ECTV NEWS Blog

Interview With Meles Zenawi

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 07:59:00 -0500

Interview With Meles Zenawi
Thursday, December 14, 2006; 12:26 PM

The Washington Post's Stephanie McCrummen sat down this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss rising tensions with Somalia's Islamic Courts, and the state of democracy inside the country.

On the issue of Somalia: Ethiopia is inching closer to war with the Islamic Courts, who have taken over large swaths the country, including its capital, and who have in the past called for creation of a "Greater Somalia," including portions of ethnically Somali Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Diplomats estimate that Ethiopia has at least 8,000 troops in Somalia bolstering the fragile, but internationally recognized transitional government, a claim that Ethiopia has repeatedly denied.

Q: First, your reaction to the call by the Islamic Courts for Ethiopia to withdraw its forces in seven days?

A: They have issued an ultimatum. This does not come as a surprise to me. The declaration is based on falsehoods. It is true we have troops in Baidoa, the capital, who are there to train forces of the transitional federal government, who are an internationally recognized government and who have officially asked for support from Ethiopia. . . . Now, if the transitional government does not want our trainers, we'd be happy to withdraw them. . . . But on a more fundamental level it appears that this jihadist movement is hell-bent on controlling all of Somalia. That for them, the negotiations are a ploy used to facilitate their goal. They see Ethiopia as a stumbling block.

Q. There are analysts, diplomats and others who fear that limited conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, even a short conflict, would ultimately spawn terrorist attacks across the region in neighboring countries, that it would embolden the more radical elements within the courts. Do you share this analysis? What are your thoughts on the idea that even an African Union deployment might make matters worse in the long run?

A. This argument does fascinate me. It does surprise me that intelligent people in the 21st century could claim that if you respond to the terrorists with force, you spawn terrorism, but if you appease them, you somehow tame them. This argument, as I said, is very interesting, and very surprising. . . . This policy of feckleness in the face of threats, this beatification of this threat, is quite dangerous. . . . There is a group in the Islamic Movement in Mogadishu that is not interested in democratic secular government in Somalia, that is hell-bent on establishing a Taliban regime in Somalia. Now, you can facilitate the Talibanization of Somalia through dialogue. If that is the intention, it perhaps makes sense. But you cannot stop a group that has clearly demonstrated that it wants to Talibanize all of Somalia, that is prepared to use dialogue to facilitate its military takeover. For someone to say in the face of such facts and stark realities, that facing the challenge on its own terms is what creates the challenge in the first place, such arguments in my view are worse than fecklessness in the face of a challenge.

On Democracy: In May 2005, the Ethiopian government conducted what many observers considered the most open and competitive elections since Prime Minister Meles Zenawi took power in a 1991 coup. An estimated 90 percent of the country's 25 million registered voters took part. When the preliminary results were announced, however, opposition party members accused the government of fraud, and took to the streets to protest, prompting a recount that showed the opposition parties made significant gains, but did not win a majority. When the opposition took to the streets again in November, they clashed with government security forces who opened fire. A government investigation found that 197 people were killed, including six police officers. Thousands of opposition members were arrested, and more than 100 opposition leaders, journalists and relief workers remain in jail, many having been charged with treason.

Q. I wanted to ask you about how your thinking has changed since you arrived in 1991. How has your thinking changed on subject of democracy? And do you believe that Ethiopia needs a strong, viable, peaceful opposition in order to progress?

A. Of course everybody's thinking evolves over time. Only dead people cease learning, and I am not certified dead yet. So I am still learning. Over the years I've come to recognize that democratization in Ethiopia is not just a matter of choice. It's a matter of national survival. I am deeply convinced that we either democratize and have a good chance of surviving, or if we fail to do so, we disintegrate. That is a significant evolution in my thinking. I know more now than I did in the past about the process of democratization. I know more about the pitfalls. With regards to your second question, a peaceful, strong viable opposition is part of any vibrant democracy. And we wish to have a vibrant democracy, and therefore we wish to have a vibrant, strong, peaceful opposition that is fully committed to the constitution and to play by the rules.

Q. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened after the election last year? There are hundreds of opposition members still in jail, thousands arrested at the time -- 197, I believe, killed, according to the government's report. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened?

A.. Yes, well, it's very regrettable that the election which was described as a model, that it turned out that this process in the end was tarnished by the fact that many people died. I regret the deaths of these people. It was a completely unnecessary and tragic series of events. I do not regret the fact that we have detained political leaders of this insurrection.

Q. Insurrection?

A. Yes. We bent back a lot to prevent this. . . . They said that there were irregularities in the elections. . . . Our response has been okay, we have the processes. We have the national election board. . . . And if you don't accept the board you go to the courts. . . . So we bent back, and said we accept the process of review of the counting, which involved the opposition parties' representatives and foreign observers. . . . Having done it we were not able to prevent publicly declared -- openly and publicly declared -- exercise of overthrowing the duly constituted government by unconstitutional means. And the rule of law is the basis for any democracy. And without the rule of law in democracy, you have chaos. They were pushing the country towards chaos. And we had to enforce the rule of law. And they have had their day in court. That is as it should be. There are no regrets here.

Q. I've been talking to a lot of people, regular people here on the streets in Addis, and some are open, and talk. But a lot of people are afraid to talk. They are concerned about expressing their opinion. Why do you think that is? Do you think that's warranted? Why do you think there's such a fear among people here?

A. I don't think there is such fear. At least in expressing opinions contrary to government. . . . There might be fear with regards to those associated with groups intent in carrying out insurrection. And supporters of armed insurrection might be concerned to have their ideas known. It is illegal to be a member of an organization that is challenging the constitution by armed force. But other than that, I don't see any fear. But I also understand that the opposition wants to prove that this is a repressive regime.

Q. Do you have any plans to try for a third term?

A. My party? My party will try not only for a third term but for a tenth term.

Q. And you personally?

A. And me personally, I think I've had enough.

Starbucks in Ethiopian coffee beans imbroglio

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 17:59:00 -0500

Starbucks in Ethiopian coffee beans imbroglio
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/335760574?ltl=1162023907
LONDON - British charity Oxfam has alleged that coffee king Starbucks is preventing Ethiopia from trademarking two of its three coffee beans thereby denying farmers some much-needed income. Oxfam says that Ethiopian farmers are being deprived of nearly 50 million pounds ($94 million).

The U.S. coffee shop giant has hampered Ethiopia from getting a trademark on two of its most popular beans, namely Sidamo and Harar. The charity said that if this had been allowed, then the poor African nation would have been able to control the use of the beans in the market globally, thus giving its farmers a decent means of livelihood.
The bid to trademark the two beans was blocked by U.S. National Coffee Association (NCA) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However Starbucks has denied these allegations. "We have not been involved in trying to block Ethiopia's attempts. We did not get the NCA involved -- in fact it was the other way around. They were the ones who contacted us on this," Dub Hay of the group told BBC radio.

But Oxfam has stood by its accusations saying that it is in fact Starbucks, which has instigated this action. "We have heard from a number of sources that actually Starbucks was involved in alerting the U.S. coffee association to block these applications," the charity's Jo Leadbetter told BBC, adding that the whole exercise stinks of corporate bullying."

Oxfam has demanded that Starbucks and other coffee giants sign voluntary licensing agreements that acknowledge Ethiopia's hold over the two beans regardless of whether trademark protection is granted or not.

Tadesse Maskela, who is the chief of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union in Ethiopia, said that coffee companies were being unfair to the country's farmers. "Coffee shops can sell Sidamo and Harar coffees for up to 14 pounds ($26.29) a pound (0.45 kg) because of the beans' specialty status," Maskela pointed out. "But Ethiopian coffee farmers only earn between 30p and 59p for their crop, barely enough to cover the cost of production."

ECTV NEWS FEED

U.S. military Task Force to support flood victims in Ethiopia CJTF-HOA Public Affairs

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 06:43:00 -0400

U.S. military Task Force to support flood victims in Ethiopia CJTF-HOA Public Affairs

August 18, 2006
No. 26/06

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti � A convoy of American Naval Engineers (also known as �Seabees�) traveled from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia today to provide humanitarian relief assistance to the population affected by the recent flooding that has killed hundreds and left thousands without homes.

Responding to an appeal from the Ethiopian government and the U.S. Charg� d�Affaires in Addis Ababa to work with the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and nongovernmental organizations to provide emergency assistance in the flood-devastated region, the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-5, from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) mobilized a team of 35 service members. This team is bringing with them 52 tents which will be erected to accommodate some of the estimated 6,000 people who lost their homes and who are now being housed in local schools in the area. The Seabees will also construct sanitation facilities. The value of this assistance is approximately 900,000 U.S. dollars.

Officials have said that the priorities for relief assistance at this time are shelter and sanitation. However, CJTF-HOA is poised to provide additional relief assistance at the request of the Ethiopian government. Civil Affairs medical teams are coordinating with local authorities and NGOs in the area to determine what medical assistance may be needed.

CONTACT: Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Public Affairs,
(253) 358-997, cjtfhoapao@hoa.centcom.mil.
Visit CJTF-HOA online at http://www.hoa.centcom.mil/www.hoa.centcom.m

Ethiopian Patriarch urges new efforts for lasting African peace

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:06:00 -0400

The head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Patriarch Abune Paulos, one of the presidents of the WCC, has spoken out forcefully in favour of peace and reconciliation in a region beset by conflicts.

"I appeal to all parties concerned to resort to dialogue as the means of resolving any conflicts in order to spare the people the pain and suffering they have been made to endure over the years. I strongly hope and pray that the conflicts in the Horn of Africa, especially between Ethiopia and Eritrea, will soon find a permanent peaceful solution," the patriarch stated during a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 30 June 2006.

Echoing the theme of the WCC’s 9th Assembly which took place in early 2006, the patriarch emphasized the role of the churches in social transformation. "The churches and the ecumenical movement need to pray and hope that God’s grace will transform us continuously. We, as believers in the one who came to bring life in all its fullness, are charged with the mission to build a transformed world and a new Africa where justice and peace will prevail," he said.

"I call upon all people of faith in both countries to work with the political leaders to accelerate the coming of lasting peace. Because, as we all know, war and violence destroy not only properties but also the dignity and lives of people made in the image of God," urged the church leader.

Patriarch Abune Paulos is head of the 38-million strong Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was elected as one of the WCC's eight presidents by the 9th Assembly in February 2006.

http://www.oikoumene.org/

Ethiopia: U.S. Support for Ethiopian Opposition

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 17:01:00 -0400

Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 6, 2006

QUESTION Endale G. ECTV: Okay. I have just a couple of questions. Do you have any comments on last week there was an announcement on Ethiopian radio that you're going to be maybe directly or indirectly participating on the fundraising that is taking place here in Washington, D.C., for the opposition party? Has anyone is being invited from your Department?

MR. MCCORMACK: We'll check for you.

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 6, 2006
Question Taken at the June 6, 2006 Daily Press Briefing

Ethiopia: U.S. Support for Ethiopian Opposition

Question Endale G. ECTV: Is the United States Government involved in any fundraising for Ethiopian opposition groups in the United States? If so, how?

Answer: No. The United States Government does not fundraise for individual parties in other countries, nor do we do so for any political party, American or foreign.

2006/596

Released on June 6, 2006

Briefing by Ambassador John R. Miller, Ambassador-at-Large for International Slavery, on Release of the Sixth Annual Trafficking in Persons Report

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 12:34:00 -0400

AMBASSADOR MILLER: Okay. Oh my gosh, there's so many people. Yes. Did I call on you before?

QUESTION Endale, ECTV: No, sir.

AMBASSADOR MILLER: Well, then go ahead.

QUESTION Endale, ECTV: Thank you, Ambassador. This question will be on the Horn of Africa. And I see several countries in the different tier list, which is like Sudan is on 3, Tier 3, and Kenya on Tier 2 Watch List and Ethiopia on Tier 2. And what's the certain story on Ethiopia? And also I don't see Eritrea on the Horn of Africa on your list. Do you have any information on that, too?

AMBASSADOR MILLER: You're saying you don't see Eritrea on the list?

QUESTION Endale, ECTV: Yeah. Sorry if I don't.

AMBASSADOR MILLER: No, you're right. It's not there. There are certain countries where we either didn't have sufficient information or the government wasn't in effective enough control for us to evaluate. There are still -- it gets smaller and smaller, that list. It used to be like there were 70 governments in this report and now we're up to 149, but there are still a few.

Now, your question --

QUESTION Endale, ECTV: On the experience in Ethiopia because I see on Tier 2.

AMBASSADOR MILLER: Yeah, your question was about Ethiopia. And of course, just to define Tier 2 again for you, Tier 2 means they do not meet the minimum standards but they were undertaking some significant efforts. And their law enforcement response to trafficking improved. They did adopt a new penal code. They have been working with local NGOs. There was some limited assistance to trafficking victims.

They need to do a lot more in increasing awareness. They're in the middle. But let me just wrap up by saying that when I mentioned the signs of progress and I mentioned, you know, the rise from 3,000 to 4,700 convictions and the shelters and the countries passing anti-trafficking laws, I left out one thing that's happened in the last year, and I think you know what it is. There has been a tremendous increase in stories in the news media. A tremendous increase. I don't know exactly, but anybody that watches TV or reads the papers knows this is true. I mean, there's one program after another. Even the dramas are incorporating this.

And I think this is in part responsible for starting to turn the corner. People, when they read about it, they're shocked. They say, "How can this be going on?" It doesn't matter what country. Somebody's, you know, middle class, educated, whatever. They think, "How can this be going on?" But once awareness starts, and it starts with the news media, then good things start to happen. They talk to their local police chiefs. They talk to their civic groups. They go to their churches or mosques. They talk to their parliamentary representatives. So I do think that that is also a factor and I thank you all for coming. And if you have questions later, I am going to be available for a few minutes and Mark Taylor, our report staff, and Eleanor Gaetan will be available also.

Thank you very much.

Endale G, ECTV

US Department of State Daily Press Briefing May 30, 2006 (QUESTION By: Endale Getahun, ECTV)

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Wed, 31 May 2006 19:52:00 -0400

Yes, sir.

Daily Press Briefing by,
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC

QUESTION By: Endale Getahun, ECTV
May 30, 2006

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: This weekend the Assistant Secretary of African Affairs Donald visited Ethiopia and do you have any outcomes in meeting with the Prime Minister Meles Zenawi?

MR. MCCORMACK: I don't. I'd be happy to check into it for you. This is Mr. Yamamoto?

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: After he's returned from Kigali or from Rwanda, he stopped over in Addis Ababa.

MR. MCCORMACK: Who is this, Mr. Yamamoto?

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: Yes, sir.

MR. MCCORMACK: Okay. We'll check for you.

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: And last week I asked you about Eritrea.

MR. MCCORMACK: The boundary commission?

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: Yes.

MR. MCCORMACK: I got something for you.

The Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission met twice -- has met twice since February 2006. At the most recent meeting, the witnesses supported -- this is the witnesses to the Algiers agreement -- witnesses supported a U.S. initiative to resume demarcation of the boundary and move toward normalized relations. Progress has been made on steps necessary to resume demarcation. The United States believes that demarcation of the boundary in accord with the delimitation decision of the EEBC is a critical step to ensuring stability and sustainable peace in the region.

The United States has encouraged parties to cooperate with the EEBC and resume demarcation. We have urged other governments to support this position and, as necessary, provide resources to support demarcation.

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: What was your response on the President Isaias Afewerki last week who was accusing the United States for taking side with Ethiopia on demarcation?

MR. MCCORMACK: No, we support the efforts right there -- that were underway for demarcation. You know, we're not a party to this. Certainly, we're part of the witnesses to the Algiers Accords, but our only interest is in seeing the boundary be demarcated in a way that is fair and equitable, and that the way to do that is through the third party of the EEBC. And we have encouraged the parties to take steps to get the demarcation back underway. And right now that's -- the focus of our discussions is for each of the groups to take those steps necessary to get it going again.

QUESTION Endale,ECTV: I'm sorry. Ethiopia is also accusing Eritrea for explosion in Addis Ababa now. So if both of them are competition, do you think this issue of -- on supporting for the terrorist activity in Ethiopia by -- like Ethiopian Government is accusing with the Eritrea saying that they send the OLF... to --

MR. MCCORMACK: I don't have any information to support that claim.

ECTV NEWS

Ethiopia: World Bank Group Approves Plan To Protect Basic Services, Improve Governance

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 25 May 2006 23:46:00 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2006 –The World Bank Group Board approved an interim country assistance strategy for Ethiopia, emphasizing improved governance and growth. The plan includes an immediate program to preserve the delivery of basic services to the population through grants to local governments.

The board decision follows a period of intensive consultation with Ethiopia’s international partners and with various actors within the country’s political economy. The plan comes at a critical time for Ethiopia: contested elections in 2005 were followed by public protests, mass arrests, and an increasingly polarized climate that created continuing risks for the country’s development agenda. The World Bank and other donors suspended direct budget support once the political impasse set in, but agreed to press for improved governance, including greater civic participation, while protecting critical services in health, education, agriculture and access to safe water.

The interim strategy, which covers the next fourteen months, carries clear expectations for performance at the country level. The Bank would assess Ethiopia’s progress on strengthening governance, and, if there are measurable improvements, would prepare a full three-year strategy envisioning scaled-up levels of assistance. However, if governance conditions deteriorate, the Bank would reduce aid over time.

“The program approved by the World Bank board, and supported by Britain and the other donors, reflects a determination to protect the country’s poorest citizens from unnecessary setbacks flowing from the contested elections and the ensuing period of political uncertainty,” said Ishac Diwan, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia and Sudan. “Ethiopia has registered real progress in providing services to the poor, and in advancing the Millennium Development Goals. Above all, we want to prevent a backsliding-- while stepping up the work on governance.”

A major component of the plan is the $215 million Protection of Basic Services Program to support local governments in providing the population essential services, while strengthening measures to ensure transparency and local accountability in the delivery of those services.

“Our agreements with the Government spell out some very specific results just in the next fourteen months,” Mr. Diwan noted. “For example, we’re committing to lower infant mortality to 115 per thousand from the current 127. For young children living in malaria-affected areas, we’re looking to make bednets available for 60%, up from 25% today. For the key childhood vaccinations, we aim to go from 40% to 60%.”

In earmarking local government grants for essential services in health, education, agriculture and water, the Protection of Basic Services Program requires strict reporting on how funds are allocated and spent. The plan applies four tests: fairness, to ensure that services are disbursed without partisan or political bias; sound fiduciary management, to guarantee that resources support the intended goals; “additionality,” to ensure that the Ethiopian government’s ongoing funding of basic services isn’t reduced; and accountability, so that citizens are fully informed and allowed to participate in decisions affecting their access to critical services. If performance falls short on the four tests, the Bank can halt disbursements until corrective measures are taken.

The larger interim strategy for Ethiopia carries several other programs to stimulate economic growth and strengthen governance. The plan calls for an expansion of access to electricity among Ethiopia’s rural population. Another component would fund irrigation programs to strengthen farm productivity, while a private sector program would support high-growth corridors as a means of bolstering Ethiopian enterprise. Funding for roads and capacity-building in financial services and agriculture are also included in the first year of the interim strategy. In the second year, the Bank would continue to address the significant infrastructure gap that holds back economic growth in much of the country. Other resources would support safety nets for food-insecure households, the fight against HIV-AIDS, and urban housing.

The United Kingdom is supporting the PBS project, and the Netherlands will also contribute. The European Commission, African Development Bank, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden are also considering contributions. The PBS project earmarks $20 million from the World Bank—and $67 million from all PBS partners combined—to help finance the acquisition of critical health commodities—including mosquito bed nets, vaccines, malaria drugs and contraceptives. The program also provides funds to improve local governments’ disclosure practices and to equip civil society organizations with skills to track government spending and to participate in decision-making.

In recent years, Ethiopia has posted a comparatively strong growth performance, while increasing the portion of the national budget dedicated to poverty-reduction spending. Though starting from a low base, the country had begun to show progress toward achieving some of the Millennium Development Goals— including strong gains in rates of school enrolment and lowering malnutrition. The PBS program is designed to avoid any reversal in these areas, while providing strong incentives for improved governance and participation.

###

For more information on the World Bank’s work in sub-Saharan Africa visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr

For more information about World Bank’s activities in Ethiopia visit:

http://www.worldbank.org/et

New Ethiopian Ambassador Presents Credentials to President Bush

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:49:00 -0400

Photo By http://www.scribeus.com

WASHINGTON, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 15, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Assefa, the newly appointed Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, presented his credentials to President George W. Bush in a White House
ceremony.

Ambassador Assefa has most recently served as vice-president of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia's leading institution of higher education. Amember of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Assefa earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and economics from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. After earning his doctorate in political science at Princeton University, Dr.
Assefa taught at Princeton, Williams College, and Rutgers University.

Upon presenting his credentials to President Bush, Ambassador Assefa said: "The United States and Ethiopia have enjoyed diplomatic relations for more than 100 years. This century of friendship and cooperation continues to the present day. Ethiopia faces many challenges but because of the moral, political, and cultural support our country receives from the United States, those challenges are much easier to overcome. Our two countries share a strong commitment to democratic governance, respect for the rule of law, and to seeking an end to terrorism in Africa and around the globe."

Dr. Assefa has long been convinced of the need for civil society to be actively involved in the search for solutions to both local and regional concerns. To further these goals he has worked with a variety of institutions such as, among others, the InterAfrica Group, the Center for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, the African initiative for a Democratic World Order, the Heinrich Boll Foundation, the Bonn International Centre for Conversion. Most recently, he has been a founding member of "Ethiopia Past and Future," an ad hoc group composed of ambassadors from leading donor countries and members of Ethiopian civil society that seeks to promote dialogue in the aftermath of the 2005 elections. Among his many civic engagements, Dr. Assefa is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development Commission.

Dr. Assefa's father was also a distinguished Ethiopian diplomat, serving as his country's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1961 to 1964 and again from 1970 to 1974.

A reproducible photograph of President Bush and Ambassador Assefa is available at Scribeus.com (photo)

For more information, visit Ethiopian Embassy

The protests here are calling on Secretary Rice - I don't know exactly what they're yelling at her, but do you know if she heard them? They're yelling

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 13 May 2006 20:24:00 -0400

addis bombs 4
Originally uploaded by aheavens.

Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 16, 2006
Journalist Endale Getahun, ECTV NEWS asks a question to Sean McCormack,
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2006/66313.htm

QUESTION: ECTV, Thank you.

QUESTION: Wait. This guy's been waiting for the whole briefing.

QUESTION: ECTV, Yes, sir. Ethiopia, I guess. In the last couple weeks, as you know, there's in the capital city of Addis Ababa, the situation there. And I don't know if you have any information from the Embassy of United States, if you want to comment on that. Also if you have any request from Ethiopian Government regarding the terrorist activity. As you know, the government was accusing the OLF on planting some kind of explosion in Addis Ababa.

MR. MCCORMACK: Right. We -- you know, on the first of those, I don't have any update for you. There were some problems in terms of the governing authority for the city of Addis Ababa being able to do their job. I don't have an update for you on that matter.

As for the explosions, I think that we put something out on that. Let me see if I can try to get --

QUESTION: This was the nine explosions?

MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah, it was last week.

QUESTION: Yes, total.

MR. MCCORMACK: We'll get it for you again.

QUESTION: The protests here are calling on Secretary Rice -- I don't know exactly what they're yelling at her, but do you know if she heard them? They're yelling -- they're saying she's letting Ethiopia down on democracy. Do you know if the Secretary has paid any attention to the demonstrations that have been out there the last two mornings?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, she certainly can see them from her window if she looks out the window. I don't know if she saw these particular set of protests. We -- you know, we are doing our part to encourage a healthy democracy in Ethiopia, but fundamentally it comes -- as it does in many other places around the world, it comes down to the leadership, both the government as well as the opposition, to work together on behalf of the Ethiopian people. There are differences, we know. There are questions. We know that. But there are mechanisms to resolve these questions. It requires -- it requires good faith and good will on all sides and what we call upon the leadership -- political leadership of Ethiopia to do is to work together on behalf of their country.

Thank you.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2006/66313.htm

Ethiopia's flowers grow into new forex earner

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 6 May 2006 21:58:00 -0400

Ethiopia's flowers grow into new forex earner

By Linda Muriuki and Arnold Temple

NAZRET, Ethiopia (Reuters) Inside Jobera Flowers' vast greenhouses, there are rows of rose buds ready for harvest and destined to brighten rooms in faraway Europe.

The Jobera farm, about 90 km (56 miles) south of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, is one of the most successful in a thriving industry that is helping to diversify the country's coffee-dependent economy.

The Horn of Africa country, which prides itself on being the birthplace of coffee, earns about $20 million annually from flowers, according to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA).

It is still a paltry amount compared to the $334 million it earned last crop year from sales of coffee, its main export commodity. But given the rate of growth in the flower industry, it could soon catch up -- good news for an economy that has been ruled by fluctuating coffee prices for many years.

"Ethiopia will rank as the second or third (biggest exporter) in the world in the next two to three years, I think this will be the major supply for the whole world," said Mike Asres, owner of Jobera Flowers.

Despite having no experience in growing blossoms for sale, Asres decided to risk savings worth $3.1 million and took out a $2.4 million loan when a close friend told him Ethiopia's climate was ideal for the lucrative industry.

In 2000, after 25 years of a relatively comfortable life in the United States, he set up one of the first commercial flower farms in Ethiopia.

ROSY INCENTIVES

Like Asres, many local farmers are pouring their savings into flowers and foreign investors -- from the Netherlands, Germany, India and Israel -- are also buying up land for farms.

The government has sought to entice investors with incentives, including an improved investment code, five-year tax holiday, duty-free import of machinery, and by leasing land out at just $18 per hectare per year.

The plan appears to be working -- 70 new farms have sprung up in the last eight years, including Tsegaye Abebe's on the outskirts of the capital.

Just a year ago, Tsegaye took over the four-hectare (10-acre) piece of fallow land and planted beds of roses. Now, he has a thriving farm and he wants to quadruple its size in the next couple of years.

There is so much demand for his products that he rarely gets time off to spend with his two young daughters.

"When I come home late they are asleep, when I leave early they are asleep," he said.

Growing a flower business is not always a bed of roses as industry pioneer Asres found out.

There were no examples to learn from in Ethiopia, so he had to make expensive weekly educational trips to neighboring Kenya, which ships out more than 88 million tonnes of cut flowers worth about $264 million every year, and is the biggest cut flower supplier to the lucrative European market.

"When we started this farm, this was one of the first three rose farms in Ethiopia, it was very difficult for us because we didn't have any point of reference to learn from," Asres said as workers carted away hundreds of blooms in plastic pails.

Jobera, which is 6,500 meters (21,320 ft) above sea level, exported 36 million roses in 2005 and employs 1,200 workers. Most of them were unemployed before the farm opened.

According to EHPEA, Ethiopia ships out 70 tonnes of flowers every day but the volume is growing and exporters now have to charter daily flights to Europe in addition to using regular scheduled flights.

Ethiopia is keen to advertise that flights from its capital reach European auctioneers two hours earlier than those from Kenya, which means blossoms stay fresher longer.

"We are literally growing on a monthly basis," said Samson Sebehatu of the EHPEA. "We are negotiating with other operators on cargo capacity to take out more and more (flowers)."

"Opposition extremists" Intimidation to Impede Democratic Progress in Ethiopia Is Unacceptable

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 4 May 2006 23:30:00 -0400

Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 3, 2006

Intimidation to Impede Democratic Progress in Ethiopia Is Unacceptable

The United States is concerned by the increasing harassment and intimidation of opposition politicians and their supporters in Ethiopia. Opposition extremists as well as ruling party cadres and government officials have been responsible for these unacceptable actions.

The United States calls on all parties within and outside Ethiopia to respect the rights of their fellow citizens to express peacefully their opinions and to participate in the democratic process.

We reiterate the need for the release of political detainees and the guarantee of due process for those against whom charges remain. We urge the government and opposition groups to continue their constructive dialogue, which is the only way of reconciling Ethiopia’s political differences.

2006/455

Released on May 3, 2006

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi departed from Tokyo on Saturday morning for a seven-day visit to Ethiopia, Ghana and Sweden.

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 01:48:00 -0400

TOKYO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi departed from Tokyo on Saturday morning for a seven-day visit to Ethiopia, Ghana and Sweden.

"Africa's stability has a great impact on world peace and development," Koizumi said to reporters before the trip, "...Sweden is an advanced welfare nation which experienced low birthrate and aging society earlier than Japan." He expressed the hope to learn from the Scandinavian country.

Koizumi is slated to meet his Ethiopian counterpart Meles Zenawi on Sunday, hold summit talks with the African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare on Monday and meet with Ghanaian President John Kufuor on Tuesday, according to Kyodo News.

Financial aids would be a topic between the African nations and the world's second largest economy. Through the visits, Tokyo hopes to strengthen ties and seek support for its ambition to win a permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council, media reports said.

The Japanese premier would meet Thursday with Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson and King Carl XVI Gustaf before returning to Tokyo on Friday. Enditem

Five members of the U.S. Congress were arrested on Friday at a demonstration

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:49:00 -0400

US Congress member, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas did not leave after police warnings, and were arrested at Sudan embassy protest, (Photo By Endale Getahun, ECTV April 28, 2006)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five members of the U.S. Congress were arrested on Friday at a demonstration held at the Sudan embassy to protest atrocities in that country's Darfur region, congressional aides said.

The lawmakers, all Democrats, were Reps. Tom Lantos of California, James McGovern and John Olver of Massachusetts, James Moran of Virginia, and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, aides to McGovern and Lantos said.

There were taken by van to a police station, aides said.

The aides said the lawmakers had been told they could not trespass on the embassy property. They made their statements off the property, then stood on the embassy steps.

The lawmakers did not leave after police warnings, and "were arrested one by one," Lantos' spokeswoman Lynne Weil said.
US Congress member, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas did not leave after police warnings, and were arrested at Sudan embassy protest, (Photo By Endale Getahun, ECTV April 28, 2006)
Spokesman Michael Mershon said he was on his way to the station to post $50 bond for McGovern's release.

Protests were being held this weekend to increase pressure to stop the violence in Darfur that the United States has called genocide.

Sudan is accused by United Nations and U.S. officials of arming marauding Arab militia, who have raped, pillaged, killed and driven into squalid camps some 2 million villagers. Sudan has denied the charge.
Negussie interview from hagerfikerradio.com (Photo By Endale Getahun, ECTV April 28, 2006)

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louis Arbour holding discussions with Prime Minister Meles

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 23:01:00 -0400

PM Meles: Ethiopia doing level best to put in place democratic order

Addis Ababa, 4/25/2006

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia has been doing its level best to put in place a democratic order in the country. While holding discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louis Arbour late on Tuesday, Prime Minister Meles said the government has given due attention for institutional capacity building in the efforts to build democracy in the country. Prime Minister Meles said there is an encouraging progress in the area of institutional capacity building efforts launched towards ensuring democracy and the respect of human rights, and added the progress made so far would further be strengthened. Meles said the support of the United Nations would have a paramount importance in the institutional capacity building efforts of the country. Commissioner Arbour on her part said the United Nations is desirous to assist in the efforts to build democracy and boost the capacity of institutions of democracy, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official said Prime Minister Meles and Commissioner Arbour have also exchanged views on various national and international issues. After the discussions Commissioner Arbour told journalists that she had very extensive and useful discussions with Prime Minister Meles. The UN Commissioner is on the first leg of her official visit to the Horn of Africa. She would also visit Kenya, Somalia, and other countries of the Horn.

Source: ENA

BLOCKING PROPERTY OF PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONFLICT IN SUDAN'S DARFUR REGION (EXECUTIVE ORDER)

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 19:51:00 -0400

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(New Orleans, Louisiana)

For Immediate Release April 27, 2006

EXECUTIVE ORDER

- - - - - - -
BLOCKING PROPERTY OF PERSONS IN CONNECTION

WITH THE CONFLICT IN SUDAN'S DARFUR REGION

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)(NEA), section 5 of the United Nations Participation Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287c)(UNPA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States is posed by the persistence of violence in Sudan's Darfur region, particularly against civilians and including sexual violence against women and girls, and by the deterioration of the security situation and its negative impact on humanitarian assistance efforts, as noted by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1591 of March 29, 2005, and, to deal with that threat, hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997, with respect to the policies and actions of the Government of Sudan, and hereby order:

Section 1. (a) Except to the extent that sections 203(b) (1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)) may apply, or to the extent provided in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including

any overseas branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:

(i) the persons listed in the Annex to this order; and

(ii) any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State:

(A) to have constituted a threat to the peace process in Darfur;

(B) to have constituted a threat to stability in Darfur and the region;

(C) to be responsible for conduct related to the conflict in Darfur that violates international law;

(D) to be responsible for heinous conduct with respect to human life or limb related to the conflict in Darfur;

(E) to have directly or indirectly supplied, sold, or transferred arms or any related materiel, or any assistance, advice, or training related to military activities to:

(1) the Government of Sudan;

(2) the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army;

(3) the Justice and Equality Movement;

(4) the Janjaweed; or

(5) any person (other than a person listed in subparagraph (E)(1) through (E)(4) above) operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur, or West Darfur that is a belligerent, a nongovernmental entity, or an individual;

(F) to be responsible for offensive military overflights in and over the Darfur region;

(G) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, materiel, or technological support

for, or goods or services in support of, the activities described in paragraph (a)(ii)(A) through (F) of this section or any person listed in or designated pursuant to this order; or

(H) to be owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person listed in or designated pursuant to this order.

(b) I hereby determine that, to the extent section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) may apply, the making of donations of the type of articles specified in such section by, to, or for the benefit of any person listed in or designated pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067 and expanded in this order, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The prohibitions of paragraph (a) of this section include, but are not limited to, (i) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person listed in or designated pursuant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
Sec. 3. For the purposes of this order:

(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;

(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;

(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States; and

(d) the term "arms or any related materiel" means arms or related materiel of all types, military aircraft, and equipment, but excludes:

(i) supplies and technical assistance, including training, intended solely for use in authorized monitoring, verification, or peace support operations, including such operations led by regional organizations;

(ii) supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian use, human rights monitoring use, or protective use, and related technical assistance, including training;

(iii) supplies of protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, for use by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media, and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel, for their personal use only;

(iv) assistance and supplies provided in support of implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed January 9, 2005, by the Government of Sudan and the People's Liberation Movement/Army; and

(v) other movements of military equipment and supplies into the Darfur region by the United States or that are permitted by a rule or decision of the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Sec. 4. For those persons listed in or designated pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer

funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that, for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067 and expanded by this order, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 of this order.

Sec. 5. The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA and UNPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these
functions to other officers and agencies of the United States

Government, consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where appropriate, to advise the

Secretary of the Treasury in a timely manner of the measures taken. The Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure compliance with those provisions of section 401 of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641) applicable to the Department of the Treasury in relation to this order.

Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit the recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency expanded by this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of the IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

Sec. 7. The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to determine, subsequent to the issuance of this order, that circumstances no

longer warrant the inclusion of a person in the Annex to this order and that the property and interests in property of that person are therefore no longer blocked pursuant to section 1 of this order.

Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

Sec. 9. This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 27, 2006.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 26, 2006.
ANNEX
Individuals
1. Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri [Colonel for the National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD), born circa 1961]

2. Gaffar Mohmed El Hassan [Major General for the Sudan Armed Forces, born June 24, 1952]

3. Musa Hilal [Sheikh and Paramount Chief of the Jalul Tribe in North Darfur, born circa 1960]

4. Adam Yacub Shant [Commander for the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), born circa 1976]

Ambassadors’ Donors Group (ADG) urged reconciliation and dialogue among all those engaged in the democratic process.

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 19:53:00 -0400

Addis Ababa, April 25, 2006 (ENA) - Ambassadors’ Donors Group (ADG) said as partners engaged in helping Ethiopia’s long-term development, it continues to support the peaceful democratic forces for the country and strengthening of the pluralistic multi-party system.
In its statement sent to the Ethiopian News Agency, the Group said We welcome the steps taken so far towards opening political space and encourage further efforts.

ADG urged reconciliation and dialogue among all those engaged in the democratic process. Tolerance of dissenting views is the hallmark of democracy. We deplore threats against those who are seeking to advance Ethiopian democracy, it said.

The Group welcomes and supports the evolution of democratic institutions, including a wide range of registered political parties to allow greater opposition participation in formal parliamentary work.

We encourage Ethiopia’s resident in the country and those abroad to fully support participation in democratic institutions trusting in those who have been elected to further the process of democratic reform, ADG said.

It further called for “a speedy, fair and transparent trial” for those detained CUD leaders and representatives of media and civil society orgnaizations.

ADG member countries are Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, the African development Bank, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the World Bank, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and UNDP.

(ENA)

Journalist Negussie Woldemariam is a free man

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:50:00 -0400

Photo By Endale Getahun, ECTV 2002

Breaking News April 18, 2006 from

hagerfikerradio.com

Negussie Woldemariams hearing for his possession of a firearm without a license was heard and concluded today. Washington DC which boasts some of the toughest firearm laws in the nation was the venue for this hearing. A multitude of Negussies friends and family were on site to provide him with support. A group of former members of the Derg regime, EPRP and MEISON cadres were on hand anticipating watching Negussie being handcuffed and escorted into a waiting prison bus.
Photo By Endale Getahun, ECTV 2002

The charges Negussie was facing could have sent him to Prison for up to ten years. However the court recognizing the circumstances on why Negussie was carrying the weapon and also his clean record let Negussie walk out of the court house a free man. His sentence was probation. If it were not for the mandatory nature of the law Negussie would have walked out without any probation. All in all Negussies sentence is a "slap on his wrist". Considering what he could have faced to walk out with such a minor reprimand is indicative that the Judge understood what caused Negussie to be armed. The light sentence is more a sentence for those who wished him ill than for Negussie. The nightmare they wished on Negussie has become their nightmare.
Negussie is a free man despite the massive effort by some in Washington to convince the prosecutor to throw the books at Negussie.
It was commented that the faces of the DERG, EPRP & MEISON cadres was reflected by utter “Shock and Awe" when the judge handed down the sentence. Their defeat was manifested on their faces as they could not hide their disappointment! Congratulations Negussie!

A time for Commitment and a time for engagement, Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Vicki Huddleston (USA)

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 07:53:00 -0400

Chargé d’Affaires
Amb. Vicki Huddleston
A time for Commitment and a time for engagement
The following is a transcript of remarks made by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Vicki J. Huddleston at a press conference with journalists on April 5, 2006, Addis Ababa.
"Thank you all for coming today. It is really kind of you and I apologize that it has taken us a while, me in particular, to get back with the local press and have a good conversation.
I think the reason that I really wanted to meet with you today is to tell you that I think that right now is an extremely important time. As you saw in the testimony of our Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Don Yamamoto, he said that he believes that Ethiopia is at a crossroads. I think we all believe Ethiopia is at a crossroads, and because it is a crossroads, we believe that now it is time for commitment, and it is time for engagement. Engagement and commitment for sustained development, and for multi-party democracy.
That commitment means a commitment to all voices being heard in the Parliament, and full participation of the opposition in the Parliament; that means full commitment to institution building, which includes a more open Parliament, a discussion of Parliamentary rules, a review of the media; we are bringing in an international team under USAID auspices, at the request of the government to look at the draft press law, so I am sure that is of considerable interest to all of you, and to compare it with international standards and recommend how the press can become more responsible and more open, both of which are very important.
Also the process is now ongoing of reviewing the National Elections board (NEBE) in the expectation that it will be an improved Board that will ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in 2007. We also believe it is a time of commitment and engagement for the opposition to take control of the city of Addis Ababa. They were elected to this city, they need to lead this city. The city should be in the hands of those who were elected to lead it.
We believe this is a time when all parties, government and opposition, should commit to dialogue, to reconciliation, and to the improvement of human rights and respect for human rights. We believe this is a time in which there is an opportunity for the opposition CUD to once again have a political vehicle that will take it to the elections and give it effective representation in the Parliament and in the City Council, by forming the CUDP.
So there is a lot afoot, and a lot that is possible, if there is engagement, if there is commitment on all parties to participate fully in the democratic process, in the political process in Ethiopia.
A top priority of the United States Government remains the release of the CUD and civil society leaders who were imprisoned following the civil disobedience and the riots in November 2005. We will not forget them, we are extremely concerned about their situation. We have repeatedly talked to the government and called for their release. We have been told by the government that they will stand trial. Given that this is the position of the government, we strongly urge reduction of trial, a reduction of charges, the possibility of bail, and a speedy, fair, and transparent trial. We also urge that any persons in jail who have not been charged be released, and that the security forces take care to respect the rights of each individual and to never use excessive force in the detention of individuals or in their attempts to control demonstrations.
Now, is the time to put the past behind. We believe that the EPRDF won the elections; the Carter Center said that the elections were generally credible. We believe that the opposition, as Ambassador Yamamoto said, lost seats in the complaints process and should have had more seats in Parliament, but it did not win the majority. We believe that the opposition gained an enormous voice, first of all a voice and a right to run and to manage and to lead this great city where you have the African Union, and the United Nations resident, as well as many, many representatives of foreign countries; and the right to have a significant voice in a free parliament and in the direction of the nation.
Last night I was at a talk at which the World Bank Resident Representative here in Addis was speaking. He was asked whether or not it was true that Ethiopia is progressing economically. He said this was true. I think this is so important. This is why the country is at a crossroads. There is improvement in education, there is improvement in health, the birth rate is coming down, there is a real possibility that Ethiopia can become a true leader for Africa, if it dedicates itself as a united country, to eradicate poverty, to jump onto the tide of change that brings true democracy, respect for human rights, and sustained development.
I think back to one of my favorite Bible verses, a Psalm which was read at President Kennedy’s funeral which says that “there is a time to sow, and there is a time to reap, there is a time to mourn, and there’s a time to celebrate.” I think that for Ethiopia now, it is a time to move forward, it is a time of commitment, it is a time of engagement, a time of change, and I urge all parties in Ethiopia to take the example of Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned, but allowed the political process to move forward in his country. And when he came out, he united whites, blacks, and all colored in all parts of the South African nation. I hope this will occur in Ethiopia. Thank you."

Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 60 Years

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 01:29:00 -0400

Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 60 Years

By Endale Getahun, ECTV: (Washington, DC) Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s aviation pioneer, employing more than 4,700 people and carrying more than 1.5 million passengers a year to 45 destinations, was founded 60 years ago.

On April 8, 1946, when Ethiopian made its maiden international flight to Cairo, air travel was a luxury reserved for a select few and the flights themselves entailed a bumpy ride in World War II surplus C-47 - known in the passenger version as DC-3 - propeller planes. As befitted the historic occasion the Emperor and a large crowd of residents of Addis Ababa were at the airport to see the flight takeoff for Cairo at 8 a.m.

The service to Cairo was followed by weekly services to Djibouti and Aden, as well as a domestic flight to Jimma. As demand grew, Ethiopian bought four more Skytrains from the US government. The first planes were not comfortable for passengers traveling long distances because all seats were on the side of the fuselage with the central aisle left for cargo. To increase passenger comfort the airline bought three more Skytrains in 1947. The aircraft had 21 converted forward facing seats, which were among the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery, which remained in use until June 2003.

In the late 1940s, Ethiopian extended its route network to Nairobi, Port Sudan, Bombay and chartered flights to Jeddah. Slowly the web of domestic routes grew as more airstrips, which were usually covered with grass grew.

Ethiopian Airlines started long haul flights to Frankfurt in 1957. To support the long haul routes of Addis Ababa-Cairo-Athens-Frankfurt, three Douglas DC-6B Cloud Masters, with capacity of 71 passengers, were delivered in 1958. In 1960, the great year of African Independence, the route network continued to expand pioneering the first east-west flights across Africa to Monrovia with intermediate stops at Khartoum and Accra. The flight marked a milestone not only in the history of Ethiopian but also of African aviation. The airline steadily expanded its services throughout the continent and established the largest network.

The Airline inaugurated jest service on January 15, 1963, with flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi and subsequently on January 26, 1964, Ethiopian completed the first ever jet engine overhaul in Africa.

In 1979 Boeing 727s were bought to replace the aging Boeing 720s. In the 1980s the airline introduced several new aircraft to update its fleet. Wide-bodied Boeing 767s arrived at Addis Ababa on June 1, 1984.

Then come the roaring 1990s. The route network stretched from Europe (London, Frankfurt and Rome) to China (Beijing) and Thailand (Bangkok). The Middle East and Indian sub-continent were well represented, and the airline’s African route reached Senegal and Ivory Coast in the west, Cairo in the north, and Johannesburg and Durban in the south. Another giant leap was made in July 1998 when Ethiopian launched a twice-weekly service to Washington, its first destination in the Americas and flights to New York followed shortly. To support the route expansion, the airline embarked on a fleet enhancement program by ordering 6 Boeing 767-300 and four Boeing B737-700 New Generation aircraft.

Construction of a new Cargo Terminal started in November 2003. The new cargo terminal will accommodate four-cargo aircraft load at a time. Another big construction work, a brand new maintenance hangar, was started in December 2003.

On April 28, 2005 Ethiopian completed an agreement for the purchase of five Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets and purchase rights for five additional 787s, which was later converted to firm order. With the purchase order for ten B787 Dreamliners, Ethiopian became part of the launch team of the revolutionary airplane.

In March 2006, Ethiopian announced the beginning of e-ticketing service to Addis Ababa -Nairobi, Addis Ababa - Johannesburg and Addis Ababa - Frankfurt routes.

The introduction of e-ticketing, opening of new destinations, and the arrival of the B787 in 2008 will be the beginning of an era of unprecedented passenger comfort and technical performance.

Celebrating 60 years of service, Ethiopian Airlines is now on the threshold of a new era. As our 60th anniversary motto attests “dedication brought us this far and passion will take us even farther.”

Over 500,000 People Attend Rally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:54:00 -0400

BY Endale Getahun, ECTV

Washington, DC Event is Part of Largest Immigrant Mobilization in History of United States

Halfway through the largest immigrant mobilization in the history of the United States, the mall in the nation’s capital is overflowing with over 500,000 people calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Waving American flags and chanting “¡Si se puede!”, rally attendees from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC and other surrounding areas filled the Mall hours before the event began. The rally, organized by the National Capital Immigration Coalition (NCIC), is part of the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice. Millions of people are participating in this national day of action in events in 130 cities across the country. (See www.april10.org for more information about the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice.)

Senator Edward Kennedy was joined by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, Archdiocese of Washington, and Chief Billy Tayac, Hereditary Chief of the Piscataway Indian Nation, to begin the event. The MCs of the event were NCIC President Jaime Contreras, 82 District Director of SEIU Local 32BJ, and Doris Depaz, Lead Tenant Organizer, CASA of Maryland. Famed local deejay, Pedro Biaggi, El Zol (99.1), provided entertainment and music. There was an interfaith service which included Bishop Minerva Carcaño, United Methodist Council of Bishops, Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Director of Outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, Rev. Kevin Turman, Senior Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Detroit, and Rabbi Marc Schneier, President/Founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. A range of speakers included John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, Joe Hanson, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers, Gerry Hudson, Vice-President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Antonia Peña, Women Seeking Justice, Abdul Kamus, the African Resource Center, Deepa Iyer, South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow, Ricardo Juarez, Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and student activists from high schools across the region.

24 contestants set for Miss Universe Ethiopia 2006

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Sat, 8 Apr 2006 08:05:00 -0400

Nineteen new faces and six former Miss Universe Ethiopia participants will adorn the stage at the National Theatre next Tuesday and Friday nights. According to the organizer, Mr. Andy Abulime, 150 young girls had shown interest to participate in this year's pageant.

The number came down to 24 after Abulime slimmed it down, selecting enough finalists to fit one of his major criteria, that is to show enough sign of professionalism. "There were girls contacting me to be registered after the 24 were already picked. Some registered at the very beginning but did not follow up or contacted the organization as needed," Andy said. This year Miss Universe has 24 faces set to compete for the Miss Universe title, or nine other smaller titles.

Twenty-four young contestants aged nineteen to twenty-six-year-old and heights from 1.65m to 1.86, this year witnessing the tallest contestant, are nominated to represent Ethiopia in one of the most viewed international pageant. Evening gowns and cultural shows originally planned to take place on different nights have merged to take place next Thursday.

The organization has figured a better way to survive in the business.
"It is always advised to have plan A then B in case things do not go the way they should. Our original plan was not met since confirmed dates had to be re-confirmed and adjusted at the National Theatre," he said.

The event is taking place for the third time this year. This year's striking difference, the organizer said, will be the stage management and production that tries to replica to the actual Miss Universe contest. Emphasizing the need for giving the girls similar experience they will have to take part in international podiums. Andy said the organization will work hard, particularly this year; to send as much girls, top ten finalists, to international pageants.

Miss Universe's Ethiopia pageant of this year will not see much of Ethiopian designers as last year's. With little time left to produce designer wear as planned, the girls will be wearing Premera Collections and konjo swim suits. National costumes will be brought by the contestants themselves. "It partly represents their personal interest," Andy said. "We have an open-door policy to let Beauty Industry work with us, but most are reluctant to do so. Designers contacted the organization a few weeks before the pageants. So we had to bring most of the collections, unlike last year, from abroad," he added.

The pageant did not have the promised amount of local sponsorship. The tourism authorities of Thailand, Emirates Airline and Victoria Secrets have promised to sponsor it. "We had different Ethiopian companies who showed interest and promised to sponsor it. I guess they changed their mind eventually," he said. The organization involves the contestants to carry on most activities believing that in addition to participating they can contribute by helping out in this new industry.

Fetiya Mohammed and Dina Fekadu, last year's Miss Nation and Miss Tourism respectively, the organizer said, are helping out a lot by assisting in different works. "We even have this year's new faces doing this and that to have a successful pageant," Andy said.

Last year's Miss Universe Ethiopia, Atitegeb Tesfaye, Mr. Abulime said, did not work up to his expectations. She, he believes, could have secured at least top 15 at the international contest. Even after the big pageant, Atitegeb, he said, did not act professional and did as she pleased. On Friday's final night, she will not be present to give away her crown as she should have.

The event expects an audience of between 600 and 800 since entrance fee has gone much lower to let the majority of the public have a pageant experience. The young ladies will present a fashion show a day after the selection at the Hilton for fund-raising dinner for Autism, will read books for children on Sunday at the 3rd Ethiopian Children's Book week and presentation show at the London Cafe.

By Tsedey Alemayehu

Markup Notice, The Honorable Christopher H. Smith on H.R. 4423 (Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005)

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 6 Apr 2006 20:16:00 -0400

Mark-Up Statement for H.R. 4423
Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and
International Operations

Photo By Endale Getahun ECTV

April 6, 2006

Colleagues, it’s my pleasure this afternoon to mark up H.R.
4423, introduced as the Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005. Last
May, this Subcommittee held a hearing on the border dispute
between Ethiopia and Eritrea. As that hearing made quite clear,
the governments of both nations were in violation of international
human rights standards, even as the world was distracted by the
potential of a reignited war between these two neighbors.

Within weeks of that hearing, Ethiopia held what promised to
be a breakthrough election. The process had never been more
open. Opposition political parties had never had more freedom to
campaign, despite some continued government interference. A
greater percentage of voters turned out at the polls than ever before
in Ethiopian history. Preliminary returns indicated an exponential
increase in the number of seats won by the opposition candidates.

Unfortunately, the promise of the May 2005 elections ended
with the questionable counting of the ballots cast, delayed release
of election results and subsequently with gunfire. With election
results delayed weeks past the end of voting, citizens throughout
the country became concerned that their individual votes had been
discounted. Massive arrests of students led to demonstrations, and
in early June, nearly 40 political activists were shot to death by
government forces in the capital city of Addis Ababa.

I became concerned that the situation in Ethiopia, an ally of
the United States in the vital Horn of Africa region, could spiral
out of control. Therefore, my office began working with Human
Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Oxfam America to
develop legislation that sought to correct some of the problems that
led to the increasing human rights abuses and encourage Ethiopia
to pursue a more certain path to democratic elections, good
governance and economic development.

That summer, my staff and I visited Ethiopia to see for
ourselves what could be done to salvage a situation that continued
to deteriorate. We were disappointed with the reaction of Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi, who told us he had “proof” that opposition
leaders were guilty of treason and he could arrest them at any
point. Conversely, we saw proof that opposition officials were
being followed and harassed.

A flawed process of resolving election complaints, and onand-
off negotiations between the government and the opposition,
failed to resolve the increasingly bitter dispute over the election
and the delayed release of results. Meanwhile, mass arrests
continued, and the ban on demonstrations and the limitations on
free speech continued. In November, another demonstration
resulted in shooting deaths at the hands of government forces – this
time including innocent bystanders.

The intent of H.R. 4423 has always been to hold accountable
those who were involved in the shootings, as well as the
government that has failed to fully investigate or prosecute its
forces involved in two sets of shootings. Over the past few weeks,
we have been able to strengthen this bill, with the help of good
suggestions and input from colleagues on this Subcommittee and
our friends in the human rights community.

There is a requirement that all military cooperation not
connected with either counter-terrorism or peacekeeping be
suspended until the U.S. certifies that the government of Ethiopia
is respecting human rights and the rule of law. Although the
overwhelming amount of current military cooperation between our
nations would be exempted, this prohibition would prevent future
expansion of U.S.-Ethiopia military cooperation until the specified
conditions are met.

There also is a travel ban that prevents travel to America by
those government officials and forces involved in the shooting of
demonstrators, as well as those civilians determined to be involved
in the unfortunate deaths of seven police officers.

However, H.R. 4423 is not merely a punitive measure. It
provides technical assistance and other support to try to change the
circumstances that have limited Ethiopia’s progress and have led to
the tragic incidents of 2005.

In this regard: H.R. 4423 calls for the immediate and unconditional release
of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in
Ethiopia.

• It provides support for the work of both international and
domestic human rights agencies and urges the dispatch of the
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

• It provides human rights training for both domestic human
rights organizations and government agencies, so that both
sides are clear about what is called for in international human
rights agreements to which Ethiopia is a signatory, and so
that the rule of law can prevail in Ethiopia’s court system.

• It establishes technical assistance for court, police, security
and prison personnel so that those arrested and held in
custody can be treated in a humane way when their
incarceration is justified by the facts, and so that those who
peacefully demonstrate to express their political views can be
dealt with in a lawful manner.

• It establishes a Judicial Watch Network to enable the
Ethiopian judiciary to operate independently with monitoring
of actions that threaten that independence.

• It encourages the Government of Ethiopia to revise its laws
that currently unduly limit the right of journalists to freely
provide information, and establishes a program to strengthen
the private media in Ethiopia – a vital factor in any free
society.

• It provides technical assistance to enhance the democratic
operation of local, regional and national governments and to
promote reconciliation through peaceful political groups.

• It provides support and encouragement of efforts by the
Government of Ethiopia and the political opposition to work
together to ensure that future elections – including the
upcoming local elections – are conducted in an atmosphere
free of intimidation and harassment and that those elected to
office are allowed to exercise their duties as public officials
without undue limitations.

• It provides technical assistance on the appropriate and
effective use of resources, especially water resources, as well
as economic policy assistance on such issues as land
ownership to help build the Ethiopian economy so that it can
reduce the need for donor support.

• Finally, it provides financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial
ventures so that the Ethiopian private sector can create jobs
and help this nation reduce its high level of poverty.

I believe the amendment in the nature of a substitute I am
introducing today is a more comprehensive, effective piece of
legislation, and for that I thank my colleagues, especially our
ranking member, Mr. Payne, and Ambassador Watson for their
helpful interventions.

I’m sure they would agree that each day we delay in passing
this legislation is yet another day that political party officials,
human rights activists, journalists and even children remain behind
bars without a strong, legislative statement by our government.

This bill has 15 cosponsors – three of them among the
members of this Subcommittee: Mr. Royce, Mr. Tancredo and
Ambassador Watson. I thank them for their support for this
measure, and I ask for the support of the other members of this
body for H.R. 4423 as amended so that we can favorably report
this bill out of Subcommittee.
Photo By Endale Getahun ECTV

THE AFRICAN UNION COMMEMORATE THE 12 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RWANDA GENOCIDE IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Thu, 6 Apr 2006 00:07:00 -0400

THE AFRICAN UNION COMMEMORATE THE 12 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RWANDA GENOCIDE

ADDIS ABABA, 3 rd April 2006.

The African Union Commission will be organizing on Friday, April 7 2006, starting from 10 a.m. in the morning, at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, a ceremony to commemorate the 12 th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide.

The ceremony which will be chaired by Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner, Commissioner for Polical Affairs, has included in her programme of communications on “the social impact and the lessons learnt from genocide”, presented by a representant of the society civil of Rwanda and “the criminalizing and penalizing genocide – the experience of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (Representative of the Tribunal) and the GACACA Court (Representative of the GACACA Court).

The programme contains, also, the diffusion of documentary on the Genocide.

The programme of the commemoration day is herewith enclosed.

Journalists are invited to cover the opening of this event.More...

Letter to The Honorable Christopher H. Smith (from His Excellency Fesseha A. Tessema, Ethiopia�s acting ambassador to the United States)

Your (optional) podcast author email address (Endale G) — Mon, 3 Apr 2006 20:50:00 -0400

hr4423ectvamb1
Photo By Endale Getahun ECTV.

March 31, 2006

The Honorable Christopher Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Smith,

There are occasions, during the career of any diplomat, when one must express unpleasant truths for the benefit of the greater good. Today is one of those occasions, because I must express my displeasure at the way in which, in your capacity as chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations, you conducted the March 28 hearing entitled “Ethiopia’s Troubled Internal Situation.”

It was clear from the outset that the hearing was going to be unbalanced – this was apparent from the initial list of witnesses, which included unabashed opponents of the Ethiopian government and neither a detached academic or think-tank expert on the Horn of Africa nor a representative of my government.

I was obviously offended as I am sure many others were about your making jokes against the death of uniformed police officers. At minimum, we do expect respect for the dead despite the circumstances. After all the police officers were killed by rioters while on duty.

Prior to the hearing, we conveyed information to the subcommittee staff that at least two of the witnesses on the announced agenda lacked credibility. One was the member of the opposition, charged with serious crimes, including being instrumental in organizing the violent demonstrations last June, violence that was intended to undermine Ethiopia’s constitutional order. And another one was one who claims to represent an obscure “organization” that seems to have no one other than himself on its staff. It is hard to take seriously claims made by such an idiosyncratic entity.

At our insistence, you graciously permitted the Embassy to present both oral and written testimony, but only when there was little time available to prepare for the event. (Invitation was extended to us a day before the hearing whereas the other witnesses were listed about a week before the hearing). Still, because we felt it important that our perspective be presented forthrightly to you and the other members of the Subcommittee, we accepted your invitation

It has also been my expectation that oversight hearings are conducted with the same decorum as a court of law: respect shown to all participants, with appropriate solemnity on the part of observers. In every other proceeding of this sort that I have observed, when the audience becomes demonstrative (whether through cheers and applause or through boos and catcalls), it has been the responsibility of the chair to gavel the room to order. I was shocked that, when the hearing audience reacted audibly to the speakers, you not only chose not to call for order, you seemed to encourage the disorder among the crowd. This breach of protocol is not something one should have tolerated. Public policy is a serious matter, and it should not have been based upon the movement of the pointer on an applause meter.

While I expected to face some difficult questions, given the topic of the hearing, I was taken aback at the hostile, disrespectful and sometimes condescending tone of your own line of questions, your willful blindness to certain firmly established facts of the situation, and your refusal to acknowledge the shared political and moral values of Ethiopia and America.

Let me provide some concrete examples.

You asked, for instance, whether the Ethiopian media would report evenhandedly on the hearing, including both my testimony and your own remarks, or the remarks of other witnesses. When I stated I cannot predict what Ethiopian newspapers would write about the hearing, you sneered at my response, suggesting that the government controls the entire news media in my country. However this is not the case. As I stated in my remark, that there are over 80 private newspapers in Ethiopia, published in different
locations and in different languages. Some of them are critical against the Government and others not. Since I am not an editor of any of the newspapers, I can no more predict what Ethiopian newspapers will say about an event than you can predict what the Trenton Times or Washington Post will say about it.

I did, however, make the offer that your office could be provided with translations of some of the articles about the hearing that appear in non-English-medium newspapers with a view to helping you arrive at the right conclusion. With all due respect, it was
simply appalling to me when you cavalierly dismissed my explanation.

Even though I have clearly stated in my remarks as to the status of the elected parliamentarians in Ethiopia, you continued to imply that those elected to office in Ethiopia, but who refuse to take their seats, are jailed for such a decision. I know this is not the case; I testified to that effect; yet you continued to insist on your version of the facts. To be sure, there are some politicians who have been charged with serious crimes; some of these people were elected to public office. There are other people, who were elected by their constituents but who, for one reason or another, chose not to take their seats; these people, including over 120 elected members of the Addis Ababa City Council, have not been arrested or charged and are freely engaging in political activities and their personal business.
Photo By Endale Getahun ECTV
Particularly troubling to me was your demanding that certain questions be responded to immediately, on the spot, that would have been inappropriate for me to do so. Foremost among these was your asking me for a commitment regarding the special rapporteur for torture: as a diplomat abroad, I can speak only about past and current policies of my government. I came to the hearing to discuss and answer questions about the existing policies of my government. You posed a question regarding a hypothetical policy. A request to permit a special rapporteur to conduct investigations, regardless of the issue involved, must be submitted through established channels and procedures. Requesting a government commitment for access to special Rapporteur without going through the U.N. established procedure is inappropriate, to say the least. Because this issue has never been raised before, it was impossible and highly inappropriate for me to speculate as to what the policy of the Ethiopian government might be if a request were to be made officially. To be perfectly candid, since reports of possible torture are so nebulous, the objective reality of the situation does not qualify for the appointment of a special rapporteur to investigate such ectoplasm in Ethiopia.

Diplomats are neither expected nor authorized to make promises or commitments about future policy choices without specific instruction to do so. Your attempt to force a binary “yes/no” answer from me was calculated to embarrass me and the Embassy by
creating an impression of indecision and cowardice. Neither one should be inferred. What can be inferred was your own lack of respect for international standards of diplomatic protocol.

Similarly, you asked whether the Ethiopian government would permit organizations such as the International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute, and IFES to work again inside Ethiopia. I replied, truthfully, that if those organizations made application for a permit through the proper channels, they would be given full consideration. What you did not acknowledge in return was that our government has been in communication with these organizations since they left Ethiopia last year. Their situation is being addressed, even if it is not satisfactory to you.It was insensitive of you to compare Ethiopia’s current government to that of Romania under the brutal Nicolae Ceaucescu, especially after I had noted in my prepared statement the historical reality under which Ethiopia has had to operate since 1974. The Ethiopian people and leaders of today’s Ethiopian government, through their blood, sweat, toil, and tears, and against the odds, overthrew the Communist dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam, whose regime was as comparable to Ceaucescu’s as any on the African continent. Mengistu’s genocidal policies, used to oppress and repress our country’s peoples, are still a part of living memory for any Ethiopian older than college age. For you to make this comparison was an insult to those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom and to those who today are working to make Ethiopia a better, more peaceful, more prosperous, and more democratic place.

Moreover, I was dismayed that you would use the recent terrorist bombings in Addis Ababa as some sort of evidence that the Ethiopian government is encouraging destabilization and social disorder. This convoluted reasoning boggles the mind, since these bombings are rather concrete evidence that violent elements in Ethiopian society, or external enemies of Ethiopia, are working actively to undermine the constitutional order. Your comments were precisely the opposite of what I would have expected from you, which would have been a flat condemnation of these terrorist acts and an expression of sympathy for the victims who were injured and killed.

When I finished my testimony, the panel that followed consisted of three people who are political opponents of the Ethiopian government and one who represented a reasonably detached organization, which has been outspoken in its criticism of U.S. government policy regarding the misuse of the death penalty and the torture of captured prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and other detention centers. When fanciful claims were made against Ethiopia’s leaders, you failed to ask for evidentiary support for these claims. When the CUD representative admitted his party’s goal of undermining and eliminating the current constitutional government of Ethiopia, you remained mute. If the purpose of hearings such as this is to ferret out the truth – to go “where the evidence leads,” as former U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh titled his memoir – then you missed the opportunity to pursue that purpose.
Photo By Endale Getahun ECTV
Over the past several weeks, even after the introduction of the draft Bill, the Embassy staff has endeavored to be helpful to you and the subcommittee staff in providing constructive comments on the draft versions of HR 4423, pointing out errors of fact and interpretation in its text and attempting to find common ground that serves the interests of both the United States and Ethiopia in appropriate and positive fashions. If the bill was to pass, its rationale should be to help the Ethiopian people and enhance the democratization of the country. It is now very clear that you would like to see HR 4423, the Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2006, approved by the subcommittee and eventually become law even if it has adverse effects on the stability and development of the country. Therefore, if it does become law, that will be a sad adjunct to the friendship between Ethiopia and the United States.

At the end of the day, however, whether HR 4423 passes or fails is irrelevant to us. Ethiopia will continue to democratize at its own pace, in its own fashion, based on the particular needs of our country’s culture and society. Just for the record Mr. Chairman:

• The appropriate legal, institutional and policy frameworks required for the democratization process are in place
• The number of opposition parliamentary seats increased from 12 to 172.
• More than 77 political parties are registered and active in Ethiopia today
• 77 political parties and 575 independent candidates contested for seats in the Federal Parliament and State Councils
• The reform of the National Election Board, the media law and the parliamentary procedural rules is in progress
• Ethiopia is actively discharging its responsibility as a Fourth major troop contributor to international peace keeping operations
• Ethiopia is a staunch supporter and an active participant in the global war against terrorism

We are proud that in the 15 years since we overthrew the brutal Communist dictatorship that our democracy has developed well enough that a full third of the Members of Parliament represent parties other than the ruling party. We are proud that our judicial system is able to act independently and with integrity so that those accused of serious crimes including treason and conspiring to overthrow the constitutional order – can be assured of due process of law without interference from the executive and legislative branches of government or, for that matter, without the pressure of meddlesome foreign powers.

We are proud that, Ethiopia is moving on the right direction towards democratization. We indeed have been able to increase agricultural production and grow our economy at a record pace. All these improvements and accomplishments can and will continue regardless of whether HR 4423 becomes law or not.

I suspect, Chairman Smith, that you have seldom received a letter such as this from a witness whom you tried so hard to embarrass and to cow in the course of an “oversight” hearing. I was polite and respectful– not to put too fine a point on it – too diplomatic in our exchange at the hearing on Tuesday despite your hostile and disrespectful confrontation.. My temperament and the circumstances did not permit me to become argumentative or combative. One of the main reasons being a respect for the Subcommittee, its members and the office you hold. After two days of reflection, it seems proper to set the record straight on paper privately what I should have voiced in public.

It is my duty, as a representative of my government and my people, to state the truth and to know that you hear it. I have no responsibility for you listen to the truth, only to give you the opportunity to do so. It is up to you to decide whether you will use your ears and eyes and treat my words with the attention and deference they deserve.

Sincerely,

Fesseha A. Tessema
Ambassador
Charge d' Affairs