nazret.com

Ethiopia orders 6 Norwegian diplomats to leave country

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP): Ethiopia has ordered six Norwegian diplomats to leave the country by Sept. 15, expressing "dissatisfaction" with Norway's conduct in the Horn of Africa region, the Norwegian foreign affairs minister said Monday.

Ethiopia asked Norway to withdraw the six diplomats on Aug. 15 and since then, Norwegian officials have tried to get their Ethiopian counterparts to clarify the reasons for the order, but with no success, Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.

Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment.

"We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities' unilateral decision," Stoere said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site.

"We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in (the Ethiopian capital) Addis Ababa."

The statement said that the expulsion of the diplomats did not "imply" a break in diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.

--------------

Ethiopia orders Norway to withdraw 6 diplomats


Mon 27 Aug 2007, 19:15 GMT

OSLO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Ethiopia has asked Norway to withdraw six diplomats from Addis Ababa because of "dissatisfaction" with Norway's conduct in the Horn of Africa, the Norwegian foreign ministry said on Monday.

"We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities' unilateral decision," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.

He did not say whether Ethiopia had explained the background to its demand.

"We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in Addis Ababa (by Sept. 15)," Stoere said.

The "sharp reduction in staffing" meant Norway might not be able to maintain development cooperation with Ethiopia at current levels, he said. Oil-rich Norway is one of the world's biggest aid donors in per capita terms.

"This does not imply a break in Norway's diplomatic relations with Ethiopia," the foreign ministry said, adding that its embassy in Ethiopia was also responsible for Oslo's relations with the African Union.

--------------------

The following is a Statement from Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on its website.

Norway withdraws diplomats from Ethiopia

Norway is making preparations to reduce its diplomatic presence in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The reason for this is that the Ethiopian authorities have expressed dissatisfaction with Norway's conduct in relation to Ethiopian interests in the Horn of Africa. The Ethiopian authorities have requested Norway to withdraw six diplomats by 15 September.

The Ethiopian position was communicated to the Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa on 15 August. Since then, Norway has sought to clarity the situation through consultations with the Ethiopian authorities, but this has proved unsuccessful.

“We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities’ unilateral decision,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre, who informed that Norway has urged Ethiopia to reconsider its decision.

“We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in Addis Ababa. This sharp reduction in staffing means that we may not be able to maintain our development cooperation with Ethiopia at the current level. We regret the impact this will have on our partners,” said the Foreign Minister.

This does not imply a break in Norway’s diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. The Norwegian Embassy in Ethiopia is also responsible for Norway’s relations with the African Union, which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Source: regjeringen.no

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Video
www.nazret.com/video/

Photo: Stefan Gara
Ethiopia - Will Meat prices follow pepper up?

The price of meat picked up on August 23, 2007, and is still showing increment after the end of the Ethiopian Orthodox sixteen day fast. Prior to the fast, one kilo of meat was sold for twenty six to twenty eight birr for ‘wot’, thirty birr for raw meat and around thirty five birr for ‘Kitfo’. Now the price has picked up to thirty five to thirty eight birr respectively, at most butcheries in Sebategna and Mexico areas.

One buyer Capital talked to in Sebategna said, “the price is rising constantly and is worrying if it keeps on as the new millennium celebrations approach. A few weeks back, I thought the price rose because ‘Felseta’ (Lent), was to start and people tend to buy more meat products in ‘Kebela’ season, but now a days after the fast, it is still showing increment on a daily basis.” Even as prices escalated many people were buying meat on Thursday but on Friday and Saturday most butcheries were empty. A butcher said that the price of meat did not show all that much increment. He added, “It is usually like this when a fast is over; the price is not that much inflated here in Sebategna. If you go to some other places you will see that the price is around fifty birr. I think this price will not go down since the millennium is approaching and its a holiday as usual and we get more customers than ordinary days.”

In related news, markets in Addis Ababa showed little increment in the prices of sheep and chickens. A small sheep is now around 300 birr and the bigger ones are sold up to 600 birr.

-------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Ethiopia - Bertukan to be presented with 90 thousand birr Toyota

By Tedla Desta

Capital


Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - In tribute to Bertukan Mideksa and other individuals released from prison with her, the Ferensaye Legasion neighborhood is to award Bertukan with a car valued at 90 thousand birr, a member of the committee formed for the purpose told Capital.

According to the member of the committee, the Addis Ababa City Provisional Administration Mayor, Berhane Deressa and other Sub-City officials have been invited to attend the ceremony.

The Committee, which has been active with 20 members preparing 10,000 ten birr lottery tickets, has managed to collect 85 thousand birr.
"In addition to the gift we are giving Birtukan, we have also prepared awards for three members of the party, which is to be unofficial until the award is granted" the member said.

Speaking on the contributions made by the Ferensaye Legasion neighborhood, the member said, "The residents have been participating in organizing the ceremony. There were individuals who contributed a kilo of rice, sugar and anything else that they can give."
The security of the event which is expected to be attended by around 650 participants is to be ensured by the police force in cooperation with the residents and the Committee.

Birtukan Mideksa was the First Vice Chairperson of the four parties that combined to form the CUD: Ethiopian Democratic League, All Ethiopian Unity Party, United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin and Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Democracy and Social Justice. She was elected representing Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Democracy and Social Justice.

At the legislative elections, 15 May 2005, the party won 89 out of 527 seats in the House of People's Representatives, representing the Regions of Amhara, Oromia, and of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNPR), as well as in the chartered cities of Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa.

The CUD leaders were finally released in July 20, 2007, after spending 20 months in jail, being convicted by the court and after being reviewed by the amnesty board. According to the government and the mediating elders, the CUD prisoners signed an apology letter admitting partial responsibility for the post election violence and promising not to use unconstitutional means for any political aims. In addition to their release, their rights to vote and seek public office have also been restored.

In a related development, the Ad Hoc Coordinating Committee for Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) Leadership Delegation's Visit to the United States expects the arrival in the U.S. of six top leaders on August 29, 2007.

The Delegation to the U.S. will include Hailu Shawul, Chairman of CUD, W/T Birtukan Midekssa, Vice Chair, Dr. Berhanu Nega, former Addis Ababa Mayor-Elect and member Dr. Hailu Araya (Spokesperson), and members Brook Kebede and Ato Gizachew Shiferaw.

"The Leadership Delegation is visiting the United States and Canada at the special request of numerous CUD support groups. The Delegation will travel to various locations in the U.S. A separate delegation will head for Canada," Sources told Capital.

File Photo: Internet user in Addis Ababa Ethiopia Photo Andrew Heavens
Ethiopia - Internet troubles to ease soon

Internet connection problems are going to improve within a few weeks, said Debretsion Gebremichael, Director General of the Ethiopian ICT Development Agency last Monday.

He disclosed this in a press conference given in relation to World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR 2007), was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22 to 24 August, in the presence of ministers and dignitaries from around the world.

“Senior engineers are in Ethiopia working on the broadband to solve the country’s internet problems in the short term and improve quality,” the Director General said.

CISCO, a leading global internet service provider, said on Sunday it was set to provide faster broadband services, free of charge, as part of efforts to curb and ameliorate the broadband internet connection service rendered by the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC).
Briefing reporters on the new service on Monday, on the sidelines of the World IT forum, Director General of the Ethiopian Information Communication Agency, Debretsion Gebremichael, said the task was already underway by six CISCO IT engineers who will seek ways of shifting to a new broadband connection in place of the older one aimed, at rendering better quality service to subscribers.

Related Links

Cisco to Replace ETC's Poor Broadband Connection

P.M. Meles Zenawi vows investment in telecoms, IT (AP)

Special Section: ICT

Debretsion said that the prevailing broadband service troubles in the country which “have become a bottle-neck” to development activities will ease after the completion of the task.
He said that CISCO’s operation was being offered free of charge and the new broadband service is expected to be accomplished and available to subscribers in less than a year.

The project is hoped to give short term solutions to the complicated systems problem with the broadband today, Debretsion said, adding the government was working on a more sustainable and long-term solution which he said would take 2-3 years.

The long-term solution is known as the Ring Net or Ring Fiber Optics Solutions, according to the Director General.

ETC’s service is said to be “fractured” and provides poor access in networked systems. The Broadband service, a novelty to the country, was introduced by ETC in 2005. According to available information, around 26,642 subscribers to the service were registered until March, 2006, while a growing number of households, private and government institutions are using the relatively cheaper tariff Dial Up leased line and shared DSL internet service.

The broadband service has also enabled ETC to provide telephone services to some 5,000 rural kebeles since March 2006.
Globally, over 63 million new subscribers of broadband service appear every year and the number of users is estimated to reach 72% by the year 2010, according to an ETC publication issued in 2007.

Studies have shown that advancement in the use of ICT in developing nations is a key booster of socio-economic development as well as the general progress and well-being of individuals and communities.
ICT has been identified as a key factor that determines a country’s ability to attain the Millennium Development Goals, such as eliminating poverty, combating serious diseases, improving access to education and providing equal opportunities for women.

ICT experts say partnerships involving governments, regulators and the private sector can offer sustainable and widespread access to 80 percent of the African population that remains outside the technology platform.

The Conference was opened by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who said the conference was of much help in that it would offer opportunities for developing countries like Ethiopia to interact and share experiences and helping cement global partnership for development with the view to attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

---------------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Djibouti president builds hotel in Dire Dawa

By Tedla Desta

Capital


Addis ABaba, Ethiopia - The President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, has built a hotel in Dire Dawa town which is to be inaugurated next month, Iltireh Daher, Counselor at the Djibouti Embassy in Addis Ababa and Private Agent of the President told Capital.

Dire Dawa Train Station

The hotel, which cost around 40 million birr to build is located near the Dire Dawa Stadium.

"All necessary equipment required for the hotel has already been installed. The construction of the hotel is completed, the internal collections are ready and we are currently expecting the official inauguration next month in the presence of Ethiopian officials and the President himself," Iltireh said.

The five story building has taken eight years to complete though the construction had been put on hold at one time.
"The reason that the President built this hotel in Dire Dawa is because he personally wants to model positive thinking. I note that he wants to see good thinking converted into actions and he wants the development of Dire Dawa, which is his home town. That is why he built the hotel," he said.

When the hotel is fully operational it will provide jobs for 70 people. "The hotel has 36 guest houses, a multi purpose hall, a presidential suite and all amenities that a decent hotel requires," he added.
It was also learned that President Omar Ghelleh desires to diversify his business and invest more in Dire Dawa town.

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was born in Dire Dawa in 1947 and is the second president of Djibouti, succeeding his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, in 1999.

In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar Guelleh; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transhipment point for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands.

-------------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Photo: Holand Car Ethiopia

Ethiopia - Holland Car to roll out fancier car

By Andualem Sisay

Capital

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Based on the high demand from customers, Holland Car plc, the first car assembly in Ethiopia, has announced that it is going to assemble a second model and named after the great Abay (Blue Nile).

Abay, with a 1.3 engine will be offered at ETB 140,000 and one year or 25,000 km warranty as of mid September 2007, according to Engineer Tadesse Tessema, 50 per cent shareholder of the Ethio-Dutch company.
The car will have full options that are available in luxury cars including air bags, aluminum rims, cling windows, remote access, and rear view mirror with steering lamp, among others.

There are also options such as leather seats for an additional 2,500 birr and DVD with back sensor camera for 9,000 birr more. Eleven experts from the Lifan Company of China will arrive next week to facilitate the assembly of the new brand.

The reason for the availability of Abay at an almost equivalent price to the DOCC, while having more features is because of the excise tax variation between the two models and their engine size, according to Tadesse.

The excise tax of the 1.6 liter DOCC, the first model car that Holland Car has been assembling was 60 per cent, while Abay is taxed at 30 per cent because its engine is only 1.3 liters.

“We named our new model Abay to motivate people to use quality local products and thereby change the attitude of most people who believe that local products have less quality,” said Tadesse, stating why they named the new model after the biggest river in Africa.

Apart from China and Ethiopia, this model of Lifan is assembled in Russia and Vietnam. “Before we even started assembling Abay, many customers are placing orders to get the first cars that come out,” Tadesse said.

His company is said to be negotiating with Adika Tours and Travel to provide them the first 50 cars. In addition, Holland Car is also engaged in negotiation with a Saudi national who is constructing a hotel in Addis Ababa, to sell the first 20 cars.

Holland Car is also discussing with a company in Sudan to supply them up to 1,000 Abays every year, according to Tadesse.
In about six months, the company plans to assemble four-wheel drives and pick ups.

------------------

Lifan Car Commercial

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Ethiopia - Bekele wins gold at the world championships

OSAKA, Japan: Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia won his third 10,000-meter world title, surging clear on the last lap Monday and crossing in 27 minutes, 5.90 seconds.

Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia won his third 10,000-meter world title Osaka 2007

OSAKA, Japan: Kenenisa Bekele needs almost no practice to win at 10,000 meters.

Bekele, right, swept past compatriot Sihine, left, on the final bend to claim a hat-trick of men's 10,000m world titles.

The Ethiopian proved it again Monday in his first race at the distance this season, running 27 minutes, 05.90 seconds to claim his third straight 10,000-meter title at the world championships.

Fellow Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine took silver in 27:09.03 with bronze for Kenyan Martin Mathathi in 27:12.17.

Bekele ran in third place from the start with Zersenay Tadesse of Eritrea leading for most of the race.

Mathathi led a break away with three laps to go, the Ethiopians went with him and Tadesse faded.

Related Links

Tirunesh Dibaba claims historic double in Osaka

Special Section: Osaka 2007


IAAF TV

On the final lap, Bekele edged in behind Sihine and then overtook him with 200 meters to go and swept home to win by a whopping 25 meters.

Sihine, called the "silver man" for finishing second so often to Bekele, was second in the 2004 Olympics and second in the world championships two years ago at both 10,000 and 5,000 meters. Bekele won all those races, too.

The 25-year-old Bekele is peerless at the 10,000. He's the world record holder, the defending Olympic champion and is undefeated at the distance in eight races over four years.

Bekele picks his spots. This was his first 10,000 race this season and some thought he might be vulnerable. He lost in the world cross country championships in March after 10 wins over five years.

On another hot, muggy night in western Japan, the 25-year-old Ethiopian was far off his record time of 26:17.53 set two years ago in Brussels.

Bekele has never won Olympic or world gold at 5,000 meters, although he's the world record holder (12:37.35) at the distance. He not expected to run that distance in Osaka.

Source: AP

---------------

Thanks to Tiruye, Kenenisa Anbesaw and Sileshi , Ethiopia is now Number 2 in the medal table with 2 Golds and 1 Silver as of August 27. United States is number 1.
IAAF

Teddy Afro's Kenennisa Yegna Anbessa Music Video

Gold medal winner Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia is flanked by his compatriot, silver medal winner Sileshi Sihine, left, and bronze medal winner Kenya's Martin Irungu Mathathi, right, during the medal ceremony for the Men's 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, in Osaka, Japan. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle)

Ethiopians in London and around the world are getting ready to party as if it's 1999.

Source: London Free Press

On Sept. 11, Ethiopia will usher in its millennium.

That's because Ethiopia follows its own calendar -- based on the Egyptian and Julian calendars -- making its current date more than seven years behind our Gregorian calendar.

"It's a very special event for us, just like when people celebrated the year 2000," said Denekenesh Semegn, owner of Enat Restaurant in London.

Semegn said she's disappointed she can't make it to Ethiopia for the celebration.

The country expects more than 40,000 Ethiopian natives and friends to migrate there and ring in the millennium.

Semegn said friends from around the world are excited about the celebration and people from all nationalities will attend.

"People who aren't even Ethiopian are going. Our country is very multicultural and people are excited to celebrate Africa and its culture, even if they are not from there."

Seyoum Bereded-Samuel, director of the Ethiopian millennium festival in Ethiopia, said the country is "celebrating our rich heritage and (will) show the world the real Ethiopia."

Bereded-Samuel said he hopes the celebrations help deflect attention from negative images of Ethiopia in mainstream media.

"We've had troubles before, like the famine . . . the millennium is a symbol of our freedom."

Ethiopia is one of Africa's oldest independent countries -- and apart from a five-year occupation by Italy in 1935 -- it has remained independent. With a population of 74 million, it's home to more than 80 nationalities.

Semegn said she'll welcome in the millennium at her Horton Avenue restaurant with family and friends.

She said she will hold an Ethiopian new year's party and serve traditional lamb dishes, meat stews and Teje, a New Year's drink made with honey and herbs.

"It's a happy time for us. People who (can't) make it to the celebrations in Ethiopia will celebrate with me," she said.

London is home to about 1,000 natives of Ethiopia.

ETHIOPIA'S MILLENNIUM

What: The new millennium -- the year 2000 -- begins Sept. 12 in Ethiopia.

Why: The Ethiopian calendar -- called the Ge'ez calendar -- has 13 months and is more than seven years behind the Gregorian calendar.

When: Celebrations kick off Sept. 10 and continue through the year in Ethiopia.

When: In London, Enat Restaurant, 379 Horton St., will hold a new year's dinner Sept. 10. A weekend celebration also is scheduled by the Cross Cultural Learner Centre on Sept. 16 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 196 Dufferin Ave.

Details: Go to www.ethiopia2000.com or www.ethiopian millennium.com for more information on festivities and events.

----------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Ethiopia launches US$1.67 billion rural electrification program

Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) said that it will electrify 1,714 rural towns and villages in the coming 12 months throughout the county.

The program, which is expected to benefit around 350,000 customers, will start this month.

According to EEPCo, funds for the program have been secured from its own resources and international aid agencies.

Related Links

Ethiopia plans to light up by 2015 (February 2005)


Special Section: Energy Sector news from nazret.com archives

Currently, the power service coverage in a country of 77 million population is 22%, up from 17 % in the past few years.

The company is planning to increase the coverage to 32% in the coming 2-3 years as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

EEPCo is a state-owned company responsible for power generation, transmission, distribution and sale.

Official data shows Ethiopia has economically exploitable hydropower potential of more than 30,000 megawatts.

Despite the huge potential, exploitation rate is only about 2%.

Source: ENA

-------------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/

Ethiopia says it will attend Eritrea border talks

Mon 27 Aug 2007, 11:22 GMT

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Ethiopia said on Monday it will attend a meeting next week in The Hague to discuss its disputed border with Eritrea, but said its neighbour had made demarcation of the frontier impossible.

Tensions remain high after the two nations fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed 70,000 people, and on Monday a Foreign Ministry spokesman again accused Eritrea of scuppering any lasting deal.

"The substantial deployment of Eritrean troops into the demilitarised zone, Eritrea's continued constraints on (U.N. peacekeepers) ... and violations of the cessation of hostilities make conditions for demarcation non-existent," said Wahide Belay.

But he said Ethiopia would nonetheless attend the Sept. 6 meeting.

Eritrean officials were not immediately available to comment.

The two countries signed a peace deal in Algiers in 2000 and agreed to submit to binding arbitration by a claims commission and a boundary commission in The Hague.

But the process ground to a halt after Addis Ababa rejected the border as set out by the commission in April 2002 -- in particular the placing of the border village of Badme on Eritrean soil -- while Eritrea refused to consider any changes.

Last November, the commission gave Ethiopia and Eritrea a year to demarcate their 620-mile (1,000-km) border.

Eritrea said the commission should deal with Ethiopia's rejection of the boundary rather than passing demarcation back to the countries themselves.

---------------

Related Links from nazret.com
Ethiopian News updated 24/7 www.nazret.com/news/

Ethiopian Radio and TV Page
www.nazret.com/radio/

Ethiopian Music Comedy Video Page
www.nazret.com/video/