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09/02/10

Permalink 11:03:24 pm, by nazret.com, 173 words, 34 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia, Crime, Finance

Six Arrested in Japan for Involvement in 2008 Citibank Scam of Bank of Ethiopia

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Six Arrested in Japan for Involvement in 2008 Citibank Scam of Bank of Ethiopia

NTDTV

On Thursday, Japanese police arrested six people who were allegedly part of a multi-million dollar scam. $27.2 million was illegally transferred from the National Bank of Ethiopia account at Citibank in 2008.

The arrested suspects were three Nigerians, two Japanese and one from Ghana.

Sources say the six are suspected of money laundering approximately $6.5 million of the funds wired from the $27.2 million scammed from the Citibank account in the United States.

U.S. prosecutors said that in October 2008, the suspects made a total of about 24 wire transfers amounting to almost $27.2 million to various accounts they controlled in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Cyprus and the United States.

Sources say most of the $6.5 million transferred to the Japanese accounts have been withdrawn, although it's not known at this time where the money has gone.

From September through November of last year, the suspects sent fake-signed documents to Citibank appearing to match signatures of officials at the National Bank of Ethiopia.

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Permalink 10:52:52 pm, by nazret.com, 478 words, 36 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia, Energy

Ethiopia denies rebels chased oil, gas firms away

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Ethiopia denies rebels chased oil, gas firms away

* Petronas has not pulled out of Ethiopia, minister says

* Govt negotiating deals with three more oil and gas firms

By Barry Malone

ADDIS ABABA, Sept 2 (Reuters)
- Rebel claims that Malaysia's Petronas has stopped oil and gas exploration in Ethiopia are lies and three more firms are in negotiations to start exploration in the country, its mines minister said on Thursday.

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) separatists and local media said state-owned Petronas had pulled out of the Horn of Africa nation after a gas field it was exploring was overrun by the militants in May.

"The rebels took no gas field," Mines and Energy Minister, Alemayehu Tegenu, told Reuters in an interview. "That didn't happen. Petronas have not ceased operations. They have just suspended work to evaluate their portfolio."

Petronas have yet to comment on the reports.

The ONLF is fighting for independence for the mainly ethnic-Somali Ogaden and has warned international oil and gas companies to stay away or face attack.

Firms including Petronas and the Vancouver-based Africa Oil Corporation are exploring the Ogaden for potential oil and gas reserves. Twelve foreign mineral firms are exploring Ethiopia for deposits.

Apart from a small discovery of natural gas, which Petronas has signed a $1.9 million deal to extract, Ethiopia has not uncovered significant oil or gas deposits.

The government says the Ogaden basin may contain gas reserves of 4 trillion cubic feet and points to oil-producing neighbours such as Sudan and Yemen as evidence there could be major oil deposits under Ethiopia's vast deserts.

Alemayehu said Ethiopia was secure and the government was negotiating new exploration licenses with three foreign firms. He did not name them.

'OUR MILITARY IS IN CONTROL'

"We have no complaints from companies exploring here about our security," the minister said. "We have secured them. Our military is in control."

Alemayehu also said peace negotiations with one faction of the ONLF were at an advanced stage. ONLF spokesmen have denied a deal is imminent.

The Ethiopian government has reported some skirmishes with the rebels in the past six months, but regular accusations from both sides are hard to verify. Journalists and aid groups cannot move in the area without government escorts.

Ethiopian forces launched an assault against the ONLF -- who have been fighting for more than 20 years -- after a 2007 attack on an oil exploration field owned by a subsidiary of China's Sinopec Corp, Asia's biggest refiner.

"Since that attack, we have secured the area," Alemayehu said.

A British geologist was shot dead in the Ogaden last July while working for IMC Geophysics International, subcontracted to Petronas. The ONLF denied involvement and the government said 'bandits' were responsible.

Analysts say the rebels are incapable of ousting the government but can hamper development and weaken security forces in the Ogaden with hit-and-run attacks. (Editing by George Obulutsa and James Jukwey)

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Permalink 12:26:15 pm, by nazret.com, 293 words, 2874 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia

Ethiopian Runner Berhanu Took his own life

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Ethiopian Runner Berhanu Took his own life

By David Monti

letsrun.com

September 1, 2010

Ethiopian distance runner Dejene Berhanu, who was reported dead at the age of 29 last Sunday by his management firm, took his own life. Two independent sources contacted by Race Results Weekly who had knowledge of the situation, one in the United States and one in Ethiopia, confirmed the news. Neither source wished to be identified given the sensitivity of the situation.

"It is true that Dejene Berhanu died on Sunday from suicide and was buried on Monday," said the Ethiopian source. "The cause of death is suicide. These are the facts I know at the moment."

Berhanu first became known in 2000 when he took the silver medal at 10,000m at the African Championships in Algiers. He would eventually improve to make the 2004 Ethiopian Olympic team and finish fifth at the 5000m. He also won the Great North Run Half-Marathon later that year. He had lifetime bests of 12:54.15 for 5000m, 27:12.22 for 10,000m, 59:37 for the half-marathon and 2:08:46 for the marathon.

A versatile athlete, Berhanu also ran on the U.S. road circuit, competing in the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10-K in Cape Elizabeth, Me., three times, including a 14th place finish at this year's race on August 7. According to a report in the Portland Press Herald, it was in Cape Elizabeth where Berhanu met an ophthalmologist, Dr. Jeff Berman. Berman diagnosed Berhanu with a droopy eyelid, and arranged for doctors in Maine to correct it through surgery after the 2009 edition of the Beach to Beacon.

"We're crushed," Dr. Berman told the Press Herald earlier this week after hearing the news. "It's like a member of our family died. What a tragedy."

Berhanu left behind a wife and a three year-old daughter.

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msg Comment from: Tiruneh [Visitor]
So terribly sad to lose a young countryman. This is a terrible shock. Why would a succesful athlete do such a thing? My prayers go to his widow and 3 year old girl who will have to grow up without a father
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 12:31

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msg Comment from: Iasias [Visitor]
I am so sad
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 12:57

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msg Comment from: Waco [Visitor]
Something is wrong with this news article...it does not said any about what the police had to say. I feel sorry for the guy but I think police should involve on the case rather than random people. God be with him.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 13:24

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msg Comment from: Big Deal [Visitor]
R.I.P.

Not much else to say on such terrible news :(
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:12

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msg Comment from: addis zemen [Visitor]
REST IN PEACE my brother.
What makes him to take his own life,only God knows. But as a father of a three year old doughter my self,it makes me so angry to think how this lovely innocent child manage to understand all this. May God give her the strength and the wisdom.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:36

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msg Comment from: Tariku [Visitor]
i really feel extremely sad to have lost such young athelete.He should have killed one or two woyanes prior committing suicide.Anyways my heart goes to his wife and entire family.Let his soul rest in peace.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:49

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msg Comment from: olf [Visitor]
Brihanu nega should do the same.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 15:09

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msg Comment from: SakBesak [Visitor]
http://www.globalathletics.com/Athletes/dejene_berhanu.php


RIP
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 15:12

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msg Comment from: Burt [Visitor]
What caused this trajic incident?

That must be the core question that we need to know or must be investigated. Is there any Ethiopian Embassy that cares for Ethiopian citizens world wide?

Sorry regime sorry embassies and sorry people!!!!
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 15:35

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msg Comment from: bekele [Visitor]
how tragic bt very mysterious...why would he do such a thing?:no:
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 15:42

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msg Comment from: ethi [Visitor]
Suicide? an Ethiopian? a public figure? never heard of. I have my doubts.But I feel sorry for him. God be with him.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 19:45

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msg Comment from: mary [Visitor]

Rest in peace brother.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 21:09

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msg Comment from: Rest in Peace. [Visitor]
Sad news. Many Ethiopians are walking with heavy depression. please stay strong.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 21:22

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Permalink 12:23:44 pm, by nazret.com, 597 words, 1593 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia, Energy

Ethiopia rejects dam criticism, targets 10,000 MW

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Ethiopia rejects dam criticism, targets 10,000 MW

By Barry Malone

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters)
- Ethiopia on Thursday rejected criticism of its massive hydropower dam projects and vowed to push ahead with plans to boost its power generating ability from 2,000 MW to 10,000 MW within five years.

The Horn of Africa nation's ambitious dam building programme has drawn fire from human rights groups as well as from Egypt and other Nile River countries.

"We have a plan to reach 10,000 MW within the coming five years," mines and energy minister, Alemayehu Tegenu, told Reuters in an interview.

"Most of the energy we plan to generate will come from hydropower."

Ethiopia is overwhelmingly reliant on dams for its energy needs and has opened three over the last year, bringing the total number in the country to seven.

Another two are being built, including the huge Gibe III -- a project that foreign charities say could leave more than 200,000 people reliant on food aid.

Rights groups, spearheaded by Survival International, have started an online campaign against the dam, which would generate 2,000 MW, and are lobbying international lenders not to contribute to its 1.4 billion euro cost.

"These organisations do not want Ethiopia to develop," Alemayehu said.

"Criticising countries like Ethiopia is their source of income. They have no reason to attack our dams. We have environmental and social plans in place."

The European Investment Bank (EIB) said last month that it had decided not to help fund the project but did not say why it had made that decision.

Alemayehu said it was possible the EIB had been pressured by rights groups.

"But I don't know their reason," he said. "It's not a big problem for us. We have other options. And the funding at the moment is coming from our government."

"NO NILE WAR"

Ethiopia's hydropower plans are also closely watched by Egypt and Sudan who fear more dams on Ethiopia's stretch of the Nile could leave them thirsty.

After more than a decade of talks driven by anger over the perceived injustice of a previous Nile water treaty signed in 1929, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya signed a new deal in May without their northern neighbours.

The five signatories have given the other Nile Basin countries -- Egypt, Sudan, Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo -- one year to join the pact but the countries have been split by behind-the-scenes rows since the signing.

Under the 1929 deal, Egypt, which faces water shortages by 2017, is entitled to 55.5 billion cubic metres a year, the lion's share of the Nile's flow of 84 billion cubic metres. Some 85 percent of the Nile's waters originate in Ethiopia.

The nine countries are due to meet again in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in November.

"What we will construct on the river will never cause any problems for the Egyptians," Alemayehu said. "But the Egyptians always stand against Ethiopian development. They need to understand better what we are planning."

Alemayehu, however, ruled out the possibility that war could erupt over the Nile.

"That will never happen," he said. "Never."

Ethiopia plans to export power to neighbouring Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya as soon as it meets its own growing energy needs, Alemayehu said.

Ethiopia rationed power for five months this year with outages every second day, which closed factories, hampered exports and fuelled a currency shortage.

"We should have no need to ration power in 2011 with our new dams," Alemayehu said. "We are now building interconnectivity infrastructure with Sudan and Djibouti and that should be finished within six months."

Power demand in Africa will rise by 150,000 MW between 2007 and 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.

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msg Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]
Ethiopians,
stand firm together in defending what is yours. It is not enough to brag about the great rivers and mountains you have. It is time to make use of everything you have. If that makes anyone unhappy, it will not be a just fury. You have all the rights to use your resources in anyway you believe will bring in development.

And be brave to stand up with your government on matters that affect your interests for generations to come, even if you may have differences. When you stand together, anyone that plans and meddling will think twice.



PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 12:58

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msg Comment from: hai [Visitor]
great job to this govt, the egyptian has been benefiting of our unstablity but thank God we are becoming a little bit wiser than we used to be hope fully our wisdom can take us to the next level which we should have enough water so we don't have to beg for food any more.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 13:04

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msg Comment from: Banda Geday IV [Visitor]
I hope the Emirate of Egypt face thirst death (sooner than the predicated year 2017) along with their evil eyed Al-shaebia slaves.

While am at it, Survival International and all their supporters can kiss my Ethiopian ass//
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 13:04

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msg Comment from: yoni [Visitor]


Whatever Egypt is fearing, It forcing Ethiopia to make it a reality as they are confirming again and again they dont want the progress of our country Ethiopia.

Egyptians should know that we Ethiopians would pay WHATEVER PRICE, to conquer what is our own.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 13:42

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msg Comment from: addis zemen [Visitor]
"THESE ORGANISATIONS DO NOT WANT ETHIOPIA TO DEVELOP. CRITCISING COUNTRIES LIKE ETHIOPIA IS THEIR SOURCE OF INCOME. THEY HAVE NO REASON TO ATTACK OUR DAMS. WE HAVE ENVIROMENTAL AND SOCIAL PLANS IN PLACE" well said by our mines&energy minester Alemayehu.

Yes our govt is well aware of any obstacles and adversity to arrive from all sides. Our enemys can't sleep easly to see Ethiopia prosper,by crashing poverty and hinderance. Hateful campain against Ethiopia is their daily dose of survival. Thank God for EPRDF and our great leader Pm Meles Zenawi. We are in good hands. Our enemys can do nothing but drawn in their own salivation of hatred.

PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:23

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msg Comment from: kirubel [Visitor]
Push it forward no retreat.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:38

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msg Comment from: LION [Visitor]
Egypt is not in the possition of telling Ethiopia not to develop the Nile any more. The time Egypt being bossy is finish. Egypt does not have the laverage to tell not generate energy. They can pressure but that don't mean nothing when you have enough money and friend. We salute EPRDF government for great development of our motherland. Keep doing the great work.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 16:38

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msg Comment from: Ras Thomas [Visitor]

Hala Luiah
Thanks to our God Almighty.
What the Washington fat pork eaters
will say now?

This is an other sign, that we have
strong goverment, that say no no no
when it cames to national intersts.
Males Zanawi is hero !!!!
Let us build, build, build and
build, until we became rich rich
rich. We will suppliers of the
energy to all African countries.
the most important commodity in
the World is energy and water.
we both. Because the creator of
this World loves Ethiopia. He is
so generous that he gave us. but,
we are still poor because we did
not get advantage of it.
Now, let us touch to 10000 MW
till all electricity became free
in Abyssinia. and our cars, trains,
factories will run not Arabo oil
but our own product electriciy.
Males Zanawi Izgaveer Timaskan.
We are behind you and God is with
you. make history to build dams.
ignore dirty who just setting and
talking shit at foreign capitals
in West. who just loves to Pork
meat AZAAMD sandwiches, then bluf
and fas smelling air from their
stomach.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 18:27

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msg Comment from: D [Visitor]
I was visiting Hoover Dam last month,one of the 14 dam built in Colorado river. Americans still are proud of it. They go there everyday to admirer, to learn and to be facinated by that great generation who make it happen. After 14 dams in America Colorado still has enough water for Mexico. From my visit of Hoover Dam what I was learn is this: dams are only to manage and control the flow of water. Hover Dam can hold back 2 years continues flow of Colorado River, but that does not mean the lower basin is without water for whole 2 years. In Colorado River case when snow melts after winter it's banks overflow and flood with costly damage. By building the dams they able to eliminate any loss with side benefit of producing electricity. In Ethiopia case the rainy season produce extra amount of water that eventually would end up in Medeteranian Sea.I don't think Egypt or Sudan care about this waste as they tirelessly work to stop Ethiopia from advancing. If Ethiopian build the dam (not only one but several In Abaye )Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia will get the same amount of water in a managed and controlled way with extra electric power including some fish. God forbid if Egypt choose to wage a war it is a good cause to fight for. Ethiopian government should say enough loud and clear. Ethiopian people regardless of any difference we should lend our hands in terms of hope, posetive idea, money and blood and life if it is necessary.
God bless Ethiopia!
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 18:46

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msg Comment from: Meles devil [Visitor]
As long as the devil Meles in power, Ethiopian people will continue to live depending on other. This ruthless Meles and his gangster have been shutting the mouth of Ethiopia. Nile river won’t be used by Ethiopia. MELES IS THER TO make sure Egypt is the ultimate user of Nile River. Devil Meles and his human animals will go away soon, the trash talk , the propaganda machine will be eliminated.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 19:00

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msg Comment from: Kurtegnaw [Visitor]
I always wonder why any western country raise their voice when we try to ask them for support to defend ourselves or plan a development project. The old ugly Carter while he was President of the US made an embargo on our paid military armament and led the Derg to bow for the communist Russia. Later we were forced to suffer 17years of brutal communist rule. Now again the EIB has made similar embargo and other lunatic foreign organizations are raising their voice against the hydro power project. Thanks God in such cases Meles is not easly bow for them. the project will be finalized and our country will become sulf sufficent regarding energy power needed for the industry development. Most western governments with leading part from US and UK, they want to see our great country Ethiopia to remain with the ugly images they repeatly try to show on their news media. I think the sole reason for this is to be only one thing! We are the only black nation who kicked the but of white Italian Marshals and Generals to bring shame and fear to the so called civilized world. this they will never forget and try to hold us permanently where we are. things are changing and we do not need any permission to make such changes for our country. By hook or crook they will see for themselves in a very near future, Ethiopia will be a country where many of them beg to come and live. I see that dream and it is gonna be sooner than any one can imagine. God help us!

PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 19:05

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msg Comment from: Halafi Mengedi [Visitor]
This is pure propaganda, if you have an intention doing it, shut up and do the work and tell us when you finish the work and we will salute you. So far, your internal memos are bombarding us what you will do in the future instead of telling your office holders how and when should be finished the proposed plans. Your internal memo should not be out to the public for propaganda. The people who implement your all proposals are the people you installed at various key offices around the country not the general public specially the Diasporas Ethiopians.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 19:14

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msg Comment from: Derese [Visitor]
Woyane thugs have no moral to speak about nile ,infact they have to tell to Ethiopians about the document Meles Zenai have signed with Egypt in 1993 in Cairo.It was a treason document against Ethiopian national intereset.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 19:55

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msg Comment from: Doyo [Visitor]
Meles is a great leader. But eventhough, I support the development, it was nice to talk after it is real.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 22:24

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Permalink 12:20:53 pm, by nazret.com, 540 words, 1104 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia

Australia to open embassy in Ethiopia

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Australia to open embassy in Ethiopia

Source: The Age

AUSTRALIA will soon open an embassy in Ethiopia in what is widely seen as an attempt to bolster the campaign to win a prized seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Senior foreign affairs officer Lisa Filipetto is expected to take on the job as ambassador to Ethiopia in the coming months.

The new diplomatic post will be located in the capital, Addis Ababa, and is a crucial location to lobby countries from across Africa.

Addis Ababa is also the headquarters for the African Union, the 53-nation organisation that represents the continent.

Winning support from this African bloc is critical to Australia's hopes of winning a Security Council seat in a 2012 vote at the UN and Ms Filipetto will also be designated ambassador to the African Union.

But opening a new embassy poses an awkward challenge for the government amid criticism that the campaign is too costly.

It also follows a series of cuts to the Foreign Affairs Department - including Labor's pledge this election to scrap 20 diplomat positions overseas.

The Coalition has promised to abandon the Security Council bid should it take office, after complaining Australia has been forced to sacrifice policy positions and buy votes with extra foreign aid.

In 2008, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said ''when it comes to costs, for example, we're not going to be opening a post here or there just to buy a vote''. He continues to reject the accusations.

But close observers say having a presence in Addis Ababa is essential to winning the backing of African nations.

La Trobe University foreign affairs specialist Nick Bisley said yesterday there was no other reason for Australia to open an embassy so far from its region while at the same time cutting back the foreign service.

But he doubted Australia would ultimately succeed in its Security Council bid.

Australia did briefly open an embassy in Addis Ababa in 1984 - around the time of its last successful tilt for a Security Council seat - but closed the post again in 1987.

Ethiopia does not have an embassy in Australia and is represented by its ambassador to Beijing.

Mr Smith flagged the plan to open an embassy in Ethiopia in May, saying it ''will be a potent symbol of Australia's renewed commitment to Africa''.

He also said Australia would base a new defence attache at the new Addis Ababa embassy to build security and defence co-operation with the African Union and African countries.

Rejecting the commitment to Africa was short term, Mr Smith said more than 150 Australian companies had projects spread across 40 African countries.

Labor has opened two other embassies since 2007, at the Vatican and in Peru.

Australia must secure the backing of 128 countries to beat either Luxembourg or Finland for one of two temporary seats on the council.

An international survey by The Age last year showed Australia had so far won support for its bid from a number of countries including the Netherlands, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

A spokeswoman for Mr Smith last night said any announcement on the new ambassador was a matter for the incoming government.

Ms Filipetto was high commissioner to Kenya until this year. She also was ambassador in Cambodia and speaks Italian, Indonesian and French.

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msg Comment from: kirubel [Visitor]
well the diplomacy struggle getting stronger.
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 14:41

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msg Comment from: fuattoti [Visitor]
then what will Australia do if she win or fail her intended target?!
should she gonna close this embassy or not?
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 16:21

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msg Comment from: mariam [Visitor]
great move!

PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 16:48

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msg Comment from: Assta B. Gettu [Visitor]
I feel more safe and secure when I see a Christian country opens an embassy in Ethiopia, a friendly and a Christian nation. I don’t know how many Christian countries have their embassies in Ethiopia, but we may have over a hundred Muslim ambassadors in our country. Is having more Muslim embassies in Addis Ababa considered a progress or a regress?
PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 20:19

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msg Comment from: Abubaker [Visitor]
Assta,
"I don’t know how many Christian countries have their embassies in Ethiopia, but we may have over a hundred Muslim ambassadors in our country"
1- Google it Assta- and yu will find out how many christian countries have emabassies in Ehiopia. Same applies to Muslim countries who have established embassies in Ethiopia. Th opening of an Embassy in a friendly nation, after all, has nothing to do with religion - Got that?
We- Ethiopians want to live in harmony with all who respect our integrity and pride. 25 million of Ethiopia's population is muslim. Are you telling us that we do not belong? Shame on you!

PermalinkPermalink 09/02/10 @ 21:48

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