March 31, 2006


Athletes’ Quotes - IAAF Press Conference, World Cross Country Championships, Fukuoka

Friday 31 March 2006

Fukuoka, Japan - Earlier today, the IAAF Press Conference for the 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships was held in the JAL Resort Sea Hawk Hotel Fukuoka.


Guests were IAAF President Lamine Diack, JAAF Vice-President Koji Sakurai, IAAF General Secretary Pierre Weiss, and the following star athletes - defending double World Cross Country champions, Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, Australia’s World 5000m bronze medallist, Craig Mottram, and Kayoko Fukushi of Japan, the winner of the recent IAAF cross country permit meeting here in Fukuoka.

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Bekele

The world's distance runners might have some hope. "If I do win both races this weekend," Kenenisa Bekele, the Ethiopian bidding to win both the 4km and 12km IAAF World Cross Country titles for the fifth successive time, said, "perhaps will vow never to run a cross-country race again."

But then Bekele's smile broke into a genuine laugh. The chances are, the World and Olympic champion and World record-holder at 10,000 metres was only joking.

Bekele was addressing the official pre-event press conference in Fukuoka, a city on the northern coast of Japan, about a two-hour flight from Tokyo.

Fukuoka is world famous in athletics because of it prestigious international marathon race staged there every December since 1947. It is a race which has been won by Olympic and World champions, and which in 1981 saw Rob de Castella set a world best on the course.

Despite such tradition, the large crowds expected to turn out at the seaside parkland course on Saturday and Sunday may never have seen a distance runner of Bekele's calibre before.

Not that the defending champion is taking anything for granted. Aware that this is the last time that the 4km, "short", race will be included on the programme, Bekele senses that his rivals may have prepared especially hard to try to deny him his fifth double.

"It's not easy to compete the double," he said with characteristic understatement, "but I do want to do it for the last time. This does give me some additional motivation. It is a wonderful opportunity but it will not be an easy thing to achieve. I am sure that many of the others have trained extra hard because this is the last time."

Like most observers, Bekele believes that Saturday's 4km race could offer his toughest challenge. "There are a lot of strong athletes entered this year for the short race," he said, though he declined to name any one in particular who he might regard as a threat. "That would weaken me mentally," he said.

Dibaba


Bekele's Ethiopian team mate, Tirunesh Dibaba, at 20, will be bidding to complete the equivalent women's double, over 8km on Saturday and 4km on Sunday, for an equally remarkable third time. Today, she denied that a recent illness had affected her preparation beyond having to miss three days' training. "I am feeling good for this competition," said the World 5000 and 10,000m gold medallist in Helsinki last August.

Fukushi

Seeking to break up the Ethiopian monopoly of cross-country medals will be Japan's Kayoko Fukushi and Craig Mottram, of Australia, who were also both at the press conference.

"I want to be involved in the race with the Africans," said Fukushi, the national record-holder at 3000 and 5,000m on the track who won the Fukuoka International cross-country race on the same course in early March.

Knowing the love for distance running among her countrymen and women, "why do we have such a tradition at the marathon? Perhaps it is because we are persistent.”

Fukushi hopes that strong support around the course could help her. "I'm sure the spectators will be cheering me on. I want to put on a race that they'll enjoy."

Mottram

Mottram, as someone who trains with Africans for much of the year, has demonstrated in the past that he holds no fear about taking on the masters of distance running, most recently just a week ago, when he took the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games 5000m, splitting the Kenyans Augustine Choge and Benjamin Limo, a past winner of the short-course race at the IAAF World Cross.

"It was the chance of a lifetime, 85,000 people taking the roof of the stadium in your own hometown," Mottram said, "it was 12 minutes of absolute mayhem."
He denies that African domination of his events needs to be taken for granted. "If you'd been in Melbourne last week, you'd have thought that the sport was dominated by Australians," he said.

"Having runners from different countries contesting for the medals is more exciting. It's something we've been trying to do in our training group for a few years now, trying to bring a bit of excitement back to the sport.”

"I'm coming here, off an Australian summer, in the form of my life, and I'm looking forward to having another go at Ben and the others.”

"The problem I have with the Ethiopians and the Kenyans in races like this is that there is a lot of them and there's only one of me, so it's going to be very tough, but I'm ready to give it a go."

IAAF

Dibaba’s talking legs and tight lips ready for Fukuoka double


Dibaba’s talking legs and tight lips ready for Fukuoka double

Friday 31 March 2006


Fukuoka, Japan - One wouldn't think that a runner who has destroyed so many world class fields in a very short period of time could remain so tight-lipped about her achievements. But Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba is that sort of an athlete - one who is always eager to let her legs to do the talking and always downplay her achievements.

“I don’t want to boast about my achievement,” she says. “I want to run well and then let people talk about me. I am happy with what I have achieved so far, but I am hungry to achieve more.”

Just 20 years of age, Dibaba has seen her stature as the best distance runner in the world grow over the last year after winning double World titles over the cross country and the outdoor track (5000m and 10000m). She has also smashed the World Indoor 5000m record at the 2005 Boston Indoor Games in the USA.

Floored in Heathrow

On other counts, however, Dibaba begun 2006 with a rare defeat over compatriot Gelete Burka at the Edinburgh cross country international in Scotland after the former World Junior Cross Country champion spent the night before the race on the floor of the London Heathrow airport after missing her last connection flight to Edinburgh.

“It was one of those accident things and I do not want to blame anyone for it,” says a modest Dibaba. “My flight from Addis Ababa was already delayed and there was nothing I could do. I am upset that I lost the race, but not much.”

Never destined for Moscow

Dibaba bounced back to winning ways in late January and February taking consecutive wins over the indoor 3000m and 5000m in Boston and then Birmingham. Although she was selected by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) to run in the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow, Russia, she chose not to compete in that event.

“I did not have enough time between those races,” she says. “From the onset, my season’s plans were not focused on running indoors, but to defend my World Cross country titles in Fukuoka. I never said that I would run in Moscow.”

In her absence, compatriot and Olympic 5000m champion Meseret Defar successfully defended her World Indoor 3000m title, but Dibaba hopes to compete in the World Indoors next time around. “Yes, this is one of my targets in the future,” she said.

Illness

For now, however, Fukuoka beckons. But Dibaba makes the trip with her Ethiopian compatriots to the southern Japanese city not in the shape she had hoped to find herself at this time of the year.

Two weeks before the competition, Dibaba caught measles from her younger sister and lost one week of her precious training time in Addis Ababa. “It was a small illness and nothing too serious," she says. "I have trained well over the last week and I feel that I am ready for Fukuoka."

Burka is my biggest challenger

Dibaba will go into both the short and long races in Fukuoka as an overwhelming favourite, but she will have to contend with a world class field in the short race including Kenya's Olympic 5000m silver medallist Isabella Ochichi and compatriot reigning World Junior Cross Country champion Gelete Burka, the runner who has beaten Dibaba twice of the last one year.

"She is a very strong runner," says Dibaba of Burka. "I know that she will be my toughest challenger in Fukuoka."

Despite her attempts to shun the headlines, Dibaba knows that all eyes and the attention will be on her when she steps on the Umi-no-nakamichi Seaside Park this weekend. And if she completes both races on top, she hopes that her legs have done enough talking to convince everyone of her distance running prowess!

Elshadai Negash for the IAAF

March 30, 2006


World Cross Country Doublers - MEN: More than Bekele
Thursday 30 March 2006

Fukuoka, Japan - The 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Fukuoka, Japan (1-2 April) mark the last time that the short race will be included in the competition programme of the World Cross Country, and as such this is the last year when a long and short race double will be possible. Marty Post now gives his historical overview of doubling history...
MEN
Kenenisa Bekele is surely the most renowned competitor in the history of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships to have run both the long and short distance races. He has won each of the senior races the past four years and is the odds-on favourite to make it 10 such combined titles as the double races comes to a close this year in Fukuoka.
From the first year of their inception there have been a number of men attempting both races, and only 10 have managed to complete two more than once. Bekele has four doubles (2002-2005) while little-known Rees Buck of New Zealand and Sergey Zabavski of Tajikistan managed triple doubles.
Here is how those who have completed both races have fared through the years:
* 1998 - Kudakwashe Shoko of Zimbabwe had the honor of being the first man to complete both races, finishing 51st in the long race after a 32nd in the short run. Elijah Mutandiko was just behind his countryman in the long race (55th), but placed only 83rd the day before. Papua New Guineau had three men across the line in both races – David Kania, Gumsie Taulobi and Ken Mova – however one had to go deep in the Marrakech results to find them as they all placed from 154th to 163rd in the long race and 92nd to 98th in the short one.
* 1999 – Twelve harriers did the double in Belfast. Canada's Jeff Schiebler took top honors with a combined place of 116 points (56 short, 60 long) to top Zimbabwian Michael Ngaaseke (51, 69). Another Canadian, Jeremy Deere, was the only other man to place in the top 100 (70, 79) in both races. George Majaji, Tsungai Mwenengeni, Kudakwashe Shoko and Maxwell Bangani gave Zimbabwe a full house of five doublers.
* 2000 – For the first time a man placed in the top ten of both races as the Ukraine's Sergey Lebed, tenth in the short race followed up with an eighth in the long race. Ngaaseke showed good form with a 17th and 28th, and Rwandan Joseph Nsengiyuma was the unofficial 'bronze doubler' with a 52nd position short race and 60th long. Mehdi Chebli was the first man ever to place in exactly the same position in both races – 142nd. There were 16 double finishers, including three from Gibraltar who traveled to nearby Vilamoura for the Championships weekend.
* 2001 – John Yuda of Tanzania was the class of the doublers, 14th and 27th in the two races. Russian Sergey Lukin (51st, 36th) and another Tanzanian, John Nada Saya (32nd, 64th) were the only other men in Ostend to total less than 100 points for the two races. Fourteen men completed both senior races, although it should be noted that Kenenisa Bekele was second in the senior short race a day before winning the junior men's title.
* 2002 – The Bekele era began in astonishing style as not only did he did he run both races in Dublin, but he won both of them. More incredibly, no-one else was within a 'country mile' of emulating him as Pacifique Ayabusa of Rwanda, the next best doubler, couldn't even break 100 total (38th short course, 67th long). Five of the 12 doublers didn't finish in the top 100 in either race.
* 2003 – Kenenisa Bekele repeated his double win but at least there were some more respectable performances behind him. Khalid el Amri of Morocco had the best ever non-Bekele double (6th short, 10th long) and countryman Abderrahim Goumri was 10th and 15th. Only nine men completed both races in Lausanne.
* 2004 – If Bekele had never run these races in Brussels then another Ethiopian, Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam, would have become the second man to score a World XC double as he finished second behind Bekele in both races. Australian Craig Mottram turned in the best non-African double ever with a ninth short course and 13th long course. Eleven men crossed both finish lines.
* 2005 – Bekele led the way again in both races in what was the greatest year for double competitors. Four other men totaled less than 20 placings with three of them in the top 10 of both races: Abudllah Ahmad Hassan (8th, 3rd), Saif Saaeed Shaheen (4th, 8th), Dejene Birhanu (7th, 6th), Jamal Bilal Salem (5th, 12th). Eleven of the 15 doublers in Saint Galmier totalled under 100 place points.
Marty Post for the IAAF
Ethiopian Prime Minister Accuses Eritrea Of Fomenting Unrest


28 March 2006

listen to the interview with Girma Asmerom audio clip

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi today accused Eritrea of trying to foment unrest in Ethiopia. The accusation comes one day after a series of bombings killed one person and injured 15 others in the capital, Addis Ababa. Mr. Meles accused Eritrea of collaborating with remnants of the government of former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam -- and with separatist rebel groups. He said the wish of the Eritrean government is to see what he called a divided or a much weakened Ethiopia. Explosions have become commonplace in the Ethiopian capital in recent months.

Girma Asmerom is Eritrea’s ambassador to the United States. In an interview with English to Africa reporter Ashenafi Abedje, Ambassador Girma dismissed Prime Minister Meles’ accusations as “a lie and pure fabrication” aimed at diverting attention from the political situation in Ethiopia. He says, “The basic cause of the problem in Ethiopia is the existence of one party, a minority party with one ethnic group leading Ethiopia. Ambassador Girma accuses the prime minister of having “stolen the vote” in last May’s parliamentary elections and “detaining people who have defeated him at the ballot box.”

The ambassador says, “There is injustice in Ethiopia. Wherever there is injustice, the international community should support people deprived of justice. In that context, we have had long-term relations with Oromo Liberation Movement” – a group he says was even part of Ethiopia’s transitional government in the early ‘90’s. He adds, “Eritrea’s support to these people’s struggle for justice is strictly political, and absolutely nothing to do with inciting unrest.” Ambassador Girma says there is no linkage between the unresolved border issue and currently heightened state of strained relations between the two countries.

Source: www.voa.gov

Ethiopian Prime Minister Accuses Eritrea Of Fomenting Unrest


28 March 2006

listen to the interview with Girma Asmerom audio clip

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi today accused Eritrea of trying to foment unrest in Ethiopia. The accusation comes one day after a series of bombings killed one person and injured 15 others in the capital, Addis Ababa. Mr. Meles accused Eritrea of collaborating with remnants of the government of former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam -- and with separatist rebel groups. He said the wish of the Eritrean government is to see what he called a divided or a much weakened Ethiopia. Explosions have become commonplace in the Ethiopian capital in recent months.

Girma Asmerom is Eritrea’s ambassador to the United States. In an interview with English to Africa reporter Ashenafi Abedje, Ambassador Girma dismissed Prime Minister Meles’ accusations as “a lie and pure fabrication” aimed at diverting attention from the political situation in Ethiopia. He says, “The basic cause of the problem in Ethiopia is the existence of one party, a minority party with one ethnic group leading Ethiopia. Ambassador Girma accuses the prime minister of having “stolen the vote” in last May’s parliamentary elections and “detaining people who have defeated him at the ballot box.”


The ambassador says, “There is injustice in Ethiopia. Wherever there is injustice, the international community should support people deprived of justice. In that context, we have had long-term relations with Oromo Liberation Movement” – a group he says was even part of Ethiopia’s transitional government in the early ‘90’s. He adds, “Eritrea’s support to these people’s struggle for justice is strictly political, and absolutely nothing to do with inciting unrest.” Ambassador Girma says there is no linkage between the unresolved border issue and currently heightened state of strained relations between the two countries.

Source: www.voa.gov


Crackdowns on journalists raises concerns in East Africa

By Shashank Bengali
Knight Ridder Newspapers

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Crudely designed, sprinkled with typos and unabashedly critical of the government, Ethiopia's independent newspapers sold briskly during last year's election season.

Today, however, most are closed after a wide-ranging crackdown on political opposition by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's administration. Since November, at least 16 Ethiopian journalists have been imprisoned, dozens more have gone into hiding and two foreign correspondents have been kicked out of the country.

Ethiopia's crackdown is just one of a series of actions against journalists in East Africa, where governments are demonstrating a short fuse when it comes to critical media coverage.

Although the countries' cases are unrelated, press-freedom advocates say they show the limits of free expression in societies that are making bumpy transitions to democracy after decades of strongman rule:

- Earlier this month in Kenya, heavily armed, masked security men raided the offices of the daily Standard newspaper and its sister television station. The paper had reported on a covert meeting between President Mwai Kibaki - whose administration has been buffeted by corruption allegations - and an estranged former Cabinet official. Authorities set fire to 20,000 copies of that morning's paper and forced the TV station off the air temporarily.

- A few days later, Uganda expelled a Canadian freelancer, Blake Lambert, for his critical reporting on President Yoweri Museveni for the British magazine The Economist and other Western media outlets.

- An independent radio station in northern Uganda also was closed this month after guests on a talk show criticized local authorities for corruption and mistreating residents.

In Ethiopia and Uganda, the clampdowns coincided with the countries' first multiparty elections, in which opposition parties made strong showings, said Julia Crawford of the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based advocacy group.

"The rhetoric is that criticism in the press is fine, and part of the democratic process," Crawford said. "But it seems that in young democracies, some governments have a problem when they perceive that the newspapers are in cahoots with the opposition, and the opposition poses a furious challenge."

Though still in its infancy - and usually not as well funded as government-owned media - the independent press in East Africa is increasingly vibrant. Stroll through almost any capital today and you'll read newspaper headlines more openly critical of public officials than anything in the mainstream American press.

A glaring exception is Eritrea, where there are virtually no independent media. Worldwide, only China and Cuba have more journalists in prison than Ethiopia and Eritrea, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

In Ethiopia, Meles has acknowledged tension between independent news outlets and his government. In the months leading up to last May's elections, dozens of weekly newspapers in the local Amharic language sprouted up, many of them highly critical of Meles.

In November, protests flared after final results were announced and opponents claimed that the election was rigged. Government security forces killed at least 46 people and imprisoned dozens of opponents, activists and journalists.

Meles has promised the journalists a fair trial. Last week, charges were dropped against five Washington-based journalists for Voice of America - a U.S. government-funded radio service that broadcasts in Ethiopia - who were being tried in absentia.

But 14 imprisoned journalists still face charges of treason, which carries a life sentence.

Now only a handful of independent newspapers are still publishing in Ethiopia. Interviewed over the weekend, some Ethiopians said the remaining papers were covering fewer domestic political stories and publishing less controversial business and feature stories.

Journalists "are more afraid to write about politics now," said Issayas Mekuria, the deputy editor of Fortune, a prominent weekly newspaper that covers business and that's published without interruption despite the crackdown.

"When other journalists are in jail, you worry that could happen to you."

Source: www.mercurynews.com

Considerate dissenting voice of Oromo

By Alaltu Bilisumma*

Mar 8, 2006 — Oromo-nation of population over 40 million in the Horn of Africa to whom democracy was/is inalienable was deprived of its right to self-determination due to the successive yokes of repressive regimes of Ethiopia almost all sustained by westerns’ support.
Though , repression of successors have been aggravated, Oromo nation is escalating its demand for natural, human and democratic rights stipulated in international documents ratified by the EPRDP/ TPLF regime including:
(1) Respect of basic human right for Oromos! (2) Lasting Solution for nations’ national questions for self -determination ! (3) Stop killing , massacring, imprisoning ,torturing and inhumanely treating Oromos! (4) Immediate and unconditional release of leaders of the venerable Oromo association- Macha-Tulama self-help Association(MTA). (5) Allow with out precondition ,MTA resume its office! (6) Immediate and unconditional release of all Oromo political prisoners and innocents allegedly imprisoned! (7) As Oromo is not represented ,EPRDP/TPLF is illegitimate regime to Oromos and other oppressed Nations! (8) Stop Camouflaging passionate to Oromos by miscellaneous self-deceptive reforming which never solve Oromos cause! (9) Oromos cause can only be solved by Oromo’s Venerable political party -Oromo Liberation Front(OLF) ,thus stop labeling OLF ‘anti-peace’, rather convene way to reinstate its office! For Oromos OLF is beyond concept of party as it is the sole bearer of their whole hearts feeling , identity and real cause!
These demands have been widely spread through out all Oromia and all Oromos mind of all walks of life, though that of students,teachers,farmers and youths usually becomes apparent and prominent. Though Oromo nation , mostly students , teachers , youths and farmers presented their demand peacefully using their constitutional right , the government responded with blatant brutal measures ranging from massacre of Guduru which claimed over 25 innocent civilians’ lives , brutal murder at AMBO ,JALDU, INANGO, TIKUR INCHINI, KORE/ KOFALE , GIMBI , GINCHI,KUYYU etc to various myriads of basic human right violations (torture , disappearance, illegal imprisonment, arbitrary detention, intimidations ,terror , rape etc).
To figure out , since November 9,2005, (when the clandestinely progressing Oromo students movement was renewed and entered new phase following the call made by OLF) Over 70(seventy) Oromos were killed, many thousands were arbitrary arrested and detained, many wounded, many abducted of which very few is reported by Human Right Watch(HRW) ,Amnesty International( AI) ,Associated Press (AP) ,and other considerate international organizations . To substantiate this , some of the names of the oromos blatantly massacred follows :[a list of 42 names with details]
Despite popular demand and dissenting voice for respect of basic human right and basic democratic right, and government’s blatant brutal counter crack down, westerns are insisting on sponsoring the doomed regime still being unmasked from the century old prejudice created by the demagogue of Habashas ,currently headed by Meles and the still born baby , power hungry remnants of the past regimes . This is made clear by the recent anxiety of the westerns especially UK and USA urging EPRDP/TPLF and those power ambitious parties in a middling approach by simple prejudge disregarding the real precursor of the current crisis- pending national question of Oromos and other oppressed nations to exercise their right to self determination esp. Oromo’s national aspiration for OLF and self determination .
It is incredibly appreciated to see Westerns suspending direct support to the regime by the scenario come fore aftermath of May 2005 election being alarmed by the secondary reflections of the underlying real problem.
Understanding the prejudged misjudgment of international communities esp. UK and USA ,it is paramount important for a concerned citizen to bring forth the real problem to all peace loving international communities.
Thus I, as concerned Oromo national ,call all concerned to know what is on the ground:
(1) That they give considerate attention to the root causes of the current crisis in Oromia and Ethiopia;Oromo and other oppressed nations’ demand goes beyond Post May 2005 election crisis and Oromos see the election crisis as reflections of the underlying prejudiced but real problem- denial of right to self- determination of oppressed nations (Oromo,Sidama,Ogadenian, Gambella , Benshagul , Walayita and others ) by creating PDOs that camouflages the respective nations representative.
(2) That Oromos and oppressed nations are determined just to exercise their natural right stipulated in Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December1948) which is ratified and incorporated in constitution of Meles regime.
(3) That Oromos and Other Oppressed nations are struggling for inviolable and inalienable rights that are stipulated in international covenant on civil and political rights and International covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural rights( entry into force January 3,1976) both stating on their respective part I ,article I (1) :
“All peoples have the right of self -determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status, and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. ”
Both covenants were ratified by Meles regime and plainly stipulated on article 39 of its constitution, irrespective of which innocent citizens marching under banner demanding realization of this right are massacred , harassed tortured ,raped detained with out due process of law and persecuted in homeland and in exile by the regime’s security, military and police machineries.
(4) Unless due and considerate attention is given to Oromo national demand(self-determination),it will be only dream to advocate sustainable peace, democracy ,and development in Oromia and at large in Horn of Africa.
With this platform of understanding ,I Call upon international communities, Government of UK, United states of America ,European, Union and Major donors like World Bank and others , neighboring governments and nations to immediately take unwavering measures :
(1) That pressurizes the self- opinionated Meles regime to yield for genuine and comprehensive solution for peace, stability and development ,above all respect of basic human right & rule of law and self-determination to be realized for the yearning of the oppressed nations rather than insisting on its self- appointed, self-deceptive and stubborn character.
(2) That the government immediately and unconditionally stops its wide spread massacring, killing , harassing ,torturing, terrorizing , abducting of innocent students , farmers and peoples of all walks of life demanding their inalienable rights.
(3) That the government allow Independent Human Rights commission to be established and investigate the current blatant violations of basic human right ,killings and various crimes committed by the government against its innocent citizens.
(4) That the government immediately and unconditionally release all Oromo political prisoners ,journalists and students .
(5) That the government immediately and unconditionally releases leaders of the venerable Oromo self- help association Macha-Tulama Self-help Association(MTA) and allow the MTA to resume its office.
(6) I demand genuine and considerate intervention of all concerned international communities, USA, AU ,EU ,UN and other bodies to give an end to the pending and looming instability in Oromia and at large in Horn of Africa which is decisive hurdle to sustainable peace, democracy and development in the region .
(7) I also address particular message for nations, nationalities and governments neighbor to Oromia not to negatively intervene to the justified Oromia national struggle in any aspect rather urge to stand by side of such oppressed nation in line with reputable past history of our nations.
(8) Finally , as can be learned from history oppressed nations demand for genuine right ,definitely used to be culminated in victory , though delayed and incurred varying sacrifice ,I warn the incumbent regime and all stakeholders insisting on supporting the illegitimate regime turning ear deaf to dissenting voice of the whole people as well as inform their being inescapably responsible to the coming worst crisis in the region noting it by Oromos saying:
“Himan diddeen du’a hin diddu!” which equivalently means “one can dodge/decline recommendation/advice but can’t dodge/decline facing its consequence!”

* Alaltu Bilisumma, is from Oromia. He can be reached at alaltuu_b@yahoo.com

March 29, 2006

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of meddling after deadly blasts
March 29, 2006

ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopia on Tuesday accused its bitter archrival Eritrea of trying to foment unrest a day after one person was killed and 15 injured in a series of bombings in the Horn of Africa country.

"The wish of the Eritrean government is to see a divided or at least much weakened Ethiopia," Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in a speech to parliament.

"To achieve this goal it is coordinating and mobilizing remnants of the Dergue regime, the OLF and its likes," he added, referring to the ousted regime of ex-dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and separatist Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels based in southern Ethiopia.

Meles did not directly accuse Eritrea of planting the bombs that exploded around Addis Ababa on Monday, but he said that Ethiopia's fierce rival was actively trying to "create hopelessness" in its neighbor.

"The cardinal objective of these forces is to create hopelessness by disrupting our good governance and development efforts that would lead to the destruction of the constitutional order and the unity of the country," he said.

"They also tried to instigate conflict and bloodshed between those citizens who became instruments of these violent elements ... thereby tarnishing the image of our country and creating discord between the people and the government," Meles added, sparking the latest in a long-running volley of accusations and counter-accusations.

But Asmara rejected the accusations, saying that the claims were signs that Meles' regime was in its final moments.

"We deny this accusation. It is a schizophrenic statement from an unstable mind," Eritrean information minister Ali Abdu said via telephone from the port of Massawa.

"Eritrea has a moral obligation to support the Ethiopian people to get rid of this minority regime, but we deny any military support," to the opposition groups, Ali added.

Explosions have become common in the Ethiopian capital in recent months and authorities have heaped blame on separatist rebels from the OLF and the Somali radical Islamist group, Al Itihaad Al Islamiya.

There have also been suspicions that neighboring Eritrea, with which Ethiopia is engaged in a volatile border standoff, might bear some responsibility.

The two countries fought a war from 1998 to 2000 that cost at least 80,000 lives and tensions remain acute.

Earlier this month three grenades exploded in Addis Ababa, injuring four people. Police accused Eritrea of supplying the grenades and helping "terrorists" explode them, a charge denied by Asmara as "outrageous".

In January two grenades were thrown at a bank and a hospital, causing damage but no injuries.


Source: Middle East Times

Ethiopia "at Crossroads," Warns U.S. Official

Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamamoto testifies to Congress

Ethiopia is "currently at a crossroads" -- it can continue to move forward or it can lapse into the sort of government that is best encountered in the history books, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald Yamamoto told the U.S. Congress March 28.

In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, Yamamoto said, "It is incumbent upon Prime Minister Meles, his government and the various elements of the multifaceted opposition to demonstrate to the world, but, more importantly, to Ethiopians, the sincerity of their professed commitment to democracy through their actions as well as their words."

Yamamoto was called to Capitol Hill to brief the subcommittee on Ethiopia just hours before departing for that country. The deputy assistant secretary called Ethiopia's May 15, 2005, election "historic" and said it "considerably enhanced the democratic consciousness of the people of Ethiopia."

He also told the lawmakers the 2005 election was "much improved over 2000, which had been a great improvement over the 1995 election."

The United States, he added, is "committed to ensuring that the 2010 elections build on the progress of the 2005 elections, in moving toward transparent elections, responsive government and greater power sharing."

That said, he said Ethiopia's post-2005 election problems highlight the need for capacity building and further reform. "Despite our belief that election results overall were generally credible, the United States was deeply concerned about the 31 seats that went to a re-vote on August 21," he told the lawmakers.

Yamamoto said the ruling party won all 31 seats in that re-vote, even among constituencies where the opposition had won a significant majority during the May 15 balloting.

Of even greater concern, he said, was the violence that erupted on June 8, 2005, and November 1, 2005, which led to the arrests of thousands of people after the elections and the detention of 128 Coalition for Unity and Democracy and civil society leaders.

Following is the text of Yamamoto's statement, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

Testimony by Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Yamamoto
Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

"Ethiopia's Troubled Internal Situation"

House International Relations Committee
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations
Chairman Christopher H. Smith
March 28, 2006, 2:00 p.m.

INTRODUCTION

Chairman Smith, members of the subcommittee, I am honored to testify before you today on the internal political situation in Ethiopia. As Africa's second most populous nation, Ethiopia has an important part to play in enhancing the stability of East Africa.

The United States believes that democracy is the best form of government for stability -- in Africa and beyond. Free and transparent elections are the best vehicle for citizens to express their wishes and hold their governments accountable. Democracy should be anything but a zero sum game.

Over the last year, Ethiopians have been tempted by the twin promises of freedom and fairness. Expectations were high during last year's campaign season. This marked the first true multiparty election in Ethiopia's 3,000-year history. Results have been mixed, and hopes for progress have been chilled, as the government has clamped down on individuals' right to assemble and journalists' ability to report events. Meanwhile, several elected opposition officials refused to take their seats in Parliament and have been arrested and charged with capital offenses.

In calling for last May's election, Prime Minister Meles moved his country forward. However, the intolerance that followed in the wake of the results and the opposition's response show that the country has more work to do in progressing toward true, mature democracy.

HOPE FOR DEMOCRACY

Speaking at the Freer Gallery before the G-8 summit last June, President Bush remarked that "the whole world will benefit from prosperity and stability on the African continent. And the peoples of Africa deserve the peace and freedom and opportunity that are the natural rights of all mankind."

The Administration firmly believes in the primacy of democracy. So do the American people and this Congress. Democratic governments will naturally reflect the local cultures and traditions of voters, but this form of government is the single best way to account not only for the needs and wishes of large groups of people, but also for those holding minority viewpoints.

Liberty improves lives, and fair elections and personal liberty protections are universal values. Our goal is to encourage all governments to be responsive to their people and respectful of human dignity. The United States raises these points in the spirit of partnership.

There is every reason to believe that Ethiopians want responsive leadership, and the U.S. Government supports the efforts of students and activists to have their voices heard. As President Bush said in the same speech last June, "All who live in Africa can be certain, as you seize this moment of opportunity, America will be your partner and your friend."

A NEW CHAPTER

The May 15, 2005, elections were momentous and offered the people of Ethiopia the prospect of an important step toward democratic rule and responsive government. The pre-election assessment was impressive. Nearly 26 million people registered to vote, 48% of whom were women. In total, 85% of all eligible voters registered, marking a significant increase over the last election in 2000.

Elections for the lower house featured 1,847 candidates competing for 547 seats. Compared to 2000, this was an increase in participation greater than 80%. Election observers from the United States (U.S.) and European Union (EU) recognized the National Electoral Board for its excellent job registering voters and candidates, and preparing for the elections. Even the state-managed media coverage was considered fair, giving the opposition 56% of the airtime exposure, according to the EU report, while the ruling party received 44% of the coverage.

The opposition parties, much to their own surprise -- and the shock of the ruling party -- earned the keys to Addis Ababa's City Hall on election day. The ruling party acknowledged its loss in the capital, as well as losses in most of Ethiopia's other urban centers. The opposition managed to capture 170 seats, mostly in urban areas. This was significantly more than the meager 12 seats it won in 2000. This success is tempered only by the fact that most Ethiopians reside in rural areas.

The United States hailed the outcome of the May election as an affirmation of Ethiopia's political development. For the first time in their long history, Ethiopians had a democratic choice.

ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL TENSION

The great hope inspired by this election soon gave way to political turmoil. On election day and during the post-election period, there were reports of intimidation and harassment and that in some areas, ballot boxes had been improperly secured. From June 2-8, the opposition raised questions about the results for 299 seats. There was a general transportation strike in Addis Ababa June 6-8, and violence led to the deaths of three-dozen and the arrest of over 3,000 people.

The United States condemned the violence and cautioned that hate messages directed against other ethnic groups could further fracture the delicate ethnic balance within Ethiopia. The U.S. Ambassador in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal, worked with her colleagues from the British, Austrian, EU, and other embassies to broker an agreement on June 10 between the opposition and ruling parties to enhance political engagement and resolve seats under dispute.

Since the departure of Ambassador Brazeal, our Charge, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, and the U.S. Embassy staff have continued actively to reach out to opposition party leaders from the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), and Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM). U.S. Embassy staff is working to bridge the political divide separating the opposition parties and the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The State Department has also engaged the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States, and the chief opposition leaders, Hailu Shawel, who heads the CUD, and Petros Beyene, head of the UEDF, who have been in the United States.

On numerous occasions, the Assistant Secretary sent me to Addis Ababa to work with the Ethiopian Government and opposition groups in support of U.S. Embassy efforts to encourage a reconciliation of differences between the opposition and the ruling parties, and to discuss ways to improve the political process with the Ethiopian government. We encouraged the opposition parties to take their seats in the Ethiopian Parliament and use their positions as parliamentarians to press for continued political reform and a greater voice for the opposition.

The opposition's stance evolved after May 15, 2005. Their unexpected political gains inspired the confidence to insist on more political control of the process, and they pressed for a review of the 299 seats they lost to the EPRDF. The Administration has encouraged dialogue between the government and opposition parties to resolve the dispute. U.S. government officials have repeatedly stressed that responsible discussions would help enhance confidence and bring about a peaceful resolution. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), which did a notable job in pre-election efforts, was overwhelmed by post-election tasks. The NEBE clearly requires significant assistance, as it works to build capacity and forge a constructive dialogue between the parties.

Under the existing NEBE process, the Complaints Review Boards (CRB) received 380 complaints of election irregularities and identified 178 cases for the Complaints Investigations Panels (CIP) to investigate. It was unclear why some cases were rejected. The European Union report on the elections asserted that over 90% of the CUD complaints were rejected as opposed to only 30% for the ruling party. It seems clear that the CRB/CIP process did not prove an adequate means for a fair resolution of all electoral disputes.

According to the Carter Center, which monitored the election process along with the European Union, in one-third of the investigations they observed, witnesses appeared frightened or intimidated, and there was credible evidence of intimidation and harassment including beatings and briberies. It is clear that the CRB/CIP is an ad hoc mechanism to review electoral complaints, rather than a reliable process for resolving the Parliamentary seat dispute. The Carter Center recommended that in this instance, and until the NEBE gains the maturity to resolve political disagreements, the opposition refer these cases to the High Court for adjudication.

We commend the work of the Carter Center and note the important work that the European Union carried out under difficult conditions. On the overall assessment of the elections, we agree with the final report, which noted that the elections had credibility and that the majority of the constituency results based on the May 15 polling and tabulation are credible and reflect competitive conditions. Our own assessments support this view.

Despite our belief that elections results overall were generally credible, the United States was deeply concerned about the 31 seats that went to a re-vote on August 21. The ruling party won all 31 seats, even among constituencies where the opposition had won a significant majority during May 15 balloting. Election observers noted that voters were perplexed as to why there was a re-vote and noted a dearth of information and increased presence of security forces at polling stations. Of even greater concern was the violence that erupted on June 8 and November 1, 2005, that led to the arrests of thousands of people after the elections and the detention of 128 CUD and civil society leaders. We objected strongly to the violence and the detentions both publicly through several press statements and privately to the government and the opposition.

Of particular concern to the United States are the early-November arrests of much of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leadership, along with prominent members of civil society, journalists, editors, and publishers. After seven weeks in detention, the Ethiopian government charged 131 individuals with capital offenses of "outrages against the constitution and constitutional order," and, in several cases, "treason" and "attempted genocide." Charges were recently dropped against 18 of the defendants, including five American citizen staff members of Voice of America, who, with five others, were charged in absentia.

In addition to these leaders, Ethiopian authorities detained over 14,000 demonstrators, holding them for as much as nine weeks in detention camps far away from Addis Ababa. While public protests aimed at destabilizing the country are objectionable, there is no excuse for mass arrests and the use of lethal force against civilians who wish to express their opposition to their government.

GLIMMERS OF HOPE

The electoral process of May 15, 2005. was historic and considerably enhanced the democratic consciousness of the people of Ethiopia. It was a much-improved election over 2000, which had been a great improvement over the 1995 election. The United States is committed to ensuring that the 2010 elections build on the progress of the 2005 elections, in moving toward transparent elections, responsive government, and greater power sharing.

That said, the post-2005 election problems point to the need for capacity building and further reform. The Ethiopian government and opposition agree on that score. We are working to help both sides forge a common commitment to work collaboratively toward a shared goal of developing a more democratic political process. We recognize the need for capacity building to strengthen the electoral commission, foster international exchanges that broaden exposure to other political systems, enhance the open and transparent political process -- particularly with regard to Parliamentary procedures that ensure equal participation for opposition members, offer clear and detailed guidance regarding the electoral process, and encourage greater political debate and participation by members of the Ethiopian public.

Over the last year, we have encouraged the opposition parties to continue their political dialogue with the government about the necessity of reform. The Ethiopian citizens who have been detained without charge are of vital concern, and the Administration calls on the Government of Ethiopia to ensure a fair, transparent, and speedy trial for those charged, release of those who have not been charged, and protection of the human rights, health, and safety of all detainees while they remain in detention.

With the engagement of the EU and the Ethiopian government, the opposition and ruling parties have agreed to review parliamentary procedures, the capacity of the NEBE, media law, and the rule of law. The Ethiopian government has also agreed to reviews of domestic political institutions by outside experts from Germany, India, Great Britain, and Canada. The United States will review the media law, and we are working with the EU to encourage elected opposition officials to take their seats in Parliament, and many are. The United States has also engaged with the newly elected Addis Ababa City Counselors and NEBE to enable the opposition to take over City Hall.

We pressed the Ethiopian government to conduct an independent investigation of the violence and the arrests of thousands of civilians in 2005. The completed report from the commission appointed by Parliament is expected soon. We continue to urge the government to apply expeditiously and justly the procedures of the Ethiopian legal process to the cases of the remaining 111 detained CUD and civil society leaders. Resolution of the detention issue would fortify Ethiopia's developing democratic process.

The Administration is also working to ensure the return of the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and IFES, all of which were expelled before the May 15 election. These organizations can help with capacity building and political reform.

All of these actions have been undertaken in support of good governance and the primacy of democracy. We believe Ethiopia is heading in the right direction; in order to ensure positive momentum, the United States and the international community needs to work with Ethiopia to cultivate and nurture this process.

CONCLUSION

Ethiopia is currently at a crossroads; it can continue to move forward, or it can lapse into the sort of government that's best encountered in history books. It is incumbent upon Prime Minister Meles, his government, and the various elements of the multifaceted opposition to demonstrate to the world, but, more importantly, to Ethiopians, the sincerity of their professed commitment to democracy through their actions as well as their words. The United States has a role, as a partner and friend, to help Ethiopia's leaders to choose the right path to secure peace, stability, freedom, and democracy for the Ethiopian people.

Some interested groups, both within and beyond Ethiopian borders, seek to undermine what is best for the nation of Ethiopia, in favor of what they perceive to be the best for themselves. They cast stones at their adversaries, while engaging in the very acts they accuse their rivals of pursuing.

The challenge for the United States is to share with our Ethiopian partners -- the government, the opposition, civil society, and the broader public -- the lessons of America's own democratic experiment and impede the subversive effects of those who put their own objectives above those of the Ethiopian people. Through diplomatic persuasion, the United States has succeeded in bringing together the government and some opposition groups for dialogue to establish a more equitable political environment that includes respect for the rule of law. U.S. engagement has helped convince the vast majority of opposition Members of Parliament-elect to take their seats, so that they can challenge the political system from within to improve lasting institutions and make tomorrow better. The United States has supported efforts through which opposition members elected to the Addis Ababa city council sought to assume control of the capital city, in accordance with their electoral mandate.

The United States government remains hopeful that Ethiopia can achieve the democratic and development ideals that its people espouse. I am hopeful that Ethiopia's leaders will allow this to happen, and Ethiopia's friends in the United States stand by ready to help.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

March 28, 2006

EPRDF's Kuma Demekssa Barks Armed Force to Ensure The "Existing Democratic System in The Country"

Ethiopia: Defence Ministry Undertakes Activities Ensuring Democracy,Averting Threat of War



ENA
Addis Ababa

The Ministry of Defence said it has undertaken various activities in a bid to ensure the existing democratic system in the country and boost the capability of the armed forces in defending national sovereignty.

Presenting the six-month performance report to the Foreign, Defence, and Security Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Minister of Defence, Kuma Demekssa said yesterday the key activity of the ministry during the current year is to avert a threat of war as an option.

Hence, Kuma said, the ministry has carried out capacity building activities geared toward boosting the defence capability of the armed forces and the capacity of the executive body within the ministry.

Pointing out that safeguarding the Constitution is the major duty and responsibility of the defence force, Kuma said, lots of activities have been undertaken with a view to raising the awareness of the armed forces on the prevailing political situation and make them psychologically prepared in maintaining the constitutional order.

The ministry has been assisting members of the armed forces in improving their academic competence, he said.

Kuma said the armed forces have been playing their level best to efforts geared toward controlling anti- peace elements and terrorists and prohibiting them from undemocratic moves and terrorist acts in the country.

Reforming the ministry is one of the key activities of the ministry presently, the minister said, adding that various activities have been in progress to improve the institutional capacity of the ministry.

The ministry is committed more than ever before to ensure unimpeded development and democratic system in the country and strengthen achievements registered so far in the defence sector, he said.

The human resource administration and development system of the ministry has been executed to ensure transparency, participatory, and accountability within the ministry, he said.

Kuma said the ministry has designed a five-year strategic plan in a bid to enable the ministry contribute its level best in ensuring dependable democratic system and sustainable development in the country.

The minister and other senior officials in the ministry have provided detailed explanations on the activities of the ministry and answered questions raised by the members of the standing committee and the public.

Responding to a question related to the budget of the ministry, the minister said the budget has been declining over the last two years.

He also said a huge portion of the budget has been used for construction of health service institutions, defence-related facilities, and to the establishment of army services.

After thorough discussions, members of the standing committee appreciated the report and urged the ministry to intensify efforts in gender related issues, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, and environmental development sectors.

Source: Wayane's Ethiopian Herald www.ethpress.gov.et/Herald/articleDetail.asp?articleid=36973
Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict more than just a border
Posted Tue, 28 Mar 2006


Addis Ababa - The Ethiopia-Eritrea boundary dispute was not the only cause of the conflict that is keeping relations between the two neighbouring countries frosty for the last eight years, according to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Speaking on Tuesday in parliament, Meles, however, did not explain the other causes for the strained relations.

He said Ethiopia had made its position clear on the need to resolve all other sources of the conflict through dialogue in order to achieve sustainable peace.

In his opinion, the decision of the international Boundary Commission, that in part awarded the rocky Badme location to Eritrea, was flawed.

Because of the necessity to implement the decision in a manner that would ensure lasting peace, Meles said: "We have expressed our strong conviction on the need for dialogue for the implementation of the decision."

He praised various efforts by the international community to help resolve the dispute peacefully, singling out the initiative taken by the United States as exemplary and commendable.

"Following that initiative, the witnesses to the Algiers Agreement held a meeting and forwarded a proposal, which they believed would enable the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

"This proposal, among other things, recognises the need for dialogue to implement the decision," Meles pointed out.

Under the Algiers Agreement, signed in December 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia committed themselves to end hostilities after a two-year border war.

In line with the US-led process, the Boundary Commission recently convened a meeting in London with representatives of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

"Even though the meeting by itself can be mentioned as a positive step, it did not achieve a breakthrough," Meles stated.

He blamed the Eritrean government for frustrating this initiative by insisting on "the mechanical implementation of the decision without any dialogue."

Meles explained Eritrea's insistence as emanating "from its habitual rigidity and lack of readiness to show any flexibility."

Promising to maintain an open mind to proposals that would advance the peace process, Meles affirmed that Ethiopia would make the necessary effort to deter Eritrea from initiating armed conflict.

In the event that the other side resorted to armed conflict, Meles bluntly warned that Ethiopia would ensure a lasting resolution of the dispute. -panapress

EU moves closer to war torn Somalia


The EU strengthened relations with Somalia and stepped up aid for the troubled country on Tuesday.

European commission president José Manuel Barroso and development commissioner Louis Michel signed a memorandum of understanding with Somalia’s president Abdullahi Yusuf.

Addressing a press conference in Brussels, Michel assured Somalis that the EU had not forgotten their bloody domestic conflict.

“For 15 years Europe has been supporting Somali people. This memorandum sets out key principles which will govern our co-operation,” he explained.

It is hoped that Somalia’s recently instated transitional institutions will provide the EU with a partner for peace in the troubled region.

“The memorandum gives Somalia the political backing it needs and also recognises the transitional government as a partner,” a commission spokesman explained.

But despite the transitional government Somalia remains a volatile and dangerous place.

In recent weeks the lawless horn of Africa has experienced escalating violence - last week 90 people were killed in Mogadishu following clashes between rival militia.

The EU executive hopes its latest memorandum will mark an important milestone towards the country’s entry into the ACP-EU partnership agreement.

ACP-EU co-operation is based on a pact known as the Cotonou agreement, pact designed to tackle poverty through economic and trade partnerships and improved financial cooperation.

The commission has also mobilised a €200m for the Strategy for the Implementation of Special Aid Somalia (SISAS) and has allocated approximately €10m per year in humanitarian aid.

Next month Michel will present a €70m Somalia recovery programme to member states.

Source: www.eupolitix.com/EN/News

Ethiopia Needs a New Political Arrangement, Not a Leader

Tuesday 28 March 2006

By Apee Ojulu*

Mar 28, 2006 — In “Mother Ethiopia is Crying for a Leader,” Sudantribune.com/March 26, 2006 Biadeglegne Tesfaye articulates the need for a leader to lead Ethiopia. Unfortunately, his hope for the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) to produce that leader, replace the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) and deliver the country to a promised land is anything but a fanatic dream.

The political parties and leaders that created CUD intended only to restore past Amhare Empire in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL); All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP); United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin Party (UEDPMP) and Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Democracy and Social Justice (REMDSJ) all intend to restore Amharo Empire (See Reference 1). These four parties shared two common goals that were to take power and restore Amhare Empire. They anchored these ideas in the CUD to reconstitute an Amhara centralized Ethiopia through three specific political programs.

First, CUD leaders plan to amend Article 39 of the Ethiopian to reassert Amhare grip on power in the country. Article 39 grants citizens in each regional state of Ethiopia the exclusive rights to elect their own representatives to local assemblies and national parliament, the rights to govern their region, control their resources and teach their own languages in their respective schools in their regional states (see reference 2). CUD leaders detest Article 39 very much for precisely because it weaken Amhara control over other Ethiopians, by placing Amhara language and culture as secondary respectively in each regional state. Their leader, Hailu Shawils, the chairman of CUD, asserts in an interview with Robert Wiren, “We believe in the unity of Ethiopia and not in article 39” (see reference 3). Shawils intends to take away Article 39 and replace it with direct rule. Direct rule CUD intends to recreate means an Amhara from far north of Ethiopia who never had any contact with, say, Binshangul Gumuz region would be appointed to govern Binshangul Gumuz and this Amhara would expect the local population to follow his policies without resistance like predecessor governors Menlike, Haile-Selassie, and Mengistu Haile Mariam sent that led only to domination of non-Amhara and non-Tigrean ethnic groups.

Second, CUD leaders plan to prevent Ethiopians from converting to Islam, and discriminate against those Ethiopians who are already Muslims. CUD key leaders have described growing conversion among some Ethiopian communities to Islam as a threat to the Ethiopia Orthodox Christian character, and repeatedly they say they would never tolerate a new religions taking over Ethiopia. Many Ethiopians, mainly Oromos and other oppressed ethnic groups, these CUD are talking about converted to Islam as a way out from the domination of Amhare and their cousins, Tigeres. By embracing on an attempt to prevent Ethiopians from converting to their own religions of their choice, the CUD stands ready to discriminate against Ethiopians who are now Muslims, either directly or indirectly through policy choices.

Last, CUD leaders plan to reopen the issue of the Eritrean port, Assab, meaning they still question the independence of Eritrea. CUD leaders remain adamantly opposed to the idea that Eritrea took its port of Assab and willing to recover the port by whatever mean necessary. Yet CUD leaders’ intention to do whatever necessary to recovery Assab is an imperialism venture, and brings only a destructive war which definitely marginalized ethnic groups in Ethiopia would shoulder as is often the case in hours of need, by being forcefully sent to front lines as were the case during the Ogeda war with Somalia, Eritrea war of independent and past wars.

In addition to three programs CUD leaders plan to implement, Amhare region, CUD’s political base, sent Emperors Menelik, Emperor Selassise and Colonel Mengistu Halie Mariam in the past to rule the country and they, in turn, built an Amhare Empire over other nationalities. These leaders implemented policies that were “characterized by hierarchic social stratification and authoritarian tradition,” as Abiyu Geleta rightly observed (See Reference 4). These Amahro social stratified the entire society where the Amhare was the rulers and other ethnic groups that made up the majority the ruled population. Each Amhare leader brutally extended these systems of internal imperialism over nationalities within the country to centralize the state in the Amhar-centric state. Emperor Menelik and his predecessor, Emperor Selassie tried to “Amharaziation” the entire population to erase the national question in the minds of many nationals within the Empire. Each of these leaders, Mariam and Selassie, used different strategies to implement this domination over other nationalities but they tried, as Edmond Keller observes, to erase “national question.” Mariam, at least publicly, adopted a “scientific socialism” approach as way to solve this pressing national question (See Reference 5).

All in all, each of these regimes, though different in characters, tried to build an Amhara-centric Ethiopia state. Amhare revisionist intellectuals like Tesfay and their intellectual allies elsewhere paint a different picture about these leaders then their actual pictures. These revisionist intellectuals made two arguments. Some argue that Menelik, Salessie and Mengistus did their best most for the country during their times, and other argue that they were dictators that their rules did not benefit Amhare region or people. The tendency toward separation among nationalities within the country or instability is the fault of Meles Zenawi and his TPLF. These revisionist intellectuals are arguing tendency toward separation in the country lies on the leadership of Meles Zenawi and his advisors in the TPLF, because they have dissolved power to the regions that are not now able to exercise it effectively, but to destroy the unity of the country with.

It is true that Meles and his advisers in TPLF have committed a lot of crimes against all nations in Ethiopia. Thus no doubt that Zenawi has done his part to increase the tension in the country. He had authorized his military forces to commit genocide/ massacres in Gambella, Sidama, Ogeada, Beni Shaugi, and Oromia. In final analysis, however, he is not totally responsible for division to the level that Amhare revisionist intellectuals claim he is- that Meles is the only person responsible. Amharo past rulers were the ones implanted ills in the country by building a hegemonic political structure that privileged Amhare in culture, politics, economic and social the past Amhare rulers created that now CUD intend to replicate.

In sum, CUD is not more a democratic political party compared to the current Meles Zenwai’s regime. In fact, CUD is more extreme than the Zenwai’s regime is and, if is to take power, its policies would more extreme policies than Zenwai’s. Thus, for the sake of economic development and peace for all nations inside Ethiopia, each nation in the country should be allowed to choose either separation or create some union with other nations within the country and outside. The current Ethiopia state is a mess and we should not continue to pretend like CUD and other unionists continue to do that the mess in Ethiopia right now can be cleared up and reformed. Ethiopia has existed for over two thousand years of Ethiopia state and the current mess existed through out these years.

* Apee Ojulu is a citizen of the greater East Africa area and is the Editor of www.gambelatoday.com, a website which is devoted to publishing news and commentaries on issues concerning Gambella state, Ethiopia and Sudan. He can be reached at api@gambelatoday.com

TPLF's Zenawi Accuses Eritrea for Unrest and Vows Soldiers Would Guard Against Any Attack

Eritrea trying to destabilise Ethiopia - Meles
Tue Mar 28, 2006 164


By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's prime minister on Tuesday accused rival Eritrea of backing insurgents to destabilise his country and vowed that soldiers would guard against any attack over their disputed border.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Eritrea was aiding ex-soldiers from the Derg military dictatorship he toppled as a guerrilla leader in 1991, rebels from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and others to create havoc.

"The wish of the Eritrean government is to see a divided or at least much-weakened Ethiopia. To achieve this goal, it is coordinating and mobilizing remnants of the Derg regime, the OLF and the like," Meles said in a speech to parliament.

The two Horn of Africa neighbours fought a 1998-2000 war that killed 70,000 people over their 1,000 km (620 mile) border, where there have been fears of renewed combat in the past year.

Ethiopia has blamed various dissidents for a series of blasts in the capital Addis Ababa since January. The first fatal attack came on Monday as five separate explosions killed one and injured at least 14.

Eritrea denied the accusations.

"This is the philosophy of somebody with an inferiority complex who really believes his existence will depend on the weakness of others in the neighbourhood," Information Minister Ali Abdu told Reuters. "We believe in a safe neighbourhood."

Meles warned that Ethiopia would keep its forces on guard "to deter the government of Eritrea from initiating armed conflict and to ensure a lasting resolution of the dispute".

Tensions have risen in the past year as Eritrea has grown angrier that a 2002 independent ruling awarding it disputed areas has not been carried out.

Although both sides agreed to abide by the boundary panel's decision as part of a peace deal, Ethiopia later balked and insisted on further talks, a condition Eritrea refuses.

Meles said Eritrea's attitude had kept talks to break the impasse, held in London on March 10-11, from succeeding.

"Progress that could have been made through this initiative has been frustrated due to insistence of the Eritrean government on the mechanical implementation of the decision without any dialogue," Meles said.

Abdu, the Eritrean information minister, said no matter what Ethiopia said or wanted, "the border will be fully demarcated according to the ruling".

The United Nations, which has a peacekeeping mission monitoring the border, had said the talks had made progress on marking the frontier.



© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
From Fairport to Kenya: A new life and a new world

On that day, Cala, his wife, Joanne, a former school counselor, and Jim Nowak, a retired Fairport social studies teacher, spoke a few words to more than 500 students at Mbaka Oromo Primary School, near the Kenyan village of Maseno.

(March 28, 2006) — Last Oct. 26 was the day that changed his life forever, says William Cala, the superintendent of Fairport schools, but not for long.

"I did my little four-sentence speech in Swahili," Cala says, "and we taught them a song. Then the principal brought two orphans forward. Each told the story of his life. They ripped my heart out. Their lives have been ravaged by poverty. Their parents have died with AIDS, and they both asked, 'Why me?'"

No one, he says, could have that experience and then go back to life as usual.

So after a decade as superintendent, and 36 years in education, Cala will retire at the end of the school year and devote himself to giving the children of Mbaka Oromo the tools they'll need to overcome poverty.

At Rochester's School Without Walls last week, Cala told his story. "There are 514 students at Mbaka Oromo," he explained, "and 180 of them are orphans. A whole generation has been lost to AIDS." There is poverty here, he agreed, but "it's nothing compared to Kenya."

He showed the students pictures of the children with no shoes, ragged clothing, and barely a thing to eat. He showed them a picture of a first-grade girl writing with a pencil stub no longer than her thumb. She had learned to split it apart, push a little lead through the open end and bind it up again.

The school buildings are made from mud, with tin roofs and cow manure floors. Periodically, he explained, students are told to bring buckets of manure, which is watered down and spread to make a new floor. In hours, Cala, said, "it dries rock hard." The Rochester students groaned.

"Joining Hearts and Hands" is the organization the Calas and Nowak have started to raise money for the children. They've already raised enough money to build a couple of school buildings and provide 11 scholarships for high school kids.

"The government only pays for school up to eighth grade," he says. But $400 will cover tuition for one student for a year. "They have to have a high school education or they're dead," he says.

So they'll raise some money and take it back to Kenya. They've already learned that you can't just send money or supplies because there's no guarantee it will arrive. They'll visit regularly, hire contractors and oversee the construction of additional classrooms, bathrooms, a library and a kitchen. They'll foster intercultural relationships between Maseno and Rochester.

"We're not going to branch out," Cala says. "We'll stay with this school and this village until we've done all we can." Eventually, he says, they want to build a community center with some medical facilities.

When people die of AIDS, Joanne Cala says, "there is a belief that you cannot touch even the coffin without getting the virus."

They have so little, she says. "And yet, there's joy on their faces and they thank God for what they have."

Serving them, William Cala says, sure beats "buying things to make myself happy."


Source: www.democratandchronicle.com

March 27, 2006

Fincila diddaa gabrummaa

Fincila diddaa gabrummaa

Bitoteessa 26, 2006 (Oromiyaa) - Godina Shashamanee anaa Sirarooti waldhabii umataafi ergamituu wayanee jiduti dhalateen namooni 4 ool ta'an du'aani heduun issani madaayani jeti oduun guyaa 23/3/2006 nagayee. Kaneen kessa barataa tokoofi jarsaa tokoo bakumaa saniti ajeesan. Baratootiin nanoo Siraroo alaabaa Itiopiatif kan OPDO buusani kan ABO waan fannisanif woldhabisiin kun kadhalateefi, jedha oduun kun. Maqaa namoota du'aanni aakka naafi eargan dhaameraa.

Magaalaa harar keessatti ganda sangaa barrii ja'amutti barattoonni oromoo gaafa 22/03/06 hanga 24/03/06 alaabaa mootummaa wayyaanee buusuun tan ABO fannifachuun faafachaa jalatti boqachaa turan, sababa kanaan waraanni wayyaanee kan itti bobbahe barattoonni fi ummanni naannoo sunii gamtaan dhagaan ufirraa akka deebisan barame.

Naannoo hara maayaatti ummataa fii barattoota hidhuun itti fufeeti jira. akka kanaan ida halkan keessa barattootaa fi ummata oromoo kan naannoo sunii gara mana hidhaa hararitti akka guuraa turan barame. kanneen qaban keessaa kan maqaa arganne: barataa Tamasgan uneversitii haramaayaa keessaa fuudhan.

Warra hidhaman keessaa barattoota 8 odoo madoo waldhaansa malee mana hidhaatti dabarsanii achi keessatti akka dararamaa jiran gabaafame. warri silaa haakima geeffamees qoricha malee mana haakimaa jogol ja'amu keessa akkanumatti akka ciisaa jiran gabaafame, Harargee guututti halkan kaleessaatii jalqabee ibsaan hin jiru.

Source: www.oromoliberationfront.org

Explosion on bus in Addis kills one, injures three

Explosion on bus in Addis kills one, injures three
27 Mar 2006
Source: Reuters
(Adds background, byline) By Tsegaye Tadesse ADDIS ABABA, March 27 (Reuters) - A blast on a minibus killed one person and injured three in Addis Ababa on Monday, the first fatality in a string of mysterious explosions in the Ethiopian capital. A second blast occurred outside the gate of an abattoir in the city but no one was hurt, police said. A Reuters reporter at the scene of the bus explosion in southern Addis Ababa said the rear of the 11-seat vehicle was torn apart by the blast. The bus owner, Berhanu Gebremichael, told Reuters: "One person was killed in the explosion. Three others were injured slightly and they are in hospital for treatment". It was the first death in a wave of attacks that began in January with minor blasts targeting public buildings and hotels. Although grenade attacks to settle scores are relatively common in Ethiopia, the unexplained blasts have increased political tension in Addis, which was shaken by two bouts of unrest in the wake of disputed parliamentary elections last May. At least 80 people were killed in clashes between police and opposition demonstrators in June and November. On March 7 this year, three separate explosions injured at least four people at a restaurant, a market and outside a school. Ethiopia's government said the plastic explosives used in those blasts were smuggled from neighbouring Eritrea and used by what it called Eritrean-backed "terrorists". Eritrea, which has been locked in a dispute with Ethiopia over their border since a 1998-2000 war that killed 70,000 people, ridiculed the charges. The Ethiopian government has regularly blamed explosions in the past on Oromo Liberation Forces rebels, fighting for the independence of the southern Oromo region since 1993.


March 26, 2006

Nuer UNCONA rejects call for autonomy from South Sudan government

Nuer UNCONA rejects call for autonomy from South Sudan government


Union of Nuer Community in North America (UNCONA)

Press Release

Nuer Community Calls For Dismissal of Prof. Dechand

March, 25, 2006 — The Nuer community in North America is deeply disturbed by Professor Dechand’s press release issued on March, 24, 2006. The call made by South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA) to declare autonomy from South Sudan is irrational and irresponsible.

UNCONA is troubled by SSUDA’s call that SSDF under Gen. Gordon Koang should declare areas under its control separate from the GoSS established in Juba. It defies all forms of logic that Professor David Chand can declare areas under SSDF autonomous without knowledge of Gen. Gordon Koang. SSDF is an army allied to Government of National Unity (GoNU). SSUDA is not a political wing of SSDF nor is it a registered party in Sudan. Moreover, Gordon Koang denied any connection with Professor David Dechand’s SSUDA when contacted by the Supreme Council of UNCONA. What Gordon Koang said is that the press release of SSUDA has nothing to do with him.

The Supreme Council of Nuer community totally rejects the call for autonomy of certain areas of the South from the GoSS. It does not auger well with logic that South Sudan can declare autonomy from the same South Sudan. Besides, it is violation of the unity of South Sudan territory. It is a call that even South Sudan chiefs in the village would consider it as the joke of the 21st C. The people of South Sudan have been fighting for independence of the South as defined by the British colonial power before the independence of Sudan. The territory call South Sudan is defined in the Khartoum Peace Agreement that was thrown to garbage bin by President Omar Bashir. Anybody calling for the autonomy of some areas of the South is violating the deceased Khartoum Peace Agreement.

We would like to inform Professor David Chand that the grandfather of Gordon Koang chol, the leader of the SSDF, was one of the chiefs who fought British colonial power for thirty years to defend the territorial integrity of South Sudan. Moreover, Gordon Koang was a corporal in Anya-Nya I to fight for the total liberation of the South. It is a moral insult to Gordon Koang to be associated with SSUDA which is calling for disunity of South Sudan territory.

We call on the chairman of SSUDA, commander Biel Torkech Rambang, to fire professor David Dechand as soon as possible. SSUDA needs to emulate other South Sudan parties which are opposing SPLM party within the Government of South Sudan Unity (GoSSU). The GoSSU (also known as GoSS) is a coalition of six parties: SPLM, South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF), SANU, NCP, USAP I and USAP II. It is advisable for SSUDA to join forces with other South Sudan opposition parties to work hard for the coming election in 2008/2009. SPLM party shall be defeated in the election, not through violent that would claim lives of innocent Southerners.

Professor David Dechand needs to know that establishing a democratic South Sudan needs the participation of all parties including the SPLM. UNCONA condemned late Dr. Garang in the past because he didn’t want the participation of other political parties in the government. If David Dechand has become another John Garang calling for exclusion of the SPLM party from South Sudan politics, then it is safe to conclude that he a dictator masquerading as a democrat.

The people of South Sudan are responsible to unseat SPLM from power during election. Any call for military confrontation between South Sudan armies is counter productive to the enemy of the South. If professor Dechand wants to replace Salva Kiir as the leader of the South, he has to persuade the people of the South through democratic means rather than calling for bloodshed. To dethrone Kiir, David Dechand needs to relinquish his teaching position in the US University and participate in Sudan politics practically.

UNCONA is calling for all its members to disassociate themselves from SSUDA and support parties which oppose SPLM within the GoSSU such as USAP, SANU and South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF). SSUDA is behaving like a party without a democratic vision for the South.

We call on Gordon Koang to start negotiating with Salva Kiir to unite all South Sudan forces in support of Juba Declaration signed on January, 8, 2006. Khartoum Peace Agreement is dead. It was killed by Omar Bashir because it contained the right to self-determination. If CPA is a copy of Khartoum Peace Agreement as professor Dechand alluded to, there is no need for SSDF under Gen. Koang not to support it. Omar Bashir discarded the original signed on April, 21, 1997. It is responsibility of Gordon Koang to protect the CPA, which is the copy of KPA because it is the only copy left for Southerners to exercise the right to self-determination. It is irrational for professor Dechand to support the original (that is the KPA) and reject the copy (that is the CPA).

We call on professor Dechand to sue President Omar Bashir for the violation of Khartoum Peace Agreement. There is a Constitutional Court set up in Sudan that can hear such an argument. The problem is that he needs SPLM leaders like Riek Machar and Lam Akol as witnesses; otherwise, his case would be unsuccessful. It was Riek Machar and Lam Akol who signed Khartoum and Fashoda Peace Agreements. They already testified that the National Congress Party killed all the agreements signed in 1997. The people who signed the CPA are the ones who also signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement.

The SSUDA must dismiss Professor David Dechand without conditions. The Nuer community calls on all members of the SSUDA to jettison unwanted element like Dechand who is now discrediting legitimate opposition against corrupt SPLM party.

- John Gatluak Kam, President of UNCONA
- Email: johngatluakkam@hotmail.com

Source: Sudan Tribune


Scientists Find Skull of Human Ancestor

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Scientists in northeastern Ethiopia said Saturday that they have discovered the skull of a small human ancestor that could be a missing link between the extinct Homo erectus and modern man.

(AP Photo/Stone Age Institute, Sileshi Semaw, HO) MANDATORY CREDITIn this photo released by the Stone Age Institute, Gona Project member Ashmed Humet, holds the newly discovered skull of a small human ancestor on Feb. 16, 2006 in Gona, Ethiopia. Scientists in northeastern Ethiopia said Saturday March 25, 2006 that they have discovered the skull of a small human ancestor that could be a missing link between the extinct Homo erectus and modern man. The hominid cranium, found in two pieces and believed to be between 500,000 and 250,000 years old, "comes from a very significant period and is very close to the appearance of the anatomically modern human," said Sileshi Semaw, director of the Gona Paleoanthropological Research Project in Ethiopia.
The hominid cranium - found in two pieces and believed to be between 500,000 and 250,000 years old - "comes from a very significant period and is very close to the appearance of the anatomically modern human," said Sileshi Semaw, director of the Gona Paleoanthropological Research Project in Ethiopia.
Archaeologists found the early human cranium five weeks ago at Gawis in Ethiopia's northeastern Afar region, Sileshi said.
Several stone tools and fossilized animals including two types of pigs, zebras, elephants, antelopes, cats, and rodents were also found at the site.
Sileshi, an Ethiopian paleoanthropologist based at Indiana University, said most fossil hominids are found in pieces but the near-complete skull - a rare find - provided a wealth of information.
"The Gawis cranium provides us with the opportunity to look at the face of one of our ancestors," the archaeology project said in a statement.
Homo erectus, which many believe was an ancestor of modern Homo sapiens, is thought to have died out 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.
The cranium dates to a time about which little is known - the transition from African Homo erectus to modern humans. The fossil record from Africa for this period is sparse and most of the specimens poorly dated, project archaeologists said.
The face and cranium of the fossil are recognizably different from those of modern humans, but bear unmistakable anatomical evidence that it belongs to the modern human's ancestry, Sileshi said.
"A good fossil provides anatomical evidence that allows us to refine our understanding of evolution. A great fossil forces us to re-examine our views of human origins. I believe the Gawis cranium is a great fossil," said Scott Simpson, a project paleontologist from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine at Cleveland, Ohio.
Scientists conducting surveys in the Gawis River drainage basin found the skull in a small gully, the project statement said.
"This is really exciting because it joins a limited number of fossils which appear to be evolutionary between Homo erectus and our own species Homo sapiens," said Eric Delson, a paleoanthropologist at Lehman College of the City University of New York, who was not involved in the discovery but has followed the project.
Homo erectus left Africa about 2 million years ago and spread across Asia from Georgia in the Caucasus to China and Indonesia. It first appeared in Africa between 1 million and 2 million years ago.
Between 1 million and perhaps 200,000 years ago, one or more species existed in Africa that gave rise to the earliest members of our own species Homo sapiens - between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago.
Delson said the fossil found in Ethiopia "might represent a population broadly ancestral to modern humans or it might prove to be one of several side branches which died out without living descendants."
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