Ethiopian Winter Olympics athlete Robel Teklemariam arrived at Vancouver Airport (YVR) yesterday, Feb. 10, 2010, where he was warmly received by several Ethiopians adorning the tricolor flag. Upon arrival, Robel took photos with fans and signed autograph.
The Ethiopian community in Vancouver is hosting a special event honoring Robel at the Collingwood Neighborhood House (5288 Joyce Street) on February 27 starting at 3:30 PM.
(Metro.co.uk) — Robel Teklemariam is the Ethiopian skiing team, its National Skiing Federation and its only hope.
In Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, unfazed by temperatures in the mid-twenties, the 35-year-old regularly pulls on shorts, sunglasses and special ‘roller-skis’ before setting off down a road free of the usual hazards of cars and donkeys.
‘I found this street that had just the right elevation and not too much traffic,’ said the cross-country racer.
‘Roller skiing this close to the Olympics is not the ideal thing. Obviously it’s much better to be on snow. The one good thing is that, in Ethiopia, we’re at 2,700m, so that helps to give you better endurance,’ he added.
Teklemariam found his unlikely calling after spending time as a child in a snow-bound New York state, and was spurred to compete for glory when he saw Kenyans skiing in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
He made it to the Turin Olympics four years ago, meaning Ethiopia was represented at a Winter Olympics for the first time.
Teklemariam came 84th out of about 100 skiers but hopes to improve at the upcoming Vancouver games.
‘If I’m closer to the winner than I was at the last Olympics then I’ll be very happy,’ said the ski instructor.
But he also wants to be a little less lonely as he rolls down the streets.
‘I don’t want to be the first and the last,’ he added.
‘For me, the greatest thing in the world would be that I don’t qualify for the next Olympics because there’s another Ethiopian who’s faster than me.’
The Woyanne minority junta in Ethiopia, with the collaboration of the World Bank, has been disseminating misinformation about the phantom economic growth in Ethiopia. The following analysis by Gadaa.com exposes Woyanne’s GDP propaganda.
(Gadaa.com) — The real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth rate of Ethiopia from 1982 through 2008 is shown below. As you can see from the graph, Derg’s Ethiopia was also “registering” positive GDP growth while the country was waging bloody internal wars, was in the mist of biblical famines and was under an extreme form of socialist system.
Derg’s best year for GDP growth was 1987 when it “achieved” a GDP growth rate of 13.9% – a record for the period shown below (from 1982 through 2008). Now, everyone knows that “1987″ was hard time in Ethiopia since it was immediately after the famine and internal wars had reached their peaks. Read here about the state of Ethiopia’s economy in 1987. This calls for a real understanding of what a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is so that the “GDP” propaganda being waged by the Zenawi government can be better exposed as a fallacy designed to buy time for Woyane to exploit Oromia and the rest of Ethiopia.
Zenawi is presiding over a massive transfer of wealth from the state/people into the hands of the few, well-connected members of the oligarchy. While doing so, he flashes “GDP” numbers to hoodwink the public into believing the theft is an “economic growth.”
GDP’s Formula
In simple terms, if a country is a “commodity” and a price is attached to it, then that total worth of the country is its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The total market value of the products and services produced by the country’s economy come from private consumptions, gross investments, government spending and from total net exports (i.e. exports – imports).
GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports)
Examples of Economies
– The United States of America is a consumer-based economy, meaning that the “private consumption” in the GDP formula takes up a significant portion (some estimates are 70%) of U.S.A.’s GDP.
– Great examples of export-driven economies are Japan, China and Germany. These countries rely on exporting products and services in order to expand their economies (in the GDP formula, the “total net exports” makes up a significant portion of these countries’ GDP).
The Land-Grabbing Will Inflate GDP in 2010/11 While Enslaving People
For most of the late 2000’s, a significant portion of Ethiopia’s GDP growth came from environmentally unfriendly projects, such as flower farms and gold mines, that have increased the standard of living of local people by 0%. In other words, while companies involved in flower farming and gold mining were racking up millions, the local people have no health clinics, no schools and other basic facilities to show for the so-called “GDP growth.” Yes, the increase in exports has led to the GDP growth; however, the resources of the people were unfairly exploited by the flower farmers and gold miners, and the people were left to rely on relief aid from donor governments. The picture shows the people of Odo Shakiso lining up to receive food aid (more pictures can be found here).
The year 2009 saw unprecedented cases of land grabbing in Ethiopia by foreign governments. Zenawi is banking on these neo-colonized localities to further inflate his GDP. Remember that the main objective of the neo-colonialists is to export the grains harvested in Ethiopia. Exporting the grains settles well with Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy economic policy. How will this affect GDP? Positively.
To stimulate the land grabbing, Zenawi offered a hectare of prime farmland for $10 (sometimes, less than that or even rent-free). In other words, the government is not making money (unless there’s a side deal) when the land is sold, but the sale is closed for Zenawi when he claims victory for inflating the GDP when the grains are “exported” and when he earns much needed foreign currency.
In summary, while grains are exported from the neo-colonized localities in Ethiopia, such as farms in the States of Oromia, Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz, the GDP goes up and Zenawi claims victory for inflating the GDP. What will happen to the people in Oromia, Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz where these megafarms are said to be located? They will become slaves sweating for a dime a day in their own country while their “own” government claims to have inflated the economy by their enslavement and by giving away their land! In addition, millions of people in different corners of the country will die of starvation while foreign governments ship out grains harvested in Ethiopia.
Trade Deficit
Ethiopia has a huge trade deficit for an economy that’s claiming to be inflating in double digits. Trade deficit is an excess of imports over exports. That means, Ethiopia imports way too much goods and services because it is unable to produce them itself. GDP formula: when a country imports goods and services, GDP goes down.
Ethiopia experienced a sharp decline in imports in 2009 (see graph below), which was a positive direction for GDP. Ethiopia’s decline in imports, however, was not because it’s producing more of its goods and services, instead it was as a result of shortage of foreign exchange for imports that was brought about by the decline of exports in Q4 2008.
The Zenawi government resorted to controlling foreign exchange by imposing regulations on imports when foreign exchange dried up as a result of the global financial crisis impacting Ethiopia’s export markets. Even during this regulation, Woyane-owned companies were put on no restrictions to exchange Birr to a foreign currency to import goods. Yes, the GDP inflated because of a decline of imports, but non-Woyane companies were made to shrink while Woyane-affiliated companies were growing during the foreign currency control regime.
While larger firms, state enterprises, and enterprises owned by the ruling party do not typically face major problems obtaining foreign exchange, less well connected importers, particularly smaller, new-to-market firms, increasingly face burdensome delays in arranging trade related payments.
Chinese Cement Worker in Mekelle, Tigray – Ethiopia
As mentioned above, replacing imported goods with local alternatives helps increase the GDP. Let’s take the case of cement. Close to 50% of cement used to be imported into Ethiopia until recently when the Ministry of Works and Urban Development put a stop on the imports. The question is where are the local alternatives coming from? The answer is clear: Mesebo, one of the several companies owned by the ruling party (Woyane). Even though the Mesebo Cement Factory is located in Mekelle, Tigray, hundreds of Chinese laborers have immigrated to work at the factory (read the recent news about their strike). The major observation here is the local alternatives to imports are being produced by the ruling party companies (therefore, killing two birds with one stone: enriching themselves and claiming to have “grown” the GDP through foregoing imports).
Inefficiencies Inflate GDP
Do you recall the “Bridge to Nowhere” that was to be constructed in Alaska, U.S.A.? An Alaskan Senator managed to acquire federal government money for his home state so a bridge could be constructed to connect an airstrip on an island to a small town at a cost of $223 million.
Guess what? If that money was spent to build the “bridge to nowhere” for an island with population 50, then the GDP would have increased by that much. Why? … because the “government spending” portion of the GDP formula goes up. Wait! If there was a mishap during the construction of the bridge and the government footed the bill, then GDP goes up!
Now, going back to Ethiopia. Tekeze Dam is equivalent to the “bridge to nowhere,” and Zenawi has already claimed inflating the GDP from this project. Tekeze Dam was dubbed the “dam with no water.” For several years, it sat idle since there was no water to fill the dam. An “hydro”-electric dam with no water is more than equivalent to a “bridge to nowhere” – both wasteful spending, but jacking up the GDP figure anyways.
Another aspect of the Tekeze Dam is the craze about exporting energy. That tells you right there and then, the Amhara and Tigray local people who live right next to the dam will benefit nothing from the dam. Export the energy, increase GDP — clap, clap to Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy; however, the local people see no penny of that export earning: no health clinics, no schools, etc. Pretty much what has happened to coffee farmers for more than 5 decades – still in destitute living conditions after producing coffee worth billions of dollars over the years.
GDP Growth IS NOT INCREASE IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING
GDP per capita (i.e. the GDP divided by the total population) growth does not mean an increase in the standard of living of the people. As illustrated above with specific cases, unfair farming and mining practices, heavy regulation of non-Woyane companies, and wasteful spending – all contribute to an increase in GDP. While Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy policy continues to enrich the few, well-connected members of the oligarchy, it has resulted in zero, naught, zilch, “bado” increase in the standard of living of the poor – which makes up 99% of the population.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) also agrees that GDP size or GDP per capita do not tell anything about how the majority of the people are living (unemployment, inflation, etc). Therefore, UNDP has its own index called HDI (Human Development Index) instead of GDP per capita. If you have read the HDI report for Ethiopia in 2009, there has been no improvement in the standard of living (read the report here); in other words, there had not been no people-centered economic development in Ethiopia.
Will Woyane Change?
The only way Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy becomes anything other than the grand “exploitation” policy it is now is when it benefits the majority of the people. However, like South Africa’s Apartheid was not designed to benefit the majority; Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy is not inherently designed for the majority, but for the few, the OLIGARCHY.
The Indian Noble-Prize winning economist, Amartya Sen, postulates:
“Shortfalls in food supply do not cause widespread deaths in a democracy because vote-seeking politicians will undertake relief efforts; but even modest food shortfalls can create deadly famines in authoritarian societies.”
That means, a non-democratic government can not bring any increase in the standard of living of the people since the officials of the non-democratic government are not accountable to the people. People do not have the power to vote officials out of office when bad and misguided policies (such as Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy) are being implemented by the government. Therefore, the government lacks a feedback loop – from the people about how the government is doing. That is what’s apparent in Ethiopia.
What Will Be Put on the Auction Block to Inflate Next Year’s GDP?
The most daunting question is what will be put on the auction block to inflate Zenawi’s GDP number?
Last year, it was the farmland, taken from the people in Oromia, Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz and given to neo-colonialists, that would be partly credited for inflating 2010/11 GDP. What’s next?
– More farmland grabbing by foreign governments? By extending the land giveaway over several years, Zenawi will claim “GDP growth” for each of those years …
– Will the rift valley lakes be exploited by Zenawi to inflate his GDP number?
– What part of the GDP formula will they tweak next year – at what cost to people, the environment and future generations?
Ethiopia’s Economy is Fragile (or Bubble?)
The Heritage Foundation’s 2010 Index of Economic Freedom has remarked the following about Ethiopia:
Ethiopia has achieved considerable economic growth over the past five years, driven mainly by exports of agricultural products. The double-digit growth rate of over 10 percent, however, is fragile due to the lack of economic dynamism, and the economy remains highly vulnerable to external shocks. Progress toward greater economic freedom has been uneven and sluggish.
The lack of economic dynamism is because Zenawi is only tweaking (cooking) a few aspects of the GDP formula since control over the economy by the oligarchy is of prime importance. The fragility of the economy comes from the fact that the GDP expansion relies on exploiting natural resources (which will run out sooner or later; the gold mines will dry up at the end of the day – but at what cost?). Wikipedia has a great example on this case.
Ethiopian Review has asked scholars and prominent individuals what 10 things they would do immediately if they are elected president or prime minister of Ethiopia. The following is by Ato Teddy Fikre. (Click here to read what others wrote.)
If I were the president or prime minister of Ethiopia, here are the things I would do immediately:
1) I would abolish all aid and donations that have strings attached to them where investment in infrastructure, roads, schools, and human capital is not viewed as the prime targets of stated AID.
2) I would feed the people, the countless many in Ethiopia who struggle to make ends meet. Feeding is not only nourishment, but also feeding them with the proper tools to grow their own food or sustain their own family. I would implement a program whereby each person is given tools such as shovels, hoses, and various farming tools that is either given for free or subsidized heavily so that anyone that is willing to empower themselves is given the means to do so.
3) I would require all or most foreign capital that is invested in Ethiopia to build assets in Ethiopia whereby it is managed and operated by Ethiopians. These assets, for example factories, would have to then export products that are finished goods instead of exporting raw resources.
4) I would implement a “made in Ethiopia by Ethiopians” label to be placed on all products that are shipped overseas.
5) I would invest a significant sum of money to then start branding these products and marketing them in the Western world as “Ethiopian made” products. These products would not be marketed for their affordablity, rather, these products would be marketed to the “socially conciseness” consumer, consumers that are willing to pay a premium for products that are lifting a community or a country
6) I would implement a going wage rate in Ethiopia, a sort of a minimum wage so that the gap between the haves and the have nots is lessened and the prosperity enjoyed as a result of this economic development is shared by more than just a few.
7) I would insist that the education system teaches the totality of Ethiopian history so that everyone shares in the pride that is Ethiopia. Thus, the History of the Oromos, Gambella, Tigreys, Amharas, and the rest of the Ethiopian culture is taught to all without prejudice.
8) I would abolish a Presidential Palace, this one is a bit impractical perhaps, but I would require the President to be with the people, thus the President or Prime Minister would be hosted by various Ethiopians for one week. Of course, the “hosts” would be screened to ensure the safety of the President or Prime Minister, but in the end, he/she would live with the people, get to know the pulse of the people and not be walled off by an ivory tower. The annual salary of the President would be that of the lowest paid worker in Ethiopia
9) I would implement a one term restriction on the Prime Minister of five years, and at any time, the Prime Minister could be recalled by a 3/5th vote of no confidence by the people of Ethiopia. The President or Prime Minister would have to give a State of the Country speech twice a year which will be broadcast live and where “common folk” get to ask the Prime Minister or the President questions as if though it was a Press Conference
I have many more ideas, but I would live peacefully in the countryside organizing Ethiopians to make sure that their elected office holders are held accountable.
(Teddy Fikre is an activist with Ethiopian-Americans for Change. For more info, visit ea4c.org)
Every time Eritreans come across their Ethiopian counterpart, the favorite statement of Ethiopians is that we are the same. We are brothers. Well, here is your time to prove it!
Prove it by standing with your brothers and sisters. Prove it by standing for justice. Prove it by showing your support and readiness for a new beginning; a beginning towards mutual trust, cooperation, understanding and love for each other for the good of the people in the region.
Every thing has a beginning. Elias Kifle, Sileshi Tilahun and Demise Belete among others made the initiative to visit Eritrea and to talk to President Isaias Afwerki, a controversial figure in Ethiopian circles and returned with a different attitude. They were determined to expose the Eritrean perspectives. They wanted to tell Ethiopians that Eritrea was not the enemy but a true friend of Ethiopia. That Eritrea seeks Ethiopian unity, peace, cooperation and partnership. Mr. Elias and his partners sacrificed a great deal; they were ridiculed and called traitors but they stood their grounds and pursued what they felt was the right thing.
They are not ridiculed anymore. In fact, they are regarded very highly. The price they paid and their determination paid off big time. The interview with PIA was a success. It changed the way many viewed president Isaias and, as a result, many Ethiopians are working with Eritreans now. The chance they took became a platform for the stage we are in today, a stage where many are openly saying “We want to march alongside our Eritrean brothers and sisters and express our solidarity with them on the incoming world-wide demonstration against the unjust UN imposed sanction slapped on Eritrea. In fact, we want to work with Eritreans in many other fields of mutual concern” and are doing so.
Likewise, we, Eritreans, want to be a part of a new beginning, to leave the history of hate and bloodshed behind-us and start anew. This demonstration is the first occasion where Eritreans and Ethiopians are to stand together side by side for a purpose in DC and tell the world that we are not enemies; and we will never be. We are brothers and sisters capable to work together. We are united for a purpose and that purpose is to live together side by side as partners; for our successes and interests and not at the expense of each other. That is what we are determined to achieve; what we are striving for and, that is what we want to tell the world.
We need to march in unity to change perceptions. For centuries the West were relaxed because they can take for granted the fact that we will kill one another for no reason. We will march to change that. We need to show the enemies of our people that we can be smart and stand united in order to challenge their evil ways. We need to march to set example to others that peace is the way. But most importantly, we need to march to set a good example for future generations. We need to be the first, so we can say; we are amongst those who marched first for unity, for peace, cooperation between Eritreans and Ethiopians for a new beginning.
We need to march together because we have a much bigger fish to fry. To get rid of a despot, a master of genocides, a thief and a mercenary. To put in jail a person responsible for so much bloodshed, destruction and displacement of millions; and a criminal whose murderous troops shot at point-blank and killed many youngsters who dared to stand up for freedom. We need to stand together and to march in unity to tell our detractors propping-up despots is not acceptable and their ways are hurting the future of our people and killing progress. Because if we don’t, they will think and believe, they are doing well by abusing our peoples. And unfortunately, the people they care most are the handful that are benefiting at the expense of millions while the millions are condemned for handouts. We are marching to break that cycle.
We need to march to annul the illegal, immoral and UNjust sanction imposed on Eritrea:
Firstly, because as Samuel Johnson English author, critic, & lexicographer once said “An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere”! They sanctioned Eritrea unjustly because they have a bully pulpit, ownership of a defunct world body, the UN. Meles, who is a party to the mischief, has been directly responsible for the arms and the bloodshed in Somalia. Eritrea is in no way capable of shipping arms or providing any other logistical support when the US is controlling the Indian Ocean, the land and air and anything in between. Furthermore, Eritrea doesn’t have the resources. What Eritrea did is stand for justice for the Somali people by asking the world community to allow them to resolve their issues without outside meddling. Eritrea took a moral stand just as many Arab states do on Israel by not recognizing Israel so long as the Palestinian issue remains unresolved.
The UN had absolutely no evidence to back up US and Meles Zenawi’s claims about Eritrea’s support for armed groups in Somalia. South African Ambassador to the United Nations Dumisani Kumalo, who served as chairman of the U.N. Security Council’s Somalia sanctions committee, speaking of Somalia, said that 80% of ammunition available at the Somali arms markets was supplied by TFG and Meles Zenawi’s troops. Kumalo also said that the committee had received details of some 25 military flights sent by Meles Zenawi into Somalia and knew that Meles Zenawi’s troops had brought military equipment into the country to arm “friendly clans.” The UN Envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah also said that there was no evidence to prove the allegations made against Eritrea are correct.
The US does not care about the Somalis’ well being, because if it did, it wouldn’t have supported Meles in his quest for Somali blood. If the US truly was for justice, human rights and the rule of law, it would have supported the Somali freedom fighters instead of encouraging and abating the Meles’ and Museveni’s to help create mayhem in that lawless land. But, then again, who exonerated the US? We all know the US is a party to the conflict as well. I guess “Might is right” as the saying goes.
Secondly, the sanctions intended goal is to boost Meles Zenawi, weaken Eritrea (the only country standing on his ways) and render Ethiopians at the mercy of Meles Zenawi for decades without any serious challenge to his reign. Is that what you want? A murderous thief who is selling Ethiopia to individuals, entities and countries that will not have the best interest Ethiopia. He is selling Ethiopia piece by piece with the hopes that his investors will keep him in power in order to maintain their investments. Therefore to lose focus at this point is irresponsible. We need to march together to stop this madness.
Thirdly, we need to march because success means the defeat of Meles Zenawi and his gang. One of the intended goals of the sanction is to reverse the momentum that is ready to engulf the Ethiopian nation; the undercurrent that has been building due to hatred of the detested Meles’s regime. It is by far the most crucial moment in the history of Ethiopian struggle. This is a moment that will define history. Because if Meles is allowed to win, the bloodshed will continue for a long time because, the change his masters seek are dangerous and will mire the region into bloody conflicts worse than what we are witnessing in Somalia.
Conclusion
This is a time when Ethiopians need to take a firm and clear stand and decide whether they want Meles and the TPLF gang gone. There is no need for those who take a hesitant position and fearful to show that they are working with Eritrea because they are afraid of a backlash. No need for those who want to stay in the background afraid to be in a weaker position if Eritrea loses. No need for those who want to put themselves in a favorable position by taking the middle ground in order to switch sides when convenient ala Hailu Shawel. These people or groups have no stand and can not lead. Do you want Weyane gone? Then take a stand. Show the people of Ethiopia that you can stand against Woyanne and lead.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lebanon’s Health Minister is contradicting claims and leaks by his own government that Ethiopian flight 409 crashed because of weather and pilot error. Jawad Khalifeh said yesterday that the plane exploded.
BEIRUT (AFP) — An Ethiopian jet which crashed off Lebanon’s coast last month exploded after take-off, Lebanon’s health minister said on Tuesday in the first such official comment since the mysterious crash.
Remarks by Jawad Khalifeh could not be immediately confirmed by other officials in Beirut and came as Ethiopian Airlines said one of the plane’s black boxes has been sent to France for analysis.
“The plane exploded during flight and the cabin, as well as the bodies of those on board were dispersed into the sea, in different locations,” Khalifeh said to explain why some corpses were found dismembered.
“The first bodies which have been retrieved following the crash were intact but after that, we began to find body pieces or mutilated corpses,” he told reporters.
Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi refused to comment on the reported explosion. “I have no information about this,” he told AFP.
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 plunged into the Mediterranean before dawn on January 25, just minutes after take-off from Beirut airport during a storm.
It was bound for Addis Ababa with 83 passengers and seven crew on board. No survivors were found and searchers have been struggling to recover bodies as most victims were believed to be still strapped to their seats.
There have been conflicting reports as to whether the jet exploded while airborne or after it hit the water, and officials have said there will be no answers until the data from the black boxes is analysed.
Lebanon has ruled out sabotage, blaming the bad weather for the tragedy, and officials have said the captain was instructed by the control tower to change to a certain heading but then the aircraft took a different course.
Experts have told AFP that the stormy weather may not have been the only reason for the crash, and that the aircraft may have had engine or hydraulics problems.
Witnesses have said they saw a ball of fire as the plane plunged into the sea and a defence ministry official said on the day of the tragedy that the plane broke into four pieces before crashing in the Mediterranean.
Lebanese army divers retrieved one of the plane’s two black boxes on Sunday and Ethiopian Airlines said it has been sent to France for analysis.
“We cannot say when we’ll have news because it is a process and there is an investigation,” spokeswoman Wogayehu Terefe told AFP in Addis Ababa.
Wogayehu said more bodies had been retrieved but said they were still waiting for an exact figure. Twenty three bodies had been found by Sunday.
The probe into the mysterious crash is being carried out by a Lebanese commission with support from a French body responsible for technical investigations of air accidents.
U.S. and Ethiopian investigators are also involved.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ethiopian Airlines responds to leaked information that the crash of ET409 may have occurred due to pilot error. It is becoming all too apparent that the Lebanese regime, with the complicity of Woyanne, is trying to cover up some thing. The following is a press release by EAL.
Ethiopian Airlines would like to express its position on the latest speculative reports released on the cause of the accident on ET-409, 25 January.
As a member of the investigation team, Ethiopian Airlines strictly adheres to the ICAO annex 13 regulation, in which it is mandated to refrain from any inconclusive comments on the process of investigation.
The investigation is still in its early stage and the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) and the aircraft wreckage are not yet retrieved for analysis, it is therefore, too early to conclude the cause of the accident. Ethiopian Airlines does not rule out all possible causes including the possibility of sabotage until the final outcome of the investigation is known.
Ethiopian Airlines would continue to cooperate with the investigation team to complete the process in accordance with the ICAO regulation and reveal the truth.
We share the pain and sorrow of the families of our crew and dear passengers who have lost their lives in the accident.
