(ENA, Addis Ababa) – The House of Peoples’ Representatives and the House of Federation (Woyanne’s rubber stamp parliament) during their joint session on Tuesday elected Girma Woldegiorgis for his second term in office as President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).
President Girma for his part announced that he would make all efforts towards efficiently discharging the responsibilities given by the Ethiopian people and government.
During the first regular meeting of the third year term of the HPR that nominated Girma to serve as president of the country for the coming six years, government whip with the rank of Minister at the HPR, Shiferaw Jarso said President Girma has efficiently discharged his responsibilities during his first term in office.
Shiferaw, while outlining activities of President Girma in office, noted that in addition to playing role in promoting the positive image of the country, President Girma has contributed a lot in facilitating ways through which Ethiopia could create good relation with the outside world.
President Girma has been efficiently discharging his responsibilities through encouraging development efforts creating good communication with nations and nationalities, he said.
Representatives of opposition political parties at the House for their part had nominated Professor Beyene Petros, which they said has a good academic background and professional competency.
Speaker of the House, Ambassador Teshome Toga during the joint session of the HPR and the House of Federation made the remark that President Girma has efficiently undertook his responsibilities through creating smooth relation with the public.
The HPR and the House of Federation elected President Girma to serve as President of the FDRE for the coming six years with 430 votes 88 objections and 11 abstentions.
The Kinijit delegation to North America led by the party’s vice president w/t Birtukan Mideksa arrived at DFW airport in Dallas on September 30, 2007. Ato Dejene Assaye, chairman of Kinijit-Dallas along with other six community representatives was there to meet them. As the delegates came off the secured area, they were welcome by a large crowd of singing and dancing Ethiopians from Dallas and its surrounding cities. Bouquets of flower and that uniquely Texan souvenir (cowboy-hats) were presented to them as a gift by the community.
The delegates’ first order of business was to attend a public meeting that was held at one of the largest halls of the Radisson Hotel which was filled to its capacity. The key note speech in the meeting focused on the significance of truly contested election for building democracy. Following the key note address, an extensive Q&A session where the delegates were subjected to very critical questions regarding the party internal well being and its positions and polices for the future of the country was conducted. By the end of these discussions, it was clear to everyone why Ethiopians in their millions voted for this party in the 2005 election. The meeting was also about expressing solidarity of the audience to the party of Kinijit and the people of Ethiopia. Towards that goal, the audience at the meeting raised over $42K for the party. Kinijit-Dallas has issued a public special report about the total amount of money collected from the fund raising (in cash, checks, credit card and pledge) and the expenses associated with event.
The next day, the delegates’ day was filled with critical private activities. Before coming to Dallas, the leaders have insisted on meeting Kinijit chapter members who have disagreements with Kinijit-Dallas. Per their request, they were able to meet privately with a representative of the group. Other members of this group were not able to attend due to personal reasons. The delegation also met with local civic organizations such as Dejen Le-Democracy for general consultation.
Finally, the leaders met with the local Kinijit chapter members. In this meeting, the delegates clearly re-stated the goal of their tour to US. They identified the re-organization of Kinijit chapters through out the world on the basis of broad, open and democratic participation of all willing Ethiopians as one of their main tasks. They shared some of the principles the party has laid for the re-organization. Kinijit-Dallas members gave ringing support for the principles stated and expressed their willingness to work with the leaders and other chapters to lay a foundation for strong and broad Kinijit chapters in North America.
Kinijit-Dallas would like to thank the following people and organization for making the delegation visit to Dallas very successful.
1. First and foremost, the delegate members themselves for being very cooperative despite the marathon-like schedule they had to endure.
2. The Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City and Austin area Ethiopians for coming in mass to welcome and support the delegates.
3. Artist Abebe Belew of Addis Dimtse radio (Washington DC) for being the MC of the meeting and for driving the fund raising event. His contribution is simply priceless!!
4. Ato Abayneh Desta, Ato Betru G/Egizabher, Ato Kidane Alemayehu, Ato Melaku Tadesse, Ato Solomon Haile and Ato Teferawork Assefa for playing hosts and for helping organize the welcoming program.
5. Ato Zegeye Meshesha, Ato Yosef Yetimgeta and Ato Tibebe Mengistu for giving their services of recording the entire event in picture and video free of charge
6. To all those transportation business owners and drivers for making their stretch limousines and town cars available to give the delegates the VIP services they deserve without any charge.
____________
Dallas and Fort Worth Kinijit Relief & Development Organization
P.O.BOX 742974, Dallas, TX 75374 Tel: (972) 375 1334
The Kinijit delegation to North America led by the party’s vice president w/t Birtukan Mideksa arrived at DFW airport in Dallas on September 30, 2007. Ato Dejene Assaye, chairman of Kinijit-Dallas along with other six community representatives was there to meet them. As the delegates came off the secured area, they were welcome by a large crowd of singing and dancing Ethiopians from Dallas and its surrounding cities. Bouquets of flower and that uniquely Texan souvenir (cowboy-hats) were presented to them as a gift by the community.
The delegates’ first order of business was to attend a public meeting that was held at one of the largest halls of the Radisson Hotel which was filled to its capacity. The key note speech in the meeting focused on the significance of truly contested election for building democracy. Following the key note address, an extensive Q&A session where the delegates were subjected to very critical questions regarding the party internal well being and its positions and polices for the future of the country was conducted. By the end of these discussions, it was clear to everyone why Ethiopians in their millions voted for this party in the 2005 election. The meeting was also about expressing solidarity of the audience to the party of Kinijit and the people of Ethiopia. Towards that goal, the audience at the meeting raised over $42K for the party. Kinijit-Dallas has issued a public special report about the total amount of money collected from the fund raising (in cash, checks, credit card and pledge) and the expenses associated with event.
The next day, the delegates’ day was filled with critical private activities. Before coming to Dallas, the leaders have insisted on meeting Kinijit chapter members who have disagreements with Kinijit-Dallas. Per their request, they were able to meet privately with a representative of the group. Other members of this group were not able to attend due to personal reasons. The delegation also met with local civic organizations such as Dejen Le-Democracy for general consultation.
Finally, the leaders met with the local Kinijit chapter members. In this meeting, the delegates clearly re-stated the goal of their tour to US. They identified the re-organization of Kinijit chapters through out the world on the basis of broad, open and democratic participation of all willing Ethiopians as one of their main tasks. They shared some of the principles the party has laid for the re-organization. Kinijit-Dallas members gave ringing support for the principles stated and expressed their willingness to work with the leaders and other chapters to lay a foundation for strong and broad Kinijit chapters in North America.
Kinijit-Dallas would like to thank the following people and organization for making the delegation visit to Dallas very successful.
1. First and foremost, the delegate members themselves for being very cooperative despite the marathon-like schedule they had to endure.
2. The Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City and Austin area Ethiopians for coming in mass to welcome and support the delegates.
3. Artist Abebe Belew of Addis Dimtse radio (Washington DC) for being the MC of the meeting and for driving the fund raising event. His contribution is simply priceless!!
4. Ato Abayneh Desta, Ato Betru G/Egizabher, Ato Kidane Alemayehu, Ato Melaku Tadesse, Ato Solomon Haile and Ato Teferawork Assefa for playing hosts and for helping organize the welcoming program.
5. Ato Zegeye Meshesha, Ato Yosef Yetimgeta and Ato Tibebe Mengistu for giving their services of recording the entire event in picture and video free of charge
6. To all those transportation business owners and drivers for making their stretch limousines and town cars available to give the delegates the VIP services they deserve without any charge.
____________
Dallas and Fort Worth Kinijit Relief & Development Organization
P.O.BOX 742974, Dallas, TX 75374 Tel: (972) 375 1334
Letter to Dr. Taye and his friends from a Concerned Ethiopian
By Netsanet Yimetal
Why do you do this to us? Better yet, why do you do this to yourselves? Yes, I am talking to those of you who are standing in the way of democracy. The prospect for better Ethiopia has never been better. This is a historic time when multiple events are converging at the same time: The freedom of the strongest non-violent opposition group in the history of the country; the unanimous support to HR 2003 by the House of Representatives, hence the American People; the unworthy war against our neighbor Somalia, the brutal war against our own people, the Ogadenis and the tension with Eritrea. I truly believe we have come to this point of our history for a reason. And that reason is an awesome change.
A change that frees our people from tyranny!
A change that gives individuals in our country equal footing to compete with each other!
A change that provides our nation the platform to shine globally!
A change that gives our Educated the choice to stay and serve!
A change that opens the door for possibilities whatever the possibilities maybe!
But! But, you are standing in the way. I have a simple question for you. Do you realize that you are standing in the way though? Do you realize that you are like a goal keeper who is trying to block the ball of democracy? I don’t think you do realize the extent of the damage you are doing. I don’t believe you realize it because if you did you wouldn’t stand in the way. Not against your own people anyways, would you? I know I am right because you were a proud EDU or IHAPA who legitimately fought for the cause of your people.
That was then! This is now! Now, time has changed in Ethiopia. Ethiopians are not interested to live and relive their past. Ethiopians are ready and eager to move forward.
They are excited at the prospect of seeing their nation submerge under freedom. They also found honest and energetic leaders who are ready to lead by example. Just look at the excitement of the Ethiopians around the U.S. The excitement in Washington D.C, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles. Come hell or high water, I will experience this excitement as well when these leaders arrive at my home town, Atlanta, GA this coming Friday.
So, here is my humble message to you. Our people are tired; Tired of in-fighting. We are ready to follow leaders who are Ethiopians! Who stand for all Ethiopians. The time has passed for ethnic based leaders of any type including Amaras, Oromos, Tigreans or Gurages. The time is ripe for leaders who stand for human rights.
Human rights for Oromos!
Human rights for Tigreans!
Human rights for Anuaks!
Human rights for Gurages!
Human rights for Amaharas!
Human rights for Ogadenis!
Human rights for Afars!
Human rights for Ethiopians!
We would like you to join us and support our leaders as they are preparing to continue the fight for the freedom of Ethiopians. As you clearly know, it is tough enough fighting a government with abysmal human rights record.
Won’t you then join us support the legitimate leaders of the opposition, Wzt. Bertukan and her delegation as they get ready to finalize their U.S tour and leave for their nation, Ethiopia?
