By Tizita Belachew
Washington, D.C.
17/09/2009
Daniela Kroslak replied to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's recent dismissal of the International Conflict Group's "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Its Discontents," by pointing out that he thought it was important enough to read it.
In a press conference last week, the prime minister cited an Ethiopian proverb that suggested the report was not worthy of his time. In the press conference for Ethiopia's Amharic media, Meles questioned the motives of the funders of ICG and said the report, which was written by ICG's Nairobi office staff, was biased because it was written by an Eritrean.
Kroslak told VOA's Tizita Belachew for the Amharic service's Democracy feature that the Eritrean left the staff a year ago and was not an author of the report. She denied the Eritrean had any involvement in the report and said the organizations who fund ICG's work are listed on the ICG web site. Read Full Story≫
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Ethiopia PM: ethnic violence claim is contemptible
* Meles says think-tank meddles in developing world
* Says opposition trying to discredit 2010 elections
By Barry Malone
ADDIS ABABA, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's prime minister has denounced a think-tank report that warned his country could descend into ethnic violence ahead of its first national election since a 2005 poll triggered deadly street clashes.
In a study last week, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said there was a risk of conflict ahead of the ballot scheduled for May 2010 because of rising ethnic tensions and dissent.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi rejected that.
"Some people have too many billions of dollars to spend and they feel that dictating how developing countries manage their affairs is their God-given right," he said late on Wednesday.
"We have only contempt for the ICG."
The Horn of Africa nation's last elections four years ago were touted as its first truly democratic polls. But they ended in protests and bloodshed after the government declared victory and the opposition accused it of rigging the result.
Police and soldiers killed about 200 people who had taken to the streets to demonstrate. At the time, Meles accused the protesters of trying to topple his
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* Says opposition trying to discredit 2010 elections
By Barry Malone
ADDIS ABABA, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's prime minister has denounced a think-tank report that warned his country could descend into ethnic violence ahead of its first national election since a 2005 poll triggered deadly street clashes.
In a study last week, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said there was a risk of conflict ahead of the ballot scheduled for May 2010 because of rising ethnic tensions and dissent.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi rejected that.
"Some people have too many billions of dollars to spend and they feel that dictating how developing countries manage their affairs is their God-given right," he said late on Wednesday.
"We have only contempt for the ICG."
The Horn of Africa nation's last elections four years ago were touted as its first truly democratic polls. But they ended in protests and bloodshed after the government declared victory and the opposition accused it of rigging the result.
Police and soldiers killed about 200 people who had taken to the streets to demonstrate. At the time, Meles accused the protesters of trying to topple his
More ≫
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ethiopia's ruling party tells Meles to stay on
09 Sep 2009 16:22:34 GMT
Source: Reuters
* PM told by party he can go after five years
* Opposition say Meles resignation request a sham
By Barry Malone
ADDIS ABABA, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's ruling party wants Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to remain its leader for another five years, making it likely the former rebel will run the Horn of Africa nation for some time to come.
"We have made a decision about all our frontline leaders, not just Prime Minister Meles Zenawi," Muktar Kedir, chief of headquarters for the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), told Reuters on Wednesday.
"They will all resign within five years. We will consider his request again then," he said after the EPRDF's annual congress this week.
Speculation has surrounded Meles' intentions since he began talking about resigning in 2008. But Meles has always insisted he needed permission from his party to step aside. More ≫
Source: Reuters
* PM told by party he can go after five years
* Opposition say Meles resignation request a sham
By Barry Malone
ADDIS ABABA, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's ruling party wants Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to remain its leader for another five years, making it likely the former rebel will run the Horn of Africa nation for some time to come.
"We have made a decision about all our frontline leaders, not just Prime Minister Meles Zenawi," Muktar Kedir, chief of headquarters for the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), told Reuters on Wednesday.
"They will all resign within five years. We will consider his request again then," he said after the EPRDF's annual congress this week.
Speculation has surrounded Meles' intentions since he began talking about resigning in 2008. But Meles has always insisted he needed permission from his party to step aside. More ≫
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
International Crisis Group Warns of Potential for 'Violent Eruption' in Ethiopia
By Peter Heinlein
Addis Ababa
07 September 2009
A new International Crisis Group report says Ethiopia is becoming an authoritarian one-party state, and warns that government policies there could lead to a violent eruption ahead of next year's elections. The report also faults the international community for downplaying Ethiopia's weak democracy.
The 40-page report by the International Crisis Group says that despite its democratic rhetoric, the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is unwilling to give up power. Moreover, it says the government's cornerstone policy, known as "ethnic federalism," has heightened tensions and sparked growing discontent in Ethiopia, with potentially explosive consequences
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Thursday, September 3, 2009
Ethiopian flag flies high at San Jose City Hall
Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC) | September 3, 2009
SAN JOSE - Pride will light up the face of every Ethiopian and Ethiopian American who comes to celebrate the fifth annual Ethiopian flag raising ceremony on September 8 in San Jose. The event will begin at 12:00 noon at the San Jose City Hall.
The event aims not only at celebrating Ethiopian New Year but also at stirring the patriotism within the hearts of Ethiopians, so they may never forget their roots, even when they are far away from their motherland.
Please join the San Jose City Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council members at the unprecedented flag raising ceremony where the Ethiopia flag will fly over the new San Jose City Hall.
This special civic ceremony is an excellent exercise of patriotism and keeps tradition and respect for the homeland alive in the soul of every Ethiopian. So invite friends and family, dress in the green yellow and red of Ethiopia and come celebrate with us!
San Jose is the first city in the entire United States of America officially hosting the Ethiopian flag.
When: Tuesday Sep. 8th 2009
Time: 12:00 (Noon)
Place: 200 E Santa Clara Street Next to front water feature by the poles.
We look forward to seeing you at the event!
CONTACT
Ethiopian Americans Council (EAC)
P.O. Box 28597 San Jose, Ca 95159
e-mail: ethioamericans@gmail.com
www.eacouncil.org