For Comment, Ben@EthiopiaFirst.com
 Dear
Netters,
I came to
Chicago yesterday to attend ESFNA’s 26th soccer
tournament. Unlike the previous tournaments I attended, this one
seems less organized and the attendance is very low. Since it wasn’t
effectively promoted like past events, not may people are aware of
the program. I hope it will get better by today & tomorrow.
(Ben – Friday July 3rd, 2009 2:57 PM ET)
|
 As one of the largest foreign investors in
Sweden, Al-Amoudi also owns Preem Petroleum: the largest oil
company in the country with two refineries constituting 75%
of the Swedish oil refining capacity and a distribution
network comprising over 500 petrol stations all over Sweden.
Al-Amoudi has twice been honoured with the Swedish Royal
Order of the Polar Star for his investments in Swedish
trade. |
The naked truth:
Patriarch Paulos is NOT going to display the Ark of Covenant.
 By:
Ben
Ethiopia's longest serving Patriarch Paulos (17years) has very
often been made the victim of rumors, fabrications and
misunderstandings. WorldNet Daily's of June 25th 2009 which has
also appeared on
www.ethiomedia.com
is, yet again, another portrayal of putting words into
the mouth of Patriarch Paulos. Like many a time in the past, I
went the extra mile to find out the naked truth for netters.
This is because such highly divisive 'news' items have to be
challenged head-on. Moreover, don't let us lose sight of the
fact that the Ark of Covenant is not only a highly revered icon
of EOTC, but, indeed, the very basis of the ritual of EOTC has
the Ark of Covenant as its fulcrum.
My source, who wishes to remain anonymous, was a member of the
high-level EOTC delegation that Patriarch Paulos led to Rome.
The purpose of His Holiness' trip was two-fold. First, as
President of the World Council of Churches as well as Head of
the most ancient church in Africa, he was invited to take part
in the G8 Faith Group alongside world religious leaders which
included Pope Benedict XVI in Rome from the 16th-17th June 2009.
Secondly, Patriarch Paulos was in Rome to officially open the
"Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Week" in Rome on June 17th 2009. At
none of these forums did the Holy Father say that EOTC
will put on display the the Ark of Covenant. The
Patriarch did, however, made repeated references about EOTC's fervent
desire to build a state of the art museum "close to the
abode of the Ark of Covenant" and solicited funds from
Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. And this is nothing
new as the Holy Father, himself, had launched an International
Appeal when he invited foreign Ambassadors to a meeting in
September 2008 at his Patriarchate. This is quite understandable
because the high cost of building a modern museum was deemed
beyond the means of EOTC.
Most surprisingly, therefore, contrary to WorldNet's
reportage, Patriarch Paulos - who already is in Addis Ababa - is
not going "to make an announcement on Friday June 26th at the
Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome." Nor is the slated state of the art
museum going to be funded by The Acosta Foundation.
My source added that the Patriarch is greatly saddened by the
fact that he has been the victim of pure speculation on the part
of irresponsible journalists. It is well worth noting,
here, that Patriarch Paulos or any future Patriarch of Ethiopia
does not have the spiritual or temporal powers to order the
display to the public of the original Ark of Covenant. The
centuries old fiat to maintain and protect the Ark of the
Covenant away from the gaze of the public remains as done and
dusted a matter under H.H.Paulos I, Patriarch of Ethiopia, as it
had always been the case. I very much hope that the
unraveling of this naked truth will put a stop to the rumpus
that it had created within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo
communities in the Diaspora. (Ben - June 26th, 2009 10:09 AM
ET)
Ethiopia rejects Somali request (BBC) -
Ethiopia has refused a request by Somalia for military support to
fight insurgents, saying such an intervention would need an
international mandate. . . . But Ethiopian government spokesman
Bereket Simon said that an international mandate was needed for such
an intervention. He added that the international community, not just
Somalia's neighbours, should assist its transitional government.
Editor's Note:
Ethiopia, with its successful incursion of Somalia in 2006, has
earned the moral high ground to demand an international mandate to
fight terrorism in Somalia. Last time we sent our gallant soldiers as the Somali Islamic Court
Union (ICU) directly threatened the sovereignty of Ethiopia.
Moreover, IGAD, AU, and UN recognized the Somali
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) asked Ethiopia for help.
Unfortunately, while our heroic soldiers were successfully fighting
local and international terrorists groups from Baidoa to Kesmayo,
the rest of the world was not helping us fill the vacuum. As such,
Ethiopian troops were forced to stay longer than what was formerly
anticipated, in order to strengthen the TFG. We did more than what
was expected.
This time, it is not only the national interest of
Ethiopia that is in danger, but that of the entire world, as Al Qaeda
settles in Somalia. Regrettably the rest of the world has abandoned
Somalia! The EU, USA, UN and AU have failed to pass a hard-hitting
embargo on those nations who openly support Al-Shabab and other
terrorist organizations. Due to the failure of the world body, the
glimmer-of-hope the Ethiopian soldiers brought is diminishing fast.
Just this week, peace loving Somalis lost two
courageous men due to suicide bombers. The death of Mr. Omar Hashi Aden
(who was interior minister) and Mr. Abdulkarim Farah Lakanyo (a former
Somali ambassador to Ethiopia) is very unfortunate. Their loss is not
limited only to Somalis, but for all nations who are contributing to
bring a lasting peace in Somalia. It is also very sad news for
Ethiopians, as we would gain tremendously from a stable & peaceful
Somalia. Deputy Foreign minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu delivered his
condolences to the family of Ambassador Abdulkarim, while
PM Meles
delivered his condolences for TFG and the people of Somalia.
It is depressing to see the mayhem in Somalia
actually get worse. However, it is not a burden Ethiopia should carry on
its own. As Minister Berket Simon put it rightly, an international
mandate is needed for such an intervention & the international
community, not just Somalia's neighbors, should assist in supporting the
transitional government. (Ben - Sunday
june21st, 2009 11:13 PM)
Proof
that all is safe and sound with Patriarch Paulos of Ethiopia (By: Ben of Ethiopiafirst)
Further to my recent
posting of the news confirming that Abuna Paulos was still the
Patriarch of Ethiopia, I now am blessed to post to you memos signed
by none other than the General Manager of EOTC instructing Church
officials to oversee the forth coming 17th Year Celebrations of the
Re-enthronement of H.H.Abuna Paulos I of Ethiopia.
Pic
1
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4
The
Federal Public Prosecutor has filed criminal charges against 46
defendants before the Federal High Court
Report Compiled by
EthiopiaFirst
Dear Netters,
According to my
sources, today the alleged Ginbot 7 terrorists were allowed to visit
their family members. Based on the information collected from family
members, here follows the names of those alleged terrorists.
Among the charged 46
defendants, only six of them were active duty military officers. The
majority of the defendants are civilians. From the total of the 46
defendants charged, 14 are charged in abstentia. Among those charged
in abstentia, Alehubel Amare, a dismissed ex-military officer for
disciplinary breach, has absconded to Eritrea through the channel
arranged by Andargachew Tsige. Ginbot 7 terrorists are openly
joining in hands with the Shaibia regime in its attempts to
destabilize Ethiopia, embarking on the same failed strategy of OLF
and ONLF. (More)
|
Light For Ethiopia - Progress on Gilgel
Gibe Dams
 Part 1
| Part
2
|
Dagmawi's comment on Ato Andargachew's
visit to Shabia land:
 The "Ethiopian
Review" (self-appointed, unofficial spokesman for the Ginbot 7
opposition party) has announced that Andargatchew Tsige,
secretary general of the party, is in Asmara for talks with
Isayas Afeworki. ER also announced that Ginbot 7 hopes to
establish temporary headquarters in Asmara. ER further
indicated that Berhanu Nega himself may go to Asmara soon.
Ginbot 7 has not issued a denial since ER published this
information on May 29. (More) |
"Ginbot 7 movement reported on Saturday 30th May
2009 in their radio broadcast to Ethiopia, that the movement’s
members and officers from the Ethiopian army have crossed the border
into Eritrea. They also said that these new developments are the
direct result of the latest wave of abductions following last
month’s alleged Ginbot 7 coup plot accusation . .
. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, Ginbot 7 had
swiftly sent a delegation to meet with the new arrivals." Abay Media website, a major supporter of Ginbot
7
Editor’s Note: According to the radio broadcast, the Front
admits that its clandestine supporters are in disarray. This
admittance came in part to justify why their leaders went to meet
Isayas Afeworki. Only the Almighty God knows how a Front which
preaches a strong & united Ethiopia works alongside Ato Isayas
Afeworki! I can imagine OLF & ONLF to work with Shabia as their
dream converge in destroying Ethiopia. The only way G7 can join this
axis-of-evil is in hoping that the anticipated power vacuum may
facilitate them a golden parachute to power. It is a pity to see Dr.
Berhanu entertaining this wicked idea!
Council discusses, passes decision on
anti-terrorism draft bill (ENA) - . . . the law is drafted with
the aim of preventing terrorism, investigating and bringing to court
terrorists and ensuring peace in the country and its environs as
terrorism has become threat to the world.
Editor's
Note: According to a source close to the draft bill,
most of the core provisions of the draft anti-terrorism law have
been drawn from the anti-terror laws of the UK, Canada, Australia
and the US. One could say that the draft law is more or less a copy
of the aforementioned anti-terror laws. Moreover, the draft makes
lots of emphasis to due process of law, most importantly ensuring
judicial oversight on the activities of law enforcement organs in
their effort to combat and bring terrorism suspects before a court
of law.
On a different note, with regards
to Ginbot 7 terror group the federal police investigation Criminal
Department informed the Federal First Instance court that it has
finalized its investigation and submitted its investigation file to
the Federal Prosecution. The court has remanded the suspect for a a
maximum of 14 days to allow the prosecution examine, frame and
submit a charge against the suspect before the court that has
jurisdiction over the matter. Note that pursuant to Article 109 of
Ethiopia's criminal procedure code, the the prosecution is given a
period of 14 days to prepare a criminal charge after it has received
a criminal investigation file from the police.
 "It is impossible to bring
about the kind of governance we, the Ethiopian people crave for with
the help/interference of Eritrea. It is impossible to save Ethiopia
from Eritrea. We didn’t arrive to this conclusion from just hearsay;
we had traveled back and forth to Eritrea and experienced first hand
the true nature of the Eritrean regime's plans and views towards
Ethiopia and Ethiopians." (More)
EPPF Information Center (From
Archive)
“The only reason that there is
an Ethiopia is that the US needed it for the Cold War, and recreated
it, otherwise it would have disappeared at the end of World War
II.”
Ato Isayas Afeworki, President
of Eritrea
|
Andargachew in
Asmara
According to a credible source close to
EthiopiaFirst, Ato Andargachew Tsige was in Eritrea. Good God
knows what he was negotiating with Aite Isayas Afeworki. One
doesn't have to be genius to know that the meeting wasn't for
the good of the country. Negotiating with Ato Isayas for the
betterment of Ethiopia is like asking Adolf Hitler's help to
strengthen the Jewish State. Ato Isayas is the sworn enemy of
Ethiopia. He doesn't mind to ride either Sheikh Awes or Ato
Andargachew so long as they promise him to create havoc in
Ethiopia.
So far OLF, ONLF, EPPF . . . tried to get
power in Ethiopia via the courts of Shabia. I guess the time
is now for Ginbot 7! Something I always wonder is if Isayas is
so mighty to bring down the Ethiopian government, why he
doesn't even dare to take back a single border area village?
Only stupid makes the same mistake again & again and
expect different outcome. I guess that is what we witness by
those who foolishly believe that Isayas is the way for power
in Addis! (Ben May 23, 2009 5:04 PM
ET) |
EDP Vindicated? It wasn't long ago since
many concluded that EDP (formerly known as UEDP-Medhin) was dead. I
guess slowly but surely the party is solidifying its base. I hope
its young charismatic leader, Ato Ledetu, learned a good lesson from
his past mistakes and take the party to the next higher level. I
honestly hope so! (Ben)
|
Breaking News: The head of the Ethiopian Football
Federation, Dr Ashebir Woldegiorgis, resigned on Saturday
moments before facing a motion of dismissal. (More)
Interview with Ato Zecharias Getachew who attended
the meeting.
Statement read by by
Ato Sahlu Gebrewold, Representative of Debub Kelel Football
Federation
Note from
Editor: EthiopiaFirst requested to receive
the statement read by Dr. Ashebir. W'll post it as soon as we
get it.
EthiopiaFirst.com , May 16th,
2009 |
Dear
EthiopiaFirsters,
Few minutes ago Ethiopian Democratic Party
(EDP) completed a very successful public meeting in Addis Ababa.
According to our source, the meeting venue, EEPCO’s hall, was full
to capacity and it was a vibrant meeting. Stay tuned for
pictures!
Ben, May 16, 2009 9:58 ET
(Click on the picture to see the
bigger size)
 Comment On the
Ethiopian Review interview with Isayas Afeworki (By: Dagmawi) -
The Ethiopian Review website, a prominent diaspora website that has
involved itself in opposition affairs, has posted news today (May
15, 2009) that it has conducted an interview with Eritrean dictator
Isayas Afeworki.
While the contents of the interview have not
yet been posted, this event is a sad milestone for Ethiopians in the
diaspora and their role in oppositon politics. The Ethiopian Review
has been serving as a cheerleader for Isayas Afeworki for some time
now, going so far as to declare him "Man of the Year" for 2008. Most
serious observers probably took this as a sign of mental instability
or silliness.
Although he rules a small country, Isayas
Afeworki ranks alongside the great tyrants of the last century in
terms of the suffering he has inflicted on his people. He is the
equal of Mengistu Hailemariam in this respect. This cynical,
manipulative, violent person has nothing positive to offer the
Ethiopian democratization movement.
The Ethiopian oppositon should keep the focus
on representing the interests of the people of Irob Wereda, of
Zalambessa, of Badime, and the people of Ethiopia as a whole. These
interests are diametrically opposed to the agenda of Isayas
Afeworki.
The Ethiopian oppositon should keep the focus
on principles of human rights and democracy. These principles are
completely alien to Isayas Afeworki.
ETV News - Ethiopia Responds to Amnesty
International Regarding The Recently Arrested 40 Alleged
Plotters (May 7, 209)
Ethiopia Rebuts The US State
Department Report On Human Rights (Via
WIC)
Selam
EthiopiaFirsters,
According
to a very credible source, here is some information about Ginbot 7's terror plot:
*There is strong impeachable evidence that
Ginbot 7 terror group has been set up
and led by Berhanu and Andargachew. Most of the members of the group
are former army officers who were dismissed from the army for breach
of military code of conduct and disciplinary rules. The group also
comprises a tiny number of reprimanded and demoted army officers,
for instance the leader of the group, B./Gen Tefera, was a demoted
high ranking officer.
*Ethiopia's security forces have put the
terror group under their close scrutiny and surveillance for a long
period of time. The members of the terror group were so
unprofessional and self-serving greedy money-mongers that they did
not have an iota of suspicion in regard to government
surveillance.
*The security forces have been able to
gather all the information and relevant evidence about the whole
plan and activities of the terror group as well as their
relationship with Ginbot 7 Diaspora self
proclaimed leaders.
*The organization and structure of
Ethiopia's defense forces is not open for launching or attempting coup d'etat. The terror group did not have
any significant support within the army, nor did it have support
outside the army. The membership to the group was along the ties of
kindred lines and Yeand akababee lijoch.
*The group had planned to launch a serious
of terror attacks. The group relied heavily on Ginbot 7 'gangs
for political direction and financial backing. It received direct
and full financial backing from Berhanu and Anadargachew. Both
Berhanu and Anadagachew used and involved their close family members
to transfer a large sum of money and other materials necessary for
the implementation of the terror plan.
Stay tuned
for more info.
Ben - Apr 28, 2009 - 10:49 AM ET
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Gone but not forgotten (Capital) - The legendary Ethiopian musician
Tilahun Gessesse passed away on Sunday April 19. The star, who had
been receiving medical treatment at one of the top hospitals in the
USA, died on Ethiopian Easter Sunday.
Editor's Note:
What a very tragic day?! . . . We’ll
miss you, Gash Telahun. Artist Tilahun Gessese has a special
place in our heart and as the Capital newspaper rightly put it ….
Gone but not forgotten! We love you Emperor Tilahun Gesssese.
(Ben)
|
While the twosome doomsayers are
preaching violence from the comfort of Diaspora, EDP is
electrifying its supporters to believe in peaceful
struggle. With its famous “The Third
Alternative way” approach, EDP seems shaking the foundation of
the old dirty politics. Here in Diaspora, the duo is busy selling
“YeArbegnanet” certificate for $500!
On the mean time EDP is intensifying its presence throughout the
country. 
Is Democratic Space Growing or
Shrinking in Ethiopia? (ETV)
June
24, 2009 - PM Meles Zenawi Press Conference
