News Items
Dawit Yohannes
Nile Basin consultative group established
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - A Nile Basin consultative group charged with the task
of working closely with the riparian countries for the fair distribution of
the water and also building Ethiopia's capacity in utilizing her water
resources for development activities was formed.
In a statement issued at the end of a two-day consultative meeting on Nile
Basin Initiatives and water sector development strategies here yesterday,
participants called for the active participation of all stakeholders in the
effective utilization of the sector.
The daunting task of the Nile Basin development initiatives should not be
left to the government alone, they said.
Senior officials from the Ministry of water Resources, higher learning
institutions and the private sector who attended the meeting said the
recent initiatives taken to openly discuss the water resources development
strategy and the inclusion of intellectuals in the sector would contribute
to the overall development of the nation.
Yaekob Arsano, a researcher in the water sector and a lecturer at the Addis
Ababa University, commended the decision to establish the consultative
group and called for the creation of an enabling environment to participate
Ethiopians in the diaspora.
Ministry of Water Resources, Shiferaw Jarso said on the occasion that the
formation of the consultative group would help narrow the capacity
differences that exist among the Nile Basin countries in using the
resources equitably.
The Ethiopian Government would positively respond to the proposals
forwarded by the participants, he said, adding it would also encourage the
involvement of Ethiopians living abroad.
Participants from the private sector stressed the need to attach due
attention to irrigation development and land use management schemes in the
water resources development endeavours.
The agreements reached between Ethiopia and the riparian states as well as
the Nile Basin joint cooperation project should be implemented, they said,
adding the establishment of a legal institution that could deal with the
sector would be instrumental in realizing and safeguarding the national
interest.
Administration braces to effect conference resolution
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) - The metropolitan administration says it would soon
launch activities to effect the resolution adopted by the recent conference
that deliberated on the lease policy.
The administration told ENA that effecting conference resolution would
start before the six-month transition period set by the conference.
The administration said it has attached due significance to auction open
spaces at the city centre in line with the master plan.
The office also said it would strive to deal with bureaucratic bottlenecks
that hinder the provision of transparent and efficient services.
The administration meanwhile said it organized a forum yesterday to discuss
ways of settling complaints voiced by residents against disturbances from
business establishments.
Attending the conference were legal professionals, representatives of the
administration executive as well as investors, it was learnt.
87 Ethiopian civilians repatriated from Eritrea
Addis Ababa (ENA) - Some 87 persons of Ethiopian origin left Eritrea for
Ethiopia on Friday under the auspices of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC).
According to an ICRC press release, the Ethiopians, primarily from Asmara
and its surrounding areas, were transferred under the supervision of the
committees delegates based in Eritrea to the border between the towns of
Adi Quala and Rama.
A team of ICRC delegates based in Ethiopia awaited them at the crossing
point, the Mereb River and provided them with the necessary assistance, it
said.
Jimma town upgraded to special zone status
Jimma (ENA) - The Jimma town Administration in the Oromia State has been
restructured as a special zone in accordance with the state's new
initiative of urban development strategy.
Zonal council administrator, Bogale Negash told ENA on Friday that the
restructure came following a study conducted last year with a view to
expediting the town's socio-economic development.
He said the town's size of population and socio-economic as well as its
infrastructure development and location have been taken into account for
upgrading the town to a special zone level.
The new restructure would create enabling situations to the promotion of
business and investment activities in the special zone, Bogale said.
According to the administrator, Jimma Special Zone would be directly
accountable to the Oromia State Council.
Editorial
The remedy
It is no exaggeration to say that of the few most controversial issues that
have been surfacing and resurfacing of late, in fact, in the last couple of
years, one was the land lease policy and its implementation. For policy
makers, if ever there was a problem with it, it had noting to do with the
policy itself. Nor was there a problem with its objectives. As had been
indicated on various occasions in the past, the policy's objective was what
may be called of promoting investment and collecting substantial revenue
from leasing for urban development ventures. Therefore, the problems had
rather been one of implementation.
On the contrary, for many others, the problem had been with the entire
policy. Wherever the problems might have been, one thing had however been
clear and shared in common. The fact that the lease policy had been less
capable of bringing about the desired result. That is, for the government
it brought a far less revenue than at first expected and for investors the
desire to get plots of land in the shortest time possible so as to go to
business directly was a little short of an Achilles hill.
In order to avail against such problems, something must have been done on
the part of all concerned. As has already become a tradition on the part
of the government, it had to be started with a conference and this time
with a national conference at the Sheraton Hotel where all the stakeholders
took part on a draft document prepared by the relevant body that deals
with whether the lease policy as such was compatible with free market
economy, all the problems encountered both by the leaser and investors in
the past in implementing it and the possible remedies to the problems.
What had come out, as the result of the three-day heated and open
discussions was what may be said a common understanding between and among
the stakeholders on the problems and recommendations of the said policy and
its implementation. to be precise, what has been shared in common were
that the lease policy as such has never been incompatible with free market
economy as several of the developed nations are also making the best of it,
but has had a lot of shortcomings in its implementation. So much so, it
was felt that it was not fully able to serve its purpose both as a source
of revenue for the government and of promoting investment at the desired pace.
What is no less worth nothing in the outcome of the conference than the
above is that the possible remedies sought for the said problems were also
multifaceted. They ranged from slashing a significant amount of advance
payment and duties--to creating a favourable condition for swift and fair
auctioning, from introducing impressive incentives to the need for
reorganizing government organs so that those investors, who seek plots of
land, could have them at a single go.
The concern on the part of some stakeholders is however, when it comes to
the actual work. In other words, whether the bureaucracy or simply the
civil service particularly that which is directly related to the issue will
be in a position to perform such a task without any bottlenecks. Such a
concern is indeed understandable. If nothing else, there is at least one
basic misconception on the part of some civil servants that supports such a
concern. That is the way the role of a civil servant is perceived by many
of the civil servants. As the Minister of the Ministry of Capacity
Building, Ato Tefera Waliwa put it in his recent report to the House of
Peoples' Representatives, many of the civil servants in this country do not
think that they are indeed servants of the public as it is from the latter
who are the tax payers that the government pays their salaries. They
rather think, so he said, that they are the masters to be served.
Yet, given the ever growing demonstration of the government to bring about
a radical change to the civil service in terms of enabling it to play its
role in expediting the over all development of the country, such concerns
will only be transient. Not without reason nonetheless. The
implementation of the Civil Service Reform Programme, which is being
implemented and is to fully see the day's light in the foreseeable future
is indeed coming up to act as an antidote to such a concern. This is on
top of the specific remedies recommended in the implementation of the lease
policy.
Dawit Yohannes
Nat'l famine early warning system training workshop kicks off
By Alemayehu Taye
ADDIS ABABA - Vice Minister of Water Resources Mesfin Tegene said a well
established network providing information to avert catastrophic flood
damages both in human and livestock populations residing in the flood risk
zones of the country is quite indispensable.
The Vice Minister noted that since flooding leaves several hundreds of
people dead, homeless and creates considerable havoc to infrastructure and
agricultural lands, an early contemplation and intervention to curbing the
problem is a necessity. He also underlined the need for joint efforts in
developing and applying early warning systems related to flooding and
problems associated with it.
Opening a five-day national training workshop "Famine Early Warning System
(FEWS) Flood Risk Monitoring and Crop Water Balance Models" yesterday, he
further said that an early contemplation of flooding events needs indepth
study and research of the phenomena by delineating flood risk zones and
thereby develop appropriate early warning system.
Finally, he said that such technical workshop is of paramount importance in
enhancing the skills and professional capabilities of technical personnel
engaged in the sphere of water resource development.
According to a press release made available on the occasion, the major
objective of the workshop would be introducing the FEWS hydrological stream
flow model and training professionals on the use of the model. Besides,
operational products of crop water-balance model would be introduced to the
participants. Awash basin, which is believed to be affected by frequent
flooding, will be considered for the calibrating and validation of model.
At the workhsop which is the first of its kind in Africa, background
opapers on Ethiopia related to flood risk monitoring and impact assessment
will be preented by local professionals in the field.
About 35 professionals drawn from state mines, water and energy bureaux,
Ministry of Water Resources, Jimma, Bahir Dar and Makalle universities,
Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, National Meteorological Services
Agency, Disaster Prevention and preparedness Commission, Water Works Design
and supervision Enterprise, the Awash Basin Water Resources Administration
agency and other pertinent bodies are in attendance at the workshop.
The training workshop was under way on the premises of Technology Faculty
of the AAU organized by the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission
(ESTC) in collaboration with the Civil Engineering department of the AAU
and the United Stated Geological Survey Famine Early Warning System Network.
Plight of Ethiopian maids in Arab countries said easing
ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- The plight of Ethiopian women employed as maid in
various Arab countries has been lessened following the utmost efforts
exerted by the government, an official with the Ministry of Labour and
Social Affairs said.
Ministry Work Permit Team Leader, Tewolde Hagos, told ENA that the Ministry
together with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Information and Justice as
well as the police and the Immigration Authority has made unstinting
efforts to alleviate the ordeals of Ethiopian maids in the Middle East
countries.
As a result, Tewolde said, the various injustices committed against
Ethiopians including rape, beatings, salary prohibition and false
accusations have been significantly addressed though not fully
controlled. The team leader said the Ethiopian government has opened a
permanent consulate in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and established a
strong employer and employee agency to mitigate the problems of Ethiopian
maids in that city.
He said the Ministry has licensed three employer and employee agencies over
the last one and half year alone.
More than 4,000 Ethiopian girls have gone to various Arab countries in the
reported period through the help of the agencies, the team leader
said. Efforts were also under way to set up similar agencies in other Arab
countries, according to Tewolde.
The Ministry has also adopted laws and regulations to control brokers
acting illegally, Tewolde said the called upon the public at large to
prevent the illegal activities of such brokers and bring them to court of law.
The Week in Brief
Meles' Sudanese visit
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid an official visit to the Sudan beginning
at the invitation of President Oumar Hassen Al-Bashir.
The Prime Minister has also attended the two-day 9th summit of heads of
state and government of the intergovernmental authority on Development
(IGAD) held in Khartoum beginning Thursday (January 10).
He has also visited Port Sudan and various development institutions in the
surrounding localities.
During the discussion with the business community and scholars Wednesday
(January 9), Meles said that the Ethiopian government was exerting utmost
efforts to enhance democracy, good governance as well as the respect of
human rights in the country.
Meanwhile, the 9th IGAD summit called upon Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to
coordinate their efforts for national reconciliation in Somalia.
A resolution adopted at the conclusion of the two-day summit Friday
(January 11) says IGAD Current Chairman Sudanese President Omar Hassen
Al-Bashir, would supervise the three countries' reconciliation efforts in
Somalia.
The summit called on the Transition National Government (TNG) of Somalia
and other parties to commit themselves to combat terrorism in all its forms.
The summit also urged the Sudanese government and rebel groups to move
expeditiously towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Successful visit
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jianxuan said Saturday (January 12) that the
three-day visit he paid to Ethiopia was very successful.
"I am very happy I paid this successful visist to Ethiopia," the minister
todl jouranlists on his departure from Bole International Airport.
The chinese Foreign Minister has earlier met and held toalks with President
Girma Wolda-Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
President Girma said on the occasion that the existing relations between
Ethiopia and China have been built on a firm mutual cooperation and it has
been showing a marked progress over the past few years. The President said
Ethiopia would like to get Chinese assistance in its fight against poverty.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, on his part, told the Chinese Foreign Minister
that the two countries should further bolster their relations especially in
the areas of trade, investment and health.
Meles said Ethiopia was ready to draw lessons from the rich experience of
China in the health sector, according to the officials.
Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, who has seen off Tang Jianxuan also, said
the minister's visit was an extreme success, adding, "it has given us the
opportunity to exchange views on a number of issues of mutual interest and
concern."
Commission files charge
The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption commission has filed charges against
businesspersons and officials of the commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) for
borrowing over 1 billion birr in breach of bank regulations and permitting
the loan respectively.
According to the charge file presented to the First Criminal Bench of the
Federal High Court Tuesday (January 8), 13 businesspersons, CBE president
Tilahun Abay and 41 other bank officials have been indicated on charges of
permitting the illegal loan.
The prosecutor of the commission told the court that officials of the bank
have facilitated ways for the businesspersons to borrow over one billion
birr illegally from different branches of the bank.
'Unconstructive, damaging comments'
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has totally rejected the recent
comments by the Italian Deputy Minister for Cultural heritage Vitorio
Sgarbi concerning the restitution of the Axum obelisk as unconstructive and
damaging.
The Deputy Minister is reported to have told the Italian News Agency, ANSA,
on 29 December 2001 that "he is ready to resign if the obelisk is going to
be restituted and Italy cannot give its consent for a monument well kept
and restored to be taken to a war zone and leave it there with the risk of
having it destroyed."
In a statement issued Tuesday (January 8), the Ministry said that the
patience of the Ethiopian people, which has endured for the last 55 years,
is being tested to the limit and it was wearing thin. "The time has come
for Italy to come out clear on its intentions, whether Ethiopia is going to
get its obelisk back or not. T least, this will indicate where everybody
stands," the state said.
The Ministry also called upon the Italian government to respect its
obligation in restitution of the Axum Obelsik without further delay back to
its rightful owned.
=================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.15,2002
=============
Dawit Yohannes
Forum calls for more comprehensive visa guidelines
By Getachew Shiferaw
ADDIS ABABA Head of the Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main
Department (MDINA) with the Security, Immigration and Refugees Affairs
authority, Ato Wolde-Mariam Wako, says that the flow of tourists in
Ethiopia has been hampered, among others, by outdated rules and regulations
and lack of coordination between sector offices.
Speaking here yesterday at a forum called to promote the newly improved
visa guideline, he said that though the country is endowed with diverse
flora and fauna its earning from the sector is negligible. “This is
because visa regulations that were enacted in the 1961 E.C. were not
progressive. I think, we better realize the ever changing world situation
and synchronize ourselves with the pace of globalization,” he noted.
Having thoroughly analyzed the strength and shortcomings of the hitherto
visa regulation, MDINA has now come up with a new guideline for effective
and smooth administration of tourists and travelers to the country, he
said, and went on to state that the government has been doing its level
best, particularly after the recent renewal process, to reform its systems
and approaches of treating foreign nationals coming to the country. We are
issuing a new visa guideline as of January 2002 for expatriates so that
they could move freely and fast into the country. We don’t want to see
Ethiopia lose all what it could gain from the sector by simply maintaining
the old hard and fast rule, he said, adding that the future of immigration
and nationality issues in the country are bright.
This breakthrough should not be an end by itself, says Dr. Tewodros
Atlabachew, Plan and Development Department head with the Ethiopian Tourism
Commission. They need to be rather revised and updated further through
discussions, according to him. Conditions whereby credit cards, checks and
convertible currencies could be used in transaction have to be facilitated,
he said, and went on to state that more and more reforms, however, need to
be taken to keep the quality of our services and reverse the existing
situation.
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea
Republic, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and US are the 33 counties identified as tourist
potential at the moment. Citizens and permanent residents of these
countries are said to get visa upon arrival at Bole International Airport.
For Ato Girma Balcha, a representative of the Department, there has been
lot of commitments and goodwill on the part of the government to put in
place a better visa guideline. The main objective of the guideline,
according to him, is facilitating conditions whereby the country would
benefit from the tourist sector to the maximum. “The tourist industry that
has been flourishing in Ethiopia since 1950 E.C. was impeded starting from
1966 E.C. as the Derg came to power and pursued a close door policy. But
thanks to the relentless effort of the incumbent government, the sector is
flourishing. Airports and infrastructures being built now are made
tourist-oriented. I think, there is a great commitment for the growth of
tourism in the country,’’ he said, adding that each and every sector
involved need to develop on aggressive tourist attraction approach by
avoiding the so-called government-private divisions.
According to Dr. Tewodros, the above mentioned are not the only countries
to be issued a visa upon arrival. Their number is expected to rise to 40
within the coming few years based on further studies. ‘’Our initiative
should only be taken as an ice breaking one. We need to realize that not
all tourism is safe and profitable. There are some that have adverse
effects and fatal consequences. We need to be against all such tourism,’’
he concluded.
Some 90 participants drawn from line ministries, stakeholders, Tourism
Commission, civil Aviation Authority, Ethiopian Air Lines, tour operators
and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others were in attendance at the
half-day forum held at the Ghion Hotel.
Valuable comments were forwarded by them to improve the guideline, which
has been under close scrutiny since 1988 E.C. One pertains to the list of
tourist generators.
This is my first time to hear EAL called for cooperation in the tourism
sector officially. This is nice. I don’t consider it right to include
Argentina and Poland in this list. We better take Singapore and Thailand
for economic reasons. They do have lots of interests in Africa. Besides, we
have direct flight connection to these points. We should not also forget to
include rich countries like Oman and UAE in the list. These are close to
us. Even if we don’t have embassies here, tourists are, however, flocking
from these countries. After all, after the September 11 tourist attack,
they are coming towards Ethiopia. They are even promising to us to bring
their high level princes with own AirCraft. So we need to exploited their
potential, ‘’ Mesfin Tadesse from the EAL said.
Seyoum urges France to continue development assistance
· Ethiopia, France sign 11.7 mln. Birr grant agreement
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin has urged the Government
of France to press ahead with its development assistance to Ethiopia in
particular and to countries of the Horn in general.
Seyoum made the call during talks with French Minister of State for
Cooperation, Charles Josselin here yesterday.
Foreign Minister Seyoum also called on the Government of France to play its
role in the efforts geared towards seeking a lasting peace in Somalia, the
Press, Information and Documentation Director with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Dena Mufti, said.
Seyoum also appealed to the French government to support the decisions of
the 9th Inter-governmental authority on Development (IGAD) with regard to
establishing durable peace and national reconciliation in Somalia.
France would continue to assist development and peace endeavours in the
Horn, Dena quoted Josselin as saying.
The director said the two parties also dwelt at length on ways of further
strengthening the existing Ethio-France bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, an 11.7 million birr grant agreement was signed between the
governments of Ethiopia and France at a ceremony held here at the Ministry
of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED).
According to a press release issued by the MOFED, the grant would be used
for the implementation of quality and sanitary aspects of animal products
project, and support to legal reform in Ethiopia.
Some 704 million birr of the grant was allocated for the implementation of
quality and sanitary aspects of animal products project, which aimed at
developing productions and exports of livestock and animal products, the
release said.
Another 4.7 million birr was allocated to support the legal reform project
in Ethiopia, which aimed at contributing to the consolidation of the rule
of law by improving judicial performance, according to the release.
Sufian Ahmed, Minister of MOFED and Carles Josselin, French Minister of
State for Cooperation signed the agreement on behalf of their respective
governments.
Sufian said on the occasion that the grant was very important as it came at
a time when the Ethiopian Government was fully embarked on extensive
efforts to bring meaningful change in the living standard of its people.
Exhibition on technology transfer opens
ADDIS ABABA (WIC) An exhibition for the transfer of appropriate
technologies for community driven development opened yesterday at the Addis
Ababa Exhibition Centre.
The exhibition is one of the several components of Ethio-forum 2002, a
multifaceted programme to be organized by the Ethiopian Social
Rehabilitation and Development Fund (ESRDF) to review its activities in the
last five years and chart better approaches in community owned development.
A number of income generating new technologies, including those used for
soil and water conservation, water technologies, alternative sources of
energy for community, biointensive agricultural production systems, are on
display.
Speaking at the opening, State Minister of Trade and Industry Fantaye Biftu
said the ESRDF has proven to be an important player in the government’s
efforts to alleviate poverty through the extensions of basic social
services to the community.
The ESRDF is currently operating in 511 of Ethiopia’s 543 woreda
(districts), Fantaye noted, and said that this was indicative of how for
the Fund has intensified its activities to reach the poor and the under served.
The exhibition is designed to be the first of many programs to
follow. ESRDF has also organized a conference to be attended by community
leaders and international experts on participatory development.
The exhibition, which was opened by House Speaker Dawit Yohannes, will
remain open to the public for the next one week.
===========================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.16,2002
==============
Dawit Yohannes
National workshop on PRSP kicks off
By Melaku Adela
ADDIS ABABA A national conference aimed at deliberating on independent
moves of the various sectors and societal groups in the preparation of the
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) so far as well as gathering
experience from other countries for the final preparation of the national
PRSP kicked off yesterday.
Opening the conference under the theme: "Community driven Poverty
Eradication and Restorative Development in Ethiopia", President Girma
Wolde-Giorgis said that to bring about rapid economic growth and reduce
poverty, the country has been engaged in devising and implementing various
policies and strategies. The Government of Ethiopia is currently working
harder for the preparation of the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP)
with the active participation and involvement of all societal groups, the
president added.
The President finally urged conference participants to come up with useful
means and working environments for the preparation of a complete and
comprehensive PRSP and also ensuring food security through effective
implementation of the development strategy the country pursues.
The Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and Development Fund (ESRDF) Manager
with the rank of minister, Dr. Assefa Aberha said on his part that though
many national and international organizations have put poverty on top of
their priorities data on it is lacking, causes not definite and solution to
achieve poverty reduction in environmentally sustainable ways still elusive
or unexplored. The ESRDF organized the conference to review its
performance and other national poverty reduction activities and also draw
lessons from international experiences, he added.
State Minister of Finance and Economic Development and PRSP Technical
Committee Chairperson Mekonnen Manyazewal reiterated the government's
commitment to use all the domestic development forces and coordinated
manner in the preparation of the national PRSP document.
The four-day national conference, udner way at the United Nations
conference Centre would thoroughly discuss papers presented on the theme by
reperesntatives of various societal groups as well as scholars.
Over 900 participants drawn from ministries, states, NGOs as well as
international organizations are in attendance at the conference.
25 POWs repatriated from Eritrea
ADDIS ABABA (WIC)- Twenty-five Ethiopian prisoners of war (POWs) were
repatriated Tuesday from Eritrea under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
An ICRC press release said the operation took place at a crossing point on
the Mereb River between the towns of Rama and Adi Quala.
According to the release, the repatriated POWs had been registered and
regularly visited by ICRC delegates during the period of their captivity at
Nakfa Internment Camp.
Since the signing of peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea in
Algiers on 21st December 2000, ICRC has organized the repatriation of 879
Eritrean and 678 Ethiopian POWs, the release said.
Pan African Post Day to be observed tomorrow
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU)
says the post now finds itself evolving in a highly competitive and rapidly
changing environment.
The Secretary General Jilani Ben Haddada made the remarks yesterday marking
the Pan African Post Day to be observed tomorrow under the theme: "the
Post: Meeting the Challenges of the Day'.
Haddada in his message sent to ENA said the evolution of the post was
favored by globalization, deregulation, liberalization of markets and
technological mutation phenomena.
'In the past, the post got protected from competition by a direct state's
or de facto monopoly,' he said, adding today it reached a very critical
turning point.
He said, the post must re-introduce the efficiency element and adapt itself
to the new context so that it truly re-positions itself
A rational organization of structures, modernization of contact networks
and equipment as well as adequate training of human resource, among others,
should be the development strategy of the African postal services, he
indicated.
'A recovery is most imperative in order to allow the African post valorize
its undeniable assets and place itself in a position of pride,' according
to the secretary general.
He urged postal administrations in the continent to deploy efforts to
overcome the challenges of the new millenium.
He called for sustainable technical cooperation among African postal
administrations as well as with counterparts in the industrialized world.
The General Secretariat of PAPU is in the process of setting up a data bank
of African postal experts, which will ease a fractious exchange of
experiences and good practices in all areas of postal activities, he indicated.
======================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.17,2001
================
Dawit Yohannes
January 18, 2002
Deputy Prime Minister presents plan of action to House
ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of rural Development
Addisu Legese says his ministry is exerting utmost efforts to implement the
agricultural sector development strategies in the country.
Presenting his ministry's plan of action to the House of Peoples'
representatives here yesterday, Addisu said paramount importance would be
attached to the agricultural sector development, which he said is a bridge
to bring about rapid and sustainable economic development in the country.
He said various capacity building activities were being undertaken in a bid
to realize the implementation of the strategies that mainly focus on rural
and agricultural development.
Some 28 agricultural training centers have been established across the
country with a view to producing skilled manpower, who would be
instrumental in the transfer of knowledge and modern technologies to the
rural communities, Addisu said.
He said the training centers have currently enrolled 10,000 of the 15,000
students expected to be registered this Ethiopian budget year and began
attending their three-year training programmes.
The Ministry has also devised plans that could facilitate ways for the
farmers to enable them be beneficiaries of the market-oriented agricultural
extension programmes and exploit the potential of their indigenous
knowledge, Addisu said.
According to the deputy prime minister, constructive measures would be
taken to execute the development strategies believed to be helpful in
achieving the food security programme in the country.
Continuing its session, the House has approved the bell providing for the
ratification of the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the African
Development Fund (ADF).
According to the bill, the Fund would provide a loan amounting to 77.2
million US dollars for financing the 2nd Structural Adjustment Programme.
Meanwhile, the House approved 41.3 million units of account (UA) loan
agreement signed with the ADF for executing the Butajira-Hossana-Sodo
road-upgrading project.
The House has also referred the bill providing foreign citizens of
Ethiopian origin with certain rights to be exercised in their country of
origin as well as the draft legislation providing for the ratification of
the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to pertinent
committees for further inspections.
President receives Danish ambassador credentials
. Confers with GSK official
ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- President Girma Wolde-giorgis says Ethiopia is desirous
to upgrade its relations with Denmark.
President Girma made the remark yesterday while receiving the credentials
of the Nairobi-based Danish Ambassador to Ethiopia Finn Thilsted.
The president called on the ambassador to work towards strengthening the
Ethio-danish bilateral relations.
Ambassador Thilsted on his part told the president that Denmark was
exerting efforts to upgrade its diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.
The Ambassador said he would do his level best to bring the two countries
closer to form economic cooperation.
The Ambassador also recalled the signing of an investment protection
promotion and security agreement between his country and Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, President girma has received and held talks with an envoy of
Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the British pharmaceutical manufacturing giant on
the possibilities of importing life-prolonging antiretroviral drugs.
President girma said on the occasion that the government of Ethiopia would
fully support the company's efforts to import of locally produce
anti-retroviral drugs.
the president expressed his belief that the company would take into account
the purchasing capacity of the public.
Vice-president of the Sub-Sahara and South Africa branch of GSK, Dr.
Gunther faber said on the occasion that GSK would supply the
anti-retroviral drugs at lower cost.
Dr. fiber said GSK has signed an agreement with Pharmacies, a private local
pharmaceutical manufacturing company, to import anti-retroviral drugs to
Ethiopia.
Pharmacies General Manager, Abnet Gebre-Meskel said on the occasion that
his company and GSK were striving to import the drugs in less than six months.
Pharmacies has been undertaking the construction of a complex to produce
the drugs locally, Abnet said, adding the project was expected to be
finalized in mid-2003
================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.18,2001
===========
Dawit Yohannes
Ministers, senior gov't officials briefed on litigation of Ethio-Eritrean
border demarcation
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) Members of the Council of Ministers and senior
government officials have been briefed by the team of international legal
professionals representing Ethiopia before the Border Commission on the
issue of the Ethio-Eritrean border demarcation, the Ministry of Information
said.
According to a statement the ministry sent to ENA yesterday, Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi on the occasion said the points presented to the Commission at
the Hague by legal professionals on part of Ethiopia were well-prepared and
strong.
Ethiopia's stance presented before the Border Commission are in line with
international laws and conventions that enabled Ethiopia to argue its cases
from a position of strength, the ministry's statement said.
Senior expatriate legal professionals' as well as high-profile Ethiopian
legal experts, diplomats and historians participated in the preparation of
Ethiopia's arguments, it said.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said
the legal experts' team representing Ethiopia was organized by high-profile
and internationally recognized expatriate experts in the field.
According to the statement, Seyoum said the written and verbal points of
arguments presented by the team clearly demonstrated Ethiopia's
well-founded and strong positions.
Seyoum told the participants of the briefing that hope was very high on the
Ethiopian side to get fair and well justified verdict from the border
commission.
Prime Minister Meles at the closing of the meeting thanked the Ethiopian
legal experts represented at The Hague, it said.
''Ketera'' colorfully celebrated nationwide
.Over 500 foreign tourists arrive in Gondar
ADDIS ABABA (ENA/WIC) ''Ketera'' eve of the Ethiopian Epiphany, was
colorfully celebrated across the country here yesterday.
The day was celebrated here in Addis at the place locally known as Jan-Meda
in the presence of His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church.
The faithful from every corners of the metropolis were flocking to the area
escorting the Holy Slabs.
Sunday school students and cantors chanted religious songs and performed
ritual sways befitting the event.
Meanwhile, over 500 foreign tourists have arrived in historic town of
Gondar in Amhara State to witness the colorful Ethiopian Epiphany celebrations.
The Gondar Zone Information Desk told WIC that the tourists started
arriving in the town since last week.
He said over 1,000 tourists are expected to visit the castle of King Fasil
and Empress Mentewab palace until the end of the Timket (Epiphany)
celebrations.
Genocide convicts get up to 21 years
ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- The 6th Criminal Bench of the Federal High court
sentenced yesterday 32 defendants to rigorous prison terms ranging from two
to 21 years for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the
dictatorial Dergregime.
The court had found the convicts guilty of extra-judicial killings and
tortures while they were serving under various capacities in the then
Higher 22 of the metropolis.
The evidences produced by the Special Prosecutor have corroborated the
charges filed against the defendants.
Nine of the convicts were tried in absentia.
Similarly, the Federal High Court sentenced marathon gold medallist of the
1968 Mexico Olympics captain Mamo Wolde to six years imprisonment for
participating in the extra-judicial killings perpetrated during the
infamous Red Terror under the former Marxist regime.
The 6th Criminal Bench of the court said the evidences produced by the
prosecutor have corroborated the charges filed against Captain Mamo.
The defendant was involved in the killing of a youth who had gone by the
name Samuel Alemu in the then Higher 16, according to the court.
The sentence will be counted as of the day Captain Mamo was arrested.
Another defendant Colonel denekew was also given nine years behind bars for
taking part in the killings of the forenamed. And another victim as well as
in the torturing of a number of others.
January 20, 2002
Patriarch urges Christians to contain spread of HIV/AIDS
ADDIS ABABA (ENA)- Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) Abune
Paulos urged the faithful to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS that has been
claiming the lives of the most productive segment of the society.
He said Ethiopians have been seriously affected by the plague since the
virus was discovered more than 20 years ago.
Addressing a congregation organized at the Jan-Meda to celebrate the
Ethiopian Epiphany, here in the metropolis yesterday the Patriarch said
Christians from all walks of life should stand in unison in support of the
initiatives being undertaken to contain the spread of the pandemic.
He said it is the duty of every Christian to provide support and show
compassion to those citizens living with the virus.
Meanwhile, Epiphany has been colorfully celebrated across the nation.
Here in the metropolis, the day was marked in the presence of Archbishop of
the German Evangelical Church, foreign dignitaries and invited guests.
Following liturgical services, the patriarch blessed the water and
sprinkled the laity, which symbolizes the Baptism of Jesus Christ at the
hands of John, the Baptist, in the River Jordan.
Meanwhile, the faithful, here in the metropolis have peacefully celebrated
'Ketera', eve of the Ethiopian Epiphany, the Metropolitan Police Commission
announced.
Public relations officer with the commission, Lieutenant Hailu Abebe told
ENA yesterday that police had made the necessary preparations and deployed
at the celebration quarters to ensure peace and security.
=======================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.22,2002
==================
Dawit Yohannes
Meles urges developed countries to support new partnership for development
of Africa
· Ethiopia, Algeria agree to bolster cooperation
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) The developed countries should support the new
partnership for the development of Africa in a bid to establish good
governance, promote justice and build up a democratic culture in the
continent, prime Minister Meles Zenawi said.
Addressing the first international conference on the new partnership for
the development of Africa in Algiers yesterday, Meles said poverty,
conflict,, the widespread of HIV/AIDS and Ebola have negatively affected
the growth of the continent.
The Prime Minister who is on an official working visit to Algeria said all
stakeholders should exert utmost efforts to extricate the people of the
continent from the grinding poverty and bring about sustainable economic
development by introducing new and effective working mechanisms.
Africans are duty-bound to seek a lasting solution to their own problems by
fighting corruption and mal-administration which he said have been the
major impediments to economic development and social progress, he said.
The prime minister also requested the developed nations to open their doors
for African products, adding that the flow of foreign capital to the
continent could benefit both the countries and the entrepreneurs.
He said the spirits of the new partnership for the development of Africa
are believed to be instrumental in establishing good governance, justice,
and democracy as well as adopting economic and political policies in line
with the need of the continent.
The Prime Minister has also lauded the role Algeria played for the
establishment of the new partnership for the development of Africa.
Earlier in the day Meles has exchanged views with Algerian President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minster Ali Beniflice.
Prime Minister Meles has also laid wreaths at the Liberty Memorial of the
country.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia and Algeria expressed readiness and commitment to
bolster bilateral cooperation in various fields and to work together for
the development of Africa.
In speeches they delivered in a summit held on Sunday in the Algerian
capital, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi an President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
expressed commitment to strengthen cooperation between the two countries
for the mutual the two countries for the mutual benefit of their respective
peoples.
They said Ethiopia and Algeria have proved their strong commitments to
peace at various forums.
During a dinner thrown in honor of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the
Algerian President expressed his country’s desire to strengthen the
long-standing ties with Ethiopia.
Bouteflika on the occasion said the government and people of Algeria have
the best of regards for Ethiopia. He said Algeria would always remain
committed to assist in the enhancement of peace and development in Ethiopia
as well as in the continent as a whole.
He said Ethiopia’s commitment to resolve the dispute with Eritrea
peacefully deserves honor and appreciation adding that Algeria holds high
hopes that sustainable peace would prevail in the region.
Bouteflika commended the efforts of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to upgrade
development cooperation between the peoples of the two countries, which he
said was an historic contribution.
Prime Minister Meles said the growing political and economic ties between
the two countries in the past ten years were exemplary.
Meles expressed honor for the sacrifices Algerian paid for their liberation
and commended Algeria’s commitment to peace, stability and development in
the continent.
Meles said Ethiopia would remain committed to bring about sustainable
economic cooperation and mutual benefits between the two countries.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left here for Algiers, Algerian on Sunday for a
two-day official working visit.
The Prime Minister left for the North African country at the invitation of
Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika, an official with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said.
Meles’ visit was believed to be instrumental in revitalizing the
longstanding relations that exist between the two countries in the
political arena and further consolidate their cooperation in the economic
sector.
The two countries share similar positions in various international and
African issues, the official said, adding that constructive measures have
been taken to strengthen their bilateral cooperation.
Senior government officials saw off the Prime Minister at the Bole
International Airport.
PRSP consultation conferences to be held at state level
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) State level consultation conferences that will
deliberate on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) would be convened
soon, the Office of Poverty Reduction Strategy announced.
The Office told ENA recently that the woreda PRSP consultation conferences
held earlier in 116 selected woredas across the country have laid a firm
ground for the upcoming conferences.
The three-day consultation conferences would assess the development efforts
exerted by the government, NGOs and other stakeholders towards alleviating
the adverse effects of poverty in the country.
It said the conference would also dwell at length on the short and
long-term measures that should be taken to address poverty in a sustainable
manner.
The conferences would identify new amended policies believed to be helpful
in facilitating the implementation of the strategy, the office said.
The conferences also aim at designing a system that would enable
development stakeholders and the public at large to closely follow up and
evaluate the realization of the PRSP, it added.
According to the office, over 200 participants drawn from various segments
of the society are expected to attend each conference.
After the conclusion of these conferences, the PRSP would be submitted to a
federal level only, the office indicated.
Economic success hinges on effective implementation of rural dev’t policy:
Official
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) the scrupulous implementation of the rural development
policy and its strategy is the bedrock to bring about rapid and sustainable
economic stride in the country, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural
Development said.
Opening a four-day meeting on rural development strategy here yesterday,
Addisu Legesse said pursuing the path of agricultural led industrialization
development strategy that considers the objective reality of the country
was second to none to effect a sound socioeconomic transformation.
He said the effective materialization of the agricultural development
strategy would enable to lift the country from the abyss of poverty and
ensure food self-sufficiency.
Addisu said the meticulous implementation of the rural development strategy
would have a paramount importance in building a free market economy and
enabling the society to become beneficiaries of the boon of the nation’s
economy.
The meeting could be used as a useful forum for the participants to debate
on the policy and its strategies and come up with possible recommendations,
Addisu said.
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mulatu Teshome on his part has stressed the
need to effectively utilize the available meager resources and maximize
production in a bid to emerge out competitive in the global economy.
He said valuable experiences need to be drawn from countries, which have
witnessed a marked economic development by effectively materializing
agricultural led -development strategies.
Dr. Mulatu has also underscored the importance of familiarizing the farmers
with modern farming methods and technologies.
Some 200 agricultural professionals drawn from the Ministry are in
attendance at the meeting.
The Week in Brief
Briefing on litigation
Members of the Council of Ministers and senior government officials have
been briefed by a team of international legal professionals representing
Ethiopia before the Border Commission on the issue of Ethio-Eritrea border
demarcation, the Ministry of Information said.
According to a statement the Ministry issued Friday (January 18), Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi said on the occasion that the points presented to the
Commission at the Hague by legal professionals on the part of Ethiopia were
well-prepared and strong.
Senior expatriate legal professionals’ as well as high-profile Ethiopian
legal experts, diplomats and historians participated in the preparation of
Ethiopia’s arguments, it said.
Speaking at the opening of the meting, Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said
the legal experts’ team representing Ethiopia was composed of high-profile
and internationally acclaimed expatriate experts in the field.
According to the statement, Seyoum said the written and verbal points of
arguments presented by team clearly demonstrated Ethiopia’s well-founded
and strong positions.
To contain AIDS pandemic
Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) Abune Paulos urged the
faithful to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS that has been claiming the
lives of the most productive segment of the society.
He said Ethiopians have been seriously affected by the plague since the
virus was discovered more than 20 years ago.
Addressing a congregation at the Jan Meda celebrating the Ethiopian
Epiphany here in the metropolis Saturday (January 19), the Patriarch said
Christian from all walks of life should stand in unison in support of the
initiative being taken to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Epiphany has been colorfully celebrated across the nation. Here
in the capital, it was celebrated in the presence of the Archbishop of the
German Evangelical Church, dignitaries and invited guests.
Loan accord
Ethiopian and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
signed an over 20 million US dollars loan agreement Monday (January 14),
the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome, Italy said.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Italy, Halima Mohammed and IFAD Assistant President
signed the agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted the Embassy as
saying.
It said 1.5 million USD of the loan was earmarked for the execution of the
programme design to support the low-income people living in rural areas of
the country.
Ambassador Halima said on the occasion that Ethiopia was desirous of
bolstering its cooperation and relations with the IFAD.
The assistant president also said IFAD will continue supporting Ethiopia’s
poverty reduction initiatives.
POW repatriation
Twenty-five Ethiopian prisoners of war (POWs) were repatriates Tuesday
(January 15), from Eritrea under the auspices of the International
committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
An ICRC press release said the operation took place at a crossing point on
the Mereb River between the towns of Rama and Adi-Quala.
Since the signing of peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea in
Algiers on 21 December 2000, ICRC has organized the repatriation of 879
Ethiopian and 678 Ethiopian POWs, the release said.
Card telephone service
Card telephone apparatus imported and installed by the Ethiopian
Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) has started rendering service to the
metropolitans.
Public Relations Deputy General manager of ETC Abdurahim Ahmed said
Wednesday (January 16), that the Corporation has prepared and issued for
sale cards with a 100-2000 and 300 unit value.
Abdurehim said people can use the phone cared to call within the city or to
states as well as to mobile phones.
According to the Deputy General manager the amount utilized in the course
of making calls by using cards in displayed on the telephone apparatus.
He said the card phones were installed at various places in the city while
the cards are on sale at Legehar, Economic Commission for Africa, Bole
Airport, Telecommunication offices of the North and East Addis Ababa zones
and around Arat Kilo.
=====================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.22,2002
=============
Dawit Yohannes
Ethiopia, Algeria agree to strengthen economic cooperation
ADDIS ABABA) ENA) The governments of Ethiopia and Algeria have agreed to
reinforce their economic cooperation in the years ahead.
A joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Meles
Zenawi’s official visit to Algeria yesterday said the two governments
reached a consensus to strengthen their diplomatic relations by creating an
enabling environment for a multifarious economic cooperation
The 3rd Ethio-Algerian Joint commission Meeting would be would be held in
Algiers in mid this year as part of the efforts deployed to implement the
agreements the two countries signed, the communiqué said.
The meeting would discuss on ways of implementing the agreement the two
parties reached to cooperate namely in the areas of scientific research,
health, agriculture, water development, aviation, industry, mines and
trade, among others.
The two countries also agreed to work together on continental and
international issues, the communiqué indicated.
It said Prime Minister Meles’ visit to Algeria has laid a firm foundation
to strengthen the Ethio-Algeria bilateral cooperation.
The communiqué said the two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms
and expressed their countries’ readiness to continue support for the
implementation of the United Nations and the Organization of African
Unity’s decisions passed against terrorism.
The two parties also reaffirmed their respect for the United Nations
charter and principles and expressed their full support for the
establishment of the African union.
The two countries pledged to contribute their shares in shpport of the
efforts geared to prevent conflicts and defuse tensions and disagreements
in the continent, the communique said.
The parties reaffirmed their respective government’s determination and
commitment to exert utmost efforts for the implementation of the
Ethio-Eritrean Peace Agreement signed in Algiers last year.
The two sides commended the efforts of the Inter-governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) launched to bring about a lasting peace in the war-torn
Somalia.
The two parties underlined the need for a round-table discussion among the
warring factions in Somalia to seek a negotiated solution to the problem in
that country:
President Abedlaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Meles also expressed
their to see a genuine and sustainable peace in the Middle East.
The leaders said African countries should work jointly with the development
nations for the success of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
The communiqué indicated that President Bouteflika has accepted Prime
Minister Meles’ invitation to pay an official visit to Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, Meles returned home yesterday concluding his three-day working
visit to Algeria, President Bouteflika and other Algerian senior government
officials saw off Meles.
Upon arrival here at the Bole International Airport Meles was welcomed by
senior government officials.
Establishing institutional framework for pastoral affairs said indispensable
ADDIS ABABA (ENA) President of the Oromia State Juneidi Saddo said
formulating an institutional framework that deals with the pastoral affairs
and economy should be given considerable attention to enable the lowlanders
to engage in the developments endeavour of the country.
The Ethiopian pastoralists have been neglected as marginal groups, he said,
adding that it is time to give more elaborated attention to the problem of
pastoralists and livestock development in the arid corridor of the Oromia
lowlands.
The president said the pastoral policy formulations and proclamations have
to be in consistent with the efforts exerted to develop and tackle pastoral
issues.
The official made the remark here yesterday while opening a two-day
workshop on pastoral production in Oromia State.
He said though livestock and livestock products to domestic and external
markets were largely collected from pastoral areas there were several
socio-economic problems to develop the sector.
Lack of pastoral institution, absence of policy support, inadequate
veterinary and livestock marketing system as well as poor infrastructures
were some of the drawbacks in pastoral production, among others, he said.
“Pastoralists have become increasingly marginalized, lose their ability to
regulate and organize their lives and sustainably manage their resources
according to their needs and aspirations,” he said.
Addressing the workshop, head of the rural and agricultural supreme office
with the Oromia state Abu Yadeta said successful development of the
pastoral sector can only be based on a thorough indigenous knowledge and
understanding of the motivations of pastoralists and the dynamics of their
environment.
Abu said an enabling environment should be created at state and local
levels to build and promote pastoral institutions.
The workshop has brought together some 120 participants drawn from the
federal ministries as well as from local and international humanitarian
organizations.
Ethiopian ambassadors’ consultative conference opens today
ADDIS ABABA (WIC) Ethiopian ambassadors and senior diplomats are due to
meet here today for consultation on the country’s foreign relations policy
in the wake of the launching of the renewal movement currently in motion
nationwide.
According to Dina Mufti, Director of the Press Information and
Documentation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 15-day
consultative conference will provide the Ethiopian diplomats with a forum
to exchange views and chart mechanisms for the effective execution of the
provisions and spirit of the renewal movement in the area of foreign relations.
The conference will also deliberate on current regional and international
developments that will help devise appropriate plan of action.
It will also review the state of affairs in the country’s foreign relations
policy and other related matters, according to Dina.
===================
Pol.Ethiopia
Jan.23,2002
===============