Friday, December 15, 2006
I THINK I'VE HAD ENOUGH
Interview With Meles Zenawi
Thursday, December 14, 2006; 12:26 PM
The Washington Post's Stephanie McCrummen sat down this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss rising tensions with Somalia's Islamic Courts, and the state of democracy inside the country.
On the issue of Somalia: Ethiopia is inching closer to war with the Islamic Courts, who have taken over large swaths the country, including its capital, and who have in the past called for creation of a "Greater Somalia," including portions of ethnically Somali Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Diplomats estimate that Ethiopia has at least 8,000 troops in Somalia bolstering the fragile, but internationally recognized transitional government, a claim that Ethiopia has repeatedly denied.
'The Washington Post\'s Stephanie McCrummen sat down this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss rising
Q: First, your reaction to the call by the Islamic Courts for Ethiopia to withdraw its forces in seven days?
A: They have issued an ultimatum. This does not come as a surprise to me. The declaration is based on falsehoods. It is true we have troops in Baidoa, the capital, who are there to train forces of the transitional federal government, who are an internationally recognized government and who have officially asked for support from Ethiopia. . . . Now, if the transitional government does not want our trainers, we'd be happy to withdraw them. . . . But on a more fundamental level it appears that this jihadist movement is hell-bent on controlling all of Somalia. That for them, the negotiations are a ploy used to facilitate their goal. They see Ethiopia as a stumbling block.
Q. There are analysts, diplomats and others who fear that limited conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, even a short conflict, would ultimately spawn terrorist attacks across the region in neighboring countries, that it would embolden the more radical elements within the courts. Do you share this analysis? What are your thoughts on the idea that even an African Union deployment might make matters worse in the long run?
A. This argument does fascinate me. It does surprise me that intelligent people in the 21st century could claim that if you respond to the terrorists with force, you spawn terrorism, but if you appease them, you somehow tame them. This argument, as I said, is very interesting, and very surprising. . . . This policy of feckleness in the face of threats, this beatification of this threat, is quite dangerous. . . . There is a group in the Islamic Movement in Mogadishu that is not interested in democratic secular government in Somalia, that is hell-bent on establishing a Taliban regime in Somalia. Now, you can facilitate the Talibanization of Somalia through dialogue. If that is the intention, it perhaps makes sense. But you cannot stop a group that has clearly demonstrated that it wants to Talibanize all of Somalia, that is prepared to use dialogue to facilitate its military takeover. For someone to say in the face of such facts and stark realities, that facing the challenge on its own terms is what creates the challenge in the first place, such arguments in my view are worse than fecklessness in the face of a challenge.
On Democracy: In May 2005, the Ethiopian government conducted what many observers considered the most open and competitive elections since Prime Minister Meles Zenawi took power in a 1991 coup. An estimated 90 percent of the country's 25 million registered voters took part. When the preliminary results were announced, however, opposition party members accused the government of fraud, and took to the streets to protest, prompting a recount that showed the opposition parties made significant gains, but did not win a majority. When the opposition took to the streets again in November, they clashed with government security forces who opened fire. A government investigation found that 197 people were killed, including six police officers. Thousands of opposition members were arrested, and more than 100 opposition leaders, journalists and relief workers remain in jail, many having been charged with treason.
Q. I wanted to ask you about how your thinking has changed since you arrived in 1991. How has your thinking changed on subject of democracy? And do you believe that Ethiopia needs a strong, viable, peaceful opposition in order to progress?
A. Of course everybody's thinking evolves over time. Only dead people cease learning, and I am not certified dead yet. So I am still learning. Over the years I've come to recognize that democratization in Ethiopia is not just a matter of choice. It's a matter of national survival. I am deeply convinced that we either democratize and have a good chance of surviving, or if we fail to do so, we disintegrate. That is a significant evolution in my thinking. I know more now than I did in the past about the process of democratization. I know more about the pitfalls. With regards to your second question, a peaceful, strong viable opposition is part of any vibrant democracy. And we wish to have a vibrant democracy, and therefore we wish to have a vibrant, strong, peaceful opposition that is fully committed to the constitution and to play by the rules.
Q. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened after the election last year? There are hundreds of opposition members still in jail, thousands arrested at the time -- 197, I believe, killed, according to the government's report. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened?
A.. Yes, well, it's very regrettable that the election which was described as a model, that it turned out that this process in the end was tarnished by the fact that many people died. I regret the deaths of these people. It was a completely unnecessary and tragic series of events. I do not regret the fact that we have detained political leaders of this insurrection.
Q. Insurrection?
A. Yes. We bent back a lot to prevent this. . . . They said that there were irregularities in the elections. . . . Our response has been okay, we have the processes. We have the national election board. . . . And if you don't accept the board you go to the courts. . . . So we bent back, and said we accept the process of review of the counting, which involved the opposition parties' representatives and foreign observers. . . . Having done it we were not able to prevent publicly declared -- openly and publicly declared -- exercise of overthrowing the duly constituted government by unconstitutional means. And the rule of law is the basis for any democracy. And without the rule of law in democracy, you have chaos. They were pushing the country towards chaos. And we had to enforce the rule of law. And they have had their day in court. That is as it should be. There are no regrets here.
Q. I've been talking to a lot of people, regular people here on the streets in Addis, and some are open, and talk. But a lot of people are afraid to talk. They are concerned about expressing their opinion. Why do you think that is? Do you think that's warranted? Why do you think there's such a fear among people here?
A. I don't think there is such fear. At least in expressing opinions contrary to government. . . . There might be fear with regards to those associated with groups intent in carrying out insurrection. And supporters of armed insurrection might be concerned to have their ideas known. It is illegal to be a member of an organization that is challenging the constitution by armed force. But other than that, I don't see any fear. But I also understand that the opposition wants to prove that this is a repressive regime.
Q. Do you have any plans to try for a third term?
A. My party? My party will try not only for a third term but for a tenth term.
Q. And you personally?
A. And me personally, I think I've had enough.
Thursday, December 14, 2006; 12:26 PM
The Washington Post's Stephanie McCrummen sat down this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss rising tensions with Somalia's Islamic Courts, and the state of democracy inside the country.
On the issue of Somalia: Ethiopia is inching closer to war with the Islamic Courts, who have taken over large swaths the country, including its capital, and who have in the past called for creation of a "Greater Somalia," including portions of ethnically Somali Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Diplomats estimate that Ethiopia has at least 8,000 troops in Somalia bolstering the fragile, but internationally recognized transitional government, a claim that Ethiopia has repeatedly denied.
'The Washington Post\'s Stephanie McCrummen sat down this week with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to discuss rising
Q: First, your reaction to the call by the Islamic Courts for Ethiopia to withdraw its forces in seven days?
A: They have issued an ultimatum. This does not come as a surprise to me. The declaration is based on falsehoods. It is true we have troops in Baidoa, the capital, who are there to train forces of the transitional federal government, who are an internationally recognized government and who have officially asked for support from Ethiopia. . . . Now, if the transitional government does not want our trainers, we'd be happy to withdraw them. . . . But on a more fundamental level it appears that this jihadist movement is hell-bent on controlling all of Somalia. That for them, the negotiations are a ploy used to facilitate their goal. They see Ethiopia as a stumbling block.
Q. There are analysts, diplomats and others who fear that limited conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, even a short conflict, would ultimately spawn terrorist attacks across the region in neighboring countries, that it would embolden the more radical elements within the courts. Do you share this analysis? What are your thoughts on the idea that even an African Union deployment might make matters worse in the long run?
A. This argument does fascinate me. It does surprise me that intelligent people in the 21st century could claim that if you respond to the terrorists with force, you spawn terrorism, but if you appease them, you somehow tame them. This argument, as I said, is very interesting, and very surprising. . . . This policy of feckleness in the face of threats, this beatification of this threat, is quite dangerous. . . . There is a group in the Islamic Movement in Mogadishu that is not interested in democratic secular government in Somalia, that is hell-bent on establishing a Taliban regime in Somalia. Now, you can facilitate the Talibanization of Somalia through dialogue. If that is the intention, it perhaps makes sense. But you cannot stop a group that has clearly demonstrated that it wants to Talibanize all of Somalia, that is prepared to use dialogue to facilitate its military takeover. For someone to say in the face of such facts and stark realities, that facing the challenge on its own terms is what creates the challenge in the first place, such arguments in my view are worse than fecklessness in the face of a challenge.
On Democracy: In May 2005, the Ethiopian government conducted what many observers considered the most open and competitive elections since Prime Minister Meles Zenawi took power in a 1991 coup. An estimated 90 percent of the country's 25 million registered voters took part. When the preliminary results were announced, however, opposition party members accused the government of fraud, and took to the streets to protest, prompting a recount that showed the opposition parties made significant gains, but did not win a majority. When the opposition took to the streets again in November, they clashed with government security forces who opened fire. A government investigation found that 197 people were killed, including six police officers. Thousands of opposition members were arrested, and more than 100 opposition leaders, journalists and relief workers remain in jail, many having been charged with treason.
Q. I wanted to ask you about how your thinking has changed since you arrived in 1991. How has your thinking changed on subject of democracy? And do you believe that Ethiopia needs a strong, viable, peaceful opposition in order to progress?
A. Of course everybody's thinking evolves over time. Only dead people cease learning, and I am not certified dead yet. So I am still learning. Over the years I've come to recognize that democratization in Ethiopia is not just a matter of choice. It's a matter of national survival. I am deeply convinced that we either democratize and have a good chance of surviving, or if we fail to do so, we disintegrate. That is a significant evolution in my thinking. I know more now than I did in the past about the process of democratization. I know more about the pitfalls. With regards to your second question, a peaceful, strong viable opposition is part of any vibrant democracy. And we wish to have a vibrant democracy, and therefore we wish to have a vibrant, strong, peaceful opposition that is fully committed to the constitution and to play by the rules.
Q. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened after the election last year? There are hundreds of opposition members still in jail, thousands arrested at the time -- 197, I believe, killed, according to the government's report. Given what you just said, do you have any regrets about what happened?
A.. Yes, well, it's very regrettable that the election which was described as a model, that it turned out that this process in the end was tarnished by the fact that many people died. I regret the deaths of these people. It was a completely unnecessary and tragic series of events. I do not regret the fact that we have detained political leaders of this insurrection.
Q. Insurrection?
A. Yes. We bent back a lot to prevent this. . . . They said that there were irregularities in the elections. . . . Our response has been okay, we have the processes. We have the national election board. . . . And if you don't accept the board you go to the courts. . . . So we bent back, and said we accept the process of review of the counting, which involved the opposition parties' representatives and foreign observers. . . . Having done it we were not able to prevent publicly declared -- openly and publicly declared -- exercise of overthrowing the duly constituted government by unconstitutional means. And the rule of law is the basis for any democracy. And without the rule of law in democracy, you have chaos. They were pushing the country towards chaos. And we had to enforce the rule of law. And they have had their day in court. That is as it should be. There are no regrets here.
Q. I've been talking to a lot of people, regular people here on the streets in Addis, and some are open, and talk. But a lot of people are afraid to talk. They are concerned about expressing their opinion. Why do you think that is? Do you think that's warranted? Why do you think there's such a fear among people here?
A. I don't think there is such fear. At least in expressing opinions contrary to government. . . . There might be fear with regards to those associated with groups intent in carrying out insurrection. And supporters of armed insurrection might be concerned to have their ideas known. It is illegal to be a member of an organization that is challenging the constitution by armed force. But other than that, I don't see any fear. But I also understand that the opposition wants to prove that this is a repressive regime.
Q. Do you have any plans to try for a third term?
A. My party? My party will try not only for a third term but for a tenth term.
Q. And you personally?
A. And me personally, I think I've had enough.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
8 Ethiopian soldiers defect to Eritrea
Posted: 07.12.2006 I
Ethiopian soldiers arrive here opposing TPLF regime’s invasion of Somalia: Ministry of Information - Eritrea
Asmara, 6 December 2006 – 8 Ethiopian soldiers arrived in Eritrea opposing the TPLF regime’s invasion of Somalia. One of the soldiers, Alelign Simeneh disclosed that troops from different divisions of the Ethiopian Army have entered Somalia territory in breach of its sovereignty. He added that the regime is imprisoning officers, soldiers and health professionals under the guise of evaluation after the defection of two Ethiopian generals who have joined the opposition.Accordingly, Lt. Colonel Girma, ex-secretary of Maj. General Bacha Debele and several other senior officers and health professionals who were members of the Army and an unknown number of nurses have defected. The 8 soldiers are Kamel Kemalo Sheik, Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim, Wegari Gidina Mokjera, Abyot Sheferaw Hunde, Teyib Haji Temam Suleiman, all 5 from the Oromo ethnic group, and Alelign Simeneh Gezu and Adane Mekuanint Ayichew, both from the Amhara ethnic group, as well as Ab
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Dec 5, 2006 — In the horn of Africa the daily occurrences are faster than one could follow. At a time hopeful events occurred, and at times all the hopes diminishes. Therefore, it is vital for the peoples of the region to keep their esteems up-ward, as there will always be a hope at the end of the tunnel there is always a light!Starting from the very volatile nation without any central government for more than fifteen years, since the collapse of former President Siad Barre, in 1991. Clan based power of warlords took the country into chaos. Within the capital city, Mogadisho there were more than five clan-doms. Fear, lawlessness, was everyday life for the citizens. The whole nation brake down into self proclaimed states. As the current chaos continues some neighboring countries are encouraging the breakaway states of disintegration, which have vested interested in weakened and lawless Somalia.Never the less there is a deem light coming out, if the Somalis are able to tighten their belts and come to regain their independency, the fragile but deem light could lead them to the ever-lasting peace. This everlasting peace though cannot be achieved without paying the necessary price that is courage and sacrifice for the good of the people. Sacrifice not necessary mean to give once life, but to be self less. The intrusion and interference of United States and Ethiopia however, will make it more difficult, but it is still possible that the Somalis themselves can achieve what they want.The Sudanese people are passing through very challenging but fruitful period. The peaceful solution of Southern Sudan conflict, which was the cause of loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, and destabilization, displacement, and other horrible impacts on the citizens, has brought impeccable peace in a civilized manner, have given a relief and hope to the whole region. Nevertheless, the reached peace agreement undoubtedly needs to be nurtured with implementation of the sprit of the intended goal. It has been marked some hick-ups here and there, although it is natural, however, it needs responsible solutions on timely manner. It is a relief to mark that the sole people who fought against each other are now working together for the same goal that is peace for all. Another equally important peace agreement took place recently solved the Eastern Sudan conflict. This agreement did not only solve the conflict of the East, but also took place with no external interference of any kind. Such a process will be very helpful on implementing the agreement with less or without obstacles. Sudan is now left with one but very important and dangerous conflict to solve. The Darfur conflict! Undoubtedly, the Darfuris suffers are unacceptable. The peace loving multicultural and multi race, known to be so kind people, should not allow this to happen. Sudanese are known to be very kind and generous people. Neighbor nations Eritrea, Libya, and Egypt are trying to bring this highly publicized and very sensitive to the well being of the whole nation. Sooner than later bringing the highly wanted peace is a win-win situation to the Sudanese people and the whole continent.Neighboring Ethiopia, after the fall of dictator Mengistu Hailemariam, the hope reached at its highest barometer, that Ethiopia is going to be the bacon of peace, tranquility and prosperity. People hoped that will be the end of seeing Ethiopian suffer and misery. The EPRDF the united front of all Ethiopians that include, the Tigres, Amharas, Oromos, Somalis, and other nationals, helped by the EPLF, the Eritrean peoples liberation front, took over the government in 1991. Soon the Tigrai dominated front systematically ejected or undermined the ones comrades in fighting for the same cause to free and democratize Ethiopia, starting from the Oromos, Amharas and others. The regime led by PM Meles Zenawi, have fully focused on Tigrai regions sole benefit at the cost of other regions. The TPLF’s dream of a separate independent Tigrai is still intact to date. To realize their dream, they annexed chunks of fertile lands from Wolo and Begemider regions. They even crossed international boundary, to annex a sovereign Eritrean land, which triggered to the unwanted war of the neighborly nations. The war that started in 1996 was a great miscalculation by the TPLF led regime in Ethiopia. Washington Times’ in one of its articles, “ Ethiopia lost more than 70 thousands lives with nothing to show for such large sacrifice.” This animosity was supposedly to be solved under the court ruling, which both Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed under the “Algiers agreement” signed in December 2000. Under the agreement the commission made up five prominent judges was established to rule the conflict.Article 5 No. 17 of the agreement stated as follows: “Decisions and awards of the commission shall be final and binding. The parties agree to honor all decision and to pay any monetary awards rendered against them promptly.” While on April 2002, a clear verdict was awarded, unfortunately, the TPLF regime did not uphold the agreement to date, while Eritrea fully believed and adhered to the agreement.Ethiopia, due to amateurish immature government, now the country is under high political stress. The Oromos, the Amharas, the Somalis and other nationals are fighting against the minority regime. If it were not with the extended help of the WEST the regime in Ethiopia would have collapsed. Not only that, the supposedly democratic election for a government that took place last year, the regime in power did not want to accept the out come. The winners of the election are currently lingering in the prison cells, under a treason charge, the charge that is punishable to death under the countries rule.The current Ethiopian situation is seriously dangerous, for the whole region. Ethiopia is fully intervening in inter Somalia conflicts, besides occupying Eritrean, Sudanese, Somali, and Kenyan sovereign lands.This newly emerged country Eritrea was under chain of colonies until 1991, wining the war against Ethiopia’s at the time Africa’s most powerful army. Eritrea took its legal time to officially proclaim its independence. In 1993 under the observations of UN, OAU and others, Eritreans voted 99.85% for independence. With that Eritrea became an independent nation, in May 24, 1993.The hard working Eritreans, unlike other newly emerged nations or nations recovered from war, they did not get any help. No nation-raised funds to assist or rehabilitate its collapsed economy and infrastructure. To the contrary, Eritrea fully relied on its citizens with in Eritrea and the Diasporas. The unwanted second aggression of Ethiopia that started in 2006, have interrupted to certain degree the acceleration of its economic recovery. Nevertheless, these hard working people, while defending their sovereign nation they are also fully involved in nation building. Eritrea has built more schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and colleges during these challenging years than its peacetime of five years. While some very important political process has been halted, giving priority to national safety and security, it is the will of the people and the government that Eritrea became the beacon of democracy, by the people to its people with out any pressure or to please any other but its own people.Eritrea’s stand on Somali conflict is very clear. While admitting the Somali people’s help for Eritrea’s independence during the struggle, it is very important that the Somali people should solve their problem without any foreign intervention(s).The brotherly people of Sudan have contributed undeniable assistance during the struggle for Eritrean independence. Eritrea is well aware that peace and prosperity of brotherly people of Sudan is tantamount to its own peace and prosperity. Therefore it takes as its own peace when Sudan realizes full peace. It contributed to the Southern Sudan conflict, as it played a major role assisting to solve the Eastern Sudan conflict. It is openly extending its will to contribute to the Darfuri conflict’s solution. Eritrea is enjoying Djibouti’s friendly neighborliness. Both nations have signed protocols that bring both peoples even closer.In regard to Ethiopia, the people of Eritrea made it clear that it is only a peaceful way based on mutual respect that is enabling us to live as neighbors, rather than enemies. Eritrea have extended its hand of peace, at the end of the war for independence, although the country has been destroyed to ashes, and over 65,000 Eritreans lost their lives due to the barbaric act of the regimes in Ethiopia.Eritrea always maintained that “Only the ruling elite is the enemy of Eritrea, not the people.” The same holds even now.The small nation Djibouti, being very strategic and important nation is playing bigger roll on stabilizing the region. It is the only nation that maintained peace and friendship with all its neighbors. It is also the nation that solved it is internal conflicts in a civilized manner citing in a round table. A democratically elected government is a great example to nations surrounding it.Knowing better and more than any other nation(s) Djibouti, have tried to bring the Somali brothers together, and even hosted to the point that gave a little hope on establishing a transitional government. Djibouti, at this time maintains its full support to united Somalia, and united government.Its roll in IGAD is remarkable. Although, IGAD is not as functional as each of the member nations citizens wanted it to be, due to conflicts of Eritrea and Ethiopia and Somalia’s fragile situation.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
This helicopter is destroyed by ONLF
Nov 13, 2006 Reports reaching our service desk from our reporter in Qorahey zone, confirm the destruction of an Ethiopian military helicopter. This helicopter is said to have been destroyed by members of a specially trained force of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF).The military operation that resulted in the loss of this military attack helicopter took place in Qabridahar in the early hours of Sunday night, 12/11/2006). About forty soldiers are reported killed in the same operation that resulted the loss of the helicopter This is the second attack helicopter that was destroyed by ONLF. The first helicopter was destroyed in the town of Gebo Gebo in July 18th, this year. About twenty-six high-ranking military officials including general Mulugeta, a close relative of the current Ethiopian premier, lost their life in the earlier helicopter.In a related similar commando operation carried out by specially trained ONLF fighters, the main military garrison in Dhagax Bur city was attacked.There are unconfirmed reported of many military deaths within the military garrison however there has been no confirmation from the Ethiopianmilitary.Military analysts in the horn believe that the two related commando operations carried out by ONLF show the increasing strength of the ONLF army. These analysts also believe that these military operations carried out within the Ethiopian military garissons appear planned.They add that these operations other than causing military casualties also send the message that the Ethiopian military is not safe anywhere in Ogaden.Ogaden Online News Thursday, October 26, 2006
Starbucks in storm over Ethiopian trademark bid
Business // Friday, October 26
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
US coffee giant Starbucks denied using heavy-handed tactics to foil a bid by Ethiopia to trademark three coffee beans, but said it wanted to work with the African nation on the issue.
.Starbucks, which extols fair trade with its suppliers in the developing world, has been thrown on the defensive by allegations from British charity Oxfam that it was instrumental in depriving Ethiopian farmers of extra income.
.In mid-August, an official at the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in favour of a protest by the National Coffee Association (NCA), which represents US coffee roasters including Starbucks, against the trademark application.
.The NCA said the bid was bad economics and bad for Ethiopian farmers, and Starbucks said that Ethiopia would be better served by cooperating to give its coffee beans geographical designations.
."Starbucks has never filed an opposition to the Ethiopian government's trademark application, nor claimed ownership to any regional names used to describe the origin of our coffees," the chain said in a statement.
.Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, enabling it to control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.
.But the patent office's examiner said the names had become too generic as descriptions of coffee to be trademarked. Ethiopia can appeal the decision.
.Accusing Starbucks of being behind the NCA protest, Oxfam said the US chain was denying Ethiopian producers an estimated 47 million pounds (70 million euros, 88.5 million dollars) a year.
.NCA chief executive Robert Nelson said any implication that his group had been leant on by Starbucks was "categorically false", insisting he had brought the matter to the attention of Starbucks and other US coffee companies.
.He added that the Ethiopian bid was always doomed as under US law, it is impossible to trademark a geographical region in this way.
."The Ethiopian trademark would cause economic harm to Ethiopian coffee farmers," Nelson told AFP, arguing that US coffee makers could no longer market premium brands such as Sidamo themselves.
.Starbucks said it had written to the Ethiopian government to seek cooperation on giving "robust" geographical designations to the beans, placing them on a par with Bordeaux wine and Florida oranges.
."These systems are far more effective than registering trademarks for geographically descriptive terms, which is actually contrary to general trademark law and custom," it said.
.Starbucks added that it was "committed to paying premium prices for all our coffee". In the fiscal year ended last month, it said, it paid an average of 1.28 dollars per pound of coffee, 23 percent above the average New York price.
."Our approach to coffee purchasing, investment in social development projects and microfinance initiatives in coffee-growing regions has been recognized for its leadership within the industry." — AFP
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
…..BREAKING NEWS #2….is coming your way. It the Somalis are saying, “have captured an Ethiopian officer and he is now being held under guard in one of our compounds. They added that “the Ethiopian soldier would be shown to the media in the coming days.” Here are the Weyane to drop like flies in Somalia too. Take a look at Weyane being hunted all over Ethiopia. The EPPF in Gondar, Gojam, and Wollo; the Beshangul in the West, OLF all over Oromia, the ONLF in Ogaden, the Afar Liberation Front in the East, the Sidama Liberation front in the south (9 liberation fronts in all) are hunting the Weyane. And now the Weyane are to drop like flies in Somalia. By the way, Meles Zenawi should have asked Mengistu Hailemariam how 10,000 Somalis chased 100,000 Ethiopian soldiers all the way from Jijiga to Deredawa and Mengistu has to call the Soviets to stop the Somalis. In any case, Eritrea, be patient, just sit on the side line and let the Ethiopians and the Somalis finish the Weyane
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
NEW YORK
NEW YORK (Reuters) - At least two people were killed when a small aircraft crashed into a 52-story building on Manhattan's Upper East Side on Wednesday in what appeared to be an accident, officials said.
The four-seat plane was owned by Yankees baseball pitcher Cory Lidle, sources at the New York police department told Reuters. The FAA confirmed the plane was owned by Lidle, 34. CNN said the pilot of the plane was Lidle and he was believed to have been killed.
U.S. and New York officials said they had no reason to believe the crash, which occurred in overcast weather, was relateditorial/el'foo','allowscriptaccess','alwa A New York police department spokeswoman said the crash killed two people and possibly more.
Military fighter jets patrolled several U.S. cities as a precaution, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said.
"NORAD fighters are airborne over numerous cities. They are airborne now as a prudent measure," said NORAD spokeswoman Kyle Combs. She did not say which cities were being patrolled, or how many, but added the fighters were sent up right after the plane crashed into the building.
On Wall Street, U.S. stocks extended losses but quickly recovered once it became clear the crash was not an attack similar to the hijacked plane attacks of September 11, 2001.
"We have no reason to believe at this point that it is terrorist related," said New York City Police Chief Michael Collins. Continued...
The four-seat plane was owned by Yankees baseball pitcher Cory Lidle, sources at the New York police department told Reuters. The FAA confirmed the plane was owned by Lidle, 34. CNN said the pilot of the plane was Lidle and he was believed to have been killed.
U.S. and New York officials said they had no reason to believe the crash, which occurred in overcast weather, was relateditorial/el'foo','allowscriptaccess','alwa A New York police department spokeswoman said the crash killed two people and possibly more.
Military fighter jets patrolled several U.S. cities as a precaution, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said.
"NORAD fighters are airborne over numerous cities. They are airborne now as a prudent measure," said NORAD spokeswoman Kyle Combs. She did not say which cities were being patrolled, or how many, but added the fighters were sent up right after the plane crashed into the building.
On Wall Street, U.S. stocks extended losses but quickly recovered once it became clear the crash was not an attack similar to the hijacked plane attacks of September 11, 2001.
"We have no reason to believe at this point that it is terrorist related," said New York City Police Chief Michael Collins. Continued...
Monday, October 09, 2006
Jihad against Ethiopia
Somali Islamists declare 'jihad' against Ethiopia Mon Oct 9, 2006 1:33 PM GMTMOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia's powerful Islamists on Monday declared holy war against Horn of Africa rival Ethiopia, which they accused of invading Somalia to prop up the shaky interim government."Starting from today, we have declared jihad against Ethiopia," Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told a news conference, while wearing combat fatigues and clutching an AK-47 assault rifle.Ahmed, usually viewed as a more moderate voice among the Islamists who took Mogadishu in June and now control much of Somalia's south, appeared angry as he addressed reporters."Heavily armed Ethiopian troops have invaded Somalia. They have captured Buur Hakaba. History shows that Somalis always win when they are attacked from outside," he said.The Islamists and residents of Buur Hakaba, about 30 km (20 miles) from the interim government's base in Baidoa, said Ethiopian troops accompanied government fighters who took the town over early on Monday."Somalis in and outside the country are obliged to defend their country and their religion. You should be ready for an order and execute it as you will be told," Ahmed said.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Ethiopian PM M Z
Les Neuhaus
Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Saturday that the threat of war with neighbouring Eritrea over their disputed border was fading.
"As time passes the risk of war is diminishing not increasing," Meles told journalists at a news conference in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
The United Nations security council extended the mandate of peacekeepers in Eritrea and Ethiopia by four months on Friday, but threatened to overhaul the mission if the two sides didn't make progress toward demarcating their border.
Ethiopia has refused to implement an international commission's April 2002 ruling that awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea.
Eritrea, meanwhile, has expelled and arrested UN staff and imposed restrictions on patrols of the border area.
Meles said Ethiopia had accepted the ruling but did not say whether his country would implement it, which was supposed to be "final and binding".
Border never agreed to
The security council has cut the number of peacekeepers deployed in the two countries from 3 500 to 2 300 in frustration over the lack of progress.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but a border was never agreed to.
Violence erupted again in 1998 and ended two years later. Ttens of thousands of people were killed.
Under the 2000 peace agreement, both countries agreed to abide by an independent commission's ruling on the position of the disputed 1 000km border, while UN troops patrolled a 25km buffer zone between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Meles told journalists that if Somalia's Islamic courts attacked that country's virtually powerless government it would be cause for concern for Ethiopia and the international community at large.
Witnesses say Ethiopian troops are already in Somalia, but the Ethiopian government has denied this.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Fighting
Baidoa - Somalia's Islamic fighters have seized control of a strategic village near the Ethiopian border, the group said on Saturday.Fighters loyal to the radical Union of Islamic Courts group routed pro-government militia from the village of Jawill, some 15km from the Ethiopian border. The only roads between Ethiopia and central Somalia pass through the village."The militiamen who controlled this village had a good relationship with Ethiopia so we decided they were an obstacle to our control in the region," said Hassan Abdirahman, whose Islamic fighters carried out the operation. "Some 200 fighters carried out the attack, he said.Local resident Abdi Risaq told The Associated Press by telephone that three pro-government militiamen and one fighter with the Union of Islamic Courts were killed during Friday's gunbattle for the village.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
look I did send my troops to Somaila
Somalia's Islamic Courts have today said that large number of Ethiopian troops entered Somalia.
In a press conference held in Mogadishu, the Islamic Courts Security Council head Sheik Yusuf Indho-adde reiterated that unverified number of Ethiopian troops came in Somalia.
Indho-adde said it's an aggression of Ethiopia that is accustomed to coming in and out of Somalia when it desires.
"We are not going to invade a neighboring country. We are asking the world to keep a breast of Ethiopia's illegal movement in Somalia", said Indho-adde, inciting the UN and Arab League to try to halt Ethiopia's intervention in Somalia.
Union of Islamic Courts took over the last port town of Kismayu, where demonstrations against them took place.
The Islamists are reported to fire shots after the demonstration turned out violent.
Demonstrators set tires a blaze chanting anti-Islamist slogans.
At least two persons are reported killed in the riot.
Islamists' security council head mentioned about 50-100 Ethiopian armored vehicles had entered Somalia from Gedo region, southern Somalia, where Somalia borders Ethiopia, adding the Ethiopian troops went straight to Baidoa, the temporary base for Somalia's virtually shaky government to shield interim president Abdulahi Yusuf's government.
Reliable sources in Bardalle district of Bay region told Shabelle radio in Mogadishu that about 50 Ethiopian battlewagons had arrived in Baidoa.
The Islamic Courts first assistant chairperson Abdirahman Jinikow vowed the Islamists would fight Ethiopia if it did not renounce entering Somalia.
In a press conference held in Mogadishu, the Islamic Courts Security Council head Sheik Yusuf Indho-adde reiterated that unverified number of Ethiopian troops came in Somalia.
Indho-adde said it's an aggression of Ethiopia that is accustomed to coming in and out of Somalia when it desires.
"We are not going to invade a neighboring country. We are asking the world to keep a breast of Ethiopia's illegal movement in Somalia", said Indho-adde, inciting the UN and Arab League to try to halt Ethiopia's intervention in Somalia.
Union of Islamic Courts took over the last port town of Kismayu, where demonstrations against them took place.
The Islamists are reported to fire shots after the demonstration turned out violent.
Demonstrators set tires a blaze chanting anti-Islamist slogans.
At least two persons are reported killed in the riot.
Islamists' security council head mentioned about 50-100 Ethiopian armored vehicles had entered Somalia from Gedo region, southern Somalia, where Somalia borders Ethiopia, adding the Ethiopian troops went straight to Baidoa, the temporary base for Somalia's virtually shaky government to shield interim president Abdulahi Yusuf's government.
Reliable sources in Bardalle district of Bay region told Shabelle radio in Mogadishu that about 50 Ethiopian battlewagons had arrived in Baidoa.
The Islamic Courts first assistant chairperson Abdirahman Jinikow vowed the Islamists would fight Ethiopia if it did not renounce entering Somalia.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
BREAKIG NEWS
BREAKING NEWS of the day on the fall of Weyane has it that, a “shooting broke out between Ethiopian soldiers in western Oromia”. News reaching from the region “confirmed that fierce gun battle occurred between soldiers of Oromo origin and TPLF soldiers over the last weekend in the vicinity of Naqamtee, western Oromia. The shooting incidence happened when six Oromo soldiers discovered a location where TPLF soldiers were torturing five other Oromo soldiers brought from border areas. Angered by the actions of the TPLF soldiers, the Oromo soldiers instantly opened fire on TPLF soldiers. After a fierce gun battle the six Oromo soldiers left the city unharmed and their whereabouts is unknown yet. In related news the TPLF government brought new military force to Geedo, in central Oromia, to replace the small contingent previously stationed in Geedoo. Prompted by this incidence several Oromo nationalists are urging Oromo soldiers to organize them selves
Deki Halal Meriet…..Another one! Another BREAKING NEWS of the day on the fall of Weyane has it that, a “shooting broke out between Ethiopian soldiers in western Oromia”. News reaching from the region “confirmed that fierce gun battle occurred between soldiers of Oromo origin and TPLF soldiers over the last weekend in the vicinity of Naqamtee, western Oromia. The shooting incidence happened when six Oromo soldiers discovered a location where TPLF soldiers were torturing five other Oromo soldiers brought from border areas. Angered by the actions of the TPLF soldiers, the Oromo soldiers instantly opened fire on TPLF soldiers. After a fierce gun battle the six Oromo soldiers left the city unharmed and their whereabouts is unknown yet. In related news the TPLF government brought new military force to Geedo, in central Oromia, to replace the small contingent previously stationed in Geedoo. Prompted by this incidence several Oromo nationalists are urging Oromo soldiers to organize them selves
Friday, September 15, 2006
hoo my god agian
OLF/WBO/you winNews
Statement by Brigadier General Hailu Gonfa and Colonel Gemechu Ayana
Until a few days ago, we were officers in the Ethiopian army sworn to protect the country’s laws and diverse people from any threats. To our deepest dismay, we have come to the conclusion that the greatest threat to Ethiopia and the people emanates not from elsewhere but from the regime on power. Over the last years, the armed forces have been systematically reduced to protecting the narrow interest of a small clique determined to cling to power at all costs. Under the circumstances the choices confronting us are: Either to remain with the same oppressive machinery or wait and see hoping against hope that things would improve on their own or through a miracle. We have waited too long; we cannot wait any longer.
Despite the calls by opposition groups to peacefully deal with the dire situation, EPRDF is showing no inclination whatsoever to address the country’s mounting social, economic and political problems. Instead, it is intensifying repression. Even though this repressive machinery did not spare any people in the country, the magnitude and scale of repression, harassment and intimidation committed against Oromo people has no comparison. Moreover, it is considering new military adventures in the region that would not serve the legitimate interests of all affected --and could plunge the region into chaos .
Throughout the years we served this regime, we were hoping things would improve over time and expected the regime would also resolve political conflicts peacefully and truly democratize the country where political power emanates from the will of the people not from force. Now we have found this to be an empty promise. We are particularly elated that the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) has offered a hope not only to eliminate the specter of more mayhem but also chart a better future through a process of dialogue involving all stakeholders in the search for comprehensive solutions.
We regret that the regime has flagrantly, and without serious consideration, rejected this offer of goodwill and continued on its path of destruction. We cannot therefore continue to defend a minority and overwhelmingly rejected regime, sadly, that is committing untold atrocities against our own people.
It is time for us to take side in the fight between tyranny and liberty. Accordingly, we have dissociated ourselves from TPLF/EPRDF and joined the liberation struggle of our people gripped by the claws of tyranny. We have therefore joined the Oromo Liberation Front that is a member of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) to realize the age-old dream of all peoples for freedom and democracy.
To the Ethiopian Armed Forces
The incumbent regime has been fooling us all by falsely extolling its commitment to freedom, democracy and speedy economic development. This commitment has been put to test over the last 15 years. The tyrannical behavior of the regime demonstrates that this pledge runs skin deep and does not show any sign of change, which makes all our efforts and sacrifices in vain. We believe as long as the regime continues to defy the will of the people, our problems would multiply. That is why it has to be compelled to desist from its destructive path or be removed. We therefore call on you to follow our example and join the just and popular struggle.
To the international community
The minority Ethiopian regime does not have the capacity or the legitimacy to continue to rule the country. The regime, whose dismal 15 year tenure is more than enough to gauge its goodwill, needs to be pressed rather than appeased to submit to the call for dialogue. We strongly urge you to reconsider your support for it as it does not any more serve our common strategic interests.
Brigadier General Hailu Gonfa
Colonel Gamachu AyanaSeptember 14, 2006
Opinions published on News and Views section of this site are those of the authors and not necessarily that of OLF.
Copyright ©2005 ABO/OLF All Rights Reserved mailto:olfinfodesk@earthlink.net
Thursday, September 14, 2006
ALERT
ALERT! We have confirmed that the brutal Ethiopian dictator, Meles Zenawi will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 22, 2006. All Ethiopians, Ethiopian-Americans, Political and civic organizations are urged to cooperate for a big protest rally, and if possible to depose the tyrant in New York. Please stay tuned for additional details and coordination.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
70 Diplomats defected
Partial List of defected Diplomats and Support Staff MembersThese diplomats and staff members from various Ethiopian Embassies and Consular Offices left their job over the last three months. Some of these diplomats were dismissed from their posts accused of being members and/or supporters of opposition forces. Some others were ordered to report to the Head Office against a background of security reports collected on them by TPLF agents at the Embassies. All of them are awaiting charges of “genocide, desertion…” and other fictitious crimes. The total number of diplomats who left the regime after the May 2005 election is more than twice than the number in this list, which is believed to constitute nearly 75 % of the diplomatic staff. Name - Position - Embassy/Post1. Yohanes Genda - Ambassador - Abuja2. Fleshes Adugna Wordofa - Ambassador - London3. Seifesillassie Lemma Kidane - Minister - New York4. Dr. Waktasu Negere Yadeta - Minster ounselor - Moscow5. Altaye Alaro Alambo - Counselor - Vienna6. Mesfin Endrias H/Gebriel - Counselor - Washington7. Berhane G/Hiwot Genber - Counselor - Brussels8. Teshome Fiseha Gutema - Counselor - Tokyo9. Tesfaye Dessalegn Abebe - 1st Secretary - Dubai10. Endalkachew Liben Made - 1st Secretary - Beijing11. Mesfin Yimam Kinfu - 1st Secretary - Cairo12. Tsegaye Demeke Abebe - 1st Secretary - The Hague13. Binyam Kedir Abdu - 1st Secretary - Kuwait14. Tsegaye Bekele Kato - 1st Secretary - London15. Birhanemeskel Abebe Segni - 1st Secretary - New York16. Wegene Assefa Tessema - 1st Secretary - new York17. Berhanu Beyene Hagos - 1st Secretary - Sana’a18. Tilahun W/Simon - 1st Secretary - Washington19. Rahel Kumala Geragn - 2nd Secretary - New York20. Genet Abebe Sesie - 2nd Secretary - The Hague21. Kifle Getachew Adela - 2nd Secretary - Vienna22. Gultie Berhanu Nigatu - 2nd Secretary - Stockholm23. Tsegaye Edao Gelgalo - 3d Secretary - Washington24. Aster Solomon Gesesse - 3d Secretary - Abuja25. Zelalem Dawit Erene - 3d Secretary - Beirut26. Fetene Tefera Mamo - 3d Secretary - Djibouti27. Wagaye Berhanu Engdashet - 3rd Secretary - London28. Appolo Guale - Attaché - Abidjan29. Tamirat Damte Mekuria - Attaché - Beirut30. Fetene - Attaché - Djibouti31. Mettaalem Sinishaw Bitew - Attaché - Dakar32. Getachew Mekonnen Agonafir - Attaché - Jeddah33. Biruk Ketema Yadetie - Attaché - Hargessa34. Dejene Chiko - Attaché - Washington35. Firehiwot Belachew - Attaché - New York36. Henock Megistu - Attaché - Head Office37. Girma Belayneh G/Michael - Attaché Head Office38. Minyahil - n/a - n/a39. Tizita Kassa - Attaché - Jeddah40. Tamirat Alawi Abdella - Attaché - New York41. Tirsit Tekka Anchebi - Attaché - Brussels42. Solomon Assefa Bogale - Attaché - Pretoria43. Berhanu Gizachew - Attaché - Nairobi44. Mohamed Mustafa Yassin - Translator - Kuwait45. Hana Kassa - Secretary - Washington46. Meseret Aklilu - Secretary - Washington47. Hana Hailu - Secretary - New York48. Tigist Lemecha - Secretary - New York49. Saba Mulugeta - Secretary - Vienna50. Lubaba Idris - Secretary - The Hague51. Azeb Sileshi - secretary - The Hague52. Liyouwork Debebe - Secretary - Kuwait53. Teklekiros Tefera - Driver - New York54. Wosen - Driver - New York55. Fikru Getachew - Driver - The Hague56. Mohammed Seid - Driver - The Hague57. Jameo Mehammed - Guard - Kuwait58. Wondwosen T/Mariam - Cock - Kuwait59. Tarikua - Cleaner - Kuwait
60. Eyerusalem Bekele -Secretary - India61. Dr Biruk Hailu - Minister - France62. Ato Gizachew Bizuayehu - counselor - France63. Ambassador Hanfare Alimirah - Charge D’Affaires - Kuwait64. Abrha Girmay - Cairo65. Berhanu Gizaw - Yemen
60. Eyerusalem Bekele -Secretary - India61. Dr Biruk Hailu - Minister - France62. Ato Gizachew Bizuayehu - counselor - France63. Ambassador Hanfare Alimirah - Charge D’Affaires - Kuwait64. Abrha Girmay - Cairo65. Berhanu Gizaw - Yemen
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
