THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER n°1237 - 26/04/2008 POLITICS & POWER/BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Addis Ababa

Sudanese troops are stationed in Ethiopia on the banks of the Shinfa River in the west of the country and are preventing local inhabitants from going to the river or to work their fields. (...) [98 words] [$1,5]

THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER n°1237 - 26/04/2008 The hunt for ONLF rebels is on

Contrary to the declarations made by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi , the situation in the Ethiopian Ogaden is not entirely under control. (...) [213 words] [$4,7] THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER n°1236 - 12/04/2008 POLITICS & POWER A plague on the Tigray leaders

In an edition of the magazine Dehai published recently in the north of Ethiopia in the Tigrigna language, the father of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi launched a full-frontal attack on the local leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF, hard core of the Addis Ababa administration) and the Tigray Regional State. (...) [149 words] [$4,7]

THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER n°1234 - 15/03/2008 POLITICS & POWER/BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Addis Ababa

The number three in the Ethiopian ministry of security, Tariku Sedo , died in a road accident on 25 February while returning to Addis Ababa from Debre Zeit/Bishoftu where he was supervising the security measures for the federal government decision to take direct control of certain local zones, withdrawing them from the authority of the Oromiya Regional State . (...) [126 words] [$1,5]

The 64k question is why did the Foreign Minister Siyum flew to Khartum? I won't be surprised if it isnt to offer a ' New Deal' to the besieged Sudanese in their Capital. By the way, I have no doubt that the Ethiopian govt gave some lands to the Sudanese I read the ENA news release and there is nothing to categorically refute the fact. The accords signed in early 1900s(02, 03 07 and whateve) are binding on Ethiopian govt. But the real issue is, whether it was worth implementing those treaties, at this critical juncture in Ethiopian History, in light of the massive animosity the Ethiopian govt has amassed amognst its million strong diapsora of die hard Nationaist... I guess not. The folks abroad have no idea how Ethiopia is dependent for its fuel needs ( discounted and highly favorable payment terms. It is anyone's guess how much break it is getting from the 'uber friendly( Brotherly according to Minilike Wesenagchew) Sudanese who were, for the most part, thankful to Ethiopia for the waters flocking from its Highlands. I have heard that despite our problems with Egypt, as ways to exploit the resources of the Blue Nile, We are on good terms with our Sudanese brothers. I will never forget what one of them told me about the fact 'however Ethiopia tries to curb the Waters of the Nile' even God won't be able to tame the Mighty River and its' equally torential incredible tributarries ( Mighty Baro, Giglgel Beles, Atbara, Akoba etc) and there will always be ample water for them

For ' Real Politc' reasons, Ethiopia should made a ' hush hush deal' like leasing some land to the Sudanese Farmers somewhere else. Speaking about which, the State of Djibouti, according to published reports, has secured 5000 hectares of farming land from Ethiopia. Afterall, We have Blue Eyed Europeans and total strangers from far away, who are leasing prime Horticulture land for a fraction of the cost. I read reports that Israelis are some of those reporting on the situation near Quara, where Sudanese have 'occupied and allegedly tortched tukuls and settlemnts' I don't see any reason to doubt the ' Israeli Settlers of Quara'! Where there is smoke, there is fire.

The Ethiopian Govt has to be more tactful when dealing with its extreme vocal Expatriate Subjects. Mr Seyoum tried to fool us once about Bademe. I listened to his ' Interviews' about the Algier's Fiasco, about turbulent Somalia, as well, on the BBC. None impress me! I have followed his ' numerous' trips to Baidoa and Mgadisho, none of which were fruitful Unlike Mr Zenawi, whose skills in expressing his points across is on a par with ' The Great Communicator The Late President Regan', Mr Mesfin's diplomatic skills has left some doubt in my mind.

Ethiopia is one of the Powerhouses ( Africa and Middleeast) and it needs a tough diplomat, who is capable of addressing major diplomatic nuances both to its satelites and, most of all, its restless millions scattered throughout the World.

In conclusion, I don't think it is the time or place to demarcate the border between Sudan and Ethiopia. The prior will be the benefeciary ( wasn't the treacherous British who signed that Treaty on itis behalf a Century ago and one has to see them loose....) The absouloute majority members of the UN has outstandingg border dispute, they just forget about it.. I will give a set of examples: The Chinese and Russians; The US and Canada; The British and Argentinians and most African Countries. This means, we can be friendly with them without handing them out a portion of our territory despite their ' Legitamte' claim! It needs a capable and loyal diplomatic corpse to smoothe it out. From wht I gather, we seem to lack them. We gave up Assab and Massawa despite the fact that the Peace Treaties which ended the War with the Axis and established the Order of Post World War II specifically stipulated that Ethiopia should be accorded a ' sea outlet' for its important role in predicting and ending the Great War across half of the World!

more than the news we have liked the comments. please tell us by directly interviewing the local peoples about the situation. also we wanna appreciate if some one gives factual situation from the area. we are too bored of listening what EPRDF is propagating and we are realy disturbed. what they are doing is "legitimising" their big deal with their sudanese counterparts. bye VICTORY FOR ALL ETHIOPIANS!

Dear Editor, The Monitor (Kampala) editorial@monitor.co.ug, Newsroom@monitor.co.ug, Newsdesk@monitor.co.ug,

RE: Africa: Ethiopia Dismisses New Border Deal With Sudan Posted to the web 14 May 2008

Dear Editor,

Unlike many other nations, Ethiopia is always privileged with a free pass to fool the world, even when invading it's neighbors in violation of international treaties or massacring and starving-it's own people. Your reporter, Argaw Ashine, must have bee working hard in trying to reassure the world that Ethiopia is NOT making another war, in another boarder, with it's another neighbor, Sudan.

Dear Editor, In your recent report, "Ethiopia Dismisses New Border Deal With Sudan", (Posted to the web 14 May 2008), the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that "the demarcation process was being executed with mutual respect and based on historical evidences. This border demarcation activity is based on the agreements signed with Sudan and former colonial master Britain."

One wonder's if Ethiopia is so much interested, committed and dedicated for honoring & upholding "matual respect, historical evidences, signed agreements & international treaties", as the Ethiopian Forgien minister would like us to believe, then, why would Ethiopia refuse to accept, enforce and implement the seven years old "final and binding" Algiers's treaty and Ethio-Eritrean boarder demarcation. Ethiopian propaganda minister, as usual is marketing Ethiopia, but the whole world can see Ethiopia is embroiled in bloody boarder wars with most of it's neighbors, Somalia, Eritrea and now, Sudan, while waging decades old wars against it's own majority people, the ethnic Oromos & the Ogadens. Dear Editor, How's that for "being executed with mutual respect and based on historical evidences"? Sooner or later, Ethiopia will learn "mutual respect" the hard way or end up broken apart to pieces, just like former Yugoslavia or soviet Union, for "those who fail to remember history, are condemned to repeat it."

Thank You Gerrie Lijam

the Ethiopain and [wayane] greed to his limes is old .we are remeber when killed theirs king yohance in galabat by Mhdiy brince 1894 i think ,Greed other than calculated adventurers On international community to role plays Duties in him and not widens That is not problems of pasture or and farmers just as says terminal ,That is old when put the feets of boldness colonial in our continent . Wayne becaming really dangruos in africa, Engine headed for the Disputes so in horn Africa,Be necessary on them thought firstly in the exit from the dilemma which making whit eritrea, Marks of the borders put in har places Not creat more Mazes . Wayane Continued claws colonized in his old shackles and the modern to looting of our wealths with pure my wishes hit brothers for propellant about truths complete. yuors cencerly omer0073

This account is suspended. why we are miss yuo

the Ethiopain and [wayane] greed to his neighbours is old .we are remeber when killed theirs king yohance in galabat by Mhdiy brince 1894 i think ,Greed other than calculated adventurers On international community to role plays Duties in him and not widens That is not problems of pasture or and farmers just as says terminalour tow sides ,That is old when put the feets of boldness colonial in our continent . Wayne becaming really dangruos in africa, Engine headed for the Disputes so in horn Africa,Be necessary on them thought firstly in the exit from the dilemma which making whit eritrea, Marks of the borders put in har places Not creat more Mazes . Wayane Continued claws colonized in his old shackles and the modern to looting of our wealths with pure my wishes hit brothers for propellant about truths complete. yuors cencerly omer0073