New deadly floods kill 67 in Ethiopia

Also in the news: Attention readers in Ethiopia: Judge W/Michael Messhesha's Interview (Amharic), Ethiopian royal family to sell property in Jerusalem to foreign nationals, The Ethiopian who uses old mortar shells to make great coffee and more of today's top stories

Ethiopia hit by new deadly floods

At least 67 people have been killed by floods in Ethiopia's eastern Ogaden region, aid workers say. Almost 300,000 have been affected after the Shabelle river burst its banks, an aid worker told the BBC.

There are also unconfirmed reports that crocodiles have killed two people in the floods. Accurate information is hard to get from the remote area.The area was also hit by devastating floods earlier this year, which killed hundreds and left thousands homeless.

The BBC's Amber Henshaw in Ethiopia says some people had only just returned home when they were forced to flee again following torrential rain. "Sixty-seven people have died since the worst flooding hit Friday, and the crocodiles in the area are eating some of the bodies," Muktar Mohammed, flood coordinator for the government-run Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau, told the AP news agency. (More...)

Attention readers in Ethiopia

You may not have had the chance to see the real report of the real independent inquiry commission. Below is a transcript of Judge W/Micheal Meshesha’s Interview with Radio Ethiopia Sweden. In this interview Judge W/Michael Messhesha reveals what was to be the report of the Original inquiry commission. [Courtesy of HR5680 taskforce]

(Read transcript)

Ethiopian royal family to sell property in Jerusalem to foreign nationals

Ethiopians in Jerusalem (EIJ)

On 21 September 2006, the Jerusalem District Court in Israel decided in favor of conferring a disputed property in Jerusalem to the survivors of Emperor Haile-Selassie and Empress Mennen.

As recalled, this property’s ownership was in dispute between the Royal Family and the EPRDF government in Ethiopia since 1999. The would-be Empress acquired the land, which is situated on Dvora Hanevia St. no 4 and 6 in Jerusalem through the mediation of the Ethiopian Consul in Jerusalem at the time Ato Paulos in early 1928, and was legally registered under the names of the late Emperor and Empress on January 25, 1928.

....Selling this ‘holy’ site to foreigners can only amount to a treacherous act against the people of Ethiopia and the memory and legacy of HIM Emperor Haile-Selassie and Empress Mennen. Through this act an important part of this memory and legacy of both of them will be irreversibly extracted and extorted from Jerusalem and Ethiopia’s histories once and for all.

So when faced with the dilemma of choice between a tyrant nihilistic regime and a self-centered elite claiming to have royal blood, one ought to remember that in both cases the Ethiopian nation is the one losing a great deal. (More...)

The Ethiopian who uses old mortar shells to make great coffee

In Biblical times they said "turn your swords into ploughshares", now in northern Ethiopia a tradesman is bringing the saying into the 21st century.

In his workshop in Mekele, just 200km from Ethiopia's border with Eritrea, Azmeraw Zekele is turning burnt-out shells into cylinders used in coffee machines.

Most of the shells are leftover from the war between the two countries which took place between 1998 and 2000.

The workshop is made up of three quite small ramshackle rooms that lead from one to another with sunlight coming through the gaps, but it is a hive of activity for Mr Azmeraw and his six staff. (More...)

Today's Top Stories

-Islamists Refuse to Take Part in Peace Talks While Ethiopian Troops Are in Somalia
-China says North Korea agrees to rejoin nuclear disarmament talks
-Tribal fury at Pakistan air strike
-Dead woman wins election in Alaska after coin toss

November 1st A day of sorrow; a day of solidarity; a day of renewed commitment

Also in the news: Open letter to Dr Mekonnen Disasa, Lucy' tour gets no love and more of today's top stories

November 1st A day of sorrow; a day of solidarity; a day of renewed commitment

Kinijit press release

Ethiopians all over the world are planning to join hands to commemorate the first anniversary of the November 1 2005 mass murder and imprisonment. This is one of the darkest days in the history of the Ethiopian People. We recall the sequence of events that dragged the people of Ethiopia into the abyss.

The government of Meles Zenawi called a general election on May 15 2005 with absolute certainty that it will win. It never expected to lose to the opposition. Contrary to the expectation of the incumbent and its foreign backers the opposition won. The Party of Meles Zenawi was not prepared to leave office. It put the civilian and military bureaucracy at its disposal on an overdrive and began conducting massive electoral fraud. The people of Ethiopia and the leaders of opposition parties stood firm and demanded that the votes be counted. Meles Zenawi arrogantly spurned all civil and peaceful means of solving the electoral dispute. The choice that the government of Meles Zenawi left to the Ethiopian people was to live under slavery.(More...)

Commentary on recent news events [Amharic, satire]

(More...)

Open letter to Dr Mekonnen Disasa
Mekonen Disasa (seen here) is the newly appointed head of the “teletafi” inquiry board. Ato Mekonen said on his report “the measures taken by security forces (in the June and November killings) were appropriate when they were seen in light of a budding democracy”. Ato Mekonen dissasa and the few remaining members of the “teletafi” inquiry commission, like Judas, betrayed those killed and maimed, in return for a few pieces of silver.

(by Tsegaye Hagos via AddisVoice)

I have been shocked to hear about the altered version of the inquiry commission’s report which justified the massacre of defenceless citizens including children. Thanks to Judge Wolde-Michael Meshesha, we know the real findings and conclusions of the inquiry commission whose honest members have faced intimidation and threats. People may flee their country but the truth remains where it is.

Having said that, I would like to say what I know about you, Dr Mekonnen Disasa, who appeared in front of reporters, as Acting Chair of a defunct commission, to lie on behalf of the tyrannical regime. That wasn’t unexpected from a political turncoat who was once a devout Derg cadre. When I worked as a lecturer at Addis Ababa University for nearly two decades, one of those frustrated ‘academics’ and enemies of academic freedom, who changed colours like a good chameleon, as time changes, was yourself. (More...)

Also read:
-Ethiopian security forces massacred protesters: Associated Press
-Judge: Ethiopian forces killed 193 unarmed protesters: CNN
-Ethiopian protesters 'massacred': BBC

Lucy' tour gets no love from two U.S. museums

Rick Potts, the director of the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program and a paleoanthropologist, said he and many other scientists agree that Lucy is too fragile to travel. He said the Ethiopian artifacts would not come to the Smithsonian.

A spokesman for the American Museum of Natural History in New York also said that the museum would not accept the 3.2-million-year-old fossilized remains.(More...)

Today's Top Stories

-How to Hug an EPRDFffer: [satire] Weichegud
-Nigerian crash airline grounded
-14,000 U.S.-supplied weapons reportedly missing in Iraq
-Britain seeks ‘bold’ climate action, hires Gore
-Brazil's leftist Lula re-elected in landslide
-Potential Male Contraceptive in the works
-Report finds St. Louis most dangerous U.S. city
-Most lucrative degrees for college grads

ION: Secretary general of Parliament on the run and The Week in Review

Catch-up on major news events you missed in the past week - Plus the weekend’s top stories!

Also in the news: [Diplomats in Ethiopia under surveillance: ION report] [Message from Kinijit Vancouver] [15 killed, thousands displaced in Ethiopia flood]

Secretary general of Parliament on the run
Indian Ocean Newsletter N° 1200 28/10/2006

According to several tallying information sources, the secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Representatives, Foto Bedane, took advantage of an official journey to Europe to defect from the regime of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He was part of an Ethiopian parliamentary delegation headed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Degfe Bula which had left Addis Ababa on 13 October to go to Geneva (Switzerland) to attend the 115th general assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from 16 to 18 October. Foto Bedane is reported to have then decided not to return to Addis Ababa and may seek refugee status in the United States. His predecessor, Samuel Alemayhu, had similarly defected after a world conference of speakers of parliament in September 2005 in New York.

The Week in Review

• Monday- October 23, 2006

According to our investigation 193 civilians were shot dead by security forces: Wolde-Michael Meshesha, Teletafi kinijit splits in two(addis Abeba), ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN AND ETHIOPIAN LAWYERS condemn HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS in Ethiopia, Lemtmerugn (poem by Tewodros Abebe), Somalia's ICU leader dares Ethiopia to attack, Addis ferengi signing off


• Tuesday- October 24, 2006

Zero tolerance for democracy: Policy of the Ethiopian government, Evidence of EPRDF’s failed policy, Ethiopia Ranked Among Worst Press Violators, Ethiopian officer captured after fierce battle, Ethiopia's "Lucy" to be exhibited in United States, From Vancouver Kinijit Support Groups, Ethiopia at war with ICU, Jonny Ragga Wins Music Award


• Wednesday- October 25, 2006

The commission’s report proves that the “evidence” against imprisoned leaders of Kinijit is contrived: Kinijit Press release, Somalis sign up to fight Ethiopia, Ethiopia's fossil Lucy set to become a 'mute ambassador' to the US, Skepticism and delusion, shunning from reality, Eritrea has 10,000 armed men at border


• Thursday- October 26, 2006

Yalemzewd Bekele released, Smithsonian OPPOSES Lucy’s tour, Ethiopian Soldiers ordered not to engage in discussions, Starbucks roasted over African dispute, ICU Prevent Gasoline from Reaching Somalia's Government, Prize offered to Africa's leaders, Eritrean fatally shot


• Friday- October 27, 2006

Meles tells diplomats CUD's trial ends this year, An Open Letter to Ethiopians: Citizens’ Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, Wolde-Michael Reacts to Report, disturbing news from a former aid darling, EU says Ethiopia released its staff member, UN report: thousands of foreign troops in Somalia, African Unite 2007

Message from Kinijit Vancouver

1. Wednesday November 1 2006 at 6 PM sharp
Protest rally & Candle light vigil front of
CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . (message CBC speak up)
700 Hamilton Street. ( Hamilton & Georgia ) Vancouver,
Rain or Shine we will be there

2. Send the post card we prepared to your MP

3. Distribute the post card in the community throughout the month of November.
Form more Information see flyer

Diplomats under surveillance
Indian Ocean Newsletter N° 1200 28/10/2006

The recent expulsion of two members of the European Commission illustrates the extent to which diplomats in Addis Ababa are under surveillance.

The two members of the European Commission expelled by the Ethiopian authorities for “trafficking” had not been arrested at Moyale, a town on the border with Kenya, as the Ethiopian authorities claim, but 150 km from there, near Agre Mariam, on their way back from Addis Ababa. The Swedish diplomat Bjorn Jonsson and the Italian Enrico Sborgi had gone to the border to accompany Yalemzewd Bekele, a 29 year old human rights activist who worked for the European delegation in Addis Ababa. She believed she was in danger of being arrested because of her links with the opposition. She had initially taken refuge in the premises of the European delegation and later in Jonsson’s house. She was then accompanied to Moyale where she was arrested on 19 November while showing her papers to the Ethiopian immigration service. Fasil Assefa, who was waiting for her at the Koket Borena hotel but had no intention of going to Kenya, was also arrested.

According to some sources, the Ethiopian intelligence agents investigating Yalemzewd had photos of her eating a pizza with Jonsson, her line manager, the day she took refuge in the EC premises in Addis Ababa. They are also said to have photos showing her in the company of other members of the staff of the European delegation during private meetings. This would appear to show that the whole affair had been minutely prepared by the Ethiopian intelligence services. Better still, according to opposition sources, these services have benefited from the complicity of members of the private security company which guards the European delegation compound. This security firm, Sebhatu and Brothers, is owned by the brothers of Mimi Sebhatu, a journalist close to the regime who benefited with her husband Zerihun Teshome, for the attribution of a licence to launch a private radio station. She is also the editor of the newspaper Eftin which is strongly supportive of the Ethiopian regime. Agents from this security company could have informed the official intelligence services of Yalemzewd’s comings and goings and of her departure for Moyale. Her telephone conversations with the expelled diplomats, and with Tim Clark, the head of the European delegation in Addis Ababa, are also believed to have been recorded in the same way.

Sebhatu & Brothers may be employing disguised government agents. It was the government coalition, EPRDF that, according to people close to Mimi Sebhatu and her husband, provided half of the funding to create this security company. This company has more clients than another security company linked to partisans of the regime, belonging to Major Alemseged Gebre Yohannes, a former deputy Police Commissioner.

15 killed, thousands displaced in Ethiopia flood

ADDIS ABABA - A river burst its banks in southeastern Ethiopia killing 15 people and displacing more than 2,000, the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) said on Saturday.

“Wabe Shebelle broke its banks and flooded adjoining areas following heavy rains in highland Ethiopia,” ENA said quoting Ethiopia’s early warning disaster unit.

State television said late on Friday the towns of Kibredehar and Musthale were flooded and that residents had to move to higher ground. It said a U.N. boat and fact finding team had been sent to the region.(More...)

Meles tells diplomats, CUD's trial ends this year

Also in the news: An Open Letter to Ethiopians: Citizens’ Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, Wolde-Michael Reacts to Report, disturbing news from a former aid darling, EU says Ethiopia released its staff member, UN report: thousands of foreign troops in Somalia, African Unite 2007 and more of today's top stories

-----------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As Professor Christopher Clapham of the University of Cambridge rightly noted, the May 15, 2005 legislative elections ushered in an unmistakable but painful transition to a democratic order in Ethiopia . The outmoded vision of sectarian and autocratic rule that masqueraded as “ethnocentric democracy” was resoundingly rejected by the heroic Ethiopian voters. The majority of voters instead endorsed a modern democratic system based on the sovereignty of the free citizen.

The Citizens' Charter Group is pleased to introduce to the Ethiopian public a “Citizens’ Charter for Ethiopian Democracy” which articulates this pan-Ethiopian vision. The Citizens’ Charter embodies what binds all Ethiopians and thereby affirms the primacy of Ethiopian identity in a manner which makes it possible to embrace diverse cultural identities.

The Citizens' Charter Group invites the public to engage in a constructive debate on the kind of Ethiopia we want to emerge out of the current crisis. The Group urges political parties which consider themselves Ethiopian to endorse the Charter, and civic organizations to adopt it as the foundation for united action. Finally, readers are kindly requested to assist with the widest possible circulation of the attached Charter document.

The Citizens' Charter Group
27 October 2006
------------------------------------------------

An Open Letter to Ethiopians

Re: Citizens’ Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia (27 October 2006)
Ye’Etyiopiawian Yemebitna Gideta Qal-kidan

Dear Compatriots at Home and Abroad:

We, the undersigned, are a group of concerned Ethiopians who value civic activism in the cause of freedom, that is, freedom from unrelenting poverty and freedom from unremitting tyranny. The lessons of history clearly show that the cause of liberty is best served by a political system that respects the sovereignty of the citizen and generously rewards those activities that promote the common good. They also show that shared prosperity comes with the help of an economic system that guarantees economic freedom and rewards productive activity.

Achieving the twin goals of Ethiopian democracy and prosperity presupposes a government that is at once competent and accountable to citizens. Such a government is, unfortunately, a product of protracted struggle by a coordinated political movement that includes political parties and civic organizations. Needless to say, this movement has to be inspired by a democratic process for public decision-making and by a pan-Ethiopian vision of the future of the country. (More...)

Meles tells diplomats, CUD's trial ends this year

capitalethiopia - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi met with diplomats in Addis Ababa, on Saturday, October 14 to confer on current affairs and developments in the country, expressing his expectation that the more than 100 detained opposition members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), journalists and members of civic organisations trial will see a conclusion before the end of this Ethiopian year, diplomatic sources disclosed.

In a meeting that went on for two hours at the Prime Minister's office, Meles told the diplomats that as part of the civil service reform of the government, his administration has the responsibility for citizens to get speedy and fair justice, but affirmed that he has no mandate or authority over the case, which is the responsibility of the courts. More over, the Prime Minister told the diplomats that recent nationwide meetings of his party, the EPRDF performance over the past three years have been reviewed and it was revealed that the performance in terms of economic growth has been quite good but that there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of governance, capacity building and democratization.

“ There have been some achievements but we very much feel that there is more to be done,” he was quoted by diplomatic sources as saying.

The Ethiopian government has detained more than 100 people including 29 CUD leaders about 20 journalists accused of plotting to overthrow the government and also charged with high treason and genocide. The CUD is accused by the government of fomenting violence since the elections in May 2005.the detainees has been in custody for the last 9 months.

The opposition alleges the elections were riddled with fraud. In the aftermath of the bitterly disputed elections, at least 90 people were killed in Addis Ababa in outbreaks of violence in June and November 2005.

An anonymous diplomat told Capital that issues related with the ACP-EU parliamentarians that recently paid a visit to the country were raised in the meeting with both parts agreeing their involvement was of a paramount importance in the building up of the parliamentary democratization process. Last week's meeting took place after the diplomats met the Prime Minister in February to discuss on issues related to the Addis Ababa City Council, Oromia, Parliament and as well as EU observers being sent to observe the CUD trial.

Former Commission of Inquiry Vice Chair Reacts to Report on Post-Election Violence

“This is what the government want to be said. That’s why I left the country. We had arrived at a decision that said the force used by the security forces to stop the uprising was excessive. It was not necessary because 193 civilians were dead without any arming such kind of gun or any other weapons. So how can one say this is not excessive force? So I say this was not the will of all the members but by force,” - Wolde-Michael speaking on yesterday’s report by the “teletafi” inquiry commission (Picture by EMF)

Washington, D.C. -- 27 October 2006 -- The former vice chair of Ethiopia’s commission of inquiry that investigated last year’s post-election violence, Wolde-Michael Meshesha, says the report released yesterday does not represent the will of majority of the commission’s members. That report said 199 people were killed. At the same time it says the police did not use excessive force. But Meshesha, who fled Ethiopia earlier this month, tells VOA English to Africa reporter James Butty the commission reported what the government urged it to report.(More...)

Ethiopia: More disturbing news from a former aid darling of the West

The Economist

...But the government's (EPRDF/TPLF) grip on power is slipping. An instinct for self-preservation may explain the former rebel fighters' return to Soviet methods. Things began to fall apart last year when a disorganised opposition disputed the results of a general election. Street protests followed in the capital in June and again in November. Around 80 people were believed to have been killed, including some police, after which opposition leaders, journalists, human-rights activists and businessmen were arrested. Many have since been charged with treason and genocide.

The government promised a speedy trial but has reneged, dragging out the process while keeping it far from view. Most of those arrested are still languishing in Kaliti prison in Addis Ababa. The cells there are baking hot by day, freezing by night, infested with roaches and mice, and thick with mud in the rainy season. The government has so far used a mix of spin and harassment of journalists (local more than foreign) to avoid international condemnation. But that may be changing.(More...)

EU says Ethiopia released its staff member

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ethiopia has released European Commission staff member and rights lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele from jail, the EU said, welcoming the move but reaffirming that the bloc's ties with the African country had been damaged.

"The release of Ms Bekele is very good news. We had been extremely concerned about her fate since her arrest," European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said in a statement on Friday.

Last week, Addis Ababa expelled two European Union diplomats -- an Italian and a Swede -- saying they had been caught trying to smuggle two wanted Ethiopians out of the country by car.

Bekele was one of the two Ethiopians detained near the border with Kenya. Amnesty International had said she was at risk of torture for aiding the opposition. There was no word on the other Ethiopian detained with Bekele.(More...)

African Unite 2007

How good and how pleasant it would be before God and man, To see the unification of all Africans (Lyrics from Africa Unite)- BOB MARLEY

Africa Unite, which was last year held in Ethiopia, will now be held in South Africa next following followinga decision by The Bob and Rita Marley Foundation.

LATE reggae icon Bob Marley's widow Rita has decided to bring the African Unite, an event meant to encourage peace, education and empowerment of the youth on the continent to South Africa.

The event that also reinforces the significance of Marley’s songs of freedom, was last year held in Ethiopia but the The Bob & Rita Marley Foundation have decided to bring next year’s event to South Africa.(More..)

Today's Top Stories

-UN report: thousands of foreign troops in Somalia; fears 'all out war'
-Sudanese ambassador: U.N. envoy 'abused his authority'
-Mexico fury as Bush gives go-ahead to border fence
-Iran has begun uranium enrichment in second centrifuge cascade, agency says
-2 German soldiers suspended for skull photos
-Snoop arrested at California airport

Yalemzewd Bekele released

Unconfirmed report: Eftin (a pro-government newspaper) is reporting the release of Yalemzewd Bekele Along with Mr.Abdulkadir Abdi, Mr. Adane Shewa and Fasil Assefa: check back with ETP for more details as they become available
----------------------
**(update)** Ethio-Zagol has now confirmed this news. Yalemzewd Bekele is out on bail
-----------------------
Also in the news: Smithsonian OPPOSES Lucy’s tour, Ethiopian Soldiers ordered not to engage in discussions, Starbucks roasted over African dispute, ICU Prevent Gasoline from Reaching Somalia's Government, Prize offered to Africa's leaders, Eritrean fatally shot and more of todays top stories

Ethiopian Soldiers ordered not to engage in discussions

The Eritrean ministry of information is reporting that four Ethiopian soldiers have arrived in Eritrea seeking asylum. The soldiers, the ministry said, disclosed that the TPLF regime has given orders preventing Army members not to engage in discussion in more than two.

The defecting soldiers are Abebe Gebisa Sorecha, Ermias Gebre Woldesenbet, Sew-Bihon Atali Mola and Abadi Berhau Mengesha.(source)

Smithsonian Natural History Museum OPPOSES Lucy’s tour

"Not only is it not going to come to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, it is our position that we don't think it should leave Ethiopia," museum spokesman Randall Kremer said Wednesday.

Smithsonian scientists feel certain objects, such as Lucy, are too valuable to travel and should remain in their homes, he said.

The Smithsonian Institution, often called "America's attic," is considered the country's premier grouping of museums, covering subjects from history to science to aviation to art to the National Zoo. It was founded in the 19th century with a bequest by British scientist James Smithson

Prize offered to Africa's leaders

A $5m prize is offered to Africa's most effective head of state, in an effort to combat poor leadership.

UK-based mobile phone entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim - who was born in Egypt - is behind the plan to rate governance in 53 African countries each year. The contest, launched in London, will award winning leaders $5m (£2.7m) over 10 years when they leave office, plus $200,000 (£107,000) a year for life.

"We need to remove corruption and improve governance," Mr Ibrahim said.(More...)

193 Protesters Said Killed in Ethiopia: [Forbes]

Ethiopian security forces fatally shot, beat or strangled 193 people protesting election fraud last year, triple the official death toll, a senior judge appointed to investigate the violence said.

Wolde-Michael Meshesha, a vice chairman of the 10-member inquiry, accused the government of trying to suppress the results of the probe amid sharp questions about Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's commitment to democratic reform.(More...)

Starbucks roasted over African dispute

THE global coffee company Starbucks is opposing an Ethiopian plan to get a bigger share of its coffee trade for poor farmers, the international aid agency Oxfam says.

The Ethiopian Government has filed applications in the US to trademark three famous Ethiopian coffee names - Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe. This could earn Ethiopia's coffee industry and farmers an estimated $116 million extra a year.(More...)

Today's Top Stories

-"Inquiry commission" betrays massacred victims: AddisVoice
-Delusion, Frivolity and Now Desperation
-ICU Prevent Gasoline from Reaching Somalia's Government
-Eritrean fatally shot after entering UN post in border zone
-Bush signs bill authorizing border fence
-'60 civilians killed' in Nato raid
-Iraqi PM distances himself from US
-Exxon Mobil posts profit of $10 billion
-"Sexsomniacs" puzzle medical researchers

The commission’s report proves that the “evidence” against imprisoned leaders of Kinijit is contrived: Kinijit Press release

Also in the news: Somalis sign up to fight Ethiopia, Ethiopia's fossil Lucy set to become a 'mute ambassador' to the US, Skepticism and delusion, shunning from reality, Eritrea has 10,000 armed men at border and more of today's top stories

Kinijit press release (Amharic)

(More...)

Skepticism and delusion, shunning from reality

Enset

...The key to building a free society lies in creating a durable set of democratic institutions - some public, some private - that encourage "Representative Democracy" as well as economic openness for long periods of time. This historic responsibility is not the task of few people; it is not even a task to be completed by one generation. Our grandfathers/mothers made us proud Africans by breaking the backbone of Italian colonialism. Our fathers/mothers lived in the darkness of the two [feudal, military] consecutive authoritarian regimes, but they educated us and enabled us to perceive the anatomy of evil. Dealing with the forces of evil is the responsibility of this generation. Our children should be left to focus on agriculture, medicine, economics, and engineering. I usually take my son to G. Washington, T. Jefferson, A. Lincoln, and FDR memorials, and take myself back in time to give respect to what these heroes did to their country. Our country Ethiopia needs heroes like Jefferson and Lincoln who burn like a candle to give light to others. When he gets old, I hope, my son takes his children to memorials, but to a different memorial; to a memorial of champion Ethiopians!(More...)

Ethiopia says Eritrea has 10,000 armed men at border

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's tiny neighbor Eritrea has nearly 10,000 soldiers and militia inside a U.N. buffer zone on their disputed border in a "flagrant" breach of a ceasefire, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said.

His figure was far higher than the 1,500 soldiers the United Nations last week accused Asmara of moving to the border where a 1998-2000 war killed more than 70,000 people and left the Horn of Africa neighbors on bitter terms.

Meles told Reuters in an interview that besides the 1,500 soldiers and tanks mentioned by the United Nations, thousands more members of a militia of armed local farmers had been "smuggled" into the sensitive border zone. (More...)

Today's Top Stories

-Somalis sign up to fight Ethiopia
-Ethiopia's fossil Lucy set to become a 'mute ambassador' to the US
-Hastert gets grilled by ethics panel
-Iran to expand nuclear enrichment
-Putin Not Running for Presidency in 2008
-Cobain 'is top-earning dead star'

Zero tolerance for democracy: Policy of the Ethiopian government

Also in the news: Evidence of EPRDF’s failed policy, Ethiopia Ranked Among Worst Press Violators, Ethiopian officer captured after fierce battle, Ethiopia's "Lucy" to be exhibited in United States, From Vancouver Kinijit Support Groups, Ethiopia at war with ICU, Jonny Ragga Wins Music Award and more of today's top stories

Zero tolerance for democracy: Policy of the Ethiopian government
ETP - Six days ago Yalemzewd Bekele, a prominent Human rights activist (seen here); was arrested by the authorities in Ethiopia. The EPRDF led government of Ethiopia has been battling human rights activists and free press journalists ever since it ceased power in 1991; but since the 2005 general elections, in which the government found out its perceived popularity was entirely imaginary, it has doubled efforts in hunting down members of these two sectors.

Not only is the government of Ethiopia persecuting journalists and human rights activists, it is also trying to cover up massacres committed by its troops right after the 2005 elections. A recent report by an independent inquiry commission, assigned to investigate the violence following the 2005 elections, has held the government responsible for over 190 civilian deaths, 40 of which were teenagers gunned down indiscriminately by the elite “Agazi” unite, a trusted military wing of the government. Due to repeated attempts by the government to suppress the report of the independent inquiry commission; members of this commission were forced to flee the country and risk their life so that this report could see the light of day.

Also read:
-Inquiry Says Ethiopian Troops Killed 193 in Ballot Protests: New York Times
-Fear of Torture or ill-treatment [Yalemzewd Bekele]: Amnesty International
-Ethiopian protesters 'massacred': BBC

Ethiopia Ranked Among Worst Press Violators

(Audio) Listen to report

The global press watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, says Eritrea and Ethiopia are ranked among the worst violators of press freedom in the world, while Benin, Namibia, and Mauritius are among the best countries in Africa for press freedom. Reporters Without Borders has released its annual press-freedom report.

...Slightly behind Eritrea is its neighbor, Ethiopia, ranked 160th out of the 168 countries surveyed.

The organization says this is primarily because of last year's crackdown by the government against journalists, opposition supporters, activists, and others contesting the results of the May 2005 elections.

Dozens of journalists were arrested and charged with treason, including five VOA reporters charged in absentia. About 20 journalists still remain behind bars, possibly facing the death penalty because of their reporting.(More...)

Evidence of EPRDF’s failed policy

By the time the October rains arrived last week, five of the 13 heads of families in the village of Magado had hanged themselves, tormented by the loss of their cattle and livelihoods.

24 October 2006 - Magado, and the thousands of other Borena pastoralist settlements spread across southern Ethiopia, are part of the Horn of Africa's great cow economy. For more than two millennia, the Borena have learnt to eke an existence from the bleak landscape, shifting to seasonal feeding grounds and using communal wells set out according to a traditional co-operative system called gada. That way of life is now under threat.

......A decision by the Ethiopian government to redraw the district boundaries on land occupied by the Borena and their pastoralist neighbours, the Guji, has led to fierce armed clashes between the tribes. International critics described the move as the perpetuation of a long-held tactic by Addis Ababa to divide and rule pastoralist areas by handing control of resources to opposing tribes.(More...)

Ethiopian officer captured after fierce battle

KISMAYO, Somalia (AP) -- Somalia's Islamic radicals claimed Tuesday they had captured an Ethiopian officer after heavy fighting against pro-government militia in which 43 were killed.

The wounded soldier was seized after 26 hours of fighting between Islamic fighters and militia loyal to Somalia's defense minister, said Islamic movement spokesman Sheik Shukri Abraham.

Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment.

Ethiopia and Somalia's governments had initially denied the presence of Ethiopian troops in the country, but Ethiopia's prime minister recently acknowledged he had sent troops. He said there were only a few military trainers.

Tensions between Ethiopia, which backs Somalia's weak government, and the Islamic radical group that controls much of southern Somalia have been mounting in recent months.(More...)

From Vancouver Kinijit Support Groups

let us honour the victims of November 1, 2005 , the Addis Abeba massacres as well as the brave leaders of Kinijit and all political prisoners who have been thrown into jail since November 1 last year, on trumped up charges of treason and genocide.(see Flyer)

If you wish to make a difference here are a few thing you can do

1. Wednesday November 1 2006 @ 6 pm sharp
Protest rally & Candle light vigil front of
CBC Television British Columbia.( message CBC speak up )
700 Hamilton Street. ( Hamilton & Georgia ) Vancouver Rain or Shine
2. Send the attached post card to your MP (post card attached in PDF) Send it to the following address:
The Hon. ____________________________ (name of MP)
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Find your MP here
3. Distribute the post card in the community to your neighbours , your friends , coworkers , your classmates or any one you know . Churches. such as Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Anglican, and Baptist and so on Institutions trade, teachers, student and other unions to professional associations, journalists, and academic.etc....

The Ethiopian people shall triumph.
Vancouver Kinijit Support Groups

Jonny Ragga Wins East African Music Video Award

Ethiopian artist Jonny Ragga has been named Best East African artist for his Album Kulfun Sichign ('Give Me the Key') at 2006 Channel O Sprit of African Music Video Awards, held at a ceremony at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg on October 15.

Although Give me the key is his debut album for the artist, Jonny Ragga is no stranger to Ethiopian music lovers. His first appearance on the international scene took place back in 2002, as a part of a reggae concert doing covers of reggae and raga song.

In other categories, the Best Female Award went to the Mozambican lass Lizh James, while the masked Nigeria-Lagbaja took home the Best Male Video.(More..)

Today's Top Stories

-Ethiopia's "Lucy" to be exhibited in United States
-Ethiopia 'technically' at war with Somali ICU
-Iran could have nuclear bomb by 2015: Germany
-Palestinian militants kidnap AP journalist
-New Cabinet Appointment Tilts Israel to Right
-Hillary Clinton And Opponent Get "Ugly" In New York Race
-Statin drugs may protect smokers' lungs -study
-Cult leader headed to execution in Ohio

According to our investigation 193 civilians were shot dead by security forces: Wolde-Michael Meshesha

Also in the news: Teletafi kinijit splits in two(addis Abeba), ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN AND ETHIOPIAN LAWYERS condemn HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS in Ethiopia, Lemtmerugn (poem by Tewodros Abebe), Somalia's ICU leader dares Ethiopia to attack, Addis ferengi signing off and more of today's top stories!

EID MUBARAK

To our Ethiopian Muslim Brothers and sisters: ETP wishes you a happy and joyous EID. As was the case in the past: May our land continue to be a shining example of religious harmony for centuries to come.

ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN AND ETHIOPIAN LAWYERS IN THE UNITED STATES CONDEMN THE REGIME OF MELES ZENAWI FOR PERSECUTING ETHIOPIAN LAWYERS AND FOR ITS CONTINUING PRACTICES OF GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Ethiopian American and Ethiopian lawyers in the United States strongly condemn the regime of Meles Zenawi for its recent unlawful arrest and detention of Ethiopian civil/human rights lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele and others engaged in peaceful exercise of their constitutional rights, and for its continuing practices of gross human rights violations.(More...)

“According to our investigation 193 civilians were shot dead by the security forces":Wolde-Michael Meshesha

NAIROBI, Oct 23, 2006 (AFP) - At least 193 people, triple the official toll, were killed by Ethiopian police during post-election violence last year, according to the ex-vice chair of a parliamentary inquiry into the unrest.

Wolde-Michael Meshesha, a judge who is now hiding in exile after allegedly receiving death threats, said the victims were killed in what amounted to a "massacre" in two explosions of violence after the disputed May 2005 polls.

"Our findings showed that 193 innocent civilians were killed by the security forces, most of them shot by gun, others beaten with stones, sticks or other material," he told AFP at the weekend from an undisclosed location in Europe. (More...)

Lemtmerugn (poem)

By Tewodros Abebe

(More...)

Teletafi kinijit -update (addis ababa)

ETP - There has been a split in the “teletafi” kinijit in Addis Abeba. The Group led by ato Temesgaen Zewde has issued a statement expelling Ato Ayele Chamiso (Vice - president) and his group from the organization. Interestingly enough, the accusation against ato Ato Ayele Chamiso - “trying to make kinijit a “teletafi” pro government party”

Ato Ayele on his part accused Ato Temesgen of operating under the assumption that the imprisoned leaders are the true leaders of Kinijit and that until they are free kinijit will not be a legitimate party.

Addis ferengi signing off

In her post entitled “the most difficult post ever” addis ferengi is announcing her retirement from the Blogesphere. This is sad news. Addis ferengi is responsible for single handedly restoring our confidence in ferengis.

Nathalie, we hope you could be persuaded to change your mind. Even if you stop writing politics, you should still keep your blog and let us know of the day to day events in you and your family’s life; for us, it will be as interesting as any post you’ve made in the past since it is a day in the life of our beloved sister.

From all of us here at ETP,

-also read: Audacity – The “Addis Ferenji” story, APRIL 13, 2006

Today's Top Stories

-Somalia's ICU leader dares Ethiopia to attack amid fears of regional conflict
-Sudan expels U.N. envoy for blog
-Obama Obama Obama: considering a run for the White House in 2008
-IBM sues Amazon
-Obedient driver follows orders, crashes car

Commission's report clearly demonstrates the need for HR5680: Rep. Donald Payne

Also: the week in review (below)
------------------------------------------------
ETP has contacted the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels; they informed us that the European Commission has not yet been formally told of the charges made against the two EU personnel that were expelled. They are demanding an explanation and are awaiting a formal response.

Their actual words:

“Call the guys in Addis (Govt. officials), they know more about this than we do”
------------------------------------------------
Government of Ethiopia wiretapping European Commission Offices

(Ethio-Zagol)

Ethiopian government's espionage against European Commission is exposed. The Ethiopian government claimed on Thursday that it had expelled two EU diplomats who were trying to smuggle two Ethiopian fugitives who committed serious crimes.

According to Security sources, the two diplomats weren't arrested at the border town of Moyale but more than 157 miles away from the border while they were traveling back to Addis Ababa. They didn't try to cross the border.

The car was stopped near the town of Agre Mariam. Yalemzewd was arrested when she was checking at the Moyale immigration office as a regular traveler to Kenya. She was told to hang on and plain-clothed security guys picked her up and took her to a detention center. Fasil Assefa the man who was arrested with her was taken from Koket Borena hotel while he was sleeping. He wasn't trying to cross the border.(More...)

Inquiry Commission's report clearly demonstrates the need for HR5680: Rep. Donald Payne

For Immediate Release
October 20, 2006

Congressman Donald M. Payne Condemns Continued Harassment of Human Rights Advocates in Ethiopia and Calls for the Immediate Release of the Ethiopia Commission of Inquiry Report.

On Thursday October 19, Yalemzewd Bekele, 29, a human rights advocate, was arrested near the Kenyan border by Ethiopian security, while on her way to Kenya fleeing persecution.. In August 2006, during a visit to Ethiopia my delegation talked to Yalemzewd but was unable to meet with her face to face because of security concerns. Yalemzewd, who works for the European Commission in Addis found out late last week that a decision was made to arrest her. She decided to stay in her office to avoid arrest. After several days, she was asked by a senior EC official to leave the office.

Yalemzewd was betrayed by her own employer. Instead of protecting her, this official ruined her life. I strongly condemn this act and call on the European Commission to investigate this decision. Yalemzewd is in a detention center in Moyale, a small town near the Kenyan border. Alemayehu Fantu was also arrested on October 5. He was visibly tortured when he appeared in court on October 12, 2006 and may have been coerced into naming Ms. Bekele. Conditions in Ethiopia are going from bad to worse. Ethiopians are living in fear and they don’t know what to expect tomorrow, a true reminder of the torturous past. Under the circumstances there is enough indication that Ms. Bekele may be harmed while in detention. I call for the immediate release of these political prisoners.

For over a year, I constantly argued that the Ethiopian government used excessive force against innocent civilians. Many innocent civilians lost their lives. Parliament established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killings. The Commission interviewed dozens of people and spent months investigating and documenting what they saw and heard. When the time came to submit the report, parliament was adjourned a day early, denying the Commission the opportunity to present their findings. The decision was deliberate in order to force the Commission to change its findings. In August, I was told by a senior Ethiopian official that the Commission did not finish its work. After constant threat and harassment, the Chairman of the Commission and the Deputy Chair left the country with the report. Over the past week, a friend spoke to both the chair and deputy chairman of the Commission. They clearly stated that they “can not turn their backs on all those people who risked their lives to speak to us.” They said “the truth must come out and Ethiopians must know what happened in June and November.”

I have seen the reports and the video of the deliberation of the Commission. One can not question the quality of the work nor the authenticity of the documents. The faces of the Commissioners are clear to see and the message and conclusions loud and clear. The data presented in these reports and the videotaped testimony of the members of the Commission as they cast their votes further reveals the degree to which a systematic crackdown was in place. I repeatedly stated then and the Commission agrees that the Government used excessive force against civilians in June and November. I said then and I repeat again, those who gave the orders and those who carried out the order must be held accountable for this unspeakable crime.

The commission finally voted 8-2 that indeed excessive force was used. The committee chairman, Supreme Court Judge Frehiwot Samuel, stated that “many people were killed arbitrarily.” He stated further that “Old men were killed while in their homes, and children were also victims of the attack while playing in the garden.” An Ethiopian Orthodox priest, Estatiose Gebrekristos, was recorded as saying, "based on my eyes, ears and knowledge the actions taken were 100 percent wrong." We must never forget the victims. These are just a handful of the many who perished last year. Mathewos Girma, 14; Qasim Ali, 21; Legesse Tulu, 60; Tamam Muktar, 25; Etenesh Yimam, 50; Worke Abebe, 19; Debela Oliqa Guta, 15; Hassan Dula, 65. Etenesh Yimam was killed in her home in front of her family for simply asking why they are arresting her husband, who was elected in May. Etenesh is dead, her husband in prison, and her daughter in hiding somewhere in Africa. This is the more reason why we should pass H.R. 5680, Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006.

The Week in Review

Catch-up on major news events you missed in the past week

• Monday- October 16, 2006

UN says Eritrea moving troops, tanks closer to Ethiopia - November 1, 2006 a day of protest against tyranny - difficult profession of journalist - US military consolidates Africa command - Internal opposition in a fray - troops briefly occupy Somali town - Somali president in Ethiopia - 'Why Are They Poor?' [PART 3]


• Tuesday- October 17, 2006

Ethiopia sees no military response against Eritrea - ERITREA- 'Troops harvesting buffer zone' - Union of Islamic Courts Issues Decisions Against Ethiopia - 'Why Are They Poor?' [PART 4], Clone H.R. 5680 and more of today's top stories


• Wednesday- October 18, 2006

Ethiopian security forces massacred protesters, says inquiry judge!! - 'Meles rejects observer's report' - Eritrea rejected UN call to withdraw - Somalia Islamists recruit hundreds after call for Jihad on Ethiopia - What is the Size of the Ethiopian Population in the United States? - H.R.5680: Sustaining the Struggle for Freedom - Democracy and Human Rights and more of today's top stories.


• Thursday- October 19, 2006

Unidentified EU personnel arrested in Ethiopia - leaked report confirms serious government human rights violations:Ana Gomes - Ethiopia Admits to Sending Military Trainers to Somalia - US accuses Eritrea of arming Somali Islamists - Ethiopian government blocks report of massacre by its forces and more of today's top stories


• Friday- October 20, 2006

Ethiopia: Regime's Silence on Report Speaks Volumes - Rep. Chris Smith - Fear of Torture or ill-treatment: Yalemzewd Bekele - European Union condemns Ethiopian government - a letter to Mr. Clarke, Mr. Delphin, and Mr. Michel - Ethiopian human rights lawyer arrested and more of today's top stories

Ethiopia: Regime's Silence on Report Speaks Volumes - Rep. Chris Smith

also in the news:Fear of Torture or ill-treatment: Yalemzewd Bekele , European Union condemns Ethiopian government , a letter to Mr. Clarke, Mr. Delphin, and Mr. Michel, Ethiopian human rights lawyer arrested and more of today's top stories

Ethiopia: Regime's Silence on Report Speaks Volumes - Rep. Chris Smith

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today expressed outrage at the Ethiopian government's continued silence about the report linking their security forces to nearly 200 deaths during two waves of protests over election results in 2005, and called for immediate passage of his bill to promote human rights and democracy in Ethiopia when Congress reconvenes.

Smith-who is the Chairman of the Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations Subcommittee and author of the "Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006" (H.R. 5680)-said "Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's silence speaks volumes. The regime refuses to comment on the report, most likely because they never expected it to see the light of day. We have a responsibility to hold them accountable for their brutal actions as well as their subsequent efforts to suppress this inquiry."(More...)

Ethipoia: Fear of Torture or ill-treatment: Yalemzewd Bekele (f)

Amnesty International

Yalemzewd Bekele, a lawyer working for the European Commission in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, was arrested on the morning of 19 October by the Ethiopian authorities, while trying to cross the border to Kenya. Amnesty International is concerned that she is at high risk of torture or other ill-treatment.(More..)

----------------------------------------------
To:
Tim Clarke, Head of Delegation to Ethiopia
Hervé Delphin, Member of the Cabinet (oversees EC programs in Ethiopia)
Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid

CC:
Human Rights Watch, attn. Peter Takirambudde, Executive Director (Africa Desk)
European Union Office, Amnesty International
Charles Schaefer, Country Specialist for Ethiopia, Amnesty International
European Union Delegation to Ethiopia
Horn of Africa Division, Voice of America
The Guardian newspaper


Dear Mr. Clarke, Mr. Delphin, and Mr. Michel:

I am deeply troubled by the information recently learned that an employee of the European Commission in Ethiopia, Ms. Yalemzewd Bekele has been arrested yesterday by Ethiopian government authorities close to the Ethiopian-Kenyan border. She is being accused of having helped to distribute a calendar calling for nonviolent civil disobedience against repressive practices by the Ethiopian government. Amnesty International recently reported on Ms. Bekele's case and expressed the concern that she is at risk of torture. AI also reported on the confirmed case of severe torture of Mr. Alemayehu Fantu, as well as the deaths resulting from grave torture of three individuals -- all related to the same charge levied against Ms. Bekele. Please see the following links for the above mentioned Amnesty International reports:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR250332006
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR250322006

I am gravely concerned for Ms. Bekele, a woman lawyer and professional employee of the European Comission for over two years. I strongly urge you to use the full power of your office to ensure that Ms. Bekele be released immediately and unconditionally. I also expect that you will do your utmost to prevent that she be tortured or otherwise ill-treated.

As a major international institution, the European Commission has the moral and legal responsibility to protect its staff from violence committed against them by governments of countries in which it operates. In addition to this responsibility that I hope you take very seriously, I believe that if Ms. Bekele continues to be held in detention of if she in any way is mistreated by government forces, the EC as a whole will incur damage, as the institution may lose the trust of its staff that they would be ensured that their employer will do what is in its power to protect them from physical harm and violence by governments with which the EC conducts business. Furthermore, I believe that the EC will also lose the trust of European citizens, the vast majority of whom would strongly condemn anything other than strong and decisive action by the EC to ensure the physical safety of its staff.

Sincerely,
Hewan Zerfu
---------------------------------------------

Ethiopian human rights lawyer arrested

International human rights groups are on high alert as their Ethiopian colleague Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested on Thursday morning, while trying to cross the border to Kenya. According to Amnesty, there are serious concerns that "she is at high risk of torture or other ill-treatment," as others involved in the same affair reportedly have been killed in detention.

Ms Bekele, a women's rights campaigner and lawyer working for the European Commission in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, was arrested on Thursday morning by Ethiopian authorities, while trying to cross the border to Kenya, Amnesty said in an alert today, adding that the group feared she may be tortured while in detention.(More...)

Ethiopian Opposition Claims Prime Minister Threatening to Withhold Jobs From Non-Supporters

The opposition United Ethiopian Democratic Forces party of Ethiopia says Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government is threatening to withhold jobs from civil servants and students if they did not support the ruling party. The party describes the alleged tactics as coercive. But the Ethiopian government has denied such tactics. Berhan Hailu is Ethiopia’s minister of information. He tells VOA’s English to Africa reporter James Butty the government is simply following its own civil service guidelines.

“My comment is that their accusation is baseless and unfounded. They don’t have any facts to support such an accusation. We are doing to the level of our best, and the civil servants or other new graduates are employed in the civil service based on merits, based on our laws and regulations,” Hailu said.

Hailu says whether those seeking employment with the Ethiopian government take a test or not depends on the kind of job they are seeking, and whether they get those jobs or not has no relationship to their party affiliation. (More...)

Today's top stories

-European Union condemns Ethiopia expelling two EU Diplomats
-EU anger over Ethiopia expulsions :BBC
-Inquiry Says Ethiopian Troops Killed 193 in Ballot Protests: New York Times
-Expel UN envoy, Sudan army says

Unidentified EU personnel arrested in Ethiopia

Ethio-Zagol has posted the names of the arrested EU personnel, they are Bjorn JONSSON and Enrico SBORGI

Also in the news: leaked report confirms serious government human rights violations:Ana Gomes, Ethiopia Admits to Sending Military Trainers to Somalia , US accuses Eritrea of arming Somali Islamists, Ethiopian government blocks report of massacre by its forces and more of today's top stories

(June 2005) Bruk Abaraha, aged 11, after being treated for a gunshot wound to the foot in Zawditu hospital in the centre of Addis Ababa. He was one of scores of bystanders who was injured in the third day of violent clashes between armed police and unarmed protesters in Ethiopia's capital - A draft of an inquiry team's report looking into the killings, which was to have been presented to the Ethiopian parliament in early July and has since been leaked, says among those killed were 40 teenagers, including a boy and a girl, both 14. The two were fatally shot.(picture - A.heavens)
--------------------------
The division in diaspora Kinijit couldn’t have come at a worse time. Wolde-Michael Meshesha’s report has made it into U.S and EU’s mainstream media; pro-democracy organizations everywhere have to collectively set aside their bickering - for a while - and utilize this opportunity to help advance democracy in Ethiopia. Opportunities like this are very rare; it will be a shame if this chance is squandered.
--------------------------
Unidentified EU personnel arrested in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia Police arrested two foreigners working with the European Union in Ethiopia on Thursday because they were trying to help two Ethiopians wanted for serious crimes cross the southern border with Kenya, state-owned Ethiopian TV reported.(More...)

leaked report confirms serious government human rights violations:Ana Gomes

The report, leaked by Ethiopian judge Wolde-Michael Meshesha, claimed police massacred 193 protesters in clashes after disputed elections. Ms Gomes accused western leaders of turning a blind eye, and preferring not to take action against Ethiopia. "This only confirms what we have said in our report on the elections," Ms Gomes told the BBC.(More...)

Today's Top Stories

-Inquiry Triples Toll in Ethiopia Protests
-Ethiopian government blocks report of massacre by its forces
-Ethiopia Admits to Sending Military Trainers to Somalia
-US accuses Eritrea of arming Somali Islamists
-Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 7 (IE7)
-O.J. Simpson to confess — hypothetically
-Grumpy Kazakhs invite Borat to "his" land, at last

Ethiopian security forces massacred protesters, says inquiry judge!!

Also in the news: 'Meles rejects observer's report', Eritrea rejected UN call to withdraw, Somalia Islamists recruit hundreds after call for Jihad on Ethiopia, What is the Size of the Ethiopian Population in the United States?, H.R.5680: Sustaining the Struggle for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights and more of today's top stories.

A senior Ethiopian judge appointed by his government to investigate election-related unrest says -

"security forces shot, beat and strangled to death 193 unarmed protesters."

Wolde-Michael Meshesha, a vice chairman of the 10-member inquiry, accused the government Wednesday of trying to suppress the results of the probe amid sharp questions about Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's commitment to democratic reform.

Ethiopian officials refused to comment on the claims. Officials said at the time that demonstrators were trying to overthrow the government.

"This was a massacre,"

Wolde-Michael said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

"These demonstrators were unarmed yet the majority died from shots to the head."

"There is no doubt that excessive force was used," added the judge, who left Ethiopia last month after receiving anonymous death threats, leaving his wife and five daughters behind. He is now claiming asylum in Europe and would not disclose his exact whereabouts out of fear for his safety.

A draft of the inquiry team's report, which was to have been presented to the Ethiopian parliament in early July and has since been obtained by the AP, says among those killed were 40 teenagers, including a boy and a girl, both 14. The two were shot.(More...)

Also see
-EZ's report 'Meles rejects observer's report'
-BBC report Ethiopian protesters 'massacred'
-Investigators Says Ethiopian Forces Killed 193 in Anti - All American Patriot
-Inquiry Triples Toll in Ethiopia Protests - Washington Post
-Inquiry Says Ethiopian Troops Killed 193 in Ballot Protests in ’ - New York Times
-Panel Says Ethiopian Forces Killed 193 in Anti-Government Protests - Men's News Daily
-Ethiopian security forces killed 193 protesters, triple the - San Diego Union Trib
-Security forces 'massacred' 193 - News24
-193 protesters said killed in Ethiopia - Olberlin
-Ethiopian Judge Says Forces Killed 193 Protesters - All Headline News
-Judge: Ethiopian forces killed 193 unarmed protesters - CNN International
-Ethiopian security forces massacred protesters? - abc.com



H.R.5680: Sustaining the Struggle for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia

Coalition for HR5680 will hold a Conference in Washington D.C. on Saturday November 4, 2006. (More...)

Eritrea rejected a United Nations Security Council call to immediately withdraw troops

Eritrea on Wednesday rejected a United Nations Security Council call to immediately withdraw troops from a demilitarised buffer zone on its arch-foe Ethiopia, criticising the world body for ineffectiveness.

Asmara, which on Tuesday said it had sent soldiers into the so-called "Temporary Security Zone" (TSZ) to harvest crops, claimed it had a sovereign right to have troops on any portion of its soil, including in the TSZ.

It also denounced the UN for failing to press Ethiopia to accept a border delineation that emanated from the 2000 agreement that ended the two countries' bloody two-year border war.

"It is unacceptable for the UN Security Council to make such a tepid call that causes more confusion and even complicates the situation," Information Minister Ali Abdu said from Asmara.(more...)

Somalia Islamists recruit hundreds after call for Jihad on Ethiopia
Mogadishu- Somalia's Islamists have recruited at least 450 young men to carry out a holy war on neighbouring Ethiopia, an official from a registration centre told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. Islamists in Baladweyne - just 25 kilometres from the Ethiopian border - registered the young Somalis, who signed up voluntarily after a call by Islamist leaders to wage Jihad on Ethiopia, who it claims has sent troops into the country.

"We invited the young people to join the Jihad recruitment. We registered 450, and the recruitment is still going on," said chief registration officer Sheikh Abdulrahman Abdulle.

He said the Islamists would provide the recruits with military training, as well as arms and vehicles.

The Islamists have accused Ethiopia of sending troops into Somalia to protect the weak transitional government, a charge Addis Ababa denies. Witnesses near the government's seat in the provincial capital Baidoa said they heard men in fatigues speaking a foreign language. (More...)

Today's Top stories

-What is the Size of the Ethiopian Population in the United States?
-Darfur violence spills into neighboring Chad
-Former top aide may offer Bush way out of Iraq
-U.S. authorities free ex-Nazi camp guard
-Tycoon holes dream Picasso deal
-Mills claims McCartney abused her
-Last King of Scotland: Actor on making a film about Idi Amin
-Fifa recommends Kenya suspension

Ethiopia sees no military response against Eritrea

Also in the news:ERITREA- 'Troops harvesting buffer zone', Union of Islamic Courts Issues Decisions Against Ethiopia, 'Why Are They Poor?' [PART 4], Clone H.R. 5680 and more of today's top stories

UN buffer zone (Ethio - Eritrea)
ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: 'Troops harvesting buffer zone'

NAIROBI, 17 October (IRIN) - Eritrea has moved 1,500 troops and 14 tanks to a buffer zone along its border with Ethiopia, which was created after the war between the two countries over their disputed frontier. The United Nations Secretary-General described the Eritrean incursion as a major violation of the ceasefire agreement.

However, Eritrea's information minister, Ali Abdu, said the troops had moved to the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) to help harvest crops from state-run farms in the area, which, he said, constitutes one-third of Eritrean territory.

"It has nothing to do with the border issue. They [the troops] are involved in production and food security," he told IRIN.(More...)

Ethiopia sees no military response against Eritrea

ADDIS ABABA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Tuesday his country would not respond militarily to what he called a "minor provocation" after Eritrea moved troops into a U.N.-monitored buffer zone on the border.

"The U.N. has said all the things which had to be said," he told reporters. "Eritrea's troop movement is a clear violation of the Algiers ceasefire agreement. We are not going to respond to minor provocations militarily." (More...)

Somalia: Union of Islamic Courts Issues Decisions Against Ethiopia

Senior members of the Union of Islamic Courts and former Somali national army have convened on Tuesday in the capital Mogadishu over what they said the defense of Somalia against the minority Tigree government of Ethiopia.

2nd vice chair of the Islamic Courts executive council Sheik Abdulkadir Ali Omar and the national security secretary Sheik Yusuf Indho-adde were some of the senior Islamist members that attended the meeting.

Sheik Yusuf Indho-adde, who spoke at the meeting, said that after they had realized Ethiopia would not give up the interference and division of Somalia, they decided to cooperate with former national army and the Somali civilian population to defeat what Indho-adde called the reluctant enemy of the Ethiopian Tigree government.(More...)
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Africa's Lagging Development-'Why Are They Poor?' [PART 4]

by Jason Beaubien

(This series examines how armed conflict, poor agricultural practices, disease, lousy governments and foreign trade practices contribute to making Africa the poorest continent in the world.)

AIDS, Other Diseases Create Poverty Trap in Africa

The United Nations estimates that 2 million Africans die each year of AIDS, and 24 million are infected with HIV. Incidents of malaria, cholera and even polio are on the rise in Africa, all undermining social and economic development on the globe's most impoverished continent.

Swaziland is a tiny kingdom of just a million people squeezed between South Africa and Mozambique. It's also the country with the highest HIV rate in the world.

At some prenatal clinics, more than half the women are HIV-positive. About 33 percent of adults in Swaziland are infected with the virus.

Even before the AIDS pandemic, Swaziland was in the ranks of the world's least-developed countries and HIV has contributed to keeping it there.

Pindile Polatwana, 27, was forced to quit her job in a textile factory because she was having trouble breathing.

"I was sick. They said I've got TB. Then later they told me I'm HIV-positive," she says.

Polatwana moved back in with her mother in a cluster of ramshackle buildings in southwest Swaziland. She says HIV has devastated her homestead. In the past five years, her father passed away after a long illness, two of her siblings died of AIDS and Polatwana has become so sick she can no longer work.

"The diseases make us very poor," Polatwana says.

AIDS wipes out some of the most productive members of society in the prime of their lives.

Pindile's siblings who died were the most educated members of her family and they both passed away at the age of 32. Her family now relies on relief supplies from the World Food Program to survive.

HIV is among many health problems plaguing Africa. The continent spawned Ebola and the Marburg virus. Sleeping sickness, river blindness, yellow fever, cholera, bilharzia, tick bite fever -- diseases unheard of in the developed world -- are all too common in Africa. Polio is making a comeback in Africa after being on the verge of being wiped off the globe. And malaria alone kills nearly 1 million African children each year.

Jon Lidon, with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, says malaria places a huge burden on Africa.

"It reduces productivity severely," Lidon says. "It takes resources away. It reduces school attendance. [It] kills off children, which has all sorts of other negative consequences. And it makes whole areas of Africa unsuitable for intensive foreign investment."

He adds that dilapidated health-care systems are unable to deal with the continent's numerous medical problems.

Clinics are ill-equipped and underfunded. In the Congolese capital Kinshasa, for instance, patients must purchase their own medical supplies before being admitted to the central hospital because the facility doesn't even have bandages.

The continent also has a serious shortage of medical professionals. Malawi has only 130 doctors serving a country of 12 million people, Lidon says.

Africa needs a huge influx of foreign aid to build up effective health-care programs, he says.

"There are countries that spend $10, $12, $15 per capita a year on health," Lidon says. "You can't buy anything for that -- a couple dressings, a few medicines. You cannot run a health system at that level of funding."

The Global Fund was launched in 2002 to provide billions of additional dollars to combat AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa and the rest of the developing world. Lidon and others acknowledge that the battle against these three diseases still has a long way to go.

Disease is part of the poverty trap in Africa. People get sick because they're poor. And they get poorer because they're sick. A man can't afford health care, he's condition worsens until he can't work, and soon his entire family is malnourished as a result of his illness.

Or even worse, the primary breadwinners of a family could die.

In Swaziland, 66-year-old Shote Maseko says HIV has surrounded him in recent years.

Maseko has just come home from helping prepare funerals for three of his neighbors who died of AIDS. He points to a shack in an adjoining plot and says that the woman there just lost her husband to the disease.

Maseko and his wife live in a simple three-room house without electricity or indoor plumbing. Over the past four years, the couple lost three of their adult daughters to AIDS. And they now look after eight orphaned grandchildren; the youngest is three years old.

Maseko lost a leg years ago in an accident at a sugar plantation where he used work. Now in his old age he tries to grow food to feed his vastly expanded family but he says his fields don't produce enough to last the entire year.

His wife Josephine opens the door to the room where six of the eight children sleep. There are two beds. Three children sleep per bed.

Maseko says other members of the family don't want to get involved with the orphans because they're afraid they'll get stuck with them when he and Josephine pass away.

And when that happens, Maseko says he doesn't know where the kids will go.

"We are so worried, and it is our prayer to God that we live long enough to see these children grow up so they are able to help themselves," he says.

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