Ethiopian Men and Women of the year 2002

• Dr. Tewolde Gebre Egziabher – Environmental Scientist and activist
• Haile Gebresselassie - World records holder in the 5,000 and 10,000m and TOTAL Great Ethiopian runner
• Gashe Abera Molla - Social Activist
• Berhane Adere (ETH ) 3000m/5000m ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2002 - FEMALE
• Derartu Tulu - The first woman to win a gold medal at two separate Olympic Games

News section

South Africa: Biggest IT Project To Provide Free Online Learning JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's biggest internet projects, ever undertaken on the African continent, aim to provide every student in Gauteng province -- where Johannesburg and Pretoria are situated -- and eventually the entire country, with free access to email, the internet and an online learning curriculum. More Than 11 Million Face Severe Food Shortages IRIN (December 30, 2002): More than 11 million Ethiopians are facing severe food shortages following a prolonged dry spell leading to poor harvests in many parts of the country, according to a joint report released on Monday by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Food programme (WFP). ETC loses more than one billion birr The Reporter Addis Ababa (12/25/02): The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) lost a revenue amounting to more than one billion birr in the past two years because of illegal telecommunications service operators, it was learnt. Foul play in CBE’s bids for management consultancy and auditing services The Reporter (Addis Ababa) 12/25/02: Widespread and persistent foul play is plaguing the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s (CBE’s) two internationally tendered bids for a management consultancy and auditing services which are required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of strengthening the bank, it was learnt. Sources close to the bank revealed to The Reporter that repeated evaluations of the bid documents submitted by a number of international companies have consistently come up with decisions favoring those with least attractive proposals. How can multinationals balance ethics with profits? BBC (December 20, 2002):The world's biggest food corporation has been condemned for wrangling with Ethiopia for a $6m compensation payment. The controversy is over a livestock firm, once owned by a Nestle subsidiary, which was taken into ownership and nationalised by the Ethiopian Government back in 1975. Assignment Djibouti: Where? 'You can fry an egg out in the sun' DJIBOUTI, Djibouti (CNN) -- After banging my head in frustration searching for a place called Djibouti on the map, I'm almost at the point of giving up when I spot a tiny country the size of Massachusetts sandwiched neatly between Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Estimate of HIV Prevalence in Ethiopia 6.6 Percent Addis Tribune (12/13/02): The fourth edition of “AIDS in Ethiopia,” an update on the current information available on the HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, was released on Wednesday. EU Warns Against Stifling Opposition Addis Tribune (12/13/02): Ethiopia’s ruling coalition is stifling opposition groups in the country which is leading to increased ethnic violence, the European Union (EU) has said, IRIN reported Wednesday from Addis Ababa. ETHIOPIA: Prime Minister launches relief appeal ADDIS ABABA, 7 Dec 2002 (IRIN) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi launched an international appeal on Saturday to help avert a looming famine threatening millions in the country. The African Agenda Washington Post, Thursday, December 5, 2002; Page A34 IT MIGHT BE expected that President Bush's meeting today with Presidents Daniel arap Moi of Kenya and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia would be dominated by the war on terrorism. East Africa has been a center of activity for al Qaeda for some time; yesterday Mr. Bush directly blamed the group for last week's bombing in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa. Menelik II, Yohannes IV Palaces to be Renovated The Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has allocated 150,000 USD for the feasibility study of the renovation of two of the historical sites in Ethiopia - the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa and the Yohannes IV Palace in Makalle, Tigray. A team of Austrian scientists led by Professor Horst Seidler, Head of the Institute of Anthropology, University of Vienna, have come up with a document detailing the value of the sites, project design and the scope as well as the cost and time that the renovation of the sites would take. Need for Independent Judiciary One fundamental branch of the government is the judiciary. There has been much talk about the reform in this decisive arm of the government for nearly a decade now. But nothing seems to be moving ahead for the better.

Appeal An appeal from addis ababa university
By Concerned Ethiopian university students Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dear Ethiopians,
We believe you have been following the sad political development in our country as regards to the recent conflict between distinguished university professors on the one hand and the dictatorial regime of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the other, which is trying hard to destroy the teaching-learning process and endanger the future of the younger student population.

Commentaries "LEADERSHIP, NOT ETHIOPIA IN QUESTION :A RESPONSE TO IDANG ALIBI OF THE DAILY TRUST, NIGERIA"
By: Tolossa Gofta Kassane, Ph.D., December 27, 2002
Following the publication of "Ethiopia:An embarrassment to Africa'' in the Daily Trust of Nigeria [Idang Alibi: http://allafrica.com/stories/200211300144.html] which then was posted on several news outlets, Ethiopians, including myself, have been responding in the ways we see it fit on an individual basis. It is clear that we were angry by the timing of this particular article given hunger is ravaging our country, as we are feeling the pressure of what can be done and also the stigma of having to live with a paradoxical identities of ours:

Commentaries In these trying times: Observations on Ethiopian Culture
By Dr. Teodros Kiros (December 23, 2002)
In these times of famine and AIDS, we Ethiopians need to introspect on our culture; we need to force ourselves to look into our hearts. There we might see what we are not willing to confront. Inside that industrious heart, is where our virtues and vices dwell, and there fester arrogance, ignorance, jealousy and suspicion, eating up our virtues, valor, resilience and pride.
"I have noticed too at numerous meetings that we Ethiopians celebrate the failure of others. We cherish them only when they die.We are so quick to point out their vices; so slow to recognize their virtues."

Commentaries Ethiopia Not an Embarrassment to Africa
Daily Trust (Abuja) OPINION - December 19, 2002
By Akah Nkem: One writer, Idang Alibi, painted a very gloomy picture of Ethiopia in the Thursday column of Daily Trust, November 28, 2002.
It is true that Ethiopia may be facing hard times sometimes, but this is not enough reason why he should say that Ethiopia is known for only war and famine. It is equally true that Ethiopia has been a reference point in African politics and has now anchored in peace.

Commentaries Ethiopia, Africa's Pride Not Disgrace
Daily Trust (Abuja)December 19, 2002
By Adonay Tsebaye: "Drive out prejudices through the doors, and they will return through the window - Frederick the Great."
On November 28, 2002, the Daily Trust published Idang Alibi's article entitled, 'Ethiopia, an embarrassment to Africa' in which Mr. Alibi asserts that Ethiopia is only known for its 'war and hunger'.

Commentaries EDP: An Authentic Opposition or A Political Pawn?
By Habtamu Haile (December 18, 2002)
Recently, the European Union (EU) warned the ruling party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was stifling opposition parties in the country, and cited lack of democratic governance, conversely the prevalence of dictatorship, was contributing to the deepening political and economic crises in the country.
EU current chairman Greek Ambassador Spyros Aliagas said: "...

Commentaries Fertilizers: as the cause of famine in Ethiopia
By G. Hailu (December 18, 2002)
Much is known and much have been said about the role of human being as ] the cause of famine in the world in general, and in Ethiopia in particular. Big issues like deforestation, population growth, etc come to the front in many top discussions. However, there are seemingly small issues that are not equally addressed although their effects could be much worst and have direct effect to the famine than that of deforestation and population growth etc. An example is the role of lower level administrators and professionals at provinces in the farming field.

Commentaries In defence of Ethiopia - Part two
Gawna (from Berlin, Germany)
On my previous Article I tried to defend the Dilemma and Status quo on which my country is to be found. When calling to defend Ethiopia, I don't mean that we have to follow our "Leaders" blind. We have to look and control each and every step they make; put our CONSTRUCTIVE Critic where necessary. I put more emphasis on the word Constructive to reject critics based upon prejudice, narrow minded Ethnicity , and the most important one critics based upon the old fashioned Idea of Great Ethiopia from MOYALE to DAHLAK. Ethiopia of today is big and great enough to deal with for us.

Commentaries Leave the University Alone
The incumbent government and the one that preceded it are well known for their meddling in the affairs of the Addis Ababa University, which is purely an academic institution. What happened last week is but a clear manifestation of a direct intrusion by the ruling party into the academic affairs of the University. (SOURCE: ADDIS TRIBUNE)

Commentaries What you throw may hit you back (A reply to D. Kebede's article- more in disgust than in defense)
A. Ferede (San Jose, California
I don't have any differing views with people who praise Dr. Taye for the good performance he did. An outstanding work must always be encouraged. However, I argue that no one should be exculpated from an intentional mistake he has made. When I write the article about him, the motto is not to castigate Dr. Taye for what he did; but to make an honest critique keeping his dignity and believing that such wrong views must be corrected sooner than later. It was not also a pre-meditated action intended to trap Dr. Taye as some biased people tried to speculate, I never met him before. I was one of his supporters at a bad time. On the other hand, my intention to write at such length about his remarks is to give the article the credence it needs and answer questions, which might be raised by readers. If I don't have truth in my article, I couldn't have gone this far.

Critique Hmbasha poisoned by pernicious ideologies and bewitched by evil
“In response to Article posted on Hmbasha Commentary Page entitled " Watch Out Ethiopians!” by the so-called Ato Alebachew Gibray and Hmbasha’s Supporting Supplement Link entitled ”Guezo Hwehat Nabey.”… It is clear & obvious that both garbages including that of Dr T. A. Taddesse’s fictitious rubbish was written by Hmbasha.”
By Dr. G. Bekele (December 14, 2002)
As an Ethiopian and from a well-respected family, I was brought up to have good manners and be polite. I am a well-known patriotic Ethiopian too for lots of good things. But I'd hate if people thought they had to walk on eggshells around me and over my beloved country. For me it is impossible to support Meles or live with him accepting as my true leader. It is like putting a poisonous snake on my chest. I am intellectually acute, sceptic, and a man who is unafraid to be wrong. But I 'm scared to death and embarrassed to be called an Eritrean. I rather die on my feet as an Ethiopian than on my knees as an Eritrean or a Shaebian agent. Wouldn't you?

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