the administration; carries out plots have been given for the construction of 57,000 residential houses by the residents themselves. Meles describes visit to France “very fruitful”, arrives in Egypt SHAMR EL SHIEKH (ENA) – The high-level Ethiopian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has concluded its four-day visit to France and arrived in the Egyptian city of Shamr El-Sheikh late yesterday. Upon arrival at Shamr El-Sheikh, the Ethiopian delegation was welcomed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmad Nazef. During the delegation’s stay in Paris, Prime Minister Meles and French President Jacque Chirac have discussed issues that would bolster relations of cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles told journalists that the visit of the Ethiopian delegation to France, which primarily focused on boosting the trade and investment relations between the two countries, was very successful. Prime Minister Meles also said he had a very fruitful discussion with President Chirac on issues that would enable strengthen cooperation between the tow countries. President Chirac said during the talks that France would continue its cooperation with Ethiopia and will support the efforts of the Ethiopian Government being made to peacefully resolve the border dispute with Eritrea. During his stay in France, Prime Minister Meles has visited a cattle ranch where farmers produce up to 250,000 litres of milk and milk products annually from 60 cows. He also met and held discussions with members of the Ethiopian community in France at the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris. Apart from paying an official working visit to Egypt Prime Minister Meles will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). =================================== Pol.ethiopia April 19,2004 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Plan great trips with Yahoo! Travel: Now over 17,000 guides! http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide From polethiopia@yahoo.com Mon Apr 25 12:53:40 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 05:53:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050425125340.2624.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 23, 2005 Ethio-China cooperation strengthening, says Ministry China donates 400,000 USD to AU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lu Guozeng said the bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia have been further consolidated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. During talks with the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu here yesterday, Guozeng also expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries would further be strengthened in the years ahead, the Ministry said in its statement sent to ENA yesterday. He said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to China. The increase in trade volume between the two nations and the success in development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some of the indicators for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between them, he said. The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the application of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, the Assistant Minister said. Hosting the Second Sino-African Forum successfully shows that how Ethiopia is committed to successful completion of the Forum, he said. He had also exchanged views with Dr. Tekeda on the third Sino-Africa Forum to convene in Beijing, China. Speaking on his part Dr. Tekeda said the relations between China and Ethiopia has also been consolidated in the political sector, besides in the area of investment. He also expressed appreciation to the support being provided by the Chinese government in the international forums. Dr. Tekeda expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to do its level best for the success of the third Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum to convene in China next year. He said Asian summit being held in Indonesia and in which Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister is participating has a significant role in strengthening the cooperation between Asia and Africa. The two officials have also exchanged views on structural adjustment, the Horn of African and other international affairs, among others. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China donated 400,000 US dollars to African Union (AU) yesterday in support of the continents peace efforts. Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lu Guezeng handed over the donation to the Chairperson of AU Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare. Handing over the donation, Guezeng said the stated sum was granted to the AU in support of its ongoing peace initiatives particularly in Darfur, Western Sudan. Receiving the donation, Konare said on his part that the support demonstrates China’s determination to assist the African Union in resolving conflicts in the continent. Guezeng and Prof. Konare also exchanged view on issues of mutual interest including the reform of the United Nations System, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Africans debt, among others. Menbere-Tsehay appointed COMESA Court of Justice Judge ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court and Director of Judiciary Bodies Training Center Menbere-Tsehay Tadesse has been appointed as one of 12 judges of the Court of Justice of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Public Relations Department of the Supreme Court told ENA yesterday that the COMESA Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General endorsed the appointment of Justice Menbere-Tsehay at the conclusion of their 9th meeting Thursday. The department indicated that 12 judges including Justice menbere-Tsehay were appointed from various African countries to serve a five-year term as judges of the COMESA Court of Justice. The appointed judges are expected to swear in at a meeting scheduled to be held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali in the near future. It was indicated that the judges will preside over disputes, whenever they occur, among COMESA member countries. The COMESA Court of Justice was established under COMESA Treaty and became formally operational in 1998. The COMESA Court of Justice is based in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. EC says Ethiopia, EU bilateral cooperation enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Head of EC Delegation, Tim Clarke said the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) has been further enhance both in the economic and political sectors. In a news conference he gave here yesterday along with EU and local officials, Tim Clarke said Europe Day would be celebrated for a week beginning May 9th. Clarke said the Day would be marked under a theme “Partnership Between the Youth and Children”. The celebration of the Day would start in wall painting competition, which will be held on May 2, 2005 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Addis Ababa, he said. A film festival, a televised debate on gender issues, a week long eye operations that would be held in cooperation with the Lions Club Ethiopia, a workshop on Ethio-European NGO partnership and an exhibition will be included among the activities that would be held to mark the Day, Clarke said. A seminar depicting the historical relations between Ethiopia and Europe would also be held at the Addis Ababa University as part of the celebration, he said. Ambassador of Netherlands to Ethiopia, Rob Vermaas, who is also Acting President of EU to Ethiopia, said on his part that the EU is ready to do its level best to achieve better result this year. He said the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU has also been strengthened more than ever before. Information State Minister Netsanet Asfaw said on her part that Ethiopia has benefited a lot from developmental and technological innovations of Europe. Pointing out that EU has sent its observers to monitor the upcoming national elections in Ethiopia, Nestanet said her country is desirous that the Union has to confirm for itself that whether the next May elections is fair and democratic or not. She said that EU gives special consideration to Ethiopia’s historical relics. She also expressed thanks to the people and government of Italy for providing their full support to the return of the Axum Obelisk. Ministry says return of Axum Obelisk marks beginning of new chapter in Ethio-Italian relations ADDIS ABABA – The return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia after 68 years heralds the opening of a new chapter in the long-standing Ethio-Italian relations, the Ministry of Information said. According to the weekly statement issued by the ministry yesterday, Ethiopia had exerted maximum efforts and signed many agreements with successive Italian governments to ensure the return of the Obelisk since the end of World War II. The relentless efforts made to ensure the return of the Obelisk bore fruit only through the intensive and peaceful diplomatic campaign carried out at home and abroad in the last 10 years, the statement said. The people and government of Italy have made a responsible decision when they positively responded to the demand of the Ethiopian people, government and the international community by returning the Obelisk to its legitimate owners, it said. The return of the Obelisk after 68 years is also a clear demonstration of Ethiopia’s capability to carry out a high-level and effective diplomacy, the statement said. Nothing that AU, UNESCO and the International Community have taken part in the diplomatic campaign for the return of the Obelisk, the ministry acknowledged with appreciation and gratitude their solidarity. The return of the Obelisk is not only a success and victory of Ethiopia alone, but is also of the peoples and government of Italy who resolved to offer appropriate response, the statement added. April 24, 2005 Chinese support need to focus on human resources, economic development: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that it would be more fruitful if Chinese cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries focuses on the enhancement of human resources and economic development sectors. During talks with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng here yesterday, Meles said that China need to further strengthen its support to Ethiopia and other African countries in human resource and economic development sectors. He also assured Guozeng that Ethiopia would be committed for the successful achievements of the goal of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum, according to a Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meles also said that his country would give special attention to the practical application of the Forum, for it is instrumental in further consolidating African’ economic development and social progress. According to Meles, Ethio-China bilateral cooperation has been strengthened in every sector. Meles said that many Chinese entrepreneurs have been investing in Ethiopia and called upon others to follow suit. The Prime Minister also expressed conviction that the Chinese government would give the necessary support to those investing in Ethiopia. Meles and Guozeng discussed the need that the UN Reform Programme need meet the interest of African and developing countries. Following the talks, Guozeng told journalists that his discussion with the Premier focused on Sino Ethiopia bilateral cooperation and Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum as well as the activities of the UN reform, among others. He said the talks were fruitful and constructive. He further indicated that the 3rd China-Africa Forum Ministerial meet will be held in Beijing next year. ============================================ Pol.ethiopia April 25,2005 ========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia@yahoo.com Thu Apr 28 08:19:02 2005 From: polethiopia@yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 01:19:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050428081902.74467.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 27, 2005 Major archaeological vestiges discovered at Axum World Heritage Site ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that major archaeological vestiges have been discovered at the World Heritage site of Axum by its experts sent to the area to survey the site last week. The experts were sent to prepare for the elevation of the Axum Obelisk at its original location. The last segment of the 160 tonnes 24.6 metre high stele arrived at the airport of Axum Monday morning after 68 years in Rome. Elizabeth Wangari of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and Jim Williams of the Organization’s Culture Sector, who took part in the mission declared: underground chambers and arcades have been found in the vicinity of the original location of the Obelisk. Geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion the most advanced technologies for underground observation revealed the existence of several vast funerary chambers under the sites parking ground which was built in 1963. According to the experts, the site is a royal necropolis used by several dynasties before the Christian era, and it stretches considerably beyond the perimeter of the present archaeological site, at the foot of Mount Saint George and Mount Mariam. Welcoming this important discovery UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura said: “It is likely that some of the tombs identified through under-ground imaging are intact.” “Archaeological excavations would now be required to uncover possible vestiges of major historical interest. The opening of these new tombs to the public would represent, more over, an additional asset for the site, which, by boosting cultural tourism, would contribute to the economic development of the country”. The team of UNESCO experts, headed by archaeologist Rodolfo Fattovich, an expert on Axum at the Insittuto Universitario Orientale of Naples in Italy conducted a “non-in-vasive archaeological prospect ion” of the site. The date collected through geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion, are being processed at a laboratory of La Sapienza University in Rome and will be used to create 3 dimensional models of the royal tombs. UNESCO says that the processed data will be communicated to the governments of Ethiopia and Italy. A number of tombs, some of them pillaged, have been discovered in Axum since the 1970s. Their riches are at the archaeological museums of Axum and Addis Ababa. Only one of the Axum tombs, the Tomb of the False Door, is open to the public. The archaeological site of Axum consists of three parts and contains 176 stelae: the Northern site, the Gudit stelae field, named after the Jewish queen who took power in the 10th century and the central area where the stele, now known as the Axum Obelisk, used to stand. Its foundations form a 6-metre and 10 sq. metre hole. According to experts, pillagers caused the Obelisk to topple over in either the 10th or the 16th centuries. EPRDF says committed to complete forthcoming national election peacefully ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said it is committed to complete the next May national elections in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner. In a statement it gave here yesterday, EPRDF Election Executive Committee said there was no any activity vent on obstructing the election ever since the election process has begun on the part of the EPRDF. Concerning the election, the EPRDF, has assessed the process so far and what will be done in the remaining period. Committee member Tadesse Kassa said the decision passed by the EPRDF Council lays July to hold the election without any problem has been maintained. More than 600,000 members of the Front have been offered training in accordance with code of ethics issued by EPRDF, he said. Every contesting political party is campaigning freely throughout the country, Tadesse said. He said members of the Front have practically been implementing the country’s electoral law without any problem by resisting the challenges that come from opposition parties. Members of the EPRDF have also been fighting whenever there are irregularities done by opposition parties, he said. EPRDF is also committed to hold the forthcoming national elections peacefully and is working hard to achieve this goal, he said and called upon the people to contribute their share to curb activities vent on hampering the election process. Board publishes directive on polling stations information ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The National Electoral Board announced that 1.3 million copies of a directive on polling stations information to be used by public observers and representatives of candidates have been published. Board Logistics Distribution Section Head Biruk Wondosen told ENA yesterday that the directive was prepared in collaboration with the International Electoral Amendment Services. The directive contains information about each election executives and support staff, candidates’ representatives and election observers, among others, he said. It also tells how election executives and representatives of candidates escort election results and materials to the respective constituencies after ballot counting, Wondosen said. He said 140,000 copies of polling stations directive book have been readied for distribution. The publication of poster showing the ballot casting process has also been completed, he added. What makes this year’s election different is the preparation of a document for receiving complaints about irregularities, Wondosen said. ====================================== Pol.ethiopia April 28,2005 =========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 1 15:56:17 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050401135618.16821.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> March 31, 2005 Benshangul-Gumuz State launches five-year food security strategy By Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA – The Benshangul Gumuz State yesterday launched a five-year food security strategy whose formulation has taken 18 months. The strategy, which will run until 2010, was launched at a one-day donor conference: “Food Security for Poverty Alleviation,” held at the Addis Ababa Hilton. A total of 280,061,635 birr is required to implement the programme of which, the government would cover 81,217,874.15 birr and the remaining 170,837,597.35 birr by donor and NGO sources. Opening the conference, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said: “The strategy that lies before us will provide the necessary framework and guiding principles for how best to go about fulfilling the potentials of the state.” The President also said that Benshangul-Gumuz is generally well endowed by nature and has, in most parts, a lush natural cover, good water resources, cultivable land, and relatively low density of population compared to many parts of the country. But we have to look closer at the complex causes of poverty and food insecurity, the president said, and needs to be an integrated phase and comprehensive intervention, Abay added. “The key success factors are ownership of the programme by the people and the state, making use of the available labour force and natural resources and building up the all-round capacity of the state and the people to implement, own as well as benefit from the programme,” he said. Abay also appealed to all donors to pledge generously in the spirit of partnership to implement the programme. The food security strategy will address agriculture, livestock, environment and natural resource management, gender, socio-demography and capacity building, among others. Due to lack of internal capacity and funding, the state had not developed its own food security programme in the past. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded the strategic plan. Over 80 participants drawn from NGOs, donors, federal and Benshangul-Gumuz State Government attended the day-long conference. April 1, 2005 Meles holds talk with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussion centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Standby force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation to Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. ==================================== pol.ethiopia April 1,2005 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates. http://personals.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 8 13:29:12 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] New Items Message-ID: <20050408112912.63417.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> April 7, 2005 Meles holds talks with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussions centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by Force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Stand by force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The three-member delegation includes the Education, Pension and Labour Affairs Committee as well as the Secretary of State’s African Affairs Sub-committee. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate, also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. Council, union leaders agree to conduct in-campus election process ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Leaders of Students’ Councils and Unions of higher learning institutions have agreed to conduct in-campus voter registration as per the timetable to be set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Students studying in higher learning institutions far away from their regions of residence had requested the Board to seek ways of enabling them exercise their rights. The Board heed to their calls in arranging in-campus voters’ registration schedule. Deputy Head of NEBE Secretariat, Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that leaders of students’ councils and unions of higher learning institutions including the Addis Ababa University have received the necessary training that would enable them participate in the May 2005 national elections. He said 55 members of the students’ unions drawn from the various higher learning institutions across Ethiopia left for their respective institutions on Thursday upon completion of the training. According to Tesfaye, the trainees have received special election documents for delivery to their respective institutions. The trainees would summon general meeting upon arrival at their respective institutions to prepare voting of election executives and election observers, he said. The NEBE would assign an expert at each institution to provide support to effectively undertake voter registration and voting processes, Tesfaye said. The Deputy Head urged administrative bodies at each institution to extend the necessary support towards accomplishment of the election processes at various levels. He said leaders of students’ councils and unions would closely work with the office of the board. The trainees were drawn from higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, Debre Zeit, Nazareth, Awasa, Dilla, Arba Minch, Alemaya, Makalle, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Jimma and Ambo. Meanwhile, Afro-Flag Youth Vision Association says it has begun providing election education to young people in Adama city of Oromia State with a view to enabling the youth actively participate in the national elections in May. Team Representatives with the Association, Shiferaw Lencho and Yeshi Yitagesu said the education is being provided to the youths since last Saturday. The Representatives said the education focused on voting, ethics and the concept of democracy. They said the Association would also organize election related panel discussions and other forums continuously for youths and residents. Established in 1995 E.C., the Association has been carrying out similar activities in six state towns including Addis Ababa, according to the representatives. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia April 8,2005 ============================= __________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun. http://www.advision.webevents.yahoo.com/emoticontest From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 08:50:48 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050412065048.78539.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> April 9, 2005 Council of Ministers passes resolutions on three bills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Council of Ministers during its session yesterday has passed resolutions on three bills. The Council passed the resolution on the bill providing for land tenure, another on the loan agreement for the implementation technology development, and yet another providing for plant cross-breeders patent right. The statement the Cabinet office told ENA said the bill providing for land tenure arose from need to redevelop urban lands in line with town plans for uses, among others, of residential housing, infrastructure and investment. This is because towns in the country are widening and urban populations increasing. It was also deemed necessary to put in place a legal instrument to facilitate the designation of rural lands for development activities and to enable the provision of compensations for those who may be relocated in the process. The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs. The Council after looking into the bill and making some amendments unanimously referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives. The other bill provides for the agreement reached between the Government of Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA) on a loan provision for the implementation of information communication development project. The project is aimed at creating easy access to essential market, development and social services information to the public through information and communication technology so as to help them upgrade their living standards. The Council after looking into the bill referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for endorsement. Similarly, the Council discussed the bill providing for the patent rights on plant genetic insemination. It is believed to ensure the rights of owners of new research findings. The bill also considers the right of the farmers who are responsible for conserving the genetic resources. Ethiopia, Uganda sign air services MoU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Uganda yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) here yesterday. The agreement would help the two sisterly countries to, among other things, open and allow for multiple designations of airlines, and abolition of restrictions on capacity, frequency and type of aircraft for commercial purposes. It also gives co-operative arrangement between designated airlines of both countries in marketing, training equipment utilization, blocked-space and code-sharing or leasing. Acting Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), Tefera Mekonnen and Ugandan Transport and Communication Director under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Houses and Communications, Grace James Itazi signed the agreement. After signing the agreement, Tefera said the BASA agreement was designed in accordance with the regional policies that call for implementation of the 5th freedom of air in Africa. Itazi said on his part that the BASA agreement would enable the two countries to promote trade, tourism and cooperation through efficient and effective air transport services. April 10, 2005 EPRDF says gov’t committed to rights, privileges of youth, oppositions argue to the contrary ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) says government’s Rural and Industrial Development, Capacity Building and other policies have ensured the privileges and participation of the youth. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) alleges that all the governments that came to power since the imperial regime part with the youth only in times of external aggression, or at state occasions where the rulers appear to be cheered by crowd waving flags. The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on its part alleges that the incumbent government has been engaged in activities that weaken the nation and incapacitating the generation. The claim-blame came here yesterday at an electoral debate organized by the Kebele 01/02/03 Youth Association in the Addis Ketema Sub-City and Social Services as well as Urban Policy. EPRDF representatives said that tangible results have been registered in the efforts the Front deployed to alleviate the problem of unemployment. They said, more than 70,000 youths have to become owners of their own business within a short period of time through micro-and small-scale schemes, municipal services, construction, food preparation and various other income-generating projects. The EPRDF representatives said that the young generation should be commended for the energy and vitality they have displayed and for honouring dutifulness above all things. They said the oppositions have been engaged in belittling and disregarding the youth. EPRDF has been implementing a wide-range of activities to enable the youth to lead meaningful life, they said. CUD representatives alleged that the youth in Ethiopia have been denied of their opportunities and led to a life of destitution, exile and imprisonment. The education system failed to provide hope to the youth, they said, adding CUD, if elected, would formulate suitable and transparent national policy. The CUD representatives said, if elected, they would generate large-scale employment for the youth, and would engage the youth in rural areas in off farm activities. UEDF representatives on their part said that Ethiopia needs fearless young people that don not give away their liberty. EPRDF, they alleged, has not given the young such a change. EPRDF is making the youth to sing only to the tune of revolutionary democracy, they said, adding the employment is given only to core members of the EPRDF and supporters. If elected, they pledged to formulate a policy of transparency and accountability. Young panelists drawn from educational institutions, HIV/AIDS associations, women’s associations and youth associations have raised queries on various issues to which the political parties have responded. Leaders’ meet to establish East African Standby Force ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that leaders’ meet establishing the East African Standby Force will be held here tomorrow. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that leaders and other senior officials from the Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and other neighbouring countries will attend the meeting. At the end of the day-long meeting leaders of the various countries are expected to sign an agreement establishing the East African Standby Force. According to the Ministry, the headquarters of the Standby Force, in Addis would also be inaugurated. ================================= Pol.ethiopia April 12,2005 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 14 15:20:51 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050414132051.21043.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 13, 2005 Parties form joint forums 190 TPLF candidates on election campaigns ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Five political parties in Sidama Zone of the Southrern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State have formed a joint forum with a view to resolving problems that may arise in the run up, the Zonal Election Office said. Office Head Berhanu Dukamo told ENA yesterday that the joint forum was formed, by the South Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM), the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), the Sidama Hadicho Peoples’ Democratic Organization (SHPDO) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (FDM). Berhanu said that the parties have set up an executive committee consisting of one member from each party. Similarly, four political parties and independent contestants running for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in Bale Zone of Oromia State have formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office Coordinator Dejene Bekele told ENA recently that the joint forum was formed by the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO), CUD, OFDM, the United Ethiopia Democratic Front (UEDF) and independent Candidates. The joint forum was established with a view to resolving possible disputes among contesting parties in a democratic manner, he said. The joint forum will also be established at constituency level, he added. Some political parties including the Oromo Liberation National Party (OLNP), Oromo Abbo Liberation Front (OALF) and the Geda System Advancement Party (GSAP) did not take part in the establishment of the forum although they were invited, he said. Bogale further indicated that they have been invited to attend at the second meeting of the forum which is scheduled to be held April 19, 2005. Three political parties active in Alamata and Hintalo-Wajirat woredas of the Southern Tigray Zone have also formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office coordinator Bogale Tessema said yesterday that the joint forum was established by the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), UEDF and CUD. Bogale said two independent and 74 candidates of TPLF, CUD. UEDF, United Ethiopian Democratic Party-MEDHIN (UEDP-MEDHIN) and All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP) are currently conducting election campaigns in the zone. Meanwhile, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) says its 190 candidates vying for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in the Tigray State have been launching election campaigns. The candidates are those who had undergone and passed critical public evaluation earlier, TPLF office told ENA Monday. The office said 38 of the candidates would run for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives while the remaining for the State Council. Women candidates contesting for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Council constitute 36.6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, according to the office. Candidates representing all the nationalities in the State are vying at various constituencies, the office said. TPLF, over the past years, helped over half a million people from women and youth associations as well as farmers’ cooperatives in the state to benefit from micro and small-scale businesses, extension services and other development endeavours, the office indicated. According to the office, TPLF has exerted efforts to help thousands of people get job opportunities. Food security strategies are being implemented the office said. Over 66,000 farmers are engaged in a number of agricultural packages. Leaders leave for home after attending EASBRIG launch ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Presidents of Djibouti, Sudan and the Transitional Government of Somali left for home yesterday after attending the Summit of East African Heads of State and Government establishing the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) here in Addis. Upon departure at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Presidents Ismael Omar Guelleh, Omar Hassan Al-Beshir and Abdullahi Yussuf were seen off by senior government officials. The presidents have also attended the inaugural ceremony of the Head-quarters of EASBRIG here in Addis. Heads of State and Government of the East African Countries including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi have attended the inaugural ceremony of the Headquarters of the EASBRIG. EASBRIG was established based on the resolution adopted by the African Union (AU) to establish Standby Brigades at each of the Five Sub-Regions of Africa. The remaining four Sub-Regions will also establish similar Standby Brigades. Meet discusses strengthening Ethio-Oman trade, economic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and Omani representatives of the Investment and Foreign Trade Centre and other officials held discussions aimed at strengthening Ethio-Oman trade and economic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ministry told ENA in a press release sent yesterday that the two sides held the discussions on 2-5 April 2005 in Musqat, Oman. The release said that the Omani delegation comprised investors, vice minister of trade and industry, Minister of tourism, vice minister of petroleum and natural gas, head of the African department, minister of agriculture and fishery as well as officials of investment and foreign trade promotion center. The Ethiopian Embassy delegation was led by Ambassador Abdi Delal. The two sides discussed at length on the direction of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the release quoted the Ethiopian Embassy as saying. The Ethiopian delegation on the occasion briefed the Omani investors about the conducive investment climate in Ethiopia and called on them to invest in sectors of their choice. The Ethiopian Embassy officials at a dinner thrown by the Oman Investment and Foreign Trade Centre made demonstrations about the Ethiopian exports as well as investment and tourism activities before about 80 Omani investors. On the occasion, the Omani investors raised questions regarding about investment security, tax levying, project site arrangement as well as Ethiopia’s exports and information availability about the ports Ethiopia uses for its import-export activities. Responding to the questions, the Ethiopian delegation distributed documents pertinent to Ethiopia’s investment code, trade and legal frameworks as well as illustrated documents of tourist attractions. The Omani investors have visited exhibits of samples of export items. At the conclusion of the visit by the Ethiopian Embassy delegation, President of the Oman Investment and Trade Centre Salim Bin expressed gratitude to the members of the Ethiopian mission for having provided the demonstrations. He expressed conviction that the Omani investors will respond positively to the call made to invest in Ethiopia. Ambassador Abdi on his part pledged that his mission will facilitate a visit to Ethiopia for a relevant Omani delegation to get first hand experience of the multifaceted development and democratization activities underway in the new Ethiopia. April 14, 2005 Premier leaves for Paris on an official visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left for Paris yesterday leading a high-level delegation on an official three-day visit to France. Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with President Jacques Chirac, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as other senior officials of that country on issues of common interest. The prime Minister is also scheduled to meet various bodies of the French Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe and America Directorates, Acting Director General Girum Abay said. The Ethiopian delegation will hold talks with French investors and businesspeople on ways of strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said. The visit is expected to contribute towards increasing French support to Ethiopia’s capacity building endeavours strengthening their relations, he indicated. The visit will also play significant role towards making Ethiopia destination to French investors, augmenting the share of Ethiopia’s export trade in French markets and creating sustained diplomatic partnership between the two countries, he noted. It is in the interest of Ethiopia that the French Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Ethiopia concentrates on education, water resources development, justice system, and capacity building, he said. According to the Acting Director General, continued efforts will be made on the part of Ethiopia to provide support to prospective French investors to engage in various investments sectors, particularly those development sectors the Ethiopian Government has prioritized. French investors are encouraged to invest in leather and leather products, textile, agro processing, horticulture and floriculture, he said. The Prime Minister’s visit is believed to contribute to create such a partnership whereby France, using its influence in the multilateral arena, will be assisting Ethiopia in all-round diplomatic, political, development and technical fields of cooperation, and also backs Ethiopia’s Africa policy. Discussions will also be held on ways of how France would assist in the peace, development and democratization efforts in the Horn of African as well as the realization of NEPAD programmes, he said. Members of the delegation include Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and other senior government officials. Ethiopia designs five-year AIDS Emergency Relief Strategic Plan ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The preparation of a five-year strategic plan for US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Ethiopia has been completed, Plan Country Coordinator announced. The Country Coordinator Aeron Snipe said the national strategic plan is aimed at maximizing the country’s benefit from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as Ethiopia is one of the focus countries of the US President’s initiative. The country coordinator made the announcement yesterday while addressing a day-long Second Annual National Stakeholders Meeting held here in Addis. Snipt said the document comprises critical areas for interventions that include HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention as well as supportive intervention schemes like ensuring bold leadership, policy dialogue and reform, capacity development, and systematic coordination and communication. The coordinator also said the document clearly stipulates the opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia in implementing the five-year strategic plan. Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E.Brazeal said the five year plan is prepared based on the input obtained from the First National Stakeholders Meeting held in September 2004. Ambassador Brazeal said the strategic plan would help US government assist national efforts geared toward fighting the pandemic through collaboration and partnership. The US government is ready to assist Ethiopia, among others, in increasing public awareness on voluntary testing and counseling, supporting orphans, and scaling-up free anti-retroviral treatments, the Ambassador said. According to the Ambassador, the Second Field Meeting of the President’s Emergency Plan, which brings together 15 focus countries, is scheduled for 22-27 May 2005 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The various development partners including UNAIDS, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and Mekdim-Ethiopia renewed commitments toward fighting the pandemic. The day-long meeting, which is aimed at forging strong partnership among the various stakeholders, has brought together over 200 participants from government offices, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies and other pertinent bodies. PAP delegation to observe nat’l elections here ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chairperson of the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee with the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives said the Pan African Parliament has decided to send election observer mission to Ethiopia in the upcoming third national elections. The Pan African Parliament has also approved over 5 million USD annual budgets. Chairman of the Standing Committee, Haile-Kiros Gessesse said in a statement he gave yesterday that the PAP has decided to send election observers to Ethiopia as part of its efforts to closely monitor the activities of member countries in building up democracy. Haile-Kiros was Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Delegation in the PAP meeting Held recently in South African city of Matran. Haile-Kiros said the PAP has also plans to deploy election observer missions to various member countries in the future. The Deputy Head of the Ethiopian parliamentary delegation to the PAP meeting also said the continental parliament has approved a 5.7 million US dollars annual budget for its overall activities. Haile-Kiros said the Pan African Parliament obtains is budget from contributions member countries make through the African Union. Haile-kiros said the PAP has lauded the report presented to it by the current Chairman of the AU, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to Haile-Kiros, the PAP meeting deliberated on the source of finance for development activities in the continent’s development partners as well as on a range of related continental issues. Some 46 countries have attended the PAP meeting held from March 2 through April 13, 2005 in South Africa. ============================== Pol.ethiopia April 14,2005 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 19 09:33:44 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050419073345.31972.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 16, 2005 Joint forum hears party complaints ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Contesting political parties and the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) presented their complaints on what they said are “illegal activities” committed in the run up to the election to the joint forum. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it would investigate the case and take the necessary measures. At the joint forum meeting held at the NEBE office yesterday, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) complained that supporters of the EPRDF have intimidated its candidates and members in various parts of the country. In its written and oral complaints it presented to the Board, CUD said that arrest of members without due process of law, harassment, intimidations, physical injury, death and hindering the election campaign and other illegal practices were committed by administrative bodies and supporters of the ruling party. EPRDF on its part said that contestant parties have been engaged in destructive campaign such as saying “the government is toppled down” and are agitating the public not to pay tax and repay loans as well as trying to snatch gun from security forces. In its complaints presented to the board, EPRDF said that the contesting parties have been promoting violence with the aim of creating conflicts in Amhara, Oromia, the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states. Chairman of the Joint Forum, Kemal Bedri said that the Board will investigate the appeals presented by both parties and take necessary measures at all levels. As signs of unnecessary frictions were observed due to election campaigns being conducted in market places, Kemal recommended the suspension of election campaigns at market places. Due to the fact that representatives of different parties have reflected different ideas, Kemal said the board will pass resolutions on the matter. A solemn promise drafted by the NEBE with a view to making the upcoming national elections free from violence has been distributed to all contesting political parties and is expected to be endorsed next week following the inclusion of their inputs. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) accused officials of the ruling party of tormenting, beating, and imprisoning CUD’s members at a time when it is making necessary preparations to take part in the upcoming national elections. In a statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine members of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine member of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement said the CUD members have been arrested under the excuse of agitating the public on behalf of the Coalition, adding they remained in prison until the issuance of the statement. The statement also said the Gibe Woreda Administrator, Fekadu Je’ebo and another individual named Desalegn Suraj have disturbed and interrupted a meeting organized by members of the Coalition. The Statement said although the two officials were driven away from the meeting area with the joint efforts of the public they have continued to harass the public. The CUD statement also said two of its members named Abera Aseffa and Fekadu Abebe who were campaigning in Deramalo Constituency, North Omo Zone of the Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples State, have still been in prison. Parliamentary delegation leaves for Mali ACP-EU Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – A three member delegation of the House of Peoples’ Representatives has left for Bamako, Mali, attend the ninth African-Carbbean-Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) joint parliamentary summit. The delegation led by Chairman of the House Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee Haile-Kiros Gessesse left for Mali late Thursday, the House said in a release it sent to ENA yesterday. Africans’ integrated effort key for sustainable peace, stability: Ministry ADDIS ABABA – Many party of the globe are currently characterized by encouraging economic and political development, the Ministry of Information said in its weekly statement issued yesterday. The weekly statement says, on the contrary, viable economic and political changes in Africa have not been registered yet. Anyone with clear conscience can understand that economic and political progress can never be achieved without sustainable peace and security, the statement indicated. Somehow, the joint effort of Africans to tackle their problems and ensure all-round changes to help their people, to overcome poverty and backwardness is gathering momentum, the statement underlined. In line with this, the establishment of East African Standby Brigade launched at the beginning of the week, here in Addis, is believed to be instrumental to step up political and economic changes in the continent, the statement further added. According to the statement, it needs to be noted that the East African Standby Brigade, which is part of the African Standby Force (ASF) and which was inaugurated on Monday, April 11, 2005 is to play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, it is important to note that the founding states of the East African Standby Brigade chose Ethiopia as the seat of the Standby Brigade Headquarters, the statement elaborated. It is also a genuine expression of the regional states’ profound confidence and trust in Ethiopia, the statement said. April 17, 2005 City gov’t to provide special support to would be relocated residents ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Addis Ababa City Administration says it would provide support to metropolitans who will be relocated from their residential areas due to the housing development activities. City Government, Mayor Arkebe Equbay said that the support would aim at ensuring that relocated residents would not face problems of educations, health and transport facilities, and called on city dwellers to stand on the administration’s side in the implementation of the housing development programme. Arkebe made the remarks in a statement he gave yesterday on current activities and future plan of the Administration in relation to the housing development programmes. The children of relocated residents would be given enrolment priority in government schools, Mayor Arkebe said, adding that a guideline has already been prepared to facilitate ways of covering the one-year fees for low income parents whose children are pursuing their education in public schools. Arkebe further said that the administration has worked out ways in which children of low income households could get health care services for free at nearly health stations to their new residential areas. With regard to transportation, the Mayor said that the administration would give upto 300 birr to cover loading and transportation cost of their belongings and paraphernalia. Arkebe further said that the administration has also arranged ways in which each member of relocated households will get a one-year free fare on the Anbessa City Bus to alleviate their transportation problems. Arkebe disclosed that as the administration would be engaged in identifying sites for the construction of 60,000 condominium houses next Ethiopian year no residents would be relocated from their current residential area until next September. Nothing that residents would be relocated for housing development and the construction of road, Arkebe said that the administration has been implementing such activities with maximum care and in a manner that will not severely affect the stability of residents. Currently, 500 residents have been relocated for the housing development and sheltered in make-shift houses, the Mayor said, adding that they would be given priority to occupy the newly constructed houses. No resident will in subsequent housing constructions be made to stay in makeshift houses, he said. Arkebe said that apart from the housing development activate the administration; carries out plots have been given for the construction of 57,000 residential houses by the residents themselves. Meles describes visit to France “very fruitful”, arrives in Egypt SHAMR EL SHIEKH (ENA) – The high-level Ethiopian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has concluded its four-day visit to France and arrived in the Egyptian city of Shamr El-Sheikh late yesterday. Upon arrival at Shamr El-Sheikh, the Ethiopian delegation was welcomed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmad Nazef. During the delegation’s stay in Paris, Prime Minister Meles and French President Jacque Chirac have discussed issues that would bolster relations of cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles told journalists that the visit of the Ethiopian delegation to France, which primarily focused on boosting the trade and investment relations between the two countries, was very successful. Prime Minister Meles also said he had a very fruitful discussion with President Chirac on issues that would enable strengthen cooperation between the tow countries. President Chirac said during the talks that France would continue its cooperation with Ethiopia and will support the efforts of the Ethiopian Government being made to peacefully resolve the border dispute with Eritrea. During his stay in France, Prime Minister Meles has visited a cattle ranch where farmers produce up to 250,000 litres of milk and milk products annually from 60 cows. He also met and held discussions with members of the Ethiopian community in France at the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris. Apart from paying an official working visit to Egypt Prime Minister Meles will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). =================================== Pol.ethiopia April 19,2004 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Plan great trips with Yahoo! Travel: Now over 17,000 guides! http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Apr 25 14:53:40 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050425125340.2624.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 23, 2005 Ethio-China cooperation strengthening, says Ministry China donates 400,000 USD to AU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lu Guozeng said the bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia have been further consolidated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. During talks with the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu here yesterday, Guozeng also expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries would further be strengthened in the years ahead, the Ministry said in its statement sent to ENA yesterday. He said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to China. The increase in trade volume between the two nations and the success in development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some of the indicators for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between them, he said. The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the application of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, the Assistant Minister said. Hosting the Second Sino-African Forum successfully shows that how Ethiopia is committed to successful completion of the Forum, he said. He had also exchanged views with Dr. Tekeda on the third Sino-Africa Forum to convene in Beijing, China. Speaking on his part Dr. Tekeda said the relations between China and Ethiopia has also been consolidated in the political sector, besides in the area of investment. He also expressed appreciation to the support being provided by the Chinese government in the international forums. Dr. Tekeda expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to do its level best for the success of the third Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum to convene in China next year. He said Asian summit being held in Indonesia and in which Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister is participating has a significant role in strengthening the cooperation between Asia and Africa. The two officials have also exchanged views on structural adjustment, the Horn of African and other international affairs, among others. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China donated 400,000 US dollars to African Union (AU) yesterday in support of the continents peace efforts. Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lu Guezeng handed over the donation to the Chairperson of AU Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare. Handing over the donation, Guezeng said the stated sum was granted to the AU in support of its ongoing peace initiatives particularly in Darfur, Western Sudan. Receiving the donation, Konare said on his part that the support demonstrates China’s determination to assist the African Union in resolving conflicts in the continent. Guezeng and Prof. Konare also exchanged view on issues of mutual interest including the reform of the United Nations System, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Africans debt, among others. Menbere-Tsehay appointed COMESA Court of Justice Judge ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court and Director of Judiciary Bodies Training Center Menbere-Tsehay Tadesse has been appointed as one of 12 judges of the Court of Justice of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Public Relations Department of the Supreme Court told ENA yesterday that the COMESA Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General endorsed the appointment of Justice Menbere-Tsehay at the conclusion of their 9th meeting Thursday. The department indicated that 12 judges including Justice menbere-Tsehay were appointed from various African countries to serve a five-year term as judges of the COMESA Court of Justice. The appointed judges are expected to swear in at a meeting scheduled to be held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali in the near future. It was indicated that the judges will preside over disputes, whenever they occur, among COMESA member countries. The COMESA Court of Justice was established under COMESA Treaty and became formally operational in 1998. The COMESA Court of Justice is based in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. EC says Ethiopia, EU bilateral cooperation enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Head of EC Delegation, Tim Clarke said the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) has been further enhance both in the economic and political sectors. In a news conference he gave here yesterday along with EU and local officials, Tim Clarke said Europe Day would be celebrated for a week beginning May 9th. Clarke said the Day would be marked under a theme “Partnership Between the Youth and Children”. The celebration of the Day would start in wall painting competition, which will be held on May 2, 2005 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Addis Ababa, he said. A film festival, a televised debate on gender issues, a week long eye operations that would be held in cooperation with the Lions Club Ethiopia, a workshop on Ethio-European NGO partnership and an exhibition will be included among the activities that would be held to mark the Day, Clarke said. A seminar depicting the historical relations between Ethiopia and Europe would also be held at the Addis Ababa University as part of the celebration, he said. Ambassador of Netherlands to Ethiopia, Rob Vermaas, who is also Acting President of EU to Ethiopia, said on his part that the EU is ready to do its level best to achieve better result this year. He said the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU has also been strengthened more than ever before. Information State Minister Netsanet Asfaw said on her part that Ethiopia has benefited a lot from developmental and technological innovations of Europe. Pointing out that EU has sent its observers to monitor the upcoming national elections in Ethiopia, Nestanet said her country is desirous that the Union has to confirm for itself that whether the next May elections is fair and democratic or not. She said that EU gives special consideration to Ethiopia’s historical relics. She also expressed thanks to the people and government of Italy for providing their full support to the return of the Axum Obelisk. Ministry says return of Axum Obelisk marks beginning of new chapter in Ethio-Italian relations ADDIS ABABA – The return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia after 68 years heralds the opening of a new chapter in the long-standing Ethio-Italian relations, the Ministry of Information said. According to the weekly statement issued by the ministry yesterday, Ethiopia had exerted maximum efforts and signed many agreements with successive Italian governments to ensure the return of the Obelisk since the end of World War II. The relentless efforts made to ensure the return of the Obelisk bore fruit only through the intensive and peaceful diplomatic campaign carried out at home and abroad in the last 10 years, the statement said. The people and government of Italy have made a responsible decision when they positively responded to the demand of the Ethiopian people, government and the international community by returning the Obelisk to its legitimate owners, it said. The return of the Obelisk after 68 years is also a clear demonstration of Ethiopia’s capability to carry out a high-level and effective diplomacy, the statement said. Nothing that AU, UNESCO and the International Community have taken part in the diplomatic campaign for the return of the Obelisk, the ministry acknowledged with appreciation and gratitude their solidarity. The return of the Obelisk is not only a success and victory of Ethiopia alone, but is also of the peoples and government of Italy who resolved to offer appropriate response, the statement added. April 24, 2005 Chinese support need to focus on human resources, economic development: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that it would be more fruitful if Chinese cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries focuses on the enhancement of human resources and economic development sectors. During talks with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng here yesterday, Meles said that China need to further strengthen its support to Ethiopia and other African countries in human resource and economic development sectors. He also assured Guozeng that Ethiopia would be committed for the successful achievements of the goal of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum, according to a Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meles also said that his country would give special attention to the practical application of the Forum, for it is instrumental in further consolidating African’ economic development and social progress. According to Meles, Ethio-China bilateral cooperation has been strengthened in every sector. Meles said that many Chinese entrepreneurs have been investing in Ethiopia and called upon others to follow suit. The Prime Minister also expressed conviction that the Chinese government would give the necessary support to those investing in Ethiopia. Meles and Guozeng discussed the need that the UN Reform Programme need meet the interest of African and developing countries. Following the talks, Guozeng told journalists that his discussion with the Premier focused on Sino Ethiopia bilateral cooperation and Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum as well as the activities of the UN reform, among others. He said the talks were fruitful and constructive. He further indicated that the 3rd China-Africa Forum Ministerial meet will be held in Beijing next year. ============================================ Pol.ethiopia April 25,2005 ========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 28 10:19:02 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Feb 27 14:15:39 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050428081902.74467.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 27, 2005 Major archaeological vestiges discovered at Axum World Heritage Site ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that major archaeological vestiges have been discovered at the World Heritage site of Axum by its experts sent to the area to survey the site last week. The experts were sent to prepare for the elevation of the Axum Obelisk at its original location. The last segment of the 160 tonnes 24.6 metre high stele arrived at the airport of Axum Monday morning after 68 years in Rome. Elizabeth Wangari of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and Jim Williams of the Organization’s Culture Sector, who took part in the mission declared: underground chambers and arcades have been found in the vicinity of the original location of the Obelisk. Geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion the most advanced technologies for underground observation revealed the existence of several vast funerary chambers under the sites parking ground which was built in 1963. According to the experts, the site is a royal necropolis used by several dynasties before the Christian era, and it stretches considerably beyond the perimeter of the present archaeological site, at the foot of Mount Saint George and Mount Mariam. Welcoming this important discovery UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura said: “It is likely that some of the tombs identified through under-ground imaging are intact.” “Archaeological excavations would now be required to uncover possible vestiges of major historical interest. The opening of these new tombs to the public would represent, more over, an additional asset for the site, which, by boosting cultural tourism, would contribute to the economic development of the country”. The team of UNESCO experts, headed by archaeologist Rodolfo Fattovich, an expert on Axum at the Insittuto Universitario Orientale of Naples in Italy conducted a “non-in-vasive archaeological prospect ion” of the site. The date collected through geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion, are being processed at a laboratory of La Sapienza University in Rome and will be used to create 3 dimensional models of the royal tombs. UNESCO says that the processed data will be communicated to the governments of Ethiopia and Italy. A number of tombs, some of them pillaged, have been discovered in Axum since the 1970s. Their riches are at the archaeological museums of Axum and Addis Ababa. Only one of the Axum tombs, the Tomb of the False Door, is open to the public. The archaeological site of Axum consists of three parts and contains 176 stelae: the Northern site, the Gudit stelae field, named after the Jewish queen who took power in the 10th century and the central area where the stele, now known as the Axum Obelisk, used to stand. Its foundations form a 6-metre and 10 sq. metre hole. According to experts, pillagers caused the Obelisk to topple over in either the 10th or the 16th centuries. EPRDF says committed to complete forthcoming national election peacefully ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said it is committed to complete the next May national elections in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner. In a statement it gave here yesterday, EPRDF Election Executive Committee said there was no any activity vent on obstructing the election ever since the election process has begun on the part of the EPRDF. Concerning the election, the EPRDF, has assessed the process so far and what will be done in the remaining period. Committee member Tadesse Kassa said the decision passed by the EPRDF Council lays July to hold the election without any problem has been maintained. More than 600,000 members of the Front have been offered training in accordance with code of ethics issued by EPRDF, he said. Every contesting political party is campaigning freely throughout the country, Tadesse said. He said members of the Front have practically been implementing the country’s electoral law without any problem by resisting the challenges that come from opposition parties. Members of the EPRDF have also been fighting whenever there are irregularities done by opposition parties, he said. EPRDF is also committed to hold the forthcoming national elections peacefully and is working hard to achieve this goal, he said and called upon the people to contribute their share to curb activities vent on hampering the election process. Board publishes directive on polling stations information ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The National Electoral Board announced that 1.3 million copies of a directive on polling stations information to be used by public observers and representatives of candidates have been published. Board Logistics Distribution Section Head Biruk Wondosen told ENA yesterday that the directive was prepared in collaboration with the International Electoral Amendment Services. The directive contains information about each election executives and support staff, candidates’ representatives and election observers, among others, he said. It also tells how election executives and representatives of candidates escort election results and materials to the respective constituencies after ballot counting, Wondosen said. He said 140,000 copies of polling stations directive book have been readied for distribution. The publication of poster showing the ballot casting process has also been completed, he added. What makes this year’s election different is the preparation of a document for receiving complaints about irregularities, Wondosen said. ====================================== Pol.ethiopia April 28,2005 =========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 1 15:56:17 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050401135618.16821.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> March 31, 2005 Benshangul-Gumuz State launches five-year food security strategy By Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA – The Benshangul Gumuz State yesterday launched a five-year food security strategy whose formulation has taken 18 months. The strategy, which will run until 2010, was launched at a one-day donor conference: “Food Security for Poverty Alleviation,” held at the Addis Ababa Hilton. A total of 280,061,635 birr is required to implement the programme of which, the government would cover 81,217,874.15 birr and the remaining 170,837,597.35 birr by donor and NGO sources. Opening the conference, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said: “The strategy that lies before us will provide the necessary framework and guiding principles for how best to go about fulfilling the potentials of the state.” The President also said that Benshangul-Gumuz is generally well endowed by nature and has, in most parts, a lush natural cover, good water resources, cultivable land, and relatively low density of population compared to many parts of the country. But we have to look closer at the complex causes of poverty and food insecurity, the president said, and needs to be an integrated phase and comprehensive intervention, Abay added. “The key success factors are ownership of the programme by the people and the state, making use of the available labour force and natural resources and building up the all-round capacity of the state and the people to implement, own as well as benefit from the programme,” he said. Abay also appealed to all donors to pledge generously in the spirit of partnership to implement the programme. The food security strategy will address agriculture, livestock, environment and natural resource management, gender, socio-demography and capacity building, among others. Due to lack of internal capacity and funding, the state had not developed its own food security programme in the past. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded the strategic plan. Over 80 participants drawn from NGOs, donors, federal and Benshangul-Gumuz State Government attended the day-long conference. April 1, 2005 Meles holds talk with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussion centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Standby force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation to Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. ==================================== pol.ethiopia April 1,2005 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates. http://personals.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 8 13:29:12 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] New Items Message-ID: <20050408112912.63417.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> April 7, 2005 Meles holds talks with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussions centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by Force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Stand by force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The three-member delegation includes the Education, Pension and Labour Affairs Committee as well as the Secretary of State’s African Affairs Sub-committee. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate, also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. Council, union leaders agree to conduct in-campus election process ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Leaders of Students’ Councils and Unions of higher learning institutions have agreed to conduct in-campus voter registration as per the timetable to be set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Students studying in higher learning institutions far away from their regions of residence had requested the Board to seek ways of enabling them exercise their rights. The Board heed to their calls in arranging in-campus voters’ registration schedule. Deputy Head of NEBE Secretariat, Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that leaders of students’ councils and unions of higher learning institutions including the Addis Ababa University have received the necessary training that would enable them participate in the May 2005 national elections. He said 55 members of the students’ unions drawn from the various higher learning institutions across Ethiopia left for their respective institutions on Thursday upon completion of the training. According to Tesfaye, the trainees have received special election documents for delivery to their respective institutions. The trainees would summon general meeting upon arrival at their respective institutions to prepare voting of election executives and election observers, he said. The NEBE would assign an expert at each institution to provide support to effectively undertake voter registration and voting processes, Tesfaye said. The Deputy Head urged administrative bodies at each institution to extend the necessary support towards accomplishment of the election processes at various levels. He said leaders of students’ councils and unions would closely work with the office of the board. The trainees were drawn from higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, Debre Zeit, Nazareth, Awasa, Dilla, Arba Minch, Alemaya, Makalle, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Jimma and Ambo. Meanwhile, Afro-Flag Youth Vision Association says it has begun providing election education to young people in Adama city of Oromia State with a view to enabling the youth actively participate in the national elections in May. Team Representatives with the Association, Shiferaw Lencho and Yeshi Yitagesu said the education is being provided to the youths since last Saturday. The Representatives said the education focused on voting, ethics and the concept of democracy. They said the Association would also organize election related panel discussions and other forums continuously for youths and residents. Established in 1995 E.C., the Association has been carrying out similar activities in six state towns including Addis Ababa, according to the representatives. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia April 8,2005 ============================= __________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun. http://www.advision.webevents.yahoo.com/emoticontest From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 08:50:48 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050412065048.78539.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> April 9, 2005 Council of Ministers passes resolutions on three bills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Council of Ministers during its session yesterday has passed resolutions on three bills. The Council passed the resolution on the bill providing for land tenure, another on the loan agreement for the implementation technology development, and yet another providing for plant cross-breeders patent right. The statement the Cabinet office told ENA said the bill providing for land tenure arose from need to redevelop urban lands in line with town plans for uses, among others, of residential housing, infrastructure and investment. This is because towns in the country are widening and urban populations increasing. It was also deemed necessary to put in place a legal instrument to facilitate the designation of rural lands for development activities and to enable the provision of compensations for those who may be relocated in the process. The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs. The Council after looking into the bill and making some amendments unanimously referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives. The other bill provides for the agreement reached between the Government of Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA) on a loan provision for the implementation of information communication development project. The project is aimed at creating easy access to essential market, development and social services information to the public through information and communication technology so as to help them upgrade their living standards. The Council after looking into the bill referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for endorsement. Similarly, the Council discussed the bill providing for the patent rights on plant genetic insemination. It is believed to ensure the rights of owners of new research findings. The bill also considers the right of the farmers who are responsible for conserving the genetic resources. Ethiopia, Uganda sign air services MoU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Uganda yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) here yesterday. The agreement would help the two sisterly countries to, among other things, open and allow for multiple designations of airlines, and abolition of restrictions on capacity, frequency and type of aircraft for commercial purposes. It also gives co-operative arrangement between designated airlines of both countries in marketing, training equipment utilization, blocked-space and code-sharing or leasing. Acting Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), Tefera Mekonnen and Ugandan Transport and Communication Director under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Houses and Communications, Grace James Itazi signed the agreement. After signing the agreement, Tefera said the BASA agreement was designed in accordance with the regional policies that call for implementation of the 5th freedom of air in Africa. Itazi said on his part that the BASA agreement would enable the two countries to promote trade, tourism and cooperation through efficient and effective air transport services. April 10, 2005 EPRDF says gov’t committed to rights, privileges of youth, oppositions argue to the contrary ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) says government’s Rural and Industrial Development, Capacity Building and other policies have ensured the privileges and participation of the youth. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) alleges that all the governments that came to power since the imperial regime part with the youth only in times of external aggression, or at state occasions where the rulers appear to be cheered by crowd waving flags. The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on its part alleges that the incumbent government has been engaged in activities that weaken the nation and incapacitating the generation. The claim-blame came here yesterday at an electoral debate organized by the Kebele 01/02/03 Youth Association in the Addis Ketema Sub-City and Social Services as well as Urban Policy. EPRDF representatives said that tangible results have been registered in the efforts the Front deployed to alleviate the problem of unemployment. They said, more than 70,000 youths have to become owners of their own business within a short period of time through micro-and small-scale schemes, municipal services, construction, food preparation and various other income-generating projects. The EPRDF representatives said that the young generation should be commended for the energy and vitality they have displayed and for honouring dutifulness above all things. They said the oppositions have been engaged in belittling and disregarding the youth. EPRDF has been implementing a wide-range of activities to enable the youth to lead meaningful life, they said. CUD representatives alleged that the youth in Ethiopia have been denied of their opportunities and led to a life of destitution, exile and imprisonment. The education system failed to provide hope to the youth, they said, adding CUD, if elected, would formulate suitable and transparent national policy. The CUD representatives said, if elected, they would generate large-scale employment for the youth, and would engage the youth in rural areas in off farm activities. UEDF representatives on their part said that Ethiopia needs fearless young people that don not give away their liberty. EPRDF, they alleged, has not given the young such a change. EPRDF is making the youth to sing only to the tune of revolutionary democracy, they said, adding the employment is given only to core members of the EPRDF and supporters. If elected, they pledged to formulate a policy of transparency and accountability. Young panelists drawn from educational institutions, HIV/AIDS associations, women’s associations and youth associations have raised queries on various issues to which the political parties have responded. Leaders’ meet to establish East African Standby Force ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that leaders’ meet establishing the East African Standby Force will be held here tomorrow. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that leaders and other senior officials from the Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and other neighbouring countries will attend the meeting. At the end of the day-long meeting leaders of the various countries are expected to sign an agreement establishing the East African Standby Force. According to the Ministry, the headquarters of the Standby Force, in Addis would also be inaugurated. ================================= Pol.ethiopia April 12,2005 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 14 15:20:51 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050414132051.21043.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 13, 2005 Parties form joint forums 190 TPLF candidates on election campaigns ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Five political parties in Sidama Zone of the Southrern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State have formed a joint forum with a view to resolving problems that may arise in the run up, the Zonal Election Office said. Office Head Berhanu Dukamo told ENA yesterday that the joint forum was formed, by the South Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM), the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), the Sidama Hadicho Peoples’ Democratic Organization (SHPDO) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (FDM). Berhanu said that the parties have set up an executive committee consisting of one member from each party. Similarly, four political parties and independent contestants running for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in Bale Zone of Oromia State have formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office Coordinator Dejene Bekele told ENA recently that the joint forum was formed by the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO), CUD, OFDM, the United Ethiopia Democratic Front (UEDF) and independent Candidates. The joint forum was established with a view to resolving possible disputes among contesting parties in a democratic manner, he said. The joint forum will also be established at constituency level, he added. Some political parties including the Oromo Liberation National Party (OLNP), Oromo Abbo Liberation Front (OALF) and the Geda System Advancement Party (GSAP) did not take part in the establishment of the forum although they were invited, he said. Bogale further indicated that they have been invited to attend at the second meeting of the forum which is scheduled to be held April 19, 2005. Three political parties active in Alamata and Hintalo-Wajirat woredas of the Southern Tigray Zone have also formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office coordinator Bogale Tessema said yesterday that the joint forum was established by the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), UEDF and CUD. Bogale said two independent and 74 candidates of TPLF, CUD. UEDF, United Ethiopian Democratic Party-MEDHIN (UEDP-MEDHIN) and All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP) are currently conducting election campaigns in the zone. Meanwhile, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) says its 190 candidates vying for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in the Tigray State have been launching election campaigns. The candidates are those who had undergone and passed critical public evaluation earlier, TPLF office told ENA Monday. The office said 38 of the candidates would run for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives while the remaining for the State Council. Women candidates contesting for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Council constitute 36.6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, according to the office. Candidates representing all the nationalities in the State are vying at various constituencies, the office said. TPLF, over the past years, helped over half a million people from women and youth associations as well as farmers’ cooperatives in the state to benefit from micro and small-scale businesses, extension services and other development endeavours, the office indicated. According to the office, TPLF has exerted efforts to help thousands of people get job opportunities. Food security strategies are being implemented the office said. Over 66,000 farmers are engaged in a number of agricultural packages. Leaders leave for home after attending EASBRIG launch ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Presidents of Djibouti, Sudan and the Transitional Government of Somali left for home yesterday after attending the Summit of East African Heads of State and Government establishing the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) here in Addis. Upon departure at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Presidents Ismael Omar Guelleh, Omar Hassan Al-Beshir and Abdullahi Yussuf were seen off by senior government officials. The presidents have also attended the inaugural ceremony of the Head-quarters of EASBRIG here in Addis. Heads of State and Government of the East African Countries including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi have attended the inaugural ceremony of the Headquarters of the EASBRIG. EASBRIG was established based on the resolution adopted by the African Union (AU) to establish Standby Brigades at each of the Five Sub-Regions of Africa. The remaining four Sub-Regions will also establish similar Standby Brigades. Meet discusses strengthening Ethio-Oman trade, economic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and Omani representatives of the Investment and Foreign Trade Centre and other officials held discussions aimed at strengthening Ethio-Oman trade and economic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ministry told ENA in a press release sent yesterday that the two sides held the discussions on 2-5 April 2005 in Musqat, Oman. The release said that the Omani delegation comprised investors, vice minister of trade and industry, Minister of tourism, vice minister of petroleum and natural gas, head of the African department, minister of agriculture and fishery as well as officials of investment and foreign trade promotion center. The Ethiopian Embassy delegation was led by Ambassador Abdi Delal. The two sides discussed at length on the direction of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the release quoted the Ethiopian Embassy as saying. The Ethiopian delegation on the occasion briefed the Omani investors about the conducive investment climate in Ethiopia and called on them to invest in sectors of their choice. The Ethiopian Embassy officials at a dinner thrown by the Oman Investment and Foreign Trade Centre made demonstrations about the Ethiopian exports as well as investment and tourism activities before about 80 Omani investors. On the occasion, the Omani investors raised questions regarding about investment security, tax levying, project site arrangement as well as Ethiopia’s exports and information availability about the ports Ethiopia uses for its import-export activities. Responding to the questions, the Ethiopian delegation distributed documents pertinent to Ethiopia’s investment code, trade and legal frameworks as well as illustrated documents of tourist attractions. The Omani investors have visited exhibits of samples of export items. At the conclusion of the visit by the Ethiopian Embassy delegation, President of the Oman Investment and Trade Centre Salim Bin expressed gratitude to the members of the Ethiopian mission for having provided the demonstrations. He expressed conviction that the Omani investors will respond positively to the call made to invest in Ethiopia. Ambassador Abdi on his part pledged that his mission will facilitate a visit to Ethiopia for a relevant Omani delegation to get first hand experience of the multifaceted development and democratization activities underway in the new Ethiopia. April 14, 2005 Premier leaves for Paris on an official visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left for Paris yesterday leading a high-level delegation on an official three-day visit to France. Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with President Jacques Chirac, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as other senior officials of that country on issues of common interest. The prime Minister is also scheduled to meet various bodies of the French Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe and America Directorates, Acting Director General Girum Abay said. The Ethiopian delegation will hold talks with French investors and businesspeople on ways of strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said. The visit is expected to contribute towards increasing French support to Ethiopia’s capacity building endeavours strengthening their relations, he indicated. The visit will also play significant role towards making Ethiopia destination to French investors, augmenting the share of Ethiopia’s export trade in French markets and creating sustained diplomatic partnership between the two countries, he noted. It is in the interest of Ethiopia that the French Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Ethiopia concentrates on education, water resources development, justice system, and capacity building, he said. According to the Acting Director General, continued efforts will be made on the part of Ethiopia to provide support to prospective French investors to engage in various investments sectors, particularly those development sectors the Ethiopian Government has prioritized. French investors are encouraged to invest in leather and leather products, textile, agro processing, horticulture and floriculture, he said. The Prime Minister’s visit is believed to contribute to create such a partnership whereby France, using its influence in the multilateral arena, will be assisting Ethiopia in all-round diplomatic, political, development and technical fields of cooperation, and also backs Ethiopia’s Africa policy. Discussions will also be held on ways of how France would assist in the peace, development and democratization efforts in the Horn of African as well as the realization of NEPAD programmes, he said. Members of the delegation include Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and other senior government officials. Ethiopia designs five-year AIDS Emergency Relief Strategic Plan ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The preparation of a five-year strategic plan for US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Ethiopia has been completed, Plan Country Coordinator announced. The Country Coordinator Aeron Snipe said the national strategic plan is aimed at maximizing the country’s benefit from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as Ethiopia is one of the focus countries of the US President’s initiative. The country coordinator made the announcement yesterday while addressing a day-long Second Annual National Stakeholders Meeting held here in Addis. Snipt said the document comprises critical areas for interventions that include HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention as well as supportive intervention schemes like ensuring bold leadership, policy dialogue and reform, capacity development, and systematic coordination and communication. The coordinator also said the document clearly stipulates the opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia in implementing the five-year strategic plan. Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E.Brazeal said the five year plan is prepared based on the input obtained from the First National Stakeholders Meeting held in September 2004. Ambassador Brazeal said the strategic plan would help US government assist national efforts geared toward fighting the pandemic through collaboration and partnership. The US government is ready to assist Ethiopia, among others, in increasing public awareness on voluntary testing and counseling, supporting orphans, and scaling-up free anti-retroviral treatments, the Ambassador said. According to the Ambassador, the Second Field Meeting of the President’s Emergency Plan, which brings together 15 focus countries, is scheduled for 22-27 May 2005 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The various development partners including UNAIDS, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and Mekdim-Ethiopia renewed commitments toward fighting the pandemic. The day-long meeting, which is aimed at forging strong partnership among the various stakeholders, has brought together over 200 participants from government offices, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies and other pertinent bodies. PAP delegation to observe nat’l elections here ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chairperson of the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee with the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives said the Pan African Parliament has decided to send election observer mission to Ethiopia in the upcoming third national elections. The Pan African Parliament has also approved over 5 million USD annual budgets. Chairman of the Standing Committee, Haile-Kiros Gessesse said in a statement he gave yesterday that the PAP has decided to send election observers to Ethiopia as part of its efforts to closely monitor the activities of member countries in building up democracy. Haile-Kiros was Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Delegation in the PAP meeting Held recently in South African city of Matran. Haile-Kiros said the PAP has also plans to deploy election observer missions to various member countries in the future. The Deputy Head of the Ethiopian parliamentary delegation to the PAP meeting also said the continental parliament has approved a 5.7 million US dollars annual budget for its overall activities. Haile-Kiros said the Pan African Parliament obtains is budget from contributions member countries make through the African Union. Haile-kiros said the PAP has lauded the report presented to it by the current Chairman of the AU, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to Haile-Kiros, the PAP meeting deliberated on the source of finance for development activities in the continent’s development partners as well as on a range of related continental issues. Some 46 countries have attended the PAP meeting held from March 2 through April 13, 2005 in South Africa. ============================== Pol.ethiopia April 14,2005 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 19 09:33:44 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050419073345.31972.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 16, 2005 Joint forum hears party complaints ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Contesting political parties and the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) presented their complaints on what they said are “illegal activities” committed in the run up to the election to the joint forum. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it would investigate the case and take the necessary measures. At the joint forum meeting held at the NEBE office yesterday, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) complained that supporters of the EPRDF have intimidated its candidates and members in various parts of the country. In its written and oral complaints it presented to the Board, CUD said that arrest of members without due process of law, harassment, intimidations, physical injury, death and hindering the election campaign and other illegal practices were committed by administrative bodies and supporters of the ruling party. EPRDF on its part said that contestant parties have been engaged in destructive campaign such as saying “the government is toppled down” and are agitating the public not to pay tax and repay loans as well as trying to snatch gun from security forces. In its complaints presented to the board, EPRDF said that the contesting parties have been promoting violence with the aim of creating conflicts in Amhara, Oromia, the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states. Chairman of the Joint Forum, Kemal Bedri said that the Board will investigate the appeals presented by both parties and take necessary measures at all levels. As signs of unnecessary frictions were observed due to election campaigns being conducted in market places, Kemal recommended the suspension of election campaigns at market places. Due to the fact that representatives of different parties have reflected different ideas, Kemal said the board will pass resolutions on the matter. A solemn promise drafted by the NEBE with a view to making the upcoming national elections free from violence has been distributed to all contesting political parties and is expected to be endorsed next week following the inclusion of their inputs. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) accused officials of the ruling party of tormenting, beating, and imprisoning CUD’s members at a time when it is making necessary preparations to take part in the upcoming national elections. In a statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine members of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine member of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement said the CUD members have been arrested under the excuse of agitating the public on behalf of the Coalition, adding they remained in prison until the issuance of the statement. The statement also said the Gibe Woreda Administrator, Fekadu Je’ebo and another individual named Desalegn Suraj have disturbed and interrupted a meeting organized by members of the Coalition. The Statement said although the two officials were driven away from the meeting area with the joint efforts of the public they have continued to harass the public. The CUD statement also said two of its members named Abera Aseffa and Fekadu Abebe who were campaigning in Deramalo Constituency, North Omo Zone of the Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples State, have still been in prison. Parliamentary delegation leaves for Mali ACP-EU Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – A three member delegation of the House of Peoples’ Representatives has left for Bamako, Mali, attend the ninth African-Carbbean-Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) joint parliamentary summit. The delegation led by Chairman of the House Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee Haile-Kiros Gessesse left for Mali late Thursday, the House said in a release it sent to ENA yesterday. Africans’ integrated effort key for sustainable peace, stability: Ministry ADDIS ABABA – Many party of the globe are currently characterized by encouraging economic and political development, the Ministry of Information said in its weekly statement issued yesterday. The weekly statement says, on the contrary, viable economic and political changes in Africa have not been registered yet. Anyone with clear conscience can understand that economic and political progress can never be achieved without sustainable peace and security, the statement indicated. Somehow, the joint effort of Africans to tackle their problems and ensure all-round changes to help their people, to overcome poverty and backwardness is gathering momentum, the statement underlined. In line with this, the establishment of East African Standby Brigade launched at the beginning of the week, here in Addis, is believed to be instrumental to step up political and economic changes in the continent, the statement further added. According to the statement, it needs to be noted that the East African Standby Brigade, which is part of the African Standby Force (ASF) and which was inaugurated on Monday, April 11, 2005 is to play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, it is important to note that the founding states of the East African Standby Brigade chose Ethiopia as the seat of the Standby Brigade Headquarters, the statement elaborated. It is also a genuine expression of the regional states’ profound confidence and trust in Ethiopia, the statement said. April 17, 2005 City gov’t to provide special support to would be relocated residents ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Addis Ababa City Administration says it would provide support to metropolitans who will be relocated from their residential areas due to the housing development activities. City Government, Mayor Arkebe Equbay said that the support would aim at ensuring that relocated residents would not face problems of educations, health and transport facilities, and called on city dwellers to stand on the administration’s side in the implementation of the housing development programme. Arkebe made the remarks in a statement he gave yesterday on current activities and future plan of the Administration in relation to the housing development programmes. The children of relocated residents would be given enrolment priority in government schools, Mayor Arkebe said, adding that a guideline has already been prepared to facilitate ways of covering the one-year fees for low income parents whose children are pursuing their education in public schools. Arkebe further said that the administration has worked out ways in which children of low income households could get health care services for free at nearly health stations to their new residential areas. With regard to transportation, the Mayor said that the administration would give upto 300 birr to cover loading and transportation cost of their belongings and paraphernalia. Arkebe further said that the administration has also arranged ways in which each member of relocated households will get a one-year free fare on the Anbessa City Bus to alleviate their transportation problems. Arkebe disclosed that as the administration would be engaged in identifying sites for the construction of 60,000 condominium houses next Ethiopian year no residents would be relocated from their current residential area until next September. Nothing that residents would be relocated for housing development and the construction of road, Arkebe said that the administration has been implementing such activities with maximum care and in a manner that will not severely affect the stability of residents. Currently, 500 residents have been relocated for the housing development and sheltered in make-shift houses, the Mayor said, adding that they would be given priority to occupy the newly constructed houses. No resident will in subsequent housing constructions be made to stay in makeshift houses, he said. Arkebe said that apart from the housing development activate the administration; carries out plots have been given for the construction of 57,000 residential houses by the residents themselves. Meles describes visit to France “very fruitful”, arrives in Egypt SHAMR EL SHIEKH (ENA) – The high-level Ethiopian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has concluded its four-day visit to France and arrived in the Egyptian city of Shamr El-Sheikh late yesterday. Upon arrival at Shamr El-Sheikh, the Ethiopian delegation was welcomed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmad Nazef. During the delegation’s stay in Paris, Prime Minister Meles and French President Jacque Chirac have discussed issues that would bolster relations of cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles told journalists that the visit of the Ethiopian delegation to France, which primarily focused on boosting the trade and investment relations between the two countries, was very successful. Prime Minister Meles also said he had a very fruitful discussion with President Chirac on issues that would enable strengthen cooperation between the tow countries. President Chirac said during the talks that France would continue its cooperation with Ethiopia and will support the efforts of the Ethiopian Government being made to peacefully resolve the border dispute with Eritrea. During his stay in France, Prime Minister Meles has visited a cattle ranch where farmers produce up to 250,000 litres of milk and milk products annually from 60 cows. He also met and held discussions with members of the Ethiopian community in France at the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris. Apart from paying an official working visit to Egypt Prime Minister Meles will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). =================================== Pol.ethiopia April 19,2004 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Plan great trips with Yahoo! Travel: Now over 17,000 guides! http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Apr 25 14:53:40 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050425125340.2624.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 23, 2005 Ethio-China cooperation strengthening, says Ministry China donates 400,000 USD to AU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lu Guozeng said the bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia have been further consolidated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. During talks with the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu here yesterday, Guozeng also expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries would further be strengthened in the years ahead, the Ministry said in its statement sent to ENA yesterday. He said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to China. The increase in trade volume between the two nations and the success in development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some of the indicators for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between them, he said. The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the application of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, the Assistant Minister said. Hosting the Second Sino-African Forum successfully shows that how Ethiopia is committed to successful completion of the Forum, he said. He had also exchanged views with Dr. Tekeda on the third Sino-Africa Forum to convene in Beijing, China. Speaking on his part Dr. Tekeda said the relations between China and Ethiopia has also been consolidated in the political sector, besides in the area of investment. He also expressed appreciation to the support being provided by the Chinese government in the international forums. Dr. Tekeda expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to do its level best for the success of the third Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum to convene in China next year. He said Asian summit being held in Indonesia and in which Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister is participating has a significant role in strengthening the cooperation between Asia and Africa. The two officials have also exchanged views on structural adjustment, the Horn of African and other international affairs, among others. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China donated 400,000 US dollars to African Union (AU) yesterday in support of the continents peace efforts. Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lu Guezeng handed over the donation to the Chairperson of AU Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare. Handing over the donation, Guezeng said the stated sum was granted to the AU in support of its ongoing peace initiatives particularly in Darfur, Western Sudan. Receiving the donation, Konare said on his part that the support demonstrates China’s determination to assist the African Union in resolving conflicts in the continent. Guezeng and Prof. Konare also exchanged view on issues of mutual interest including the reform of the United Nations System, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Africans debt, among others. Menbere-Tsehay appointed COMESA Court of Justice Judge ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court and Director of Judiciary Bodies Training Center Menbere-Tsehay Tadesse has been appointed as one of 12 judges of the Court of Justice of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Public Relations Department of the Supreme Court told ENA yesterday that the COMESA Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General endorsed the appointment of Justice Menbere-Tsehay at the conclusion of their 9th meeting Thursday. The department indicated that 12 judges including Justice menbere-Tsehay were appointed from various African countries to serve a five-year term as judges of the COMESA Court of Justice. The appointed judges are expected to swear in at a meeting scheduled to be held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali in the near future. It was indicated that the judges will preside over disputes, whenever they occur, among COMESA member countries. The COMESA Court of Justice was established under COMESA Treaty and became formally operational in 1998. The COMESA Court of Justice is based in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. EC says Ethiopia, EU bilateral cooperation enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Head of EC Delegation, Tim Clarke said the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) has been further enhance both in the economic and political sectors. In a news conference he gave here yesterday along with EU and local officials, Tim Clarke said Europe Day would be celebrated for a week beginning May 9th. Clarke said the Day would be marked under a theme “Partnership Between the Youth and Children”. The celebration of the Day would start in wall painting competition, which will be held on May 2, 2005 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Addis Ababa, he said. A film festival, a televised debate on gender issues, a week long eye operations that would be held in cooperation with the Lions Club Ethiopia, a workshop on Ethio-European NGO partnership and an exhibition will be included among the activities that would be held to mark the Day, Clarke said. A seminar depicting the historical relations between Ethiopia and Europe would also be held at the Addis Ababa University as part of the celebration, he said. Ambassador of Netherlands to Ethiopia, Rob Vermaas, who is also Acting President of EU to Ethiopia, said on his part that the EU is ready to do its level best to achieve better result this year. He said the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU has also been strengthened more than ever before. Information State Minister Netsanet Asfaw said on her part that Ethiopia has benefited a lot from developmental and technological innovations of Europe. Pointing out that EU has sent its observers to monitor the upcoming national elections in Ethiopia, Nestanet said her country is desirous that the Union has to confirm for itself that whether the next May elections is fair and democratic or not. She said that EU gives special consideration to Ethiopia’s historical relics. She also expressed thanks to the people and government of Italy for providing their full support to the return of the Axum Obelisk. Ministry says return of Axum Obelisk marks beginning of new chapter in Ethio-Italian relations ADDIS ABABA – The return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia after 68 years heralds the opening of a new chapter in the long-standing Ethio-Italian relations, the Ministry of Information said. According to the weekly statement issued by the ministry yesterday, Ethiopia had exerted maximum efforts and signed many agreements with successive Italian governments to ensure the return of the Obelisk since the end of World War II. The relentless efforts made to ensure the return of the Obelisk bore fruit only through the intensive and peaceful diplomatic campaign carried out at home and abroad in the last 10 years, the statement said. The people and government of Italy have made a responsible decision when they positively responded to the demand of the Ethiopian people, government and the international community by returning the Obelisk to its legitimate owners, it said. The return of the Obelisk after 68 years is also a clear demonstration of Ethiopia’s capability to carry out a high-level and effective diplomacy, the statement said. Nothing that AU, UNESCO and the International Community have taken part in the diplomatic campaign for the return of the Obelisk, the ministry acknowledged with appreciation and gratitude their solidarity. The return of the Obelisk is not only a success and victory of Ethiopia alone, but is also of the peoples and government of Italy who resolved to offer appropriate response, the statement added. April 24, 2005 Chinese support need to focus on human resources, economic development: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that it would be more fruitful if Chinese cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries focuses on the enhancement of human resources and economic development sectors. During talks with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng here yesterday, Meles said that China need to further strengthen its support to Ethiopia and other African countries in human resource and economic development sectors. He also assured Guozeng that Ethiopia would be committed for the successful achievements of the goal of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum, according to a Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meles also said that his country would give special attention to the practical application of the Forum, for it is instrumental in further consolidating African’ economic development and social progress. According to Meles, Ethio-China bilateral cooperation has been strengthened in every sector. Meles said that many Chinese entrepreneurs have been investing in Ethiopia and called upon others to follow suit. The Prime Minister also expressed conviction that the Chinese government would give the necessary support to those investing in Ethiopia. Meles and Guozeng discussed the need that the UN Reform Programme need meet the interest of African and developing countries. Following the talks, Guozeng told journalists that his discussion with the Premier focused on Sino Ethiopia bilateral cooperation and Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum as well as the activities of the UN reform, among others. He said the talks were fruitful and constructive. He further indicated that the 3rd China-Africa Forum Ministerial meet will be held in Beijing next year. ============================================ Pol.ethiopia April 25,2005 ========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 28 10:19:02 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Tue Apr 17 18:19:43 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050428081902.74467.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 27, 2005 Major archaeological vestiges discovered at Axum World Heritage Site ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that major archaeological vestiges have been discovered at the World Heritage site of Axum by its experts sent to the area to survey the site last week. The experts were sent to prepare for the elevation of the Axum Obelisk at its original location. The last segment of the 160 tonnes 24.6 metre high stele arrived at the airport of Axum Monday morning after 68 years in Rome. Elizabeth Wangari of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and Jim Williams of the Organization’s Culture Sector, who took part in the mission declared: underground chambers and arcades have been found in the vicinity of the original location of the Obelisk. Geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion the most advanced technologies for underground observation revealed the existence of several vast funerary chambers under the sites parking ground which was built in 1963. According to the experts, the site is a royal necropolis used by several dynasties before the Christian era, and it stretches considerably beyond the perimeter of the present archaeological site, at the foot of Mount Saint George and Mount Mariam. Welcoming this important discovery UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura said: “It is likely that some of the tombs identified through under-ground imaging are intact.” “Archaeological excavations would now be required to uncover possible vestiges of major historical interest. The opening of these new tombs to the public would represent, more over, an additional asset for the site, which, by boosting cultural tourism, would contribute to the economic development of the country”. The team of UNESCO experts, headed by archaeologist Rodolfo Fattovich, an expert on Axum at the Insittuto Universitario Orientale of Naples in Italy conducted a “non-in-vasive archaeological prospect ion” of the site. The date collected through geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion, are being processed at a laboratory of La Sapienza University in Rome and will be used to create 3 dimensional models of the royal tombs. UNESCO says that the processed data will be communicated to the governments of Ethiopia and Italy. A number of tombs, some of them pillaged, have been discovered in Axum since the 1970s. Their riches are at the archaeological museums of Axum and Addis Ababa. Only one of the Axum tombs, the Tomb of the False Door, is open to the public. The archaeological site of Axum consists of three parts and contains 176 stelae: the Northern site, the Gudit stelae field, named after the Jewish queen who took power in the 10th century and the central area where the stele, now known as the Axum Obelisk, used to stand. Its foundations form a 6-metre and 10 sq. metre hole. According to experts, pillagers caused the Obelisk to topple over in either the 10th or the 16th centuries. EPRDF says committed to complete forthcoming national election peacefully ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said it is committed to complete the next May national elections in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner. In a statement it gave here yesterday, EPRDF Election Executive Committee said there was no any activity vent on obstructing the election ever since the election process has begun on the part of the EPRDF. Concerning the election, the EPRDF, has assessed the process so far and what will be done in the remaining period. Committee member Tadesse Kassa said the decision passed by the EPRDF Council lays July to hold the election without any problem has been maintained. More than 600,000 members of the Front have been offered training in accordance with code of ethics issued by EPRDF, he said. Every contesting political party is campaigning freely throughout the country, Tadesse said. He said members of the Front have practically been implementing the country’s electoral law without any problem by resisting the challenges that come from opposition parties. Members of the EPRDF have also been fighting whenever there are irregularities done by opposition parties, he said. EPRDF is also committed to hold the forthcoming national elections peacefully and is working hard to achieve this goal, he said and called upon the people to contribute their share to curb activities vent on hampering the election process. Board publishes directive on polling stations information ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The National Electoral Board announced that 1.3 million copies of a directive on polling stations information to be used by public observers and representatives of candidates have been published. Board Logistics Distribution Section Head Biruk Wondosen told ENA yesterday that the directive was prepared in collaboration with the International Electoral Amendment Services. The directive contains information about each election executives and support staff, candidates’ representatives and election observers, among others, he said. It also tells how election executives and representatives of candidates escort election results and materials to the respective constituencies after ballot counting, Wondosen said. He said 140,000 copies of polling stations directive book have been readied for distribution. The publication of poster showing the ballot casting process has also been completed, he added. What makes this year’s election different is the preparation of a document for receiving complaints about irregularities, Wondosen said. ====================================== Pol.ethiopia April 28,2005 =========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 1 15:56:17 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050401135618.16821.qmail@web53308.mail.yahoo.com> March 31, 2005 Benshangul-Gumuz State launches five-year food security strategy By Dagne Biazen ADDIS ABABA – The Benshangul Gumuz State yesterday launched a five-year food security strategy whose formulation has taken 18 months. The strategy, which will run until 2010, was launched at a one-day donor conference: “Food Security for Poverty Alleviation,” held at the Addis Ababa Hilton. A total of 280,061,635 birr is required to implement the programme of which, the government would cover 81,217,874.15 birr and the remaining 170,837,597.35 birr by donor and NGO sources. Opening the conference, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis said: “The strategy that lies before us will provide the necessary framework and guiding principles for how best to go about fulfilling the potentials of the state.” The President also said that Benshangul-Gumuz is generally well endowed by nature and has, in most parts, a lush natural cover, good water resources, cultivable land, and relatively low density of population compared to many parts of the country. But we have to look closer at the complex causes of poverty and food insecurity, the president said, and needs to be an integrated phase and comprehensive intervention, Abay added. “The key success factors are ownership of the programme by the people and the state, making use of the available labour force and natural resources and building up the all-round capacity of the state and the people to implement, own as well as benefit from the programme,” he said. Abay also appealed to all donors to pledge generously in the spirit of partnership to implement the programme. The food security strategy will address agriculture, livestock, environment and natural resource management, gender, socio-demography and capacity building, among others. Due to lack of internal capacity and funding, the state had not developed its own food security programme in the past. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded the strategic plan. Over 80 participants drawn from NGOs, donors, federal and Benshangul-Gumuz State Government attended the day-long conference. April 1, 2005 Meles holds talk with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussion centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Standby force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation to Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. ==================================== pol.ethiopia April 1,2005 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Personals - Better first dates. More second dates. http://personals.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Fri Apr 8 13:29:12 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] New Items Message-ID: <20050408112912.63417.qmail@web53306.mail.yahoo.com> April 7, 2005 Meles holds talks with U.S. delegation ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here yesterday with a U.S. delegation of a member of Congress and two senators. Member of Army Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhote, told journalists following the talks that the discussions centered on national and regional issues of interest. Ethiopia and the U.S. have a very close relations, Senator Inhote said. The U.S. Government also sees Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS prevention efforts as a model, he said. The U.S. is ready to provide every support to the efforts of the African Union to establish an African Stand by Force, he added. The objective of the delegation’s visit is to consult with officials on ways of promoting the U.S. Government’s AIDS initiative for Africa in Ethiopia. The delegation would also hold discussions on how the U.S. Government provides support to the planned regional brigades of the African Stand by force, especially the East African one, an official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting said. The three-member delegation includes the Education, Pension and Labour Affairs Committee as well as the Secretary of State’s African Affairs Sub-committee. The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with AU officials about the Stand-by brigades to be established in North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa. Senator Inhote’s grand daughter is foster mother to an Ethiopian child. Senator Inhote said his family has thus special affiliation Ethiopia. PAP should concentrate on political aspects of bringing African states together: Dawit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Dawit Yohannes says despite the good work that the Pan African Parliament has done, there are serious omissions in its work plan. The PAP’s Draft Work Plan was presented Wednesday at the meeting. As Head of the Ethiopian delegation to the PAP meeting in Midrand, South Africa, Dawit stresses that PAP should concentrate on the political aspects of bringing African states together, instead of being divided. SABC quoted Dawit as saying, “Africa does not have the time to drag its feet in the international arena” Malik Hussain Hamed, a Sudanese delegate, also criticized the work plan saying there should be more concentrated efforts on committee activities as these “activities are the backbone of parliament”. He stressed that these activities will have to show how PAP is going to be a lucrative triumph for Africa as a whole. Hamed added that they would like to see the possibility of synchronized abilities and finances to inculcate this work plan. PAP has many challenging tasks ahead of them in the implementation of activities, following through with tasks, and seeing concrete results. It has been echoed that PAP needs to be on the ground and needs to be felt as an organization to be reckoned with, SABC reported. PAP has elected its fourth vice president at the plenary session at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, yesterday. Theophile Nata, a candidate from Benin, was unanimously elected by the parliament after the untimely demise of Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, the previous vice president, also from Benin. Nata received a 78 per cent yes vote from the 126 delegates attending the session. Council, union leaders agree to conduct in-campus election process ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Leaders of Students’ Councils and Unions of higher learning institutions have agreed to conduct in-campus voter registration as per the timetable to be set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Students studying in higher learning institutions far away from their regions of residence had requested the Board to seek ways of enabling them exercise their rights. The Board heed to their calls in arranging in-campus voters’ registration schedule. Deputy Head of NEBE Secretariat, Tesfaye Mengesha told ENA yesterday that leaders of students’ councils and unions of higher learning institutions including the Addis Ababa University have received the necessary training that would enable them participate in the May 2005 national elections. He said 55 members of the students’ unions drawn from the various higher learning institutions across Ethiopia left for their respective institutions on Thursday upon completion of the training. According to Tesfaye, the trainees have received special election documents for delivery to their respective institutions. The trainees would summon general meeting upon arrival at their respective institutions to prepare voting of election executives and election observers, he said. The NEBE would assign an expert at each institution to provide support to effectively undertake voter registration and voting processes, Tesfaye said. The Deputy Head urged administrative bodies at each institution to extend the necessary support towards accomplishment of the election processes at various levels. He said leaders of students’ councils and unions would closely work with the office of the board. The trainees were drawn from higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, Debre Zeit, Nazareth, Awasa, Dilla, Arba Minch, Alemaya, Makalle, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Jimma and Ambo. Meanwhile, Afro-Flag Youth Vision Association says it has begun providing election education to young people in Adama city of Oromia State with a view to enabling the youth actively participate in the national elections in May. Team Representatives with the Association, Shiferaw Lencho and Yeshi Yitagesu said the education is being provided to the youths since last Saturday. The Representatives said the education focused on voting, ethics and the concept of democracy. They said the Association would also organize election related panel discussions and other forums continuously for youths and residents. Established in 1995 E.C., the Association has been carrying out similar activities in six state towns including Addis Ababa, according to the representatives. ===================================== Pol.ethiopia April 8,2005 ============================= __________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun. http://www.advision.webevents.yahoo.com/emoticontest From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 08:50:48 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050412065048.78539.qmail@web53305.mail.yahoo.com> April 9, 2005 Council of Ministers passes resolutions on three bills ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Council of Ministers during its session yesterday has passed resolutions on three bills. The Council passed the resolution on the bill providing for land tenure, another on the loan agreement for the implementation technology development, and yet another providing for plant cross-breeders patent right. The statement the Cabinet office told ENA said the bill providing for land tenure arose from need to redevelop urban lands in line with town plans for uses, among others, of residential housing, infrastructure and investment. This is because towns in the country are widening and urban populations increasing. It was also deemed necessary to put in place a legal instrument to facilitate the designation of rural lands for development activities and to enable the provision of compensations for those who may be relocated in the process. The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs. The Council after looking into the bill and making some amendments unanimously referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives. The other bill provides for the agreement reached between the Government of Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA) on a loan provision for the implementation of information communication development project. The project is aimed at creating easy access to essential market, development and social services information to the public through information and communication technology so as to help them upgrade their living standards. The Council after looking into the bill referred it to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for endorsement. Similarly, the Council discussed the bill providing for the patent rights on plant genetic insemination. It is believed to ensure the rights of owners of new research findings. The bill also considers the right of the farmers who are responsible for conserving the genetic resources. Ethiopia, Uganda sign air services MoU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Ethiopia and Uganda yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) here yesterday. The agreement would help the two sisterly countries to, among other things, open and allow for multiple designations of airlines, and abolition of restrictions on capacity, frequency and type of aircraft for commercial purposes. It also gives co-operative arrangement between designated airlines of both countries in marketing, training equipment utilization, blocked-space and code-sharing or leasing. Acting Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), Tefera Mekonnen and Ugandan Transport and Communication Director under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Houses and Communications, Grace James Itazi signed the agreement. After signing the agreement, Tefera said the BASA agreement was designed in accordance with the regional policies that call for implementation of the 5th freedom of air in Africa. Itazi said on his part that the BASA agreement would enable the two countries to promote trade, tourism and cooperation through efficient and effective air transport services. April 10, 2005 EPRDF says gov’t committed to rights, privileges of youth, oppositions argue to the contrary ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) says government’s Rural and Industrial Development, Capacity Building and other policies have ensured the privileges and participation of the youth. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) alleges that all the governments that came to power since the imperial regime part with the youth only in times of external aggression, or at state occasions where the rulers appear to be cheered by crowd waving flags. The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on its part alleges that the incumbent government has been engaged in activities that weaken the nation and incapacitating the generation. The claim-blame came here yesterday at an electoral debate organized by the Kebele 01/02/03 Youth Association in the Addis Ketema Sub-City and Social Services as well as Urban Policy. EPRDF representatives said that tangible results have been registered in the efforts the Front deployed to alleviate the problem of unemployment. They said, more than 70,000 youths have to become owners of their own business within a short period of time through micro-and small-scale schemes, municipal services, construction, food preparation and various other income-generating projects. The EPRDF representatives said that the young generation should be commended for the energy and vitality they have displayed and for honouring dutifulness above all things. They said the oppositions have been engaged in belittling and disregarding the youth. EPRDF has been implementing a wide-range of activities to enable the youth to lead meaningful life, they said. CUD representatives alleged that the youth in Ethiopia have been denied of their opportunities and led to a life of destitution, exile and imprisonment. The education system failed to provide hope to the youth, they said, adding CUD, if elected, would formulate suitable and transparent national policy. The CUD representatives said, if elected, they would generate large-scale employment for the youth, and would engage the youth in rural areas in off farm activities. UEDF representatives on their part said that Ethiopia needs fearless young people that don not give away their liberty. EPRDF, they alleged, has not given the young such a change. EPRDF is making the youth to sing only to the tune of revolutionary democracy, they said, adding the employment is given only to core members of the EPRDF and supporters. If elected, they pledged to formulate a policy of transparency and accountability. Young panelists drawn from educational institutions, HIV/AIDS associations, women’s associations and youth associations have raised queries on various issues to which the political parties have responded. Leaders’ meet to establish East African Standby Force ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that leaders’ meet establishing the East African Standby Force will be held here tomorrow. The Ministry told ENA yesterday that leaders and other senior officials from the Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and other neighbouring countries will attend the meeting. At the end of the day-long meeting leaders of the various countries are expected to sign an agreement establishing the East African Standby Force. According to the Ministry, the headquarters of the Standby Force, in Addis would also be inaugurated. ================================= Pol.ethiopia April 12,2005 ====================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 14 15:20:51 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050414132051.21043.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 13, 2005 Parties form joint forums 190 TPLF candidates on election campaigns ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Five political parties in Sidama Zone of the Southrern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State have formed a joint forum with a view to resolving problems that may arise in the run up, the Zonal Election Office said. Office Head Berhanu Dukamo told ENA yesterday that the joint forum was formed, by the South Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM), the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), the Sidama Hadicho Peoples’ Democratic Organization (SHPDO) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (FDM). Berhanu said that the parties have set up an executive committee consisting of one member from each party. Similarly, four political parties and independent contestants running for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in Bale Zone of Oromia State have formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office Coordinator Dejene Bekele told ENA recently that the joint forum was formed by the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO), CUD, OFDM, the United Ethiopia Democratic Front (UEDF) and independent Candidates. The joint forum was established with a view to resolving possible disputes among contesting parties in a democratic manner, he said. The joint forum will also be established at constituency level, he added. Some political parties including the Oromo Liberation National Party (OLNP), Oromo Abbo Liberation Front (OALF) and the Geda System Advancement Party (GSAP) did not take part in the establishment of the forum although they were invited, he said. Bogale further indicated that they have been invited to attend at the second meeting of the forum which is scheduled to be held April 19, 2005. Three political parties active in Alamata and Hintalo-Wajirat woredas of the Southern Tigray Zone have also formed a joint forum. Zonal Electoral Board Office coordinator Bogale Tessema said yesterday that the joint forum was established by the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), UEDF and CUD. Bogale said two independent and 74 candidates of TPLF, CUD. UEDF, United Ethiopian Democratic Party-MEDHIN (UEDP-MEDHIN) and All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP) are currently conducting election campaigns in the zone. Meanwhile, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) says its 190 candidates vying for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the State Council in the Tigray State have been launching election campaigns. The candidates are those who had undergone and passed critical public evaluation earlier, TPLF office told ENA Monday. The office said 38 of the candidates would run for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives while the remaining for the State Council. Women candidates contesting for seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Council constitute 36.6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, according to the office. Candidates representing all the nationalities in the State are vying at various constituencies, the office said. TPLF, over the past years, helped over half a million people from women and youth associations as well as farmers’ cooperatives in the state to benefit from micro and small-scale businesses, extension services and other development endeavours, the office indicated. According to the office, TPLF has exerted efforts to help thousands of people get job opportunities. Food security strategies are being implemented the office said. Over 66,000 farmers are engaged in a number of agricultural packages. Leaders leave for home after attending EASBRIG launch ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Presidents of Djibouti, Sudan and the Transitional Government of Somali left for home yesterday after attending the Summit of East African Heads of State and Government establishing the East African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) here in Addis. Upon departure at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Presidents Ismael Omar Guelleh, Omar Hassan Al-Beshir and Abdullahi Yussuf were seen off by senior government officials. The presidents have also attended the inaugural ceremony of the Head-quarters of EASBRIG here in Addis. Heads of State and Government of the East African Countries including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi have attended the inaugural ceremony of the Headquarters of the EASBRIG. EASBRIG was established based on the resolution adopted by the African Union (AU) to establish Standby Brigades at each of the Five Sub-Regions of Africa. The remaining four Sub-Regions will also establish similar Standby Brigades. Meet discusses strengthening Ethio-Oman trade, economic relations ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and Omani representatives of the Investment and Foreign Trade Centre and other officials held discussions aimed at strengthening Ethio-Oman trade and economic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ministry told ENA in a press release sent yesterday that the two sides held the discussions on 2-5 April 2005 in Musqat, Oman. The release said that the Omani delegation comprised investors, vice minister of trade and industry, Minister of tourism, vice minister of petroleum and natural gas, head of the African department, minister of agriculture and fishery as well as officials of investment and foreign trade promotion center. The Ethiopian Embassy delegation was led by Ambassador Abdi Delal. The two sides discussed at length on the direction of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the release quoted the Ethiopian Embassy as saying. The Ethiopian delegation on the occasion briefed the Omani investors about the conducive investment climate in Ethiopia and called on them to invest in sectors of their choice. The Ethiopian Embassy officials at a dinner thrown by the Oman Investment and Foreign Trade Centre made demonstrations about the Ethiopian exports as well as investment and tourism activities before about 80 Omani investors. On the occasion, the Omani investors raised questions regarding about investment security, tax levying, project site arrangement as well as Ethiopia’s exports and information availability about the ports Ethiopia uses for its import-export activities. Responding to the questions, the Ethiopian delegation distributed documents pertinent to Ethiopia’s investment code, trade and legal frameworks as well as illustrated documents of tourist attractions. The Omani investors have visited exhibits of samples of export items. At the conclusion of the visit by the Ethiopian Embassy delegation, President of the Oman Investment and Trade Centre Salim Bin expressed gratitude to the members of the Ethiopian mission for having provided the demonstrations. He expressed conviction that the Omani investors will respond positively to the call made to invest in Ethiopia. Ambassador Abdi on his part pledged that his mission will facilitate a visit to Ethiopia for a relevant Omani delegation to get first hand experience of the multifaceted development and democratization activities underway in the new Ethiopia. April 14, 2005 Premier leaves for Paris on an official visit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left for Paris yesterday leading a high-level delegation on an official three-day visit to France. Prime Minister Meles is scheduled to hold talks with President Jacques Chirac, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as other senior officials of that country on issues of common interest. The prime Minister is also scheduled to meet various bodies of the French Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe and America Directorates, Acting Director General Girum Abay said. The Ethiopian delegation will hold talks with French investors and businesspeople on ways of strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said. The visit is expected to contribute towards increasing French support to Ethiopia’s capacity building endeavours strengthening their relations, he indicated. The visit will also play significant role towards making Ethiopia destination to French investors, augmenting the share of Ethiopia’s export trade in French markets and creating sustained diplomatic partnership between the two countries, he noted. It is in the interest of Ethiopia that the French Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Ethiopia concentrates on education, water resources development, justice system, and capacity building, he said. According to the Acting Director General, continued efforts will be made on the part of Ethiopia to provide support to prospective French investors to engage in various investments sectors, particularly those development sectors the Ethiopian Government has prioritized. French investors are encouraged to invest in leather and leather products, textile, agro processing, horticulture and floriculture, he said. The Prime Minister’s visit is believed to contribute to create such a partnership whereby France, using its influence in the multilateral arena, will be assisting Ethiopia in all-round diplomatic, political, development and technical fields of cooperation, and also backs Ethiopia’s Africa policy. Discussions will also be held on ways of how France would assist in the peace, development and democratization efforts in the Horn of African as well as the realization of NEPAD programmes, he said. Members of the delegation include Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and other senior government officials. Ethiopia designs five-year AIDS Emergency Relief Strategic Plan ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The preparation of a five-year strategic plan for US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Ethiopia has been completed, Plan Country Coordinator announced. The Country Coordinator Aeron Snipe said the national strategic plan is aimed at maximizing the country’s benefit from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as Ethiopia is one of the focus countries of the US President’s initiative. The country coordinator made the announcement yesterday while addressing a day-long Second Annual National Stakeholders Meeting held here in Addis. Snipt said the document comprises critical areas for interventions that include HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention as well as supportive intervention schemes like ensuring bold leadership, policy dialogue and reform, capacity development, and systematic coordination and communication. The coordinator also said the document clearly stipulates the opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia in implementing the five-year strategic plan. Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E.Brazeal said the five year plan is prepared based on the input obtained from the First National Stakeholders Meeting held in September 2004. Ambassador Brazeal said the strategic plan would help US government assist national efforts geared toward fighting the pandemic through collaboration and partnership. The US government is ready to assist Ethiopia, among others, in increasing public awareness on voluntary testing and counseling, supporting orphans, and scaling-up free anti-retroviral treatments, the Ambassador said. According to the Ambassador, the Second Field Meeting of the President’s Emergency Plan, which brings together 15 focus countries, is scheduled for 22-27 May 2005 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The various development partners including UNAIDS, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Centre for Diseases Control (CDC), HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and Mekdim-Ethiopia renewed commitments toward fighting the pandemic. The day-long meeting, which is aimed at forging strong partnership among the various stakeholders, has brought together over 200 participants from government offices, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies and other pertinent bodies. PAP delegation to observe nat’l elections here ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chairperson of the Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee with the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives said the Pan African Parliament has decided to send election observer mission to Ethiopia in the upcoming third national elections. The Pan African Parliament has also approved over 5 million USD annual budgets. Chairman of the Standing Committee, Haile-Kiros Gessesse said in a statement he gave yesterday that the PAP has decided to send election observers to Ethiopia as part of its efforts to closely monitor the activities of member countries in building up democracy. Haile-Kiros was Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Delegation in the PAP meeting Held recently in South African city of Matran. Haile-Kiros said the PAP has also plans to deploy election observer missions to various member countries in the future. The Deputy Head of the Ethiopian parliamentary delegation to the PAP meeting also said the continental parliament has approved a 5.7 million US dollars annual budget for its overall activities. Haile-Kiros said the Pan African Parliament obtains is budget from contributions member countries make through the African Union. Haile-kiros said the PAP has lauded the report presented to it by the current Chairman of the AU, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to Haile-Kiros, the PAP meeting deliberated on the source of finance for development activities in the continent’s development partners as well as on a range of related continental issues. Some 46 countries have attended the PAP meeting held from March 2 through April 13, 2005 in South Africa. ============================== Pol.ethiopia April 14,2005 ======================= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From polethiopia at yahoo.com Tue Apr 19 09:33:44 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050419073345.31972.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 16, 2005 Joint forum hears party complaints ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Contesting political parties and the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) presented their complaints on what they said are “illegal activities” committed in the run up to the election to the joint forum. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it would investigate the case and take the necessary measures. At the joint forum meeting held at the NEBE office yesterday, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) complained that supporters of the EPRDF have intimidated its candidates and members in various parts of the country. In its written and oral complaints it presented to the Board, CUD said that arrest of members without due process of law, harassment, intimidations, physical injury, death and hindering the election campaign and other illegal practices were committed by administrative bodies and supporters of the ruling party. EPRDF on its part said that contestant parties have been engaged in destructive campaign such as saying “the government is toppled down” and are agitating the public not to pay tax and repay loans as well as trying to snatch gun from security forces. In its complaints presented to the board, EPRDF said that the contesting parties have been promoting violence with the aim of creating conflicts in Amhara, Oromia, the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states. Chairman of the Joint Forum, Kemal Bedri said that the Board will investigate the appeals presented by both parties and take necessary measures at all levels. As signs of unnecessary frictions were observed due to election campaigns being conducted in market places, Kemal recommended the suspension of election campaigns at market places. Due to the fact that representatives of different parties have reflected different ideas, Kemal said the board will pass resolutions on the matter. A solemn promise drafted by the NEBE with a view to making the upcoming national elections free from violence has been distributed to all contesting political parties and is expected to be endorsed next week following the inclusion of their inputs. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) accused officials of the ruling party of tormenting, beating, and imprisoning CUD’s members at a time when it is making necessary preparations to take part in the upcoming national elections. In a statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine members of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement it sent to ENA late yesterday, the CUD said nine member of the Coalition have been imprisoned since March 26 in Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. The statement said the CUD members have been arrested under the excuse of agitating the public on behalf of the Coalition, adding they remained in prison until the issuance of the statement. The statement also said the Gibe Woreda Administrator, Fekadu Je’ebo and another individual named Desalegn Suraj have disturbed and interrupted a meeting organized by members of the Coalition. The Statement said although the two officials were driven away from the meeting area with the joint efforts of the public they have continued to harass the public. The CUD statement also said two of its members named Abera Aseffa and Fekadu Abebe who were campaigning in Deramalo Constituency, North Omo Zone of the Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples State, have still been in prison. Parliamentary delegation leaves for Mali ACP-EU Summit ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – A three member delegation of the House of Peoples’ Representatives has left for Bamako, Mali, attend the ninth African-Carbbean-Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) joint parliamentary summit. The delegation led by Chairman of the House Foreign, Defence and Security Affairs Standing Committee Haile-Kiros Gessesse left for Mali late Thursday, the House said in a release it sent to ENA yesterday. Africans’ integrated effort key for sustainable peace, stability: Ministry ADDIS ABABA – Many party of the globe are currently characterized by encouraging economic and political development, the Ministry of Information said in its weekly statement issued yesterday. The weekly statement says, on the contrary, viable economic and political changes in Africa have not been registered yet. Anyone with clear conscience can understand that economic and political progress can never be achieved without sustainable peace and security, the statement indicated. Somehow, the joint effort of Africans to tackle their problems and ensure all-round changes to help their people, to overcome poverty and backwardness is gathering momentum, the statement underlined. In line with this, the establishment of East African Standby Brigade launched at the beginning of the week, here in Addis, is believed to be instrumental to step up political and economic changes in the continent, the statement further added. According to the statement, it needs to be noted that the East African Standby Brigade, which is part of the African Standby Force (ASF) and which was inaugurated on Monday, April 11, 2005 is to play a crucial role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, it is important to note that the founding states of the East African Standby Brigade chose Ethiopia as the seat of the Standby Brigade Headquarters, the statement elaborated. It is also a genuine expression of the regional states’ profound confidence and trust in Ethiopia, the statement said. April 17, 2005 City gov’t to provide special support to would be relocated residents ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Addis Ababa City Administration says it would provide support to metropolitans who will be relocated from their residential areas due to the housing development activities. City Government, Mayor Arkebe Equbay said that the support would aim at ensuring that relocated residents would not face problems of educations, health and transport facilities, and called on city dwellers to stand on the administration’s side in the implementation of the housing development programme. Arkebe made the remarks in a statement he gave yesterday on current activities and future plan of the Administration in relation to the housing development programmes. The children of relocated residents would be given enrolment priority in government schools, Mayor Arkebe said, adding that a guideline has already been prepared to facilitate ways of covering the one-year fees for low income parents whose children are pursuing their education in public schools. Arkebe further said that the administration has worked out ways in which children of low income households could get health care services for free at nearly health stations to their new residential areas. With regard to transportation, the Mayor said that the administration would give upto 300 birr to cover loading and transportation cost of their belongings and paraphernalia. Arkebe further said that the administration has also arranged ways in which each member of relocated households will get a one-year free fare on the Anbessa City Bus to alleviate their transportation problems. Arkebe disclosed that as the administration would be engaged in identifying sites for the construction of 60,000 condominium houses next Ethiopian year no residents would be relocated from their current residential area until next September. Nothing that residents would be relocated for housing development and the construction of road, Arkebe said that the administration has been implementing such activities with maximum care and in a manner that will not severely affect the stability of residents. Currently, 500 residents have been relocated for the housing development and sheltered in make-shift houses, the Mayor said, adding that they would be given priority to occupy the newly constructed houses. No resident will in subsequent housing constructions be made to stay in makeshift houses, he said. Arkebe said that apart from the housing development activate the administration; carries out plots have been given for the construction of 57,000 residential houses by the residents themselves. Meles describes visit to France “very fruitful”, arrives in Egypt SHAMR EL SHIEKH (ENA) – The high-level Ethiopian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has concluded its four-day visit to France and arrived in the Egyptian city of Shamr El-Sheikh late yesterday. Upon arrival at Shamr El-Sheikh, the Ethiopian delegation was welcomed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmad Nazef. During the delegation’s stay in Paris, Prime Minister Meles and French President Jacque Chirac have discussed issues that would bolster relations of cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Meles told journalists that the visit of the Ethiopian delegation to France, which primarily focused on boosting the trade and investment relations between the two countries, was very successful. Prime Minister Meles also said he had a very fruitful discussion with President Chirac on issues that would enable strengthen cooperation between the tow countries. President Chirac said during the talks that France would continue its cooperation with Ethiopia and will support the efforts of the Ethiopian Government being made to peacefully resolve the border dispute with Eritrea. During his stay in France, Prime Minister Meles has visited a cattle ranch where farmers produce up to 250,000 litres of milk and milk products annually from 60 cows. He also met and held discussions with members of the Ethiopian community in France at the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris. Apart from paying an official working visit to Egypt Prime Minister Meles will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). =================================== Pol.ethiopia April 19,2004 ========================== __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Plan great trips with Yahoo! Travel: Now over 17,000 guides! http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide From polethiopia at yahoo.com Mon Apr 25 14:53:40 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050425125340.2624.qmail@web53310.mail.yahoo.com> April 23, 2005 Ethio-China cooperation strengthening, says Ministry China donates 400,000 USD to AU ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Chinese Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lu Guozeng said the bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia have been further consolidated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. During talks with the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu here yesterday, Guozeng also expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries would further be strengthened in the years ahead, the Ministry said in its statement sent to ENA yesterday. He said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to China. The increase in trade volume between the two nations and the success in development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some of the indicators for the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation between them, he said. The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the application of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, the Assistant Minister said. Hosting the Second Sino-African Forum successfully shows that how Ethiopia is committed to successful completion of the Forum, he said. He had also exchanged views with Dr. Tekeda on the third Sino-Africa Forum to convene in Beijing, China. Speaking on his part Dr. Tekeda said the relations between China and Ethiopia has also been consolidated in the political sector, besides in the area of investment. He also expressed appreciation to the support being provided by the Chinese government in the international forums. Dr. Tekeda expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to do its level best for the success of the third Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum to convene in China next year. He said Asian summit being held in Indonesia and in which Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister is participating has a significant role in strengthening the cooperation between Asia and Africa. The two officials have also exchanged views on structural adjustment, the Horn of African and other international affairs, among others. Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China donated 400,000 US dollars to African Union (AU) yesterday in support of the continents peace efforts. Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lu Guezeng handed over the donation to the Chairperson of AU Commission, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare. Handing over the donation, Guezeng said the stated sum was granted to the AU in support of its ongoing peace initiatives particularly in Darfur, Western Sudan. Receiving the donation, Konare said on his part that the support demonstrates China’s determination to assist the African Union in resolving conflicts in the continent. Guezeng and Prof. Konare also exchanged view on issues of mutual interest including the reform of the United Nations System, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Africans debt, among others. Menbere-Tsehay appointed COMESA Court of Justice Judge ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court and Director of Judiciary Bodies Training Center Menbere-Tsehay Tadesse has been appointed as one of 12 judges of the Court of Justice of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Public Relations Department of the Supreme Court told ENA yesterday that the COMESA Ministers of Justice and Attorneys-General endorsed the appointment of Justice Menbere-Tsehay at the conclusion of their 9th meeting Thursday. The department indicated that 12 judges including Justice menbere-Tsehay were appointed from various African countries to serve a five-year term as judges of the COMESA Court of Justice. The appointed judges are expected to swear in at a meeting scheduled to be held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali in the near future. It was indicated that the judges will preside over disputes, whenever they occur, among COMESA member countries. The COMESA Court of Justice was established under COMESA Treaty and became formally operational in 1998. The COMESA Court of Justice is based in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. EC says Ethiopia, EU bilateral cooperation enhanced ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Head of EC Delegation, Tim Clarke said the bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) has been further enhance both in the economic and political sectors. In a news conference he gave here yesterday along with EU and local officials, Tim Clarke said Europe Day would be celebrated for a week beginning May 9th. Clarke said the Day would be marked under a theme “Partnership Between the Youth and Children”. The celebration of the Day would start in wall painting competition, which will be held on May 2, 2005 at the Bulgarian Embassy in Addis Ababa, he said. A film festival, a televised debate on gender issues, a week long eye operations that would be held in cooperation with the Lions Club Ethiopia, a workshop on Ethio-European NGO partnership and an exhibition will be included among the activities that would be held to mark the Day, Clarke said. A seminar depicting the historical relations between Ethiopia and Europe would also be held at the Addis Ababa University as part of the celebration, he said. Ambassador of Netherlands to Ethiopia, Rob Vermaas, who is also Acting President of EU to Ethiopia, said on his part that the EU is ready to do its level best to achieve better result this year. He said the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU has also been strengthened more than ever before. Information State Minister Netsanet Asfaw said on her part that Ethiopia has benefited a lot from developmental and technological innovations of Europe. Pointing out that EU has sent its observers to monitor the upcoming national elections in Ethiopia, Nestanet said her country is desirous that the Union has to confirm for itself that whether the next May elections is fair and democratic or not. She said that EU gives special consideration to Ethiopia’s historical relics. She also expressed thanks to the people and government of Italy for providing their full support to the return of the Axum Obelisk. Ministry says return of Axum Obelisk marks beginning of new chapter in Ethio-Italian relations ADDIS ABABA – The return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia after 68 years heralds the opening of a new chapter in the long-standing Ethio-Italian relations, the Ministry of Information said. According to the weekly statement issued by the ministry yesterday, Ethiopia had exerted maximum efforts and signed many agreements with successive Italian governments to ensure the return of the Obelisk since the end of World War II. The relentless efforts made to ensure the return of the Obelisk bore fruit only through the intensive and peaceful diplomatic campaign carried out at home and abroad in the last 10 years, the statement said. The people and government of Italy have made a responsible decision when they positively responded to the demand of the Ethiopian people, government and the international community by returning the Obelisk to its legitimate owners, it said. The return of the Obelisk after 68 years is also a clear demonstration of Ethiopia’s capability to carry out a high-level and effective diplomacy, the statement said. Nothing that AU, UNESCO and the International Community have taken part in the diplomatic campaign for the return of the Obelisk, the ministry acknowledged with appreciation and gratitude their solidarity. The return of the Obelisk is not only a success and victory of Ethiopia alone, but is also of the peoples and government of Italy who resolved to offer appropriate response, the statement added. April 24, 2005 Chinese support need to focus on human resources, economic development: Meles ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that it would be more fruitful if Chinese cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries focuses on the enhancement of human resources and economic development sectors. During talks with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng here yesterday, Meles said that China need to further strengthen its support to Ethiopia and other African countries in human resource and economic development sectors. He also assured Guozeng that Ethiopia would be committed for the successful achievements of the goal of the Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum, according to a Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meles also said that his country would give special attention to the practical application of the Forum, for it is instrumental in further consolidating African’ economic development and social progress. According to Meles, Ethio-China bilateral cooperation has been strengthened in every sector. Meles said that many Chinese entrepreneurs have been investing in Ethiopia and called upon others to follow suit. The Prime Minister also expressed conviction that the Chinese government would give the necessary support to those investing in Ethiopia. Meles and Guozeng discussed the need that the UN Reform Programme need meet the interest of African and developing countries. Following the talks, Guozeng told journalists that his discussion with the Premier focused on Sino Ethiopia bilateral cooperation and Sino-Africa Cooperation Forum as well as the activities of the UN reform, among others. He said the talks were fruitful and constructive. He further indicated that the 3rd China-Africa Forum Ministerial meet will be held in Beijing next year. ============================================ Pol.ethiopia April 25,2005 ========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From polethiopia at yahoo.com Thu Apr 28 10:19:02 2005 From: polethiopia at yahoo.com (Political Ethiopia) Date: Wed May 23 11:06:16 2007 Subject: [Pol.ethiopia] News Items Message-ID: <20050428081902.74467.qmail@web53307.mail.yahoo.com> April 27, 2005 Major archaeological vestiges discovered at Axum World Heritage Site ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that major archaeological vestiges have been discovered at the World Heritage site of Axum by its experts sent to the area to survey the site last week. The experts were sent to prepare for the elevation of the Axum Obelisk at its original location. The last segment of the 160 tonnes 24.6 metre high stele arrived at the airport of Axum Monday morning after 68 years in Rome. Elizabeth Wangari of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and Jim Williams of the Organization’s Culture Sector, who took part in the mission declared: underground chambers and arcades have been found in the vicinity of the original location of the Obelisk. Geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion the most advanced technologies for underground observation revealed the existence of several vast funerary chambers under the sites parking ground which was built in 1963. According to the experts, the site is a royal necropolis used by several dynasties before the Christian era, and it stretches considerably beyond the perimeter of the present archaeological site, at the foot of Mount Saint George and Mount Mariam. Welcoming this important discovery UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura said: “It is likely that some of the tombs identified through under-ground imaging are intact.” “Archaeological excavations would now be required to uncover possible vestiges of major historical interest. The opening of these new tombs to the public would represent, more over, an additional asset for the site, which, by boosting cultural tourism, would contribute to the economic development of the country”. The team of UNESCO experts, headed by archaeologist Rodolfo Fattovich, an expert on Axum at the Insittuto Universitario Orientale of Naples in Italy conducted a “non-in-vasive archaeological prospect ion” of the site. The date collected through geo-radar and electro-tomographic prospect ion, are being processed at a laboratory of La Sapienza University in Rome and will be used to create 3 dimensional models of the royal tombs. UNESCO says that the processed data will be communicated to the governments of Ethiopia and Italy. A number of tombs, some of them pillaged, have been discovered in Axum since the 1970s. Their riches are at the archaeological museums of Axum and Addis Ababa. Only one of the Axum tombs, the Tomb of the False Door, is open to the public. The archaeological site of Axum consists of three parts and contains 176 stelae: the Northern site, the Gudit stelae field, named after the Jewish queen who took power in the 10th century and the central area where the stele, now known as the Axum Obelisk, used to stand. Its foundations form a 6-metre and 10 sq. metre hole. According to experts, pillagers caused the Obelisk to topple over in either the 10th or the 16th centuries. EPRDF says committed to complete forthcoming national election peacefully ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said it is committed to complete the next May national elections in a democratic, fair and peaceful manner. In a statement it gave here yesterday, EPRDF Election Executive Committee said there was no any activity vent on obstructing the election ever since the election process has begun on the part of the EPRDF. Concerning the election, the EPRDF, has assessed the process so far and what will be done in the remaining period. Committee member Tadesse Kassa said the decision passed by the EPRDF Council lays July to hold the election without any problem has been maintained. More than 600,000 members of the Front have been offered training in accordance with code of ethics issued by EPRDF, he said. Every contesting political party is campaigning freely throughout the country, Tadesse said. He said members of the Front have practically been implementing the country’s electoral law without any problem by resisting the challenges that come from opposition parties. Members of the EPRDF have also been fighting whenever there are irregularities done by opposition parties, he said. EPRDF is also committed to hold the forthcoming national elections peacefully and is working hard to achieve this goal, he said and called upon the people to contribute their share to curb activities vent on hampering the election process. Board publishes directive on polling stations information ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The National Electoral Board announced that 1.3 million copies of a directive on polling stations information to be used by public observers and representatives of candidates have been published. Board Logistics Distribution Section Head Biruk Wondosen told ENA yesterday that the directive was prepared in collaboration with the International Electoral Amendment Services. The directive contains information about each election executives and support staff, candidates’ representatives and election observers, among others, he said. It also tells how election executives and representatives of candidates escort election results and materials to the respective constituencies after ballot counting, Wondosen said. He said 140,000 copies of polling stations directive book have been readied for distribution. The publication of poster showing the ballot casting process has also been completed, he added. What makes this year’s election different is the preparation of a document for receiving complaints about irregularities, Wondosen said. ====================================== Pol.ethiopia April 28,2005 =========================== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com