By: Tedla Asfaw

The ethiopianreview.com Ato Elias Kifle is suggesting to boycott the meeting of Ato Seye Abraha with the Ethiopian Community next week and this effort similar to the boycott he organized against Engineer Hailu's gathering will fail miserably. Ato Elias accused Ato Seye Abraha for his role as a senior TPLF fighter before he was purged from TPLF after the military victory he led in the Badme war ten years ago with a trumpeted charge of corruption by Melese Zenawi and spent six years in jail.

Ethiopia: Gov't Officials to Register Assets, Interests

The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is preparing on the law that will oblige governmental and public institution officials to register their property in assets including financial interests, a senior official said on Monday According to Consultant Wendatir Deneke, the move was in an effort by the commission to exercise its power fully and discharge duties responsibilities of combating corruption and other impropriety.

Ethiopia: Investigators Probe State Development Bank Executives

The Federal Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission is probing senior executives at the state-owned Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) who are suspected of abusing their positions by rescheduling and approving new loans without following proper procedure, sources disclosed.

Ethiopia: Country Sees $1.7 Billion Profit From Exports

Three Ethiopian wounded in Vancouver shooting

Sunday, December 29, 2007 VANCOUVER - Three men were rushed to hospital after gunshots rang out during an Ethiopian New Year's fundraiser in east Vancouver early this morning.

Discussion with Ato Negussie W/Mariam, Host of HagerFiker Radio EthiopiaFirst.com, Dec 28, 2007  For your feedback, CLICK HERE

(BPRW) Ethiopia; Origin of Humankind

Ethiopia, an east African nation landlocked between Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Kenya is credited with being the origin of all human life on earth. It is also the second oldest nation in the world to become officially Christian in the 4th century A.D. although it has been secular since the 1970’s.

Addis Admass Editorial (Amharic)

More articles from www.addisadmass.com

Ethiopia claims to have killed several rebels in Ogaden region

APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia said on Friday that its army has killed a number of rebels in the Ogaden region of the eastern part of the country where the government is fighting separatist insurgency.

• Ethiopia rebels deny suffering major losses

Ethiopia leaves key Somali town

BBC - Dec 28, 2007 - Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from a key town in central Somalia. Islamist insurgents say they now control Guriel, where Ethiopia had a big military base to secure the road linking the two countries. A BBC correspondent in Somalia says it is not clear why the Ethiopian troops withdrew without any fighting.

Premier's discussion with garment, knitting industry investors

Part I  |  Part II  |  Part III

The Reporter, Editorial (Amharic)

Ben's interview with Ato Abebe Belew: Let reason prevail!

By: A concerned Ethiopian

Best brotherly greetings to you! I'm one of thousands of Ethiopians who visit Ethiopiafirst multiple times everyday. You are a true patriot for your country and I congratulate you for the good job you've been doing since the inception of your web site. You're my number one credible source of news pertaining to our country, and for this you have earned my respect and the respect of many fellow Ethiopians. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! The same Christmas and New Year wishes to Ato Abebe Belew as well.

• Response to Abebe Belew - from Ben Interview (By Getachew Reda)

Announcement by Kinijit Chairman Hailu Shawel Kinijit.org

Statement by 11 members of Kinijit supreme council KinijitEthiopia.org

Ethiopia inflicted losses on Ogaden rebels: army colonel

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - The Ethiopian army has inflicted losses on rebel fighters in the restive Ogaden region where the government is cracking down on insurgents, Colonel Tsegaye Gebretensae said in a statement Friday.

Exchange of gunfire on Eritrea-Ethiopia border: UN

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - The United Nations said Thursday that Eritrean and Ethiopian soldiers facing off along their disputed border exchanged gunshots a day earlier.
In a statement issued Thursday, the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) said that its Indian battalion posted on the border heard an exchange of fire in the early hours of Wednesday.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Press Statement (December 27, 2007)
  
  The version of the story about an incident along Ethiopia Eritrea border recounted by Eritrea on Dec.26, 2007 is not based on what really took place. There was an incident, it is true. But the incident is of Eritrea's making which is being looked into. It is possible that it may have been a result of an accidental encounter between the reconnaissance missions of the two parties. The claim that there was an attack by Ethiopia is just pure fabrication.



• Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of border attack
• UN mission calls on Ethiopia, Eritrea to show restraint after shooting incident

Ethiopia government praises Burundi deployment in Somalia

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia on Thursday welcomed the recent deployment of Burundian peacekeepers to Somalia and asked for more help from the African Union in its struggle with Islamist insurgents there. "The ministry of information commended Burundi's recent efforts in deploying 192 soldiers to join the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia," said a government statement.

Some Issue Highlights

By: Getachew Mequanent

Someone phoned me to express his regret that I went public to complain against Aiga. Given the current situation (e.g., the H.R. 2003 issue), it was not strategic to go after a Diaspora web site that was fiercely fighting to protect the interest of the Ethiopian people, he said. I told him that I was being transparent. My boss once got mad at me for doing a lousy job. I said to him that it was normal to make a mistake. He shot back by saying, “no, this is not your standard”. In a democratic society, you work hard to set your own standard and you better maintain it

From: Dawit

Dear Ben,

I heard Abebe Belew saying that he cannot vote for TPLF because he wasn’t born in Tigray. Correct me if I am wrong but is in it also the same here in the U.S? Don’t you have to live in your county (district) to elect people of representative? Let alone to participate in different state election. Trust me if that was possible every election I will go to the southern state of united states just to vote for democrat so republican won’t get elected.

• Ethiopiafirst with Addisdimts host  By: Tedla Asfaw

From Netter,

Greetings Ben,

First, I would like to thank you for your efforts to bring democratic system in our country. Indeed, fair and balanced media is of paramount importance.

Anyway, Kenya is about to have general election. While their democracy ages almost the same old as ours, I have noticed very incredible change in their democracy. It seems like we are far behind. Please note that I didn’t mean that democracy grows only when there is a regime change. However, balanced and equal use of government media, free and fair election, as well as guaranteed constitutional rights proves the growth of democracy.

Ethiopia might not need to look far to the west to learn about democracy while there is a country next door that could be a good example for democracy. From this point of view, could you please review the process of the Kenya election and discuss what Ethiopian political parties and the government can learn from it?

Thanks,

Ethiopia calls on African countries to meet promises in sending peacekeeping troops to Somalia-MOI

Ethiopia called on African countries that made pledges to contribute troops for the proposed African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia to meet their promises.

2 Ethiopian activists sentenced to time served for inciting post-election violence

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: Two human right activists were sentenced Wednesday to 2 1/2 years in prison for inciting post-election violence in 2005, but they will go free in days because they have already served the time.

Dyer: CIA behind Somalia's bloody occupation by Ethiopian troops

On Friday, it will be is exactly a year since Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, fell to Ethiopian troops and the occupation has been one of the most brutal on record. The resistance started at once, and Ethiopian counter-insurgency tactics are not gentle.

Ethiopiafirst with Addisdimts host

By: Tedla Asfaw

Another educational interview on Ben's Radio and  Ethiopiafirst.com. Ben interviewed Ato Abebe Belew the host of Addis Dimts on current political situation in Ethiopia except the occupation of Somalia which in fact should have been part of the interview because its impact on future politics of Ethiopia is huge.

On Democracy, the Western Hypocrisy and Africa

By: Kelemu Smeneh

It is obvious that we cannot establish democratic states overnight. But the gullible among us are used and abused by the West and disrupt the smooth state building, democracy enhancing process in Africa by demanding what is not achievable given the time and the process it takes to achieve the ultimate goal. Instead of state-building we Africans are encouraged by the west, albeit surreptitiously, to fight against each-other and prolong the time of our true emancipation. We are cut to sizes and we become small, economically and politically feeble states incapable of caring for our own.

Ethiopian coffee harvest

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 24: The Ethiopian government said on Monday it was banking on an eight per cent growth in coffee harvests for the coming season.

The Rise and Debacle of Kinijit, Critical appraisal (Part Four)

By: Bekele Habte

It has been quite a while since Ethiopian politics has started being led not by a clear vision but by a short-term maxim of ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’. Those students who hated the Emperor rule had to fall in love with Eritrean secessionist movements to work hard to become an instrument of Ato Isayas Afeworki.

• The Rise and debacle of Kinijit, critical appraisal (Part Three)
• The Rise and debacle of Kinijit, critical appraisal (Part Two)
• The Rise and debacle of Kinijit, critical appraisal (Part One)

H.R. 2003 is it Dead or Alive: You be the Judge

By: Dr. G. Dangew

It now appears the rush by voice vote in the house was a strategy by Rep. Payne to get the provision of H.R. 2003 before the 2008 appropriation. Here again, Payne and company had a choice of either an agonizing one-year or spare themselves from a debate on the Senate and a final death next year. The choice appears to be a compromise. With the help of Senator Leigh, they have managed to insert a language on one provision of H.R. 2003, in the Foreign affairs appropriation bill for the State Department.

Somalia Islamists are more popular now than a year ago!!

By: Tedla Asfaw

The United States occupation of Iraq and all its implications squarely rests on George Bush and the public is informed daily on the casualties of this occupation and its cost to the tax payers and the 2008 election will much be determined on who will bring the troops back home safely.

Burundi peacekeepers arrive in Mogadishu

Addis Ababa, December 23, 2007 (WIC) - A first contingent of 100 peacekeepers from Burundi arrived today in the Somali capital Mogadishu, according to Reuters. The arrival of the Burundian soldiers in the city marked the first phase of long-delayed support for 1,600 Ugandan troops who began work in March as the vanguard of a planned 8,000-strong African Union (AU) mission.

Ethiopian Court Convicts Anti-Poverty Campaigners

Today Ethiopia's Federal High Court convicted anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, the last remaining defendants in a trial in which they were charged along with 129 others, including leading members of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy.

Ethiopia's Next Steps on Somalia

By: Mulugeta Alemu

Prime Minster Meles Zenawi’s timely interview with the BBC on 20 December 2007 reaffirms what his administration tirelessly has been saying for quite a long time now; that peace-keepers should quickly be deployed in Somalia and that the international community ought to robustly support the transitional government and its institutions. So far both are unfulfilled promises, and the international community risks failing Somalia for the second time. It was the lack of coordinated international support which in the first place severely weekend the TFG and its institutions after its establishment in Nairobi in 2004.

Debdabe Le Tagaye Ayalnesh

By: Getachew Meqaunent

• H.R 2003 & the $210,000 Question: (Revisited)

US$41 Million Project to Connect Ethiopia and Sudan Power Grids, Promote Energy Trade
 
WASHINGTON, December 20, 2007 – The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved an International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$41.05 million to the Government of Ethiopia to help the country finance its portion of a new transmission line connecting Ethiopia’s to Sudan’s power grids.

Press Release from Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20 December, 2007

The New York Times reporter, Jeffrey Gettleman, had another piece on Ethiopia on December 14, 2007 under the Caption "In Rebel Region, Ethiopia Turns to Civilian Patrols". The article does not do justice to the credibility of the New York Times. The various strands of the narrative that the article conveys share one quality ---, they are all based on fictitious stories.

• In Rebel Region, Ethiopia Turns to Civilian Patrols (NY Times)
   

Tigrayans want end to border row

BBC - The mountains of eastern Tigray in Ethiopia are bare and brown just three months after the end of the rains. The people in the region are skilled farmers and hard workers but even they struggle to support their families from their tiny patches of worn-out land.

Press Release - Kinijit Ethiopia - Bertukan and Dr. Berhanu Barred

Dr. Berhanu on Current Affairs Paltalk room (Dec 03, 2007) stating "let every group go their own way"

Note: For full interview, visit KinijitEthiopia.org

Certificate of Expulsion for Dr Birhanu and Judge Birtukan Medekssa

By: Tedla Asfaw

Engineer Hailu's KIC or call it "Kinijit" on its December, "Thaesas" declaration barred Dr. Birhanu and Judge Birtukan Medekssa from Kinijit membership. The official declaration "let us go our own way and let them go their own way" by Dr. Birhanu last week on the paltalk got an official reply from Engineer Hailu/Dr. Taye.

Articles on the current situation on CUD :  Addis Admass       |     The Reporter

H.R 2003 & the $210,000 Question: (Revisited)

By: Dr. G. Dagnew

We now know from US Justice Department Lobbing disclosures that all the above groups are involved in pushing H.R. 2003 in congress and have paid quite some money. It is now know that on January 2006 “the coalition affiliate (OLF, ONLF)” first contacted Bracewell & Giuliani to lobby, and then brought in the coalition (CUD) to pay its share $90,000. Since the US law requires source of money be disclosed, the OLF has also registered $141,921.07 with the Justice Department with intent and for the purpose of lobbying (see below). How ever, the total sum of 210,000 paid to Bracewell & Giuliani was registered under CUD’s name and the OLF did not list a separate lobby firm for its registered money

Ethiopia: Petronas, Sinopec in Exploration Talks Here - Report

Malaysia's Petronas [PETR.UL] and China's Sinopec are negotiating with the Ethiopian government on the resumption of oil and gas prospecting in the Ogaden region,a news agency reported on Monday citing a senior official with the ministry of mines and energy.

The Rise and debacle of Kinijit, critical appraisal (Part One)

By Bekele Habte

Irrespective of the media hype, Ferensay Legasion can not be Mrs Birtukan’s constituency as she did not run for election in May/05 representing the people of Ferensay Legasion. Mrs Birtukan joined the struggle after the June/05 massacre. To be exact, Mrs Birtukan’s association with Kinijit started when she volunteered with other professional lawyers to help Kinijit during the post-election dispute. Mrs Birtukan joined Kestedamena in early Sept/05. She was elected as Kinijit’s Vice Chairman in late Sept/05; only three weeks after she joined Kestedamena and only after three weeks party politics experience! Three weeks after she joined Kestedamena, she also nominated Ato Muluneh for Kinijit’s post of Secretariat.

The Rise and debacle of Kinijit, critical appraisal (Part Two)

By Bekele Habte

The release of all detained Kinijit members, the lifting of Engineer Hailu’s house arrest and the lifting of Ato Lidetu’s office arrest were the main preconditions Dr Birhanu was assigned to address. In spite of this clear instruction, Dr Birhanu failed to put forward any of the agreed preconditions. When Dr Birhanu was asked later why he failed to bring forward any of the preconditions, his answer was very surprising. Dr Birhnau simply told his colleagues that he completely forgot about the preconditions. Yes, you might find it hard to believe what you are reading! Knowing the gravity of the matter, I do not blame you. But it is nothing but the whole truth.

Somali town seized over taxes, not Islam-elders

NAIROBI, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Somali clan leaders on Sunday said they want government troops back in a town seized over the weekend in what initially looked like an Islamist insurgent advance but turned out to be a local dispute over taxes.

• Ethiopian troops withdraw from key Somali neighbourhood

Click Here to read your feedback on peace over war (The final update)

By Stal,

Dear Ben, You stood clear of the political wind that seems to sway our educated ones left and right, and at times out of the normal rational arena. You have always stood on the right side, the neutral, and yet the side that protects our national interest.

I am an Ethiopian who has lost so much during the past war and will loose even more if another war erupts. As an Irob Ethiopian, it is tempting to advocate for war so that my identity as an Ethiopian shall never again be questioned. Yet, war is the worst solution for any problem and war between family members (Ethiopians and Eritreans are family members) is unthinkable.

Both you and the Awate group deserve credit for starting this dialogue and have a responsibility to take it even further. We should create small groups all over the world advocating against war, but more importantly for creating an atmosphere for creating a lasting peace based on our own local elders and religious leaders that combines our combined cultural heritage and the principles of conflict resolution.

Thanks you both
 

By: Yedemocracy Gohe Siked

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I chase Coptic-kingdom lovers – A response to Professor Mamo Muchie’s articles on African monetary unification proposal

By: Kelebet

This is an extension of commentary I tried to hang on the Nazereth.com website. But I am not sure whether or not the Nazareth editor will post it. But to be sure, I just tend to write it first a little wider and deeper and send to the Ethiopianfirst.com, as I witness many time that articles of different stands are entertained fairly and independently on Ethiopiafirst.com.  And I am grateful for that to the editor. Your impartiality is, I would say, to the standard of Journalism ethics. Saying that: I now want to go to the main message of my today writing.

How Not To Mobilize The Diaspora

Secretary Condoleezza Rice`s Interview With Tefera Ggedamu of Ethiopia TV: (Dec07, 2007)

For text, Click Here (Source: State Department)

Meeting With Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Borderline war

The Economist - The likelihood of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is at its highest level in seven years. Eritrea is in the weaker position, politically and economically. At the end of November the UN-mandated Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) shut up shop and announced that its mandate had been fulfilled, notwithstanding the fact that neither government had agreed to the border first delineated by the EEBC in April 2002.

First German Coffee Importer Signs Up for Ethiopia's Coffee Initiative

ADDIS ABEBA AND HAMBURG – December 6, 2007. Ethiopia's fine coffee sector is aiming to reach out to the many players who promote its distinctive specialty coffees around the world. To do this, Ethiopia is creating a new international network of licensed distributors of its fine coffees. It has signed up 35 companies in USA, Japan, UK, Holland, Canada and South Africa to date.

U.S. Administration against H.R. 2003:Rice


Addis Ababa, December 05, 2007 (WIC) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today that her administration does not support the controversial H.R.2003: Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007.

At a press briefing she gave here this morning, Rice said “the administration does not support this (bill)”.

PM Meles and higher institutes' teachers discuss on quality of Education   Par I   | Part II

H.R. 2003 & the $210,000 Question

According to the December, 4 article of the New York Times,  Lobbying disclosure records indicate that some $210,00 was paid to arrange a power sharing agreement between the Ethiopian opposition groups and the government of Ethiopia. Kinijit North America boss Mr. Solomon Bekele admitted he only paid $90,000 of the total. The question is who paid the balance of $120,000? The disclosure does not say Shabia and its affiliates for now.   .    .     .   Finally, while I have answered who paid the $ 120,000 of the $210,000 for myself, I am still puzzled by who is still paying to re-write the Ethiopian constitution via H.R. 2003. I furthermore, feel duped for thinking that H.R 2003 was all about alleged human rights and not a cute power sharing arrangement for ONLF and Kinjit. Any way, it is good to know that it only takes few Dollars and a Donald Payne to violate the sovereignty of a country with 70 million people.

Rice's visit to Ethiopia puts focus on ally accused of human rights abuses