As a former 'Satelite' of the USSR, Ethiopia should exploit its longstanding relationship with the Russians to get petroleum at a favorable rate like all the other Nations of Europe. If Belarussia and Ukraine are getting their fuel 'below world market', why not Ethiopia. The Russans are generous provided they are accosted appropriatley. Afterall, Ethiopia was responsible for Pushkin( the most beloved Russian Poet). Were there no Ethiopia........as the saying goes.

I understand there are countless bureacrats who graduated from Russian Universities who might be handy in soliclitng such a favorable trade relationship on behalf of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia rebels say killed 43 soldiers in 2 weeks.

By Tsegaye Tadesse 27 Feb 2008 10:33:18 GMT Source: Reuters

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Ethiopian rebels said on Wednesday they had killed 43 soldiers during two weeks of battles in the remote Ogaden region. "The bulk of the fighting has taken place in northern Ogaden in and around Nogob province," the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said in a statement. Reporters are generally barred from the area and there was no independent verification. The rebels said dozens of soldiers were wounded and a government armoured car destroyed in the clashes. Ogaden made headlines last April when ONLF gunmen attacked a Chinese-run oil exploration field and killed 74 people. Both the government and rebels accuse each other of human rights abuses, and aid workers say almost a million people there need help. (Writing by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)