EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s been a while since BBC has stopped reporting any serious news about Ethiopia. Its correspondent in Addis Ababa reports about such news as energy-saving light bulbs while ignoring all serious political developments around her for fear of being expelled from the country.
Addis Ababa (BBC) – Ethiopians are rushing to get their hands on free energy-saving light bulbs which are being handed out by a utility to stop power cuts.
Four million low-energy light bulbs are being given away in exchange for old-style incandescent ones by the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
Nearly all Ethiopia’s electricity comes from hydro-power. But without rain the dams cannot fill and the lights go out.
The new bulbs will cut peoples’ power bills and are supposed to last longer.
The BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt says the light bulb swap was in full swing when she visited the utility’s offices in the capital Addis Ababa.
But our correspondent says the snag is that when the new bulbs wear out, customers will find they cost about six times as much as the old ones to replace.
ETV reported today that the Woyanne dictatorship in Ethiopia has freed former prime minister and defense minister Tamrat Layne from jail after 12 years of incarceration.
Tamrat was thrown in jail by his friend Meles Zenawi accusing him of corruption. The main reason for Tamrat’s fall, however, is that he had started challenging the Meles crime family, on some issues. As far as corruption is concerned, the entire {www:Woyanne} mafia is corrupt. In the past 17 years they have amassed incredible amount of wealth by looting Ethiopia’s national treasure.
Related posts:
* Blen Tamrat Layne’s Open Letter to Meles Zenawi
* Seye Abreha and Tamrat Layne found Guilty of Corruption
* Back to the Future: Prime Minister Tamrat Layne’s Transitional Economic Program
BAGHDAD (Reuters/IHT) – The Iraqi television reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush at a news conference appeared before a judge Tuesday and admitted “aggression against a president,” a judicial spokesman said.
The television reporter, Muntader al-Zaidi, became an instant sensation when he called Bush a “dog” at a news conference with Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki on Sunday and tried to hit him with both of his shoes.
“Zaidi was brought today before the investigating judge in the presence of a defense lawyer and a prosecutor,” said Abdul Satar Birqadr, a spokesman for Iraq’s High Judicial Council. “He admits the action he carried out.”
The court decided to keep Zaidi in custody. After the judge has completed his investigation the court may send him for trial under a clause in the Iraqi penal code that makes it an offense to attempt to murder Iraqi or foreign presidents. The sentence for such a crime could be up to 15 years in prison, Birqadr said.
Dheyaa Saadi, head of the Union of Lawyers in Iraq and one of its most high-profile attorneys, said that he had volunteered to defend Zaidi.
“I will introduce myself as his lawyer and demand the case be closed and Muntader be released because he did not commit a crime,” said Saadi.
At a news conference with Bush and Maliki on Sunday evening in Baghdad’s Green Zone, Zaidi, a reporter for Al Baghdadia, a satellite television network, rose from his seat and threw one of his shoes at Bush’s head. He shouted: “This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog!”
Bush ducked and the shoe missed him. Zaidi then threw his other shoe, shouting, “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!” The shoe hit the wall behind Bush.
According to The Associated Press, Al Baghdadia reported that Zaidi had been “seriously injured” during his detention and called on the government to allow lawyers and the Iraqi Red Crescent to visit him. Later, however, one of his brothers said that he had spoken by telephone with Zaidi, who told him, “Thank God, I am in good health,” The AP reported.
By Yilma Bekele
Here in the US, the Governor of the State of Illinois is in hot water. Law enforcement agencies tapped his phone with court order of course and have evidence showing the Governor trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President elect Obama to the highest bidder. Most people are not surprised that the governor is a crooked politician.
The average citizen is resigned to the fact that most politicians are not trustworthy. But politicians are not included in the category of stupid; ethically challenged may be but definitely not a moron. Thus it was surprising to hear the Governor daring the FBI to ‘go ahead and tap my phone’ as if he has nothing to hide.
Those who cannot come to terms with the Governor’s bizarre behavior are now suggesting may be he is crazy. To some that is the only sane explanation to such brazen act of lawlessness. It is also possible his lawyers are preparing the grounds for the inevitable ‘insanity defense’ for the upcoming trial.
My favorite explanation was the one advanced by Mr. Dick Cavett in the NY Times. In an opinion piece titled ‘How is that again Gov?’ he wrote:
‘Is humor out of place on this subject? Probably. In Blagojevich, we are dealing with a sick man. Or, in medical terminology, extreme pathology.
I felt the need to get some expert opinion… I sought the counsel of the eminent Dr. Willard Gaylin, longtime practitioner and author on such matters —He filled me in.
He described what would now be called a “sociopath,” a modern-day term for the older “psychopath.” It’s a complex, hard-to-treat ailment, and “anti-social” is the key phrase here. Among the prominent traits of one so afflicted is the absence of any sense of guilt or shame. Empathy is unknown. The truth may be told, but only when it serves the often-bizarre purposes of the teller. Never for its own sake.
The governor’s astonishing dare — Go ahead and tap my phones —is explained by the sociopath’s absolute conviction that he is somehow immune from being caught.
This appears to be connected to the sociopath’s trait of confusing his lies with reality. Unable to distinguish between the two, he proceeds on his brazen way…
Gaylin reminds us that sociopaths are not always obvious misfits, as evidenced by their being found, for example, running major institutions. Often they have the acting skills of award-winning thespians, can exhibit great charm (though not in this case) and can fool even experts.’
I believe Mr. Cavett is on to something. The sociopath personality fits the behavior of most African leaders. It definitely explains the bizarre behavior of a few of our illustrious leaders that have managed to create havoc in the lives of our people. What else can be said about such notorious punks as Idi Amin, Jean Bidel Bokassa, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Mobutu Se Se Seko and Charles Taylor except example of mad men in charge? And today we have Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe ready to carry the torch of absurd but lethal behavior by a head of state.
The Zimbabwe general elections were held on March 29, 2008. By all credible accounts the opposition Party Movement for Democratic change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai won. The ruling party refused to accept the verdict of the people by claiming Mr. Tsvagirai did not receive a majority and a run off election was scheduled. Those in power used the interim period to murder, harass, exile and imprison leaders of the opposition. Second round of voting were held June 27, Mugabe was declared a winner and sworn in June 29 for a sixth term in office. No one accepted this farce except fellow African dictators. Why this all seems familiar to us Ethiopians is not difficult to guess. We have seen it all.
The downward spiral accelerated in Zimbabwe. Inflation surged beyond comprehension, (officially 231 million percent, meaning a loaf of bread costs 1.6 trillion Zim. Dollars) the outward migration went on UN abated, internally displaced people skyrocketed and there currently is a complete breakdown of basic function of the state.
It is with this as a background that ‘a ferocious cholera epidemic, spread by water contaminated with human excrement, has stricken more than 16,000 people across Zimbabwe since August and killed more than 780.’ As is customary with a dysfunctional government there is no end in sight. To protect its citizens South Africa closed its border with Zimbabwe and the UN, WHO and health experts ‘are warning that the number of cases could surpass 60,000, and that half the country’s population of 12 million is at risk.’
What do you think the response of the senile leader is faced with such grim news? In a televised speech on Thursday December 11th he announced that the cholera epidemic is over. “I am happy to say…that there is no cholera.” He blamed the West for the baseless rumor in an attempt to justify a military intervention thus he concluded, “Now that there is no cholera, there is no need for war.”
Again we Ethiopians are familiar with this line of thought. If memory serves us right it is only a few months back that UNICEF was warning about famine in our country. They were trying to ring the alarm bells so the world will pay attention and do something about it. Unfortunately it run counter to the claims of the Ethiopian government that has been crowing about double digit growth and prosperity in unprecedented manner. They defined famine as mal nutrition. Majorities of our people now rely on food aid for basic survival. No region of the country is immune from this man caused catastrophe.
Two years ago the regime in order to curry favors from the Bush administration committed Ethiopian troops into Somalia to fight what they declared to be Islamic Jihadists ready to invade our country. The Prime Minister compared those opposed to this adventure to ‘Donkeys’ and in a lecture in his Parliament said, “Both have big eyes, but suffer from myopia; and have big ears, but don’t hear.” Well the two weeks jaunt across the border turned into a two years misadventure that has caused the death of thousands of our Somali brothers and sisters, death of peasant Ethiopian solders and millions of tax dollars that could have been spent to alleviate poverty and hunger. With no end insight and the treasury empty the government is trying to find a face saving way to exit. The Islamic Court have surrounded Mogadishu, the Ethiopian troops are prisoners in their camp, and both the UN and the African Union are not willing to get involved in this mess created by Ato Meles and company.
Is it any surprise that Ato Meles went in front of Parliament and declared ‘mission accomplished’ in Somalia? The only thing missing in this picture was a big aircraft carrier and a huge banner to go along with this empty bravado. Come to think of it, Ethiopia does not have a port nor own an aircraft carrier, but on the other hand a small dingy in lake Langano would have served the purpose. We all know that form trumps essence when it comes to TPLF regime.
I will leave you with the official Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) used as a psycho-diagnostic tool to assess psychopathy. Each item is rated on a score from zero to two. The sum total determines the extent of a person’s psychopathy.
Factor1: Aggressive narcissism
1. Glibness / superficial charm
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth
3. Pathological lying
4. Cunning / manipulative
5. Lack of remorse or guilt
6. Shallow
7. Callous / lack of empathy
8. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
9. Promiscuous sexual behavior
By Addis Journal
Prominent nobleman, historian and former deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dejazmatch Zewde GebreSelassie has died at the age of 80.
Born to a royal family, Dejazmatch Zewde has a had a varied and distinctive career as governor of Shere, Minister of justice, Mayor of Addis Ababa and Ambassador to Somalia, and deputy Prime Minster and Foreign Minister.
A great-great grandson of the Emperor Yohannes IV and related thorough marriage to the Crown Prince, Dejazmatch Zewde is widely recognized among Ethiopians as possessing an unparalleled knowledge of Ethiopian history and of the past and present day Ethiopian personalities, their relationships, intrigues, foibles and strengths. As John H.Spencer wrote in his book, Ethiopia At Bay that through his official positions and relationships with the leading figures in political life, he has been a witness to some of the important events recounted in his book.
He was too independent minded to get on as minister and his attempt to reform the judicial system were thwarted. He fell into disfavor with HaileSelassie due to his liberalism as Minister of Justice during the trial of General Mengistu Neway and went into self-imposed exile. He later served as Minster of Foreign Affairs under the provisional military government, but soon resigned in protest against the massacres of the former regime officials in November, 1974.
He was the author and editor of many history books. “Yohannes IV of Ethiopia: A political biography, Oxford” is one of the most cited works.
In the preface, Edward Ullendorff wrote that he has devoted to his royal ancestor, his great-great grandfather, a treatise that is fair and dispassionate, yet for the first time recognizes Yohannes’ crucial role in the re-unification of Ethiopian.
By Jason McLure | Bloomberg
Coffee output in the two main export-growing areas of Ethiopia, Africa’s largest producer of the beans, may decline 60 percent because of drought, the United Nations said.
The lower harvest may aggravate malnutrition in southern Ethiopia’s Gedeo and Sidamo zones, where hunger is rife as a result of the drought, falling world coffee prices and higher food prices, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report today.
Production in Gedeo may fall 67 percent from a year earlier, while that in Sidamo may decline 53 percent, Tamirat Mulu, the author of the report, said in a phone interview in the capital, Addis Ababa, today. The report was based on a livelihood assessment carried out by relief agencies between Nov. 17 and Dec. 5. Ethiopia’s main coffee harvest is from October through December.
Ethiopia exported 170,888 metric tons of coffee last year. About 35 percent of that was high-grade washed coffee and 65 percent lower quality dried coffee. Sidama and Gedeo provide about 60 percent of Ethiopia’s washed coffee, Mulu said.
