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Ethiopia upset by U.S. bill


August 23, 2007

Source:
The Washington Times

By Brian Blackwell - Ethiopian officials are disturbed by legislation pending in Congress that would restrict military assistance and travel to the United States by certain Ethiopian officials unless President Bush certifies that the Addis Ababa government is acting to address specific human rights concerns.

The Ethiopians argue that it is unfair to lump them in with countries like North Korea and Iran at a time when their troops are acting as allies in the war on terrorism, defending an interim government in neighboring Somalia against Islamist extremists.

"This would be the fatal blow to cooperating security arrangements between the United States and Ethiopia," said Samuel Assefa, Ethiopian ambassador to the United States. "Ethiopia is a vital ally to the U.S. in this region in the fight against terrorism. The bill could cut off economic and bilateral aid at a most inopportune time."

The legislation — known as H.R. 2003 — was proposed by Rep. Donald M. Payne, New Jersey Democrat, and is backed by members of the Ethiopian community in Washington, most of whom support the main opposition party in Addis Ababa and remain angry over the outcome of a May 2005 parliamentary election.
  • Newsflash  ( 12 items )
    Performance of Harari State    
    Written by Administrator   
    Thursday, 23 August 2007
    Harar, August 22, 2007 (Harar) - Chief of the Harari State, Murad Abdulahi said the performance of the state during the completed budget year is highly encouraging.

    Presenting an annual performance report to the State Council in Harar town on Tuesday, Murad said most of the development plans both in regular and capital budget were successfully implemented.

    The participation of the public in development plans is one of the reasons for this success, he said.

    A total of 80 outstanding and new projects aimed at addressing major socio-economic problems were executed during the year, with nearly 59 million birr allocated budget.

    Some 71 percent of the activities planned under the capital budget were executed.

    The state collected over 28.6 million Birr in revenues from various sources. The amount of revenue collected during the reported period exceeds the set target by 3.6 million birr.

    In the past year, the state also issued investment licenses to 80 investors with an aggregate capital of nearly 382 million Birr.

    The Dire-Jabe safe water project, which was designed to address the shortage of safe water in the state, is progressing well, he said.

    The state helped more than 2200 youths to start micro and small-scale businesses. The states provided various equipment worth two million Birr to youths in order to make their activities profitable.

    Over 11 million Birr obtained from more than 26,400 local and foreign tourists visited attractions during the reported period.

    In its three-day conference, the council will discuss plans for the current budget year. It would also debate and endorse various bills and regulations.

    Furthermore, the council will discuss legislation proposing the re-establishment of state executive offices, and the establishment of the state ethics and anti-corruption commission, he said.

    The council will hear the annual report of the state's auditor general, the Supreme Court and committees of the council
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