Supreme Court Denies Ex-Minister Bail RightsThe Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa) Staff Writer Addis Ababa: The Federal Supreme Court has decided yesterday that the detention of Seye Abraha, former defense minister and dissenter from the ruling party, and of his brothers and businessmen who were jailed for over three months by allegations of corruption will remain in detention. |
|
Ethiopia's president criticises PM BBC Thursday, 30 August, 2001, 17:04 GMT 18:04 UK Ethiopian President Negasso Gidada has accused the ruling EPRDF party of effectively carrying out a "coup", by appointing an army general to head one of the four main parties in the coalition government. The president's office has confirmed that Dr Gidada wrote a letter to the Oromo Peoples Democratic Organisation (OPDO), saying that last month's appointment of General Abadula Gemeda to the helm of the party was an "illegal act". |
|
Ethiopia in Brief
August 30, 2001 Bullet-proof cars in Mekelle MEKELLE - TPLF officials in Mekelle, Tigray region, have asked Mr. Meles Zenawi to provide them with bullet-proof cars against a growing sense of insecurity. |
|
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council Support Committee in the Greater Metropolitan Washington D. C. Area MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2001 AT 2 PM GUEST SPEAKERS: DR. BERHANU NEGA & MR ADOTEI AKWEI |
|
EASIER TO ROB THAN TO RUN A BANK By: T. BERHANE |
|
Abate Kisho's Immunity The Daily Monitor (August 31, 2001) Staff Writer Addis Ababa: The case of Abate Kisho, President of Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's State, SNNPS, has also been heard yesterday by the same court. Speaking for the first time in Court since his detention, Abate said: "it has been 37 days since I was detained. I am still the president of my region. I am still a Member of Parliament representing my people. The right that was given to me by the Constitution has been violated." |
The Lost Generation? By Moges AbebeThey are all around us, their future is – to a large extent – Ethiopia’s future and yet we pay them little mind. They wander the streets of our sprawling metropolis from 10 to 14 hours a day, six to seven days a week, year round, struggling to make enough money to feed and clothe themselves and their families. The better off among them shine shoes or sell items such as packs of gum, tissue paper, cigarettes and lottery tickets; at night they return to their families or guardians who live in shanty homes, the best of which are made of corrugated iron and have no toilet facilities. |
|
Nicaraguan Peasants Suffering By NIKO PRICE, Associated Press Writer (August 27, 2001) LOS MILAGROS, Nicaragua (AP) – Even when they lost their jobs and their bosses destroyed the only food they had, the peasants stayed in the homes their families had occupied for generations. |
|
Protest Letter
Writers in Prison Committee, International PEN PRESS RELEASE (August 27, 2001) Eugene Schoulgin, International Chair of the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN, in a fax to Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, calls for an immediate end to the practice of imprisoning writers on the grounds of their work, for the immediate release of Tamrat Zuma, and for the dropping of charges against eight other journalists. |
|
Chairman of TDA Solomon Mezgebu denied exit To all members of TDA Urgent press release (August 27, 2001) Very bad and alarming news is coming again from Ethiopia and this is a call for all members of TDA to inform about the precarious situation the chairman of TDA, Solomon Mezgebu is and take measures by protesting against the inglorious measures taken by the government of Meles Zenawi. He is denied exit from Ethiopia and was asked not to board the plane to USA. His passport was taken by the immigration officers and was told to come and report to the immigration headquarters today. |
 Breaking News:The historical conference at Washington DC is successfully accomplished its objective..(August 25, 2001)As we speak Tigrai.net has received a telephone call about the TISJD conference in Washington DC. According this call, this historical conference was successfully accomplished its objective and attended by a lot of Ethiopians from the US, and all over the World. The Conference has deliberated extensively on the themes, which were highlighted by lead speakers, according to a report through telephone. Detail information is coming soon… |
Ethiopians in DC form 15-man Board to head global body  By Deki-alula Online Staff WriterAugust 25, 2001 WASHINGTON DC, Aug 25 (deki-alula) - Delegates attending the founding congress of the Tigrian International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy (TISJD) today set up a 15-strong Board of Directors who would mobilize resources for the prevalence of the rule of law, peace and justice in Ethiopia. During the day-long congress, Dr. Mekonnen Tesfahuney, a delegate from Sweden, addressed issues on "Globalization, Democracy and Human Rights" vis-a-vis the Ethiopian Constitution and the sweeping human rights violations in Ethiopia. Dr. Teccola Hagos also led an inspiring discussion by presenting a paper on: "The Ethiopian Saga, Particulars and Incidents of Human Rights Violations." |
|
Ethiopia: President reportedly threatens to release unpublished letters BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Aug 25, 2001 Addis Ababa, 24 August: Ethiopian President Dr Negaso Gidada yesterday accused the ruling [coalition] Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF) of carrying out a coup within an Oromo [People's Democratic Organization] party and warned to release his unpublished letters to the public, a newspaper reported today. |
|
HIV/AIDS Reaches Alarming Rate in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, August 24 (Xinhuanet) -- About 50 percent of the hospital beds in Ethiopia's eastern Harar state are occupied by HIV/AIDS patients, the Ethiopian News Agency reported here Friday. The pandemic is spreading at an alarming rate in the state and 471 of the 998 individuals who voluntarily underwent blood test in the past 13 months were found HIV positive, Kemal Abdi, head of contagious diseases control team of the state, was quoted as saying. |
|
ETHIOPIA: Thousands hit by record floods NAIROBI, 23 August (IRIN) - Floods have forced more than 15,000 people from their homes after water levels in major rivers rose to the highest ever recorded, Ethiopian officials said on Wednesday. |
|
Let Ethiopians do the job! The reporter:- The president of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) last week announced that preliminary agreement had been reached with the State Bank of India (SBI) enabling the latter to take over the management of CBE. SBI will manage CBE for a 3-year period for a fee of 2.5m dollars. Some six Indians have arrived in Addis to carry out preparatory work towards that end. |
|
I distanced myself once I knew my brothers were in illicit trade": Meles Zenawi By Hagazi Hailu (Deki-Alula Online Staff writer) August 22, 2001 ADDIS ABABA, Aug 22 (deki-alula) - Ethiopia's controversial Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he distanced himself once he knew his brothers were running illegal businesses, an independent publication disclosed today. According to the Zepress newspaper, Meles made the remarks following the end of a TPLF cadre conference held for many days upto the end of last week in the Tigrai regional capital of Mekelle. |
|
Ethiopians Deported From Djibouti: Report ADDIS ABABA, August 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Some Ethiopian who used to work and live in Djibouti have been deported from the country to Ethiopia, the local Monitor newspaper reported Wednesday. The deportees said that they were sent back to Ethiopia by the Djibouti security forces from their places of work without being given any pre-notice and without being told of reasons that carried out their deportation. |
|
Request for Solidarity And Support Free Press Journalists' Association (Addis Ababa) PRESS RELEASE Addis Ababa (August 21, 2001 ) The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association {EFJA} is an indigenous organization that has been registered in the Ministry of Justice and attained legal recognition. EFJA is a professional association that is fulfilling its national and international obligations in line with its set objectives. |
|
TPLF office in DC fires Long-time cadre Belai Gorky Deki-alula, August 19, 2001 WASHINGTON DC AUG 19 (Deki-Alula) - The Political Cadre office in DC has fired long time Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) member and cadre Belai Gorky on political differences that has split the TPLF cadres into three conflicting groups following the end of the conference in Mekelle, Tigrai region. A number of questions have left TPLF cadres sharply divided over why Prime Minister Meles Zenawi blocked the move of some TPLF Central Committee members to charge TPLF guru Sebhat Nega and Mulugetta Alemseged on corruption charges. The former rebel Belai, author of a pro-TPLF book titled No more, was an economics graduate with MA from Prague University, the Czech Republic, and a post-graduate student in the USA where he lives on medical conditions. |
|
NUER FOLKS CAUGHT UP IN A DEADLY CORNER By: Simon Gatwech Pibor A concern Nuer Since the beginning of May this year, the Nuer people of Akobo Woreda (District) in Gambella Regional State of south western Ethiopia, have been displaced following armed attacks unleashed upon them by Lou-Nuer Tribesmen and Murle cattle rustlers, both originating from south Sudan, leaving the entire population destitute and stranded in a small strip of land along the Ethio-Sudan border. So far neither the Regional nor the Federal Governments has sent any relief assistance to the area. |
|
Ethiopia: Commando force sent to west to deal with incursion by Sudanese rebels BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Aug 19, 2001 A source has said a commando force armed with modern weapons had been sent to Akibo District [phonetic] in Gambela [Regional State, in western Ethiopia] to deal with unrest caused by rebels from southern Sudan. |
Ex-aid worker on child abuse chargeBBC (Sunday, 19 August, 2001, 02:39 GMT 03:39 UK ) A former British charity worker has been arrested in Ethiopia in connection with alleged sexual abuse and trafficking in children, the Foreign Office has said. |
|
News from |
|
Six Ethiopian Soldiers executed, five others found dead: Report By Gebrehiwot Baikedagne Deki-Alula Online Staff Writer TOLAI MILITARY CAMP, southern Ethiopia, Aug 17 (deki-alula) - The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has executed six soldiers and five others were found killed, a leading independent newspaper reported in the the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa today. |
|
Students Languishing in Djibouti Addis Tribune (Addis Ababa) August 17, 2001 About seventy Ethiopian University students who went to Djibouti following the student protest in April said they are living in an environment where they are exposed to misery and the situation at their camps is worsening by the day. |
|
Ethiopia welcomes sporting heroes BBC (August 17, 2001) More than 100,000 Ethiopians packed the streets of Addis Ababa to welcome their successful athletes from the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, Canada. 
Normal services were suspended as thousands took Thursday morning off work to line the main road from Bole International Airport to the main square to give their athletes a heroes welcome.
Ethiopia's medalsGOLD Men's marathon : (Gezehegn Abera) Women's 10,000m: (Derartu Tulu) SILVER: Men's 10,000m: (Assefa Mezgebu) Women's 10,000m: (Berhane Adere) BRONZE Women's 10,000m: (Geti Wami) Women's 5,000m: (Ayelech Worku) Men's 5,000m: (Million Wolde) Men's 10,000m: (Haile Gebreselassie) |
|
Ethiopian Politician Defects; Experts Question Motivation By Cheryl W. Thompson Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, August 17, 2001; Page A18 A high-ranking Ethiopian official said yesterday she would seek political asylum in the United States to escape "government persecution" of her Oromo people, the country's largest ethnic group. |
|
Supreme Court Grants Police 14 More Days The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa) Staff Writer Addis Ababa (August 17, 2001) The Federal Supreme Court has given Police yet another 14 days, saying that the "investigation works" being carried out by police are still in progress and require more time in the case not yet made against former defence minister Seye Abraha. |
|
Commercial Bank Gets Indian Management UN Integrated Regional Information Network (August 13, 2001) The State Bank of India will take over the management of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) later this year, the BBC said on Monday. According to the report, the president of the CBE, Tilahun Abay, said a preliminary agreement had been signed with the Indian bank after it beat off 12 other international banks to win the management contract. |
|
ETHIOPIA: Bus accident kills 17, Tigray NAIROBI, 14 August (IRIN) - Seventeen people were killed and 31 injured when the bus they were travelling on overturned on 12 August. Tigray radio, monitored by the BBC, reported on 13 August that the bus, heading from Inda Silase (northern Ethiopia) for Addis Ababa, overturned near Alagen. The radio said the bus was carrying 60 passengers at the time of the incident. |
An Interview with Ato Gebru Asrat and Woizerit Aregash AdaneBy Dagmawi Alula,Deki-Alula Online Staff Writer (August 29, 2001)
Free Market or Capitalist Economy and the Talk about GlobalizationBy Wondimu Yigzaw
I have in my last article (The Search for Ideology-Legesse Zenawi’s Dilemma) tried to reveal and retrace the ideological base of Legesse Zenawi, malversation of Ethiopia and dictatorial measures of the last ten years of his seizure of power. Now completely "forgetful" of his Marxist-Leninist and Stalinist background, he has become quasi-religious of the advantages of free market (capitalist) economy for the betterment of the Ethiopian society.
Voice of Ethiopians about Tigraian International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy - TISJD
News release from the office of the
Tigrayan-Ethiopian Solidarity for Peace and Development in Toronto (TESPDT)TESPDT is affiliated to TISJD August 21, 2001
Howard Conference - A Glimmer of Hope for Peace and DemocracyDeki-Alula Editorial - August 21, 2001
Tigrians and other peace-loving Ethiopians would meet next Saturday at the Blackburn Center of the Howard University in Washington DC. Their stated goal is to found an international association that would help foster peace, democracy and justice in Ethiopia.
August 25: Democracy’s Triumph over TyrannyBy Berhe G.L.
"In August 25, Ethiopians from the Tigrai region would meet in Washington DC. This has already struck fear in the hearts of the Lords of Poverty and their mad dogs that bark whenever the Eritrean mercenary Meles Zenawi’s rule looks coming to an end by the end of the day. The Merchants of National Deprivation think that Tigrians coming out of their 10-year-old doldrums means they are going to build a bridge that would take them into the larger subject of solving social problems at national level. To do this, they have to work closely with other Ethiopian groups struggling for the same cause."
(Analysis from scholar point of view – Must read)
Democracy in the Context of Ethiopian PoliticsBy Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia {August 16, 2001)
..."In fact, in order for this society to enjoy democracy, the leadership [state, party or otherwise] must operate democratically within its own parameters. A leadership that is not democractic cannot possibly persue democractic processes in the larger society, and may even resort to banning some basic democractic rights such as freedom of speech and writing, freedom to demonstrate and assemble peaceably, and freedom of inclusion in the political and decision making process. If these fundamental rights are not enjoyed and practiced by the Ethiopian people, then there is no need of logical thinkering. That means, there is no democracy and that is very dangerous."...
VIEWS AND VISIONS ON THE PRESENT POLITICAL TURMOIL OF ETHIOPIA ... Where we are heading?
By Teccola
Where are we heading? Is the present regime of Ethiopia leading the people for their progress and welfare or towards their unrecoverable downfall? This cannot be left to history but it can be witnessed with multitude of evidences presently. Our cherished institutions have been eroded, our constitution reversed, developmental projects and establishments dismantled, rule of law evaded, the basic inalienable human rights are glossed over, opinion expressions are muffled systematically, reign of terror and demaguogic propagandas are every day themes of life, feelings and expressions of the ordinary citizens are desperate and gloomy, there is no way out but terror and agonies.
Detour to BonapartismWhen Truth Takes a Detour: Putting Democracy on the Back Burner
By Afera Gebru (August 15, 2001)The history of the twentieth century amply demonstrates that seemingly effective totalitarian and authoritarian methods of rule are not only unjust but are also counter-productive. Violence does not solve problems. Instead it aggravates them and most often creates new ones. What is unfortunate is that when EPRDF achieved their objectives and gained political power they quickly forgot their previous commitment necessary for democratic conditions. The recent events unfolded against a now familiar background of social and leadership crises, which is not strange to the Ethiopian people. The leadership of Meles, despite the superficial appearances of democracy, has been exposed as undemocratic to the core. It is no longer possible under Meles to have democracy, but only “Bonapartism”. Manipulation of the political system and its domination over the people by brute force is an element of Bonapartism.
Empowering the People - Privatization (capitalism) Vs Nationalization (socialism)The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
ANALYSIS
By Kiros Worku
Addis Ababa (August 13, 2001) - Japan used to be poor. It also used to be one of the backward countries in the world. But the Japanese turned out to be the world's strongest economy next to the USA after a farsighted government equipped its own people to engage in economic and business activities. It certainly took time. Nevertheless, it was the right move in the right direction. Steady move forward.
Tigrai.net congratulated to Ethiopian world Athletics heroes’World Athletics Edmonton: Canada August 3-12, 2001 : Final Result
Haile Gebressilasie
10,000m World Record holder 26.22.75 - 1998
Olympic Record holder 27.07.34 - 1996
World Championships title 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999
Olympic Gold medal winner 1996 and 2000
A Call for Massive Hunger Strike!ETHIOPIAN COMMENTATOR Editorial
Some Comments in Connection to Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussein's Recent Appearance in the e-NewsBy Zeleke W. A. (August 09, 2001)
"Recently, I have been reading documents in the Internet concerning Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussein, who is a permanent representative of the Ethiopian government at the UN. My attention has been drawn particularly to the PR-oriented profile of the individual published in the 06/08/01 issue of Addis Tribune and his recent comments on Haile Tessema's article which appeared on Ben's site of Ethiopiafirst.com. Based on what I have read, I would like to make a few comments, which I think are relevant to be noted by readers."
"I was a student at Haile Selassie First University when Dr. Adbul Mejid was an activist in the University's student union. As a supporter of the causes of the student union, I used to admire him for his political outlooks, eloquence and dedication. I always thought that he would be one of those Ethiopians capable of bringing about positive changes in the country through fairness and democracy. Well, as demonstrated by the discussion below, I was absolutely wrong."
Radio Broadcast to EthiopiaThere will be two radio broadcast test runs this week. The first one, Dimtsi Tegaru Kab Semien America (temporary name) will run on Thursday (tomorrow) at midnight Ethiopian time or at 2100 UTC European. To listen to this broadcast, please turn your short wave radio to the 19.1 meter band or if you have a digital radio, tune it to the frequency of 15685 khz. IMPORTANT: YOU MUST SWITCH YOUR RADIO FROM the "LOCAL" TO THE "DX" POSITION (THE SWITCH FOR THE DX IS OFTEN LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE RADIO). IF YOU DO NOT SELECT THE DX POSITION, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST!
The second broadcast, Dimtsi Si-wu-at (temporary name), is scheduled for this coming Sunday morning at 2 AM Ethiopian time or 0500 UTC. To listen to this broadcast, please tune your radio to the 90 meter band or if you have a digital radio, log in the frequency of 3215 khz. You may be able to hear this broadcast without having to switch your radio to the DX position. However, if your radio does not receive the signal at this setting, please switch to the "local" position!
We urge those of you in the middle East and East Africa and of course in Ethiopia, to let us know of the quality of the signals by e-mailing to the ETHIOPIAN COMMENTATOR, Deki Alula, Ras Alula.Net or Tigrai.Net.
The Blood of Col. Bezabih is on the Hands of Meles and his GroupBy A. Mulat - Aug. 6, 2001
"There are several evidences, including eye witnesses from the diplomatic community in Asmara, that Colonel Bezabih was captured alive and was in a very good physical condition. Now we hear that the name of Colonel Bezabeh is not in the list of Ethiopian prisoners of war (POW) who are in the custody of the Eritrean Government."
"... Chief of cabinet at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told BBC correspondent Nita Bhalla on July 31, 2001: "…Even if they have killed him, we want his remains to be sent home". This statement speaks loudly that if the Eritrean Government sends the remains of Colonel Bezabih it is not objectionable from the Ethiopian Government’s side. He is informing them to go ahead and kill him."
"In violation of the Geneva Convention, the Eritrean stooges in Ethiopia are asking for the remains of Colonel Bezabih who was captured alive and was alive until Yemane asked for his remains. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Yemane and the rest of your palace group. The blood of Colonel Bezabih is on your hands."
The Propagation of a Pure Political Propaganda on the Web: An Insult on the Intelligence of Many EthiopiansBy Haile Tessema
"It is perhaps appropriate and fitting if I start by congradulating phenomenal websites like Tigrai.Net, the Ethiopian Commentator, Deki-Alula and others for availing to Ethiopians without any kind of restriction the privillege to express their ideas. What I admire most is the timing of the service that these websites render to many Ethiopians in the face of increased injustice and repression being perpetrated by the Meles-led TPLF/EPRDF regime in Ethiopia today."
WHERE TO GO NEXT? ETHIOPIA’S ACCESS TO THE SEA MUST BE RESTOREDMITIKU DERESS (August 05, 2001)
A Generation That Shook The Mountains Betrayed But Rising
From a member of the SF Bay Area Provisional Committee of Tigreans for Democracy and Justice.
Being in the International Relations field has been one of the hardest in the last five months or so. The new US presidency of George Bush and its foreign and security policies became so blatant and unilaterally arrogant that the average specialist and even ordinary people got confused and terrified of its patterns.
(Historical fact: Must read)
Letter to the Boundary Commission"Ethiopians are asking: if what has been the desired result is to surrender territorial sovereignty; then why did the country fight the war at such tremendous cost? No answer has been given to this burning national question, except deception and cover-up of essential facts from the public."
"Already, there are strong rumors that the Ethiopian regime is considering the leasing of the Assab port financed by US loan ( ref Xinhua News Service July 13 2001 ). The statement of the foreign ministry reported by the same source tries to deflect the issue , but does not challenge/deny the substance of the News repot either of the lease or the loan."
"Far from it, the demarcation of a boundary based on colonial treaties (and false maps ) can only be a precursor for future conflict and wars. Why, therefore, in less than six decades, repeat the same mistake for the third time in the face of logic and history and without the people's referendum."
Ethiopian Orthodox Faith Norimitsu Onishi New York Times Service
LALIBELA, Ethiopia Awakened to the chill of a wintry dawn in this mist-covered town in the mountains of northern Ethiopia, peasants and priests groped along dark, stone-covered dirt roads on their way to prayer. After climbing to the town's highest hills, they descended into pits carved out of rock, inside which rose stately 800-year-old churches hewn, it is said, by a king laboring during the day and by angels toiling at night.Picture about Lalibela
A STATEMENT FROM TIGRAY COMMUNITY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.From Tigray community;
British Columbia; Canada.
July 31, 2001.
"It has been over four months since the crisis in the TPLF culminated into an authoritarian rule by the Meles-Sbhat regime in Ethiopia. Our protest to the lawlessness of the regime has been unequivocal and immediate in our letter of April 01, 2001 posted on the Internet. Our concerns were justified given the circumstances the Meles regime is leading the country into. It is apparently on the verge of collapse, including its sovereignty."
Tigrians in Boston brace up for fight against reign of terror in Ethiopia
(July 21, 2001)
ETHIOPIA: ERITREA - BROTHERS AT WAR - Africa Confidential; September 11, 1998
An interview Meles gave to the Ethiopian TV.The text version of this article had appeared on Nehase 17, 1983 (Ethiopian calendar) or August 22, 1991, in Addis Zemen Newspaper.