The high level delegation of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) arrived at Oslo International Airport in Norway on the 20th of September 2007 at 10:00 PM. The delegation was received and accorded lively and warm welcome upon their arrival. And a brief but colourful reception ceremony was held in honour of the delegates and the sacrifices the CUDP leadership is paying to build a democratic system in Ethiopia. The ceremony was filled with emotions of joy and jubilation and it was uplifting to see the crowd singing and expressing their unwavering support to the causes the CUDP stands and struggles for.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The delegation started its official working visits by holding meetings with the Norwegian Immigration Officials at 10:00 p.m. The meeting deliberated on the problems Ethiopian asylum seekers are facing and the delegation brought the volatile political situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Norwegian immigration officials. The delegation stated that the return of asylum seekers under the prevailing situation in Ethiopia is not recommendable.
The next meeting of the day was at the Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry which began at 13:00 or 1:00 PM local time. Two officials of the ministry received the delegation and the deliberations commenced after a brief introductory speech.
The delegation briefed the officials of the Norwegian foreign ministry on the prevailing political situation in Ethiopia and the horn of Africa. Absence of the rule of law, political freedom, capability build up of parliamentarians and democratising the political space were among the issues highlighted in the briefing dwelling on the domestic arena. The delegation also briefed the officials on the prevailing situation in the horn of Africa with specific emphasis on the lingering border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. They emphasized the importance of seeking just and peaceful resolutions to all regional issues. The officials of the foreign ministry on their part, mentioned the current roles Norway is playing in Ethiopia and posed relevant questions that were responded to by the delegation. The discussions were cordial and the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual interest and understanding.
The delegation devoted the afternoon of Friday the 20th of September 2007 to the general meeting with the members of Kinijit Support and Development Organization in Norway (KSDON). The chairman of the KSDON opened the meeting by making a brief speech of welcome and the secretary of the KSDON presented an extensive report on the organization covering its activities since its formation. The delegation expressed their heart felt gratitude to and briefed the members of the support chapter on the objectives of their working tours and the current political situation in Ethiopia. They reaffirmed CUDP`s commitment to the democratic and peaceful struggle. The forum was open for discussions and exchange of opinions and views. Wide ranging questions and views pertaining to the political situation in Ethiopia and the CUDP were addressed.
Saturday September 22, 2007
The wider Ethiopian public and friends of Ethiopia were campaigning and protesting to bring about the release of the CUDP leaders and all political prisoners in Ethiopia. Thus, the public meeting was arranged to offer the delegation an opportunity to thank Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia, explain the objectives of their mission and exchange opinions and views with the wider public. The meeting was cordial and was conducted in the spirit of cooperation and understanding. In the end, the chairman of the fund raising committee announced the collection of over 135, 000 Birr to be donated to the party for use in Ethiopia and thanked all who contributed.
Sunday September 23, 2007
An informal occasion meant for meeting with the public figures in the Ethiopian community and representatives of other opposition parties was arranged. The delegation had lunch with the individuals who showed up for the occasion and got the chance to be acquainted with them.
Monday September 24, 2007
This was the last date of the working visit of the delegation in Norway. The pre-noon part of the date was used to hold meeting at the Peace and Human Rights Center and Norwegian People’s Aid where the delegates briefed the officials of the respective organizations on the political situation in Ethiopia and their visits. The Peace and Human Rights Center is headed by Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, the former Prime Minister of Norway and the current UN special envoy to the Horn of Africa. The discussions at the center focused on conflict resolution, the Ethio-Eritrean border conflict and human rights.
The delegation concluded their working visits successfully and left Norway in the after noon of this date.
The KSDON was very happy to play host to the delegation and expresses its heart felt gratitude to all who had contributed to and cooperated to make the stay and visit of the delegation fruitful and successful.
__________
Kinijit Support and Development Organization in Norway.