Editorial

Mission 

About 

News

Home

Archives
Aiga Forum
Reporter
National Electoral
Tigrai Net

Hmbashaa

EthioIndex

Gov't  own 
 
Walta
 ENA
 Herald
Addis Zemen

 Radio Links

audio Deutsche Welle
audio VOA
audio Radio Fana
audio Tensae Radio
audio VOE Sweden
audio Finote Radio
audio Radio Selam   
ETV 
TV Selam Sweden

Eritrea
 Awate
 Asmarino
 Meskerem
 Kunama
 Shaebia

Ethio-Eritrea Conflict

 MediaEthiopia
 Tecolahagos
 UnitedEthiopia

BBC
IRIN
UN News
Sudan Tribune
Ethiopian HR Council
Amnesty
Human Rights Watch
Reporters without Borders
                                       Archives

 


 

 

H.R. 2003 A blessing in disguise to help open our eyes
T Hailu:-That type of maturity, one may say, is too much to expect from our conflict-ridden and unripe political culture. But the least we could do is refrain from going to the other extreme to score brownie political points at the expense of our country and people as some have thoughtlessly done with their promotion of "H.R. 2003's infringement on Ethiopia's sovereignty is too vague for advocates of the bill to comprehend, can't they at least see its potential harmful impact on the economic and regional strategic position of the country?...[reporter]


Sociocultural and Relief Association of Tigrean Ethiopians in Alberta, Canada:

A Social Capital for Ethiopian Unity and Prosperity in Diversity

Effective October 17, 2007, the Government of Alberta incorporated the Association under its Societies Act, with all the entitlements and obligations of a civic society. The Association is entitled to operate throughout Alberta and elsewhere in Canada. It is a not-for-profit, non-political, and a secular civic society. With an enhanced spirit of the New Ethiopian Millennium, the ultimate goal of the Association is to contribute to the realization of Ethiopian unity, strength, and prosperity in diversity.


Rare progress in Jimma University community  November 3, 2007  

Students say JU is becoming an institution where the community oriented learning, enhancement of various departments and the level of hands on education has matched the dedication of one of the most hardworking students in the country. While its public health training programs remain at the forefront, its Faculty of Technology has progressed very similarly. Source: Jimma Times


It is the OIL, Stupid! November 2, 2007

G. E. Gorfu-Khadafy is accountable to no one and has been in power since the coup d’état of 1969.  Was there ever a general election in Libya ? How many independent political parties does Libya have? Is there a parliament with an opposition party? Does Khadafy have transparency in government? Why are Donald Payne and Chris Smith not demanding “transparency” or “accountability” from Libya ? Where is their HR Bill against Khadafy? And have our educated elites asked any of these questions when helping draft HR2003?


A Short History of the Kambata People of South-Western Ethio

By Tesfaye Habisso H. Most of the hitherto written history of Ethiopia which begins in the later Middle Ages from the pens of monks and court historians and whose main purpose is the laudation of Abyssinian kings does not deal with the comprehensive history of Ethiopia and the Ethiopians at large.  It does not particularly touch upon the history of the regions and peoples incorporated by Emperor Menelik II to the Ethiopian Empire-state towards the end of the 19th century.


Wanted Urgently: Marchers against HR 2003

Engineer Ghirma

October 31, 2007- The time has arrived for Ethiopians on the home front to march peacefully, at least five million strong against CUD and its vocal supporters in the Diaspora, who are working tirelessly and viciously against Ethiopia’s National Security in the form of HR 2003.


Essential Prerequisites for Embracing and Strengthening The Idea and Practice of Democracy 

By Tesfaye Habisso-The easing of East-West rivalries also threatened them with economic and financial isolation. Nearly all African countries, for example, are in grave financial difficulty. Some have even depended upon foreign aid to pay the salaries of their employees. Outside support cannot be suspended overnight, Western capital being already so deeply involved, but the conditions for its continuation can be, and have been, altered. African, Asian and Latin American governments are now expected to liberalize their economies and their political systems.


SOVEREIGNTY: An Absolute and Perpetual Power A Discussion on U. S. – Ethiopia Relations 

Ghelawdewos Araia  October 26, 2007

HR 2003 easily and ironically transgresses the rights and prerogatives of Ethiopia enshrined in international law. Ethiopia is neither Texas nor Puerto Rico where a reasonable U. S. intervention could somewhat be tolerated and justified. Ethiopia is not only a sovereign nation, but also a country that invented state craft of antiquity that ultimately gave rise to the modern ‘sovereign nations’ or ‘political entities’ with attendant political structures (executive, legislative, and judicial) that are immune to outside intervention.


Sheikh Al Amoudi: Man with a Vision for Ethiopia  October 26, 2007

Engineer Ghirma-Al Amoudi had started is being emulated by a wave of other Ethiopian entrepreneurs from the Diaspora, while fat cats like Al Mariam remain determined to continue on their destructive path. This pretender (Al Mariam) has been barking at Senator Sinhofe for something that was taken out of context. However, I see it for what it really is; it was just a silly act played for the benefit of his silly/vocal audience


Kinijit is at it again – hate politics!   October 26, 2007
Mekonnen Kassa-

 

Wow….racism, really? October 24, 2007

By Hailu Nega-The poverty and hardship of Ethiopia will not disappear because you wished it or are ashamed of it. We, the supposedly educated but intolerant and hateful Ethiopians in America should be ashamed of ourselves because we failed to lift a finger to accelerate the rate of poverty reduction in our birthplaces. Worse yet, we have taught our children to hate and portrayed to them Ethiopia as the nation it is not instead of what it is and what it will likely be. Your articles of hate and arrogance dear professor are my references and I do not have to provide any. So, why sir are you trying to turn this into such a controversy? You and I know better that it will not get you support, but stands to discredit you by those better informed.  If your intent is to scare those less informed you should perhaps be considered a racist yourself. It is extremely presumptuous and unfortunate. if your intent is to scare the remaining members of the senate from speaking out against HR 2003. I have a better and plausible explanation, yes, it is partly to destroy the credibility of the first US senator for speaking out against your HR 2003, but more importantly, you are trying to rally disintegrating party around drummed up controversy. 


Democracy and Accountability in U.S. America: Theory versus Practice 

by Tesfaye Habisso H. October 22, 2007

Is this what the Americans want to portray to the rest of humanity and in turn expect love and admiration from the vanquished peoples of the earth? Is this the sort of government/democracy and accountability many Third World nationals in the Diaspora expect to implant or impose on their respective countries? What an illusion! Anyway, history will be the ultimate judge. Many great empires have crumbled in human history because of their power-mongering adventures and sheer arrogance. As they say, "pride always precedes failure". I wish the Americans could learn some lessons from world history of the past.


October 21, 2007

Open Letter to Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Your Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi

Prime Minister

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

 

Your Excellency, I will not waste your time, but simply reinforce the inevitable.  Ethiopia is not for sell and as you eloquently stated in the past, it will not be ruled as “a banana republic from Washington DC”. No aid, attached to a string that places the independence of a nation that has never been colonized on a bargaining block could ever be considered, regardless how large or sweet. The enabling racists and their cronies know that the leadership of the country had not compromised in the face of IMF and other Western demands. That, unfortunately, will not deter those determined to insult poor people, especially Africans. HR 2003 is a classic example of arrogance, insensitivity and intrusion, which not only insults Ethiopia but also disrespects the entire Africa. It should, therefore, matter very little even if it were to be signed into law. It will undoubtedly be rejected by all freedom thirsty Africans. By: Selam Betru  

 


Senator, Former U.S. Ambassador Criticize HR 2003 
The Reporter (Addis Ababa)
Senator Inhofe said the decision was taken despite the fact that Ethiopia continues to be a close friend of the United States and a strong ally in the War on Terror in the Horn of Africa. "The language contained in H.R. 2003 enflames tensions already present in the Horn of Africa, threatening regional stability and long-term U.S. national security. The growing instability in Somalia and the Ogaden region, combined with the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the north, has created major challenges for Ethiopia. While I agree that the violence and intimidation that took place in the country after the 2005 election was an unnecessary use of excessive force, the government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights," he said.
Source: by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).


Where is the Show of Outrage?  October 21, 2007

Engineer Ghirma-The Diaspora Silent Majority has been typically mute on the issue of HR 2003 and its repercussions on the ongoing Security and Development efforts in Ethiopia . On the other hand, the Vocal Diaspora, with nothing else to do other than pushing their agenda to grab power by any means possible, is attracting most of the attention in the biased foreign media. I believe one of the reasons is because the Silent Majority has not been taking the CUD clowns very seriously. 


OPEN LETTER TO THE HONORABLE SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN

As Americans concerned about our national security and particularly the expansion of terrorism in the Horn of Africa, we believe HR 2003 does not in any way serve the best interest of the United States.  Moreover, Ethiopia has been the only country in the region that has in policy and practice, consistently and steadfastly stood with the United States as it has been proven in Somalia. 
Therefore, we appeal to you to carefully review and dissect this ill- conceived bill and its far-reaching ramifications.  HR 2003 is a very unfortunate legislation that has evolved at this delicate time in the Horn of Africa.  In short, HR 2003 is against the best interest of the United States and the Ethiopian people.  Thus, we strongly appeal to you to say “No!” to HR 2003. 

   Sincerely,  

   Araya Wolde-Giorgis, Ph.D.

   Yared B. Mekonnen, LLB, AIC, CLDP

   Bereket Gebre-Egziabher, Pharm. D.


Eritrea ranked last for first time while G8 members, except Russia, recover lost ground

Journalists still scapegoats of African political crises
Eritrea has replaced North Korea in last place in an index measuring the level of press freedom in 169 countries throughout the world that is published today by Reporters Without Borders for the sixth year running.“ There is nothing surprising about this,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Even if we are not aware of all the press freedom violations in North Korea and Turkmenistan, which are second and third from last, Eritrea deserves to be at the bottom. The privately-owned press has been banished by the authoritarian President Issaias Afeworki and the few journalists who dare to criticise the regime are sent off to prison camps. We know that four of them have died in detention and we have every reason to fear that others will suffer the same fate.” Source:
Reporters without Borders


The Horn, the List and the Risks
New York Times Editorial - October 17, 2007 

Eritrea has some very frightening friends. It has given safe haven to Islamists from Somalia and has shipped weapons there, fueling the civil war. The list of terror sponsors is a very blunt instrument (no state has yet been taken off it [Correction: Iraq and Libya have been removed.]), and one that is unlikely to alter Eritrea's behavior any time soon. There is, however, a very immediate danger that Ethiopia would see Washington's decision to list Eritrea as a green light to attack its neighbor.


18/10: ፕረዚደንት ኢሰያስ ኣፈወርቂ ኩነታት ጸጥታ ሃገር ስጋዕ ዝረግኣሉ ካብ ሃገር ኮብሊሉ

http://zete9.asmarino.com/media/president06112004a.jpgሳዕቤን ፍጻሜ ናይ'ቲ ኣብ ልዕሊ ኮሎኔል ስምኦን ገብረድንግል ዝተኻየደ ፈተነ ቅትለት: ፕረዚደንት ኢሰያስ ኣፈወርቂ ብዘይወግዓዊ ሓቤሬታ ኩነታት ጸጥታ ሃገር ስጋዕ ዝረግኣሉ ሃገር ገዲፉ ኮብሊሉ ከም ዘሎ ውሽጣዊ ሓበሬታታት ካብ ማእከል ቤት ጽሕፈት ፕረዝደንት ይገልጹ ኣለዉ። እቶም ምንጭታት ከም ዝብልዎ ዛጊት ዋላ ዉን ናይ ቀረባ መሳርሕቱ ናበየነይቲ ሃገር ከይዱ ከም ዘሎ ከም ዘይፈልጡን በቲ ዘይልሙድ ፍጻሜ ፈተነ ቅትለት ኮሎኔል ስምኦን ገብረድንግል ንህይወቱ ኣብ ጠርጠራ ከም ዘእተወ ናይቲ ቤት ጽሕፈት እሙናት ምንጭታት ሓቢሮም። source: asmarino.com


INHOFE STATEMENT ON ETHIOPIA RESOLUTION

October 17, 2007

"The language contained in H.R. 2003 enflames tensions already present in the Horn of Africa, threatening regional stability and long term U.S. national security.  The growing instability in Somalia and the Ogaden region, combined with the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the north, has created major challenges for Ethiopia. While I agree that the violence and intimidation that took place in the country after the 2005 election was an unnecessary use of excessive force, the Government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain a democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights.  

 


Union of Tigreans in North America (UTNA) October 18, 2003

The Executive Board of U.T.N.A would like to seize upon this opportunity to appeal to the Senate that Ethiopia, a nation in the process of the exercise of democracy, a dependable and a strong US ally on the war against international terrorism, dose not deserve a reprimand but an unshakable support, appreciation and encouragement from the US, which is indeed its close strategic partner.


Cheap CUD for Sale

Eng. Ghirma  

As I see it, the present CUD as a viable “opposition” is dead and buried. It has become nothing but another terrorist group. Indeed CUD has aligned itself with OLF, ONLF, UIC and PFDJ; all of whom are sworn enemies of Ethiopia. Therefore, the EPRDF government has an obligation and legitimate right, to scrutinize and pursue Ethiopia’s “enemies” aggressively in order to protect the National Security of Ethiopia; with or without the partnership of USA in the war against terrorism. I hope and pray that HR 2003 will fail in its successful passage into law; which will only embolden al-Qaeda in its effort to spread terrorism in Africa and beyond, and thus also pose a threat to US National Security.


Dawit Aberru
The true essences of the opposition party in Diasporas are engaging in such ugly slanders and in blind greed for power by any cost. We posted the above filthy article to show how distorted and demented view this individual harbors. The political discourse in our Ethiopian community abroad is polarized by ethnicism. It is alarming and we are faced with very serious psychological problems. We are trying to post diverse views on the current political discourse of our country in hoping to bring Ethiopians to air their opinions but not their own fabricated lies.  It is a clear example the above article destructive manner the way the supporters of the opposition denigrate so low. It is not because we disagree on the opinions of the concerned Ethiopians but there was not worthy article to post.

    Ethiopian Observer editors


A Short History of the Hadiya People of Southern Ethiopia: From Their Origin to the Revolution of 1974
Compiled by Tesfaye Habisso-Meanwhile, the population, especially in the areas of ensete cultivation of the sub-province Kambata, increased to such an extent that the scarcity of arable land became more and more serious. The density of population occasionally passed 300 per sq. km.; the uprooting of the original vegetation incessantly intensified the process of soil erosion, and the situation of food production tended to become more and more precarious. Because of the extension of cultivated land the pastoral areas and the number of cattle diminished, thus leading to an increasing lack of animal products. At the same time, measures for the modernization of agriculture potentially gave rise to destructive consequences of the rural population


UN concerned about the rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, recent shooting incidents, as well as the building up of military forces in the border area. (Brief statement from the UN)


A Call for sobriety And Justice by the US Senate

By: The Union of Tigreans in North America (U.T.N.A)-This unabashedly arrogant exercise by the House of Representatives, we believe, is a misplaced one and is certain to suffer frustrating consequences, for it collides with the declared and time tested tradition of the Ethiopian people of never cajoling to an unjust encroachment on their preferred existence. It is the Ethiopian people, who jealously guard against foreign intervention, who decidedly determine their fate, destiny and future, not the US House of Representatives.


ISAIAS AFEWERKI - FROM STATESMAN TO DESPOT AND WRECKER: Recollections - A Historical Puzzle

October 10, 2007 -By PaulB.HenzeThe only other--and more rational--explanation for his behavior during the past ten years is that internal resistance in Eritrea proved so difficult for him to manage that he reverted to authoritarian methods in which he had been indoctrinated when he became a dedicated Marxist in the early 1980s to intimidate Eritrea 's population into submission.  This has led him to imprison a large proportion of his former colleagues, reject the constitution that Bereket Habte Selassie laboriously crafted in the mid-1990s, and abandon even the pretense of creating a democratic political system and open society.  


Eritrean TV would never report this. If it did, almost no one I know heard about this sad disaster at see,
only a few hundred feet from shore...
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac5OkGDsKUE


Let’s All Join Hands and Challenge the Crusaders of Gloom 

(by Mulubrhan Tsehaye, October 10, 2007 )-Ethiopians of all political persuasions with free and independent choice of rational outlook that is focused on preserving and safeguarding the interest of the ordinary people need to get together and organize themselves to contest the threat posed by this self indulging political move that is merely designed to undermine the liberty of our people and challenge the freedom of our sovereign nation. Citizens in and outside Ethiopia cannot afford to sit idle and watch from a safe distance while those few extreme vocal Diasporas are working hard to lobby for passing this bill to its next step in an effort to humiliate the proud people of Ethiopia and undermine the longstanding sovereignty of a nation that is considered the symbol of ancient of civilization


HR 2003, an uncalled for and a misplaced threat In a Sea of opportunities for Further Democratization in Ethiopia.  October 7, 2007

By T.D. Tessema-Suffice it’s to state that, no power on earth can stand on the arduous path and task of the determined commitment of the Ethiopian people, to build a prosperous and democratic Nation. Ethiopia should continue to play its central role as a regional power, and as a pioneer in African Affairs and as a respected nation on the international arena.


1.096 migrants have died at the gates of Europe since the beginning of the year. In September the victims are 99: 43 drowned off Canary islands; 19 off Mayotte, 11 between Algeria and Spain, 13 on the way to Sicily and 10 off Greek islands. Three Chechen girls, ages 6, 10 and 13, froze to death trying to cross by foot into Poland from Ukraine with their mother. Sea arrivals decreased (-75% in Spain and -7% in Italy), but not the victims: 500 people have already died this year in the Strait of Sicily, in spite of the 302 of the entire 2006. In the meantime in Libya, the calvary of the 600 Eritreans detained in Misratah goes on. But Europe turns the eyes and Frattini announces a new agreement with Tripoli in order to return migrants intercepted in the sea [...]More info on http://fortresseurope.blogspot.com


HR2003-Subverting Democracy   October 3, 2007

By Mekonnen Kassa- Birhanu and his friends who failed in their first attempt are now trying to use an American Legislation to undermine the Ethiopian constitutional order. Berhanu and his subservient Birtukan are felons and renegades who breached their conditions of probation (pardon). They are neither qualified nor eligible to give testimony in the halls of Congress.


Points of Clarification for the Sake of Educational Discourse   October 3, 2007

Ghelawdewos Araia-Instead of burying oneself in the sand – the ostrich syndrome – the best critique of my article would have been a thoughtful analysis that is credible, plausible, and enumerates in plain but coherent English what Ethiopians can do for their country. Moreover, a critic’s responsibility is to critically examine concepts, themes, and controversies that are part of the corpus of a given essay without resorting to polemics and sarcastically appealing to the powers that be for attention and personal gains. However, as I have stated in the introduction of this essay, we must tolerate a broader continuum of perspectives including the sublime and the absurd. Our destiny has been to traverse a complex path tainted with positive and negative attributes, in order to achieve a relatively sane and democratic society.


Pardons Backfire! What Next?
Engineer Ghirma W.G.-There is no point crying over spilt milk. However, the time has come for everyone, including EPRDF, to acknowledge the enemies of Ethiopia; and to publicly expose them and their deeds to the Ethiopian people. It will take tremendous effort in communicating to the Ethiopian people, that the wolves are on the prowl to devour their hard earned success in the war against poverty and ignorance. Explaining H.R. 2003 to the Ethiopian people will punctuate the gist of the intentions of the Diaspora CUD/DERG/Neftegna coalition. The Ethiopian people must be made aware of the agenda that these criminals have in store for our people. To state it bluntly, civil war in the scale of that seen in the former Yugoslavia and currently in Iraq will be unavoidable, if these criminals were to have their way. 


Kambata : The “Meltilng Pot” of Ethiopian Society  October 1, 2007
Compiled by Tesfaye Habisso-Modern Ethiopia in general and Kambata in particular is the product of many centuries of interaction and intermingling amongst many cultural-linguistic communities, groups and individuals of diverse origins. The Ethiopians are indeed a mixed people, so also the Kambata. The only shortcoming on our part is that we don’t know enough how mixed we are, that is, about our shared identity and history. If we had known enough about this aspect of our shared identity and history, and taught and passed this to our young generation, we wouldn’t have confronted or faced many of the intractable ethnic problems that we are facing today. 


It is Time for Col. Mengistu to Return Home 09/29/07

 Eng. Ghirma

EPRDF Land Policy and the “Cessation Clause” 09/29/07

 Eng. Ghirma

Meles Zenawi and EPRDF Transformed Ethiopia  09/29/07

Eng. Ghirma


Eritrea: Eritrean refugees in Shimelba refugee camp in ethio Video


Ethiopia: Worst Affected by Brain Drain, doctors "fleeing" 
Published 09/26/2007-

Many Ethiopian doctors have also left for Botswana, South Africa and the Middle East in search of better pay and conditions. According to the study, more than 3,000 of the country's doctors have deserted leaving only 900 doctors with the challenge of attending to millions of people.


Ethiopia: “cap and trade mechanism” is vital- PM Zenawi 
Published 09/28/2007. Jimma Time staff-

During a panel discussion at the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York, Meles debated with former British PM Tony Blair, Hank Paulson U.S. Secretary of the treasury and United Nations special envoy on climate change, Brundtland, headed by NBC news correspondent Tom Brokaw. 


THE DAUNTING DANGER OF DONALD M PAYNE’S TUMULTUOUS POLITICAL DISCOURSE 
Adal Isaw   September 26, 2007


Dear Friends,

Do you know that Ethiopia ranks 65th by GDP (PPP) among 225 countries of the world? Isn't this something many of did not know heretofore? Isn't this spectacular and indeed incredible, so to speak? Isn't it our gift for the millennium? God bless Ethiopia and the Ethiopians.  God bless you all.

Tesfaye Habisso


It Is Official, Diaspora: CUDP Is Broken Beyond Repair!

Mezgebe Gebrekiristos-Conversely, a political party consisting of short-sighted individuals is a predicament to any real progress, and, unfortunately, what we have in Ethiopia is just that. To Kinijit, being in the opposition is equated to dismissing any and all deeds of the government in power regardless of their merit to the public; the idea “one-fits-all” (one culture, one language) is a sacred belief that should not be tampered with; and no one other than the CUD party is endowed with leadership skills to head Ethiopia. This is sickness in its purest form, and it is a reality, especially in the Diaspora Kinijit supporters.


Ethiopia notifies Eritrea of its Material Breaches of the Algiers Agreements 
Press Statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, September 25, 2007 


Beyond the Millennium, Beyond Illusion and Cynicism, and the Challenges of Development

Ghelawdewos Araia    September 20, 2007
“In the last fifteen years, I have argued all along that the EPRDF government needs to attract Ethiopian intellectuals and professionals and utilize their expertise and talent. So far, I have not witnessed the use of Ethiopian professionals en masse for nation building, notwithstanding the few and far in between favored officials that hold ministerial positions and other portfolios. If the Meles regime is indeed in favor of ‘educated and healthy workforce, world-class managers and professionals,’ it should openly extend its hands to all Ethiopians, especially those who are scattered all over the Diaspora. Irrespective of our differences and political inclinations, I personally like the government of Ethiopia to reach out fellow Ethiopians who are willing to contribute to the transformation of their country and the welfare of their people.


The Future of Multiparty Politics in Ethiopia:  Issues and Challenges
by Tesfaye Habisso habisso@yahoo.co.uk   September 20, 2007

The smooth governance of any country depends on the opposition being responsible, and a responsible opposition does not scream and shout, and use bad language or emotional and unreasonable arguments (demagogy), merely for the sake of opposition and newspaper or television coverage but shows great responsibility and an earnest attempt in trying to influence policy and decision making. It means that private discussions with government Ministers and ruling party leaders can take place, influencing and advising on policy issues where and whenever necessary, cooperating in parliament where it is for the benefit of the country and its people and to make available to parliamentary committees all the necessary experience and knowledge of its members.


Norway arming and financing LTTE through Eriteria, Prabhakaran offered asylum in Eriteria
  AUGUST 26, 007 

Arms and Funds to the LTTE from Norway through Eriteria? It is no longer a conjecture. A top Sri Lankan government minister confirmed this even as the US State Department has said that Eriteria is supporting directly Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam


Happy Ethiopian Millennium

Editorial Ethiopian Observer -This is a new millennium, where we start counting the Ethiopian calendar with 2000, a unique year considered by all as the start not for only for celebrations but for transformation of our Ethiopian society into an overall development in all spheres of life. This is an occasion, which comes once in thousand years and we hope that this and the coming generations look forward for a strong and prosperous Ethiopia both living in mutual understanding and harmony.


FORTRESS EUROPE
AUGUST 2007 REPORT
During the last month 243 migrants died at the gates of Europe: 161 victims in the Strait of Sicily, 29 in the Aegean sea and 13 off Canary islands and 36 off Mayotte. Three men died, in Turkey and Spain, in the trucks where they were travelling hidden. A man died on the mountains at the Italo-Slovenian frontier. Meanwhile at Agrigento, the process against the 7 Tunisian fishermen arrested having saved 44 migrants, goes on. Hundreds of Iraqis refugees deported from the Italian ports, new abuses committed by the police in the French airports and high risk of deportation for the 600 Eritreans refugees detained in Libya […]Read the full report at:
http://fortresseurope.blogspot.com


US gives stark warning to Eritrea 
By Elizabeth Blunt  BBC News, Addis Ababa 

Miss Frazer said that this was about more than just simply considering Eritrea as a rogue state in the region.It was quite specifically Eritrea's relationship with recognized terrorists which could lead to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This, in turn, she said would bring a change in the nature of its relationship with the US and in the ability of the US and other countries to provide assistance to Eritrea's government.


In Defense of Peaceful Struggle  September 8, 2007
by Tesfaye Habisso-In today's Ethiopia, there is no ground-swell support for any separatist and secessionist causes/demands among the respective linguistic-cultural communities that the so-called liberation fronts/movements claim to be representing. Given the prevailing situation in Ethiopia and informed by the ghastly events witnessed during the disintegration of the former U.S.S.R and the Republic of Yugoslavia in 1989, Ethiopians throughout the nation are well aware that secession could lead to even greater and unimaginable hardships for the respective ethnic nationality in particular and the whole people in general, exacerbating the old problems and even creating new ones. As bitterly observed, "both in the former Soviet Union and especially in ex-Yugoslavia, secession and the drawing up of new borders has been accompanied by massive acts of so-called ethnic cleansing [Bennet 1995]. There is no guarantee that such ethnic cleansing, maybe worse, would not occur in Ethiopia if any secessionist groups) succeeds in achieving its objective. 


 Time Interview with
 Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
TIME: What happens in Ethiopia has an impact well beyond its borders. Why?
Meles: After Nigeria, we are the second biggest black African nation. We are the headquarters of the African Union. We are the only African country that has never been colonized. This is perhaps the last surviving African civilization. We have our own script. We have our own calendar. We represent the greatness of Africa's past. We also represent the worst of Africa's present, in terms of poverty. It is the best and the worst of African reality.



Ethiopians unwanted in Ethiopia, hard to believe but true!      September 7, 2007

Gebriye Tesfaye-All we thought was, this can not be true! To us the value of Ethiopian professionals is by far higher than that of those from a foreign country. It is us Ethiopians who can speak the language and communicate with our farmers and students better and more effectively. It is us educated in Europe who know both the Ethiopian and European cultures. In short, it is us, not the foreigners, who posses the important human capital for the development of our homeland. Why should we be discriminated and our contribution to the development of our country underestimated? After the devastating experience and hoping to get a some how satisfactory answer, some Ethiopians including MBAs and PhDs went to the German Labour Office and asked the responsible person to seek clarification from the DED’s Frau Ratke on why Ethiopians are not welcome to work in their country Ethiopia. He got the same humiliating answer from her :


Ethiopia: Can We Leave the Past Where It Belongs and Claim the 21st Century? 
Ambassador Tesfaye Habisso  September 6, 2007

The diversity of history, culture and geography, which so overwhelms the visitor to Ethiopia, is no accident of place: It is indicative of quite an extra-ordinary past. This is a past which has left its mark on the land, the people and their monuments, which begins not with the origin of a nation or a state, but with the origin of mankind itself, as Ethiopia has yielded the oldest evidence of human origins yet discovered the fossilized skeleton of a female hominid older than 3.5 million years. "So, while we are proud of our heritage, we are also ashamed of the current state of our country. To the degree that we cherish the achievements of previous generations, we observe with bitter regret and remorse the state of national humiliation in which the present generation finds itself.


UN vs. NGOs: One against Many September 6, 2007
Ivan Simic -It would be out of place to say that the UN is a perfect organization; we all know about manipulations of the UN system by some countries to get their will throughout, and because of that and many other things, the UN lost its respect on the international scene. Still, the UN is an International Organization, it has been helping and still helps people around the world; it was established for noble reasons; to represent all Nations equally and fairly, and it is expected that it will live up to its responsibilities and continue to do so.


ALIENATION: A RESULT AND IMPACT OF WESTERN EDUCATION ON ETHIOPIAN INTELLECTUALS
By Fikre Tolossa, Ph. D. September 5, 2007

On the educational front, the core curriculum should be redesigned to reflect Ethiopian folklore, culture, literature, history, geography, theology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, traditional medicine, arts, crafts, architecture, music and dance among other subjects. This doesn’t mean that the existing Western Science and humanity courses should be precluded totally. Science is science no matter what, unless it is mixed up with politics. The new core curriculum should aspire to transfer from the West science and technology selecting the ones applicable to Ethiopia. However, when it comes to humanity subjects, an alternative research should be conducted to seek and find the truth concealed by the invisible rulers of this world instead of continuing the status quo which is filled with distortions and lies. 


In Appreciation of your article on "Marketing Instability"   September 5, 2007

Ambassador Tesfaye Habisso


Isaias Afwerki: Playing Hardball

Engineer Ghirma-Isaias Afwerki’s latest ploy is Eritrea’s role in Somalia in the service of al- Qaeda. The obvious intrusion of that role into Ethiopia has openly (በገሃድ) emerged; as was revealed by the Ethiopian and foreign press. The UN has identified Eritrea as primary supplier of military hardware, including surface to air missiles, to Somalia’s al-Qaeda sponsored terrorists. The U.S. will provide the necessary proof to that effect; and is also considering designating Eritrea a "state sponsor of terrorism". If such a measure is adopted by the United States against Eritrea,


Exclusive: Eritrea: The Horn of Africa’s Rogue Regime
J. Peter Pham-In yet another insightful article on the African country of Eritrea, FSM Contributing Editor J. Peter Pham provides details on how recent events are cause to worry that the Eritrean government’s policies – located in proximity to the turbulent Middle East – pose a possible terrorist threat.

Giving the lie to denials by Eritrean officials, the U.N. monitors obtained a copy of the sales contract for a Russian-built Ilyushin-76 cargo plane used to transport arms and foreign fighters into Somalia to a front company for the EPLF regime, whose diplomats “based in a Gulf country” delivered the $200,000 down payment for the aircraft. The Eritreans also apparently chartered a Boeing 707 which made at least thirteen trips from Asmara to Mogadishu between November 2006 and June 2007, delivering an unknown quantity of surface-to-air missiles, suicide belts, explosives with timers and detonators, and other armaments to the Islamists and other insurgents fighting the internationally-recognized, but weak “Transitional Federal Government” (TFG) of Somalia and its Ethiopian allies.


Ethiopia: OHRC & ONLF - lessons on how to invent a U.N. genocide

Gemeda Humnasa For the Reuters, the OHRC not saying anything about the ONLF terrorist acts might have gave it away. In its latest report citing the OHRC, Reuters didn’t find it awkward to tag OHRC as a human right organization “which calls itself independent.” Any Reuters’ reporter doesn’t need to research too much to conclude this since several of its own past reports always detailed the terrorist acts done by the ONLF. So, how deeply and how long has the OHRC been the mouthpiece of the ONLF terrorists appears like the most legitimate and the next question to ask.


ill-will toward Ethiopia  August 18, 2007

Engineer Ghirma Ethiopia has never been assaulted as it has been by Vocal Diaspora CUD/DERG, since the Col. Mengistu Hailemariam era…..never!  The record shows that Col. Mengistu attempted to starve segments of the Ethiopian population by withholding food delivery to them in the 1980’s. Of course, Isaias Afwerki also blocked food delivery to the people of Tigrai through Sudan during the same period. Both Col. Mengistu and Isaias Afwerki (who is 100% Ethiopian by birth) will some day stand on “special trial” for their “crimes against humanity”, standing side by side. However, the crime of the Vocal Diaspora against the Ethiopian people is by far the most atrocious of all. We are re-living Mengistu’s notorious battle cry:


Job opportunity at Microsoft in Ethiopia along to qualified Ethiopians  


Campaign for the Return of an Ethiopian Orthodox Church 'Tabot'- Holy Altar, in possession with the Westminster Abbey, on the Occasion of the Coming Ethiopian Millennium. International justice requires that all looted Ethiopian antiquities be returned to Ethiopia. Demands for restitution have been made in more recent years by the Association for the Return of Ethiopian Maqdala Treasures (AFROMET) which is based in both Ethiopia and Britain. The Ethiopian Millennium provides a perfect opportunity for restitution, and Westminster Abbey should without delay take the courageous step of returning this Ethiopia's historical artifacts to Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people.


ALIENATION: A RESULT AND IMPACT OF WESTERN EDUCATION ON ETHIOPIAN INTELLECTUALS  

By Fikre Tolossa, Ph. D. What Ethiopian leaders overlooked was that Western science, technology and education brought with them an unexpected baggage: Western culture, history, geography, literature, psychology, sociology, and most of all, political economy and revolutionary philosophy championed by Karl Marx which not only formed their world outlook, but also affected the behavior and political practice of the youngsters. As Karl Marx himself stated, philosophers before him had interpreted the world, but his philosophy was to change the world, whatever change meant, by revolutionary means. 


U.S. Policy in the Horn of Africa
James Swan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs 4th International Conference on Ethiopian Development Studies Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan  August 4, 2007

Eritrea has experienced economic decline and a lack of freedoms, for the press and political expression. There is widespread and arbitrary conscription. The government has worked to destabilize its neighbors, including Ethiopia and Somalia. The Eritrean Government has fabricated a national mythology by demonizing neighboring Ethiopia, for the central purpose of garnering complete compliance with his autocratic domestic policies. By channeling Eritreans' patriotism into hostility toward Ethiopia, the government ensures that [it] can rule as it likes, without public opposition. Democracy and economic opportunity remain purely theoretical concepts for the people of Eritrea


American Democracy: Rhetoric versus Practice     August 12, 2007
Tesfaye H. H.-Bush and his hawks should be reined in for the good of America and for the good of humanity by the American people. Bush never stood for and believed in democracy and he will never care for peace and democracy at home and abroad but for American hegemonic control of the whole world. His arrogant position was eloquently addressed to the world by himself in 1992 when he stated thus:


The Futility of Trying to Implant Democracy By Force or Through Arm-Twisting Tactics 
Tesfaye Habisso   August 11, 2007

Democratic movement in the first place was born out of a unique set of conditions prevalent in the Western world. Some of the ingredients necessary for the evolutionary birth of a democratic order are believed to be: (a) industrialization; (b) rise in literacy levels; (c) abundance of resources; (d) isolation from negative outside influences and, (e) political theoreticians whose vision spans the past, present and future and who have a grasp of the physical disciplines required in that particular age


Neo Warfare   August 11, 2007

Ivan Simic-There was not yet a single year without war in history known to mankind; and it seems mankind was yet to learn bitter lessons from centuries of fighting and conflicts; wars had never brought anything good to nations and countries. Currently, in contemporary days there are thirty two (32) ongoing wars which are being fought around the World. These include: Sri Lanka Civil War, Second Chechen War, War in Afghanistan, Civil War in Cote d'Ivoire, Central African War, Iraq War, War in Somalia, age-old Arab-Israel/Israel-Palestine (including al-Aqsa Intifada) conflict, among others. 


Border Demarcation Priority: People or Land?            August 8, 2007

Engineer Ghirma W.G. The Boundary Commission had initially determined that Tserona was inside Ethiopia. However, the Commission reversed its assessment, claiming that Ethiopia had conceded Tserona to Eritrea. In the EEBC report, Chapter 4 paragraph 4.69, Ethiopia stated that: “…Fort Cordona, Monoxeito, Guna Guna and Tserona were mostly undisputed Eritrean places”. Based on this admission by Ethiopia, the EEBC stated under paragraph 4.70: “As to Tserona,...is an admission of which the Commission must take full account. It is necessary, therefore, to adjust the Treaty line (1900 Treaty) so as to ensure that it (Tserona) is placed in Eritrean territory.” I hope that some day our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will explain the Tserona case to the Ethiopian people (I am not aware that they have already done so).


Some Thoughts on the Vexed Question of Justice And the Constitutional Right of Pardon August 8, 2007
By Tesfaye Habisso-Some commentators argue that the pardon power is only appropriately used to rectify mistakes, e.g., to free someone wrongly convicted or to reduce a clearly disproportionate sentence. Others call for reform of the presidential pardon power, especially after allegations of abuse involving cover-ups of official wrong-doing or rewards for financial contributions have been made. The argument in this regard is that the pardon power was neither intended to help political coffers nor to prevent individuals in office from being brought to justice. On the other hand, numerous other scholars strongly argue that the pardon power may be used to achieve a variety of state goals such as promoting peace and healing in the country or inducing witnesses to testify so that criminal offenders might be brought to justice.



ORANGE TURNED BITTER LEMON  August 2, 2007

G. E. Gorfu. It is important to learn from the experience of others and if possible, to copy and apply it to ones advantage. But, as there is a time and a place for everything, not all copies are genuine, and do not always produce the same result. In this connection let us examine why the so called, “Orange Revolution” in Ethiopia failed to materialize, and why it did not give the result that were achieved in Ukraine and in other countries.


Kinijit North America auditor, Ato Tesfai Asamanew, speaks out about his shocking findings. He says a huge amount of public fund, between $700,000-1.2 million, remain unaccounted/[Lost].
USA Criminal Investigation is following the case
IRS Criminal Investigation EMF (1 August 2007) – Shaleka Yosef Yazew may face 15 years prison term for embezzling up to one million dollar public money, former Kinijit NA auditor, Ato Tesfaye Asmamaw exposes. According to the auditor Shaleka Yosef's corruption is not even known by Kinijit Diaspora leaders. The media kept silent on this case for several months aiming not to hurt the feeling of Kinijit leaders. US government agency responsible for tax collection and tax law enforcement, IRS is investigating the case. Listen to the interview with the certified public accountant, Tesfaye Asmamaw.

Source: http://www.ethioforum.org/or Source: http://www.addisvoice.com/auditor.htm 


UEDP-MEDHIN's Demand for another Apology from Pardoned CUD Leaders?  July 31, 2007

Tesfaye Habisso- Many Ethiopians who argue that the presidential pardon should not have been granted until the Ethiopian nation--all Ethiopians at home and abroad--comprehended the full scope of the CUD leaders' role and participation in the attempted insurrection and in the civil unrest that erupted during the post-election period. In addition, the necessity of drawing lessons from these past mistakes, with the aim of not repeating them in the future and also tackling the root cause or causes of the civil disturbances, is regarded as very essential and of utmost significance.


IS IT THE END OF OPPOSITIONS’ FOREIGN DEPENDENCE AND MANIPULATIONS SYNDROME?   

July 29, 2007                                                                        

By Mathza-Ethiopia badly needs peace and stability to advance through the democratization process and accelerate the on-going improvement of living conditions of the majority of its wretchedly poor people. Access to basic needs, particularly life sustainable food and water, is the mother of all human rights. In other words, every Ethiopian no matter his/her allegiance to any party, ethnic group or religion should support development, which the government has rightly given the highest priority. It should be recalled that unrealistic ambitions, objectives (dismantling the ethnic-based federal system, etc.), and obsession for power coupled with ethnic hatred against Tigreans were among the reasons that drove CUD to attempt to usurp power. This was planned to be achieved by any means, legally through election and, this failing, illegally through insurrection.


Prejudiced Wall Street Editorial   July 19, 2007

Mekonnen Kassa
Cud's Letter of Apology ushers new era
July 17, 2007