| Ethiopia to join the middle-income country status within two decades: May 13/2007 By Atakelti Kebede Since the demise of a ruthless military dictatorial government of mengistu hailemariam ended in the year 1991,The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) led government inherited one of the poorest and most backward countries. Not discourage by what they inherited they have since been striving to change this image. The result so far is gratifying to say the least. The EPRDF government’s top priority has been and continues to be the countries Development. As we all remember from day one, it drastically reduced its defense expenditure and transferred the difference to development of the nation. Unfortunately we where force to enter in to unwonted war. Even though we where force to unwonted war our government made sure to boost our defense force capability to defend our nation and to go forward with the economical development of the country side by side. Following the May 2005 national elections there have been so many things written about the EPRDF government by the oppositions party leaders and their members, supporters and sympathizers. They exaggerate, fabricate, promote and propagate lies in order to score cheap political gains. They condemn the government for all ills that confronts the country. They deny anything has been done by the government. Some of them even claim that Ethiopia is worse off than during the rule of the Dergs. I understand that any one and every one is entitled to his/her opinion, so that the person can chose the right path to ward the future. But it shouldn’t have to be a crime to support one party with good ideas over the other. As a Canadian, I have participated in voicing my opinion by voting for the national, provincial and municipal governments. In doing so, I have elected two deferent party members to different level of government. I have never been questioned by any one how I made my final decisions .It is a given that every one respects the right of the individual to chose how he/she sees the party members dedication to the nation, province or municipal governing levels of government. No one shouldn’t be force to pledge his/her vote for the same party Year after year. It is my purgative to differ from that party member if I choose to. But for Ethiopians leaving in Diaspora it seems that if you have a different opinion than ones opinion or change your mind to support one or the other is almost a crime. It seems that we are bought or sold to a one party membership for life. I don’t see any thing wrong with he/she choosing to support an opposition party this month and change his/her mind next month to support the ruling party when they see it fit. Having said that, I would like to share with you what had happen in our country for the last 16 years. In the past I have highlight the progress on good governance, Agricultural development, the Economy, nation wide Education, the countries Infrastructural development, Hydro power electrification, and Digital telecommunication through out the nation. It is not a secret to any one that Ethiopia has made a tremendous achievements regarding all the above. And the government of Ethiopia is doing it level beset by initiating discussions that contribute to understandings of issues, approaches, strategies and priorities of the nation. And mobilize resource to support a variety of development initiatives. Thank God Ethiopians from with in the country and outside are responding to the government’s call on rebuilding the nation. The Agriculture sector is gradually modernizing its system of production, The hundreds of farmers that were honored and awarded prizes for dramatic successes they achieved while adopting market-oriented economy. An increasing number of farmers improving their income and standard of living. We should know that development is a process. It will take time to develop to the level we can say we are out of poverty. Because of these developments every year more and more people in the rural area are coming out of poverty. An increasing number of farmers are joining the successful ones in earning incomes in the tens of thousands of Birr and in building assets, including improved farms, agricultural implements and machinery, better homes, educated children and savings in cash. And this is exactly what is happening in Ethiopia today. The most recent appreciation in regard to agricultural development came from none other than the Executive Director of WFP, Josette Sheeran, who said “…the world is impressed on how Ethiopian yields have increased from year to year… already improving food security endeavors in the country.” Another one is that of Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator, “We are happy that Ethiopia is advancing on the Millennium Development Goals...” And another is the ILO Director General’s praising government efforts to create job opportunities as exemplary for Africa. For more government successes before the last election I would recommend Ato Bulcha to read Part II of Matha’s article written in 2004(http://www.aigaforum.com/mathza0404.htm) Education: Twenty years ago our nations hade one university and couple of high schools, thanks to the dedication and a long term vision of our government they embarked on the human development of education. Today for the first time in our history we are blessed to see more elementary, high schools, colleges and universities through out the nation. Ethiopia has over twenty universities and over hundreds of high schools The 250 Technical Vocational schools, not to mention the vision of primary schools at every corner of the nation for every one regardless of where they live. Economy; Ethiopia had been striving toward development of the nations need. The business climate is good. More and more Ethiopians are returning home to do business be it in agriculture, Hotels and truism, higher education, Exploration There is a rising spirit of entrepreneurship among Ethiopians. The developed nations are providing grants and loans, Expertise in good governance, road constrictions, telecommunication, exploring gas and petroleum through out our nation. African Director of the British Department for International Development (DFID) Dave Fish said the development aid of his organization to Ethiopia has been increased to 130 million Pound from 90 million http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2007/May/11May07/29027.htm Ethiopia could provide potable water for all citizens three years ahead of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2007/May/08May07/28863.htm The flow of Private companies in to the country is multiplying yearly in partnership with Ethiopians as well as solo ownership by foreign investors. And diplomacy has improved. Every year more private investors are going to Ethiopia to invest in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing sectors such as this Saudi Arabian businessman who is prepared to establish tourism investment on a big scale and also in livestock and meat industries. http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2007/May/08May07/24773.htm The economy is growing. These and other positive trends produce mutually reinforcing results that elevate Ethiopia to a rank of middle-income country status within two decades. The Nations hydroelectric power plant; Twenty years ago electric power of Ethiopia was none existent, Today with Three hydroelectric plants powering the nation and Two bigger plants under construction Ethiopia’s hydroelectric power will be the largest plant in the east Africa’s and will be in a position to electrify the nation and beyond.This is one of the main factor of to making sure the nations development achieves it’s objectives. See also http://www.waltainfo.com/Analysis/2007/Mar/26609.htm Political Maturity & Good governance: The government of Ethiopia is approaching the new millennium to lead the nation with Courage, Compassion and conviction. The current political leaders are progressive and hard working. The state bureaucracy is getting more efficient and effective; nearly 50% of members of parliament for EPRDF are female and there are female-headed ministerial and other high portfolios. Public opinions are means for influencing decision-making processes. The moderates the people of good will with the different opposition parties Members of Parliament are serving the nation by debating the issues that affect the nation’s survival. And through it all they are contributing for democracy to Asher, Working with the government on issues those maters for the nation and opposing to issues that don’t. And this is democracy in action as we see it. One good example of this opposition party is UEDP, Ato Lidetu Ayalew UEDP- medhin chairman is attempting to use a political mannerism that is new to the nation and that can be a middle ground for the Government and opposition parties alike. “The Party is trying to amend the mistakes that it has made during its years of struggle and to further strengthen its strong points,” said the statement presented on Friday. “We wish to continue as an opposition party in Ethiopian politics and have chosen this path to do it.” UEDP-Mehdin announced, at a press conference held on Friday, April 27, 2007 that it would be changing its current modus operandi from blind opposition to a ‘third way’. http://www.addisfortune.com/UEDPMehdin%20to%20Begin%20‘Third%20Way’.htm” Cud verses the other opposition; when the self appointed ONLF massacred 74 Ethiopians in the ogaden region, CUD’s latest excuse for the massacre from a staunch CUD supporting media outlet was hard to imagine. One fears how much worse the Diaspora political situation can get. But nobody should be too surprised since the only mention of the massacre in Cud's official website kinijit.org, , was a justification of the killing by titling the oilfield massacre an operation on an "Illegal oil facility in Ogaden." What a shame! For a party that rejected joining other opposition parties in parliament and for a party that was supposed to follow its own pro-"peaceful struggle" manifesto, this is very disappointing. Now, is the Ethiopian government supposed to get permission from terrorist groups or liberation fronts to carry out development projects in the country? The prevailing fact that even our future parliamentarian candidates would justify massacring innocent people is saddening and inhumane. . If anyone of the CUD supporters is dreaming about all of Ethiopians embracing and loving all of CUD's policies, that person needs to come down to earth and face reality. See also http://galbeed.com/2007/05/11/by-massacring-77-workers-the-onlf-has-shown-the-world-what-it-is/ The moderate opposition parliamentarian respond speaks for it self. Read the statement below.
EPRDF is Leading the nation with courage, compassion and conviction; Courage: The Executive Committee of Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded its regular meeting on May 7/2007 by indorsing and acknowledging in areas of good governance, foreign affairs, national security, political and organizational activities. Need to strengthen relations with partner organizations and enriched with people-to-people relations. This was the call to action at the recent conference. Leadership does not belong solely to those individuals with formal leadership roles and titles. Each one of us is a leader in our own way. Ultimately, harnessing this enormous leadership potential will be the secret to our success in transforming the core experience of our party, so how do we do this? First, let’s consider the abundance of assets we have as an organization. All too often we focus on what is not working, what resources we do not have. We sometimes feel discouraged or overwhelmed. These feelings are natural and to be expected. Instead of dwelling on the negative, let’s celebrate the wonderful things we already have - thousands of talented, highly educated committed politicians that are working hand in hand with every one to improve the lively hued of our people. Our politicians bring with them their life experiences in to working with community agencies, schools, churches and other agencies. We also have a strong track record of achievement and a proud history. Many of our programs and practices are recognized as leading practices across Ethiopia and beyond. Some of our politicians are recognized as national and even international leaders in their chosen field. This year we asked our partners and the general public to imagine with us what our political and Development strategic achievement plan should be like three to five years from now. Compassion: we have identified this as one of our core values and need to hold one another accountable for ensuring we demonstrate this in the way we relate to one another and care for others. As leaders we all need to demonstrate our conviction that we believe our cause is noble, and bring hope and confidence in the future. We need to share a conviction that the noise, irritation and discomfort inevitably associated with transformation will ultimately be a force for the positive change we all want. And to harness the leadership in everyone throughout the organization we all need to demonstrate courage - the courage to speak up with our ideas for improvement and be willing to be part of the change. This is the promise of the government to the people of Ethiopia today. In conclusion; I would like to conclude my thoughts by underlining the following, the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia have won the battle when they uprooted the discriminatory and dictator DERG regime and welcomed the EPRDF government in 1991.Having fought for as long as they did to see the nation and nationalities live in harmony, united by diversity, the government implemented the constitution according to the peoples voice. and one of the fundamental article in the constitution is article 39 witch underlines the following “Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has an unconditional right to self-determination, including the right to secession” Every Nation, Nationality and People in Ethiopia has the right to speak, to write and to develop its own language; to express, to develop and to promote its culture; and to preserve its history. But for the so called CUD the above article give them the Chile for a good reason, With the exception of urban & Amharized areas like Addis Ababa and with the exception of some Ethiopians who voted for CUD "just because" they wanted change; it is an open secret that many Ethiopians oppose most of CUD's policies including on language, federalism and others. "CUD leaders plan to amend Article 39 of the Ethiopian constitution and restore a unitary political system to reassert Amhara grip on power in the country? CUD leaders detest Article 39 very much for it appearance to weaken Amhara control over other Ethiopians, If anyone of the CUD supporters is dreaming about all of Ethiopians embracing and loving all of CUD's policies, that person needs to come down to earth and face reality. and there is no turning back to the dark days of our nation history. we paid immensely to get where we are today. Ethiopians are thirsty for functional parties that listen to their grievances and implement them with accordance to their constitution not by polarizing the politics. We are not living in a country where people did not give out their address since to do so was to be identified. Perhaps dangerously, even fatally. (During Red terror) As part of one tribe or another. I hope those moderate opposition party members who dedicated their life for the betterment of our people will work towards building democracy and the future of our nation to be brighter for the generation to come. I am sure when the historians write and recorded our nation’s history the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his party the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) will be credited, and they should, To day Ethiopia's image is fast changing and changing for the good, so much so that to day it is seen as a model of development, as the country from which to learn how to go about in the fight against poverty. I hope that every one allows them selves adequate time to travel overland and see and feel the spirit of change in the New Ethiopia. The result so far is gratifying to say the least. Come and enjoy the celebration.
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EDUP-Medhin
and "the Third Road": Press conference given by Lidetu
Ayalew and Mushe Semu