[Pol.ethiopia] News Items

[Political Ethiopia]

May 24, 2005

Democratization of election great victory for
Ethiopians: EPRDF

ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The Ethiopian Peoples’
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said that the
democratization and uniqueness of the election that
had been confirmed by the peoples of Ethiopia and the
international community as well, was a great victory
for the entire Ethiopians.

In a statement issued yesterday in connection with the
Front’s Executive Committee regular session held May
21-22, 2005, it said that such democracy is achieved
due to the fact that the entire Ethiopians have been
dedicated to make the election flawless.

The Front has also expressed its appreciation to those
Ethiopians who made outstanding contribution in
various ways to make the election democratic.

It said EPRDF understands that election is a situation
in which citizens can elect contestants whom they
believe can work for their benefit freely.

Moreover, the statement said, not only those people
who cast their votes have their contribution in making
the elections flawless but also those who did not
vote.

Pointing out that most of the people were having doubt
that whether the election would be democratic or not,
it said those who cast votes lining up in queues until
mid-night have contributed their share towards the
success of the election.

The statement said that the Front believes that the
counting of votes would also be democratic and reflect
the interest of the public at large.  Accordingly, it
said, the Front would work hard for the fairness of
the counting of votes.

EPRDF would also create situations conducive to
settling complaints over election regularities
according to the law.

The Front would also hand over the Addis Ababa City
Administration power to the winning party in the set
time table, the statement said.

EPRDF would also like to confirm that it would
continue to extend support the city administration
used to get from the Federal Government, as it has
been doing in the past.

The statement said the Front also understands clearly
the meaning of message of those people who did not
vote for EPRDF.

EPRDF has practically tested policies and strategies
that have brought about good results, it said, adding
that the problem found in this regard is their
implementation.

Accordingly, maintaining and continuing those policies
and strategies which can help achieve good results the
Front said, adding that EPRDF clearly understands the
appropriateness of making remedies on implementation
problems in consultation with the public.

It also expressed its belief that the people would
contribute their share in the improvements of the
implementation.

The Front is ready to create forums that would enable
it consult with the public on relevant issues, the
statement said.

The statement also congratulated members and
supporters of EPRDF for fulfilling their objectives
through making the Front victorious both in the
process and result of the democratic election.

The statement said while entering the election, EPRDF
had expressed its determination to make the conduct
peaceful, democratic and flawless as well as its
confidence to win the election.

It added that the Front has realized its goal of
conducting a democratic and peaceful election by
ultimately relying on its members and supporters.

The statement said EPRDF has won votes to form a
government at Federal and State levels, and as such,
the Front has won a decisive victory to continue
implementing its good policies and strategies.

The Front also called upon its members and supporters
to urgently enter into the implementation of EPRDF’s
programmes with much vigour and resolve.

The international community has closely observed the
discipline manifested by members of EPRDF who strictly
abide by the Election Code of Conduct prepared by the
Front, the statement said.

The statement added while our members and supporters
work in strict observance of the Code of Conduct, it
was confirmed that opposition parties were engaged in
various illegal and anti-democratic activities going
against the electoral law.

While EPRDF recognizes that the illegal activities
deliberately committed by opposition parties were
infuriating and deplorable, the statement said,
however, it must be stressed that the ultimate
solution for such activities is democratic struggle.

The Front urged its members and supporters to
strengthen the legitimate and peacefull struggle by
relying on the Front’s capacity of rectifying mistakes
through a democratic process.

The statement said EPRDF recognizes that its
supporters do believe the policy and strategy it is
pursuing to bring about development and ensure a
democratic system is appropriate.

It also said that the Front is also cognizant that
there are numerous points its supporters would like to
get improved with regard to implementation of the
policy and strategy, adding the Front is much more
ready than ever to work in consultation with its
supporters to adopt necessary changes in relation to
implementation.

The statement said rigorous efforts would be needed to
intensify the good practices demonstrated during
policy implementation and take corrective measures in
the weaknesses.

The statement said the issue of increasing
productivity should be given special attention taking
advantage of the favourable weather condition in the
current main rainy season.

The statement said members of the Front and supporters
at the various levels need to work relentlessly with
more vigour and stamina during the development work in
the main rainy season as they did in the past to
achieve rapid development and for the good of the
public.

The statement said cognizant of the decisive role of
the anti-poverty struggle for the materialization of
democracy and the political objectives of the Front,
EPRDF has urged the public to remain much more
committed for the realization work in the main rainy
season.

EPRDF is well aware that all its members and
supporters believe that the Front should establish
government as per the law at Federal and State levels
where it emerged victorious, while putting strong
pressure to hand over power in areas where oppositions
won, the statement said.

EPRDF considers as appropriate the idea forwarded by
its members and supporters that the Front should
establish a government where it won the upper hand,
the statement said, however, it said, the Front
underscore that this should take place pursuant to the
applicable laws and regulations.

Thus, the statement said, the Front would peacefully
and legally hand over power here in the capital city
where an opposition party has won the elections.

This transition of power, though limited to the
capital Addis Ababa, a huge responsibility is
entrusted upon the public to make such transition of
power, which is the first of its kind in the history
of the country, peaceful and civilized.

The statement also said EPRDF expressed its
determination to realize this peaceful transition of
power collectively with the general public.

All Ethiopians who voted and did not vote for EPRDF
opened in unison a new chapter of democracy in the
country by putting aside destructive agitations.

The public has, indeed, enabled the elections to be
conducted in a peaceful and democratic manner by
ignoring the rigorous destructive campaigns by some
elements.  This is a grand victory of peace, democracy
and sovereignty, the statement said.

The Front called upon all Ethiopians to foil
destructive agitations before it they arouses
animosity and hatred among people.

Numerous scholars, entrepreneurs and other segments of
the public have extended strong support in organized
and individual level during the election process
towards the realization of EPRDF’s objectives and the
on-going peace, development and democratic system in
the country.

The statement said understanding the importance of
working hand-in-hand to keep up the positive
achievements and do away with faults in a peaceful and
democratic struggle, EPRDF expressed its readiness to
jointly work with all its partners within spirit of
cooperation than ever.

“This historic chapter has brought both good
opportunities for Ethiopia and its people as well as a
danger that could possibly erupt due to silly
mistakes, the statement said,” and added, “we can
sustain the benefits of the public only through
employing the good opportunities in a constructive
way.”

The statement further said the time demands avoiding
emotions and thinking critically, and added that by
drawing lessons from experiences over the past years,
EPRDF has designed a reform programme to be
implemented during the next five years.

EPRDF has readied itself towards the execution of this
development and peace programme working with all the
Ethiopian people in the spirit of cooperation.

The Front also indicated that it will soon publicize
the reform and development programme and called upon
the Ethiopian people to finalize the on-going reform
activities, nurture their fundamental rights and
benefits as well as utilize the democratic culture for
the advancement of the nation.


Winner, loser parties should jointly rescue the
country from poverty: Prof. Kinfe

ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – President of the Ethiopian
International Institute for Peace and Development
(EIIPD), Professor Kinfe Abraham said both winners and
losers of the elections should work in collaboration
in a bid to get the country out of poverty.

In an interview with the English Service of the Voice
of America (VOA) and the German’s Deutsche Welle
Radio, Prof. Kinfe said contesting political parties
have the duty to avoid their controversies and jointly
work to brink the country out of the prevailing
problems.

The winner party has also the responsibility to
fulfill its promises to the public, he added.

Pointing out that contesting parties have registered
various results at various constituencies, Prof. Kinfe
said both winners and losers should jointly shoulder
national responsibilities.

Though all contesting parties entered the competition
expecting victory, they should honourably accept the
results they obtained, Prof. Kinfe added.

According to Prof. Kinfe, the 90 per cent voter
turnout as well as the enthusiasm observed among the
electorate on the polling day were historic and
manifestations of the public’s aspiration for a
democratic order.

As election is the first phase of any democratic
administration, the losers and winners should accept
the outcome of the election and mobilize the public
for development.

Prof. Kinfe further said as state administrations lack
material capacity to fully alleviate problems of a
city, a party that won in various states need to
jointly work with the Federal Government and other
states.

According to Prof. Kinfe, a party needs 275 seats in
the parliament to form the Federal Government while it
requires two-third majority seats to introduce new
legislation.

As Addis Ababa is a city with various international
organizations such as the AU, the ECA and more than
100 diplomatic missions, dialogue would be required
between the Federal Government and the opposition
party that won in the city in order for things to go
smoothly.

The two have to have thaw will to listen to each other
and they have to be prepared to make essential
compromises, he added.

Ethiopia negotiating accession to WTO

ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – An official with the Ministry of
Trade and Industry says Ethiopia is in the process of
becoming a member is in the process of becoming a
member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

While addressing a National Intensive Course on Trade
Negotiations Skills which kicked off here yesterday,
WTO Affairs Department Head with the Ministry, Habtamu
Tadesse said Ethiopia has prepared a memorandum of
understanding of foreign trade law which depicts its
laws and policies.

He said Ethiopia requested to be a member of the WTO
in 2003, adding that the country was then permitted to
become a member after going through a month-long
negotiating.

However, he added, to enter the negotiation phase, it
was imperative first to adopt a law.

In order to be competitive in the world market,
Ethiopian products should be improved in quality, he
said.  He also said institutionalization was much
needed than ever.

Attracting foreign trade, resolving trade-related
disputes as well as building institutional capacity
were among the major benefits of becoming a WTO
member, he said.

Dr. Dickson Yeboah, Counselor and Head of Institute
for Training and Technical Cooperation of Africa Unit
with WTO, said the liberalization of varies to foreign
direct investment in the services sector was the most
important source of gains from WTO accession.

“IF Ethiopia joined the WTO, there would be a
significant increase in foreign direct investment and
an increase in multinational firms operating in the
business services sector in Ethiopia,” Yeboah said.

Entered into force on 1st of January 1995 with 76
members, WTO has to date 148 member countries.

Close to 30 countries including Ethiopia, Algeria,
Cape Verde, Libya, the Sudan and Guinea are in the
process of negotiating their accessions according to
Yeboah.




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Pol.ethiopia
May 26,2005
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