The Monthly Publication of The Ethiopian Embassy in London 

ETHIOPIAN  NEWS

Volume 4 Number 6  April / May 2005 On-line version   

Election Board announces preliminary results for Parliamentary Elections

 EPRDF Returned for Third Term

Opposition parties gain more seats

Election praised as huge success for democracy

Ethiopia’s ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), has won a majority of seats in the country’s parliamentary election, held on 15^th May. According to the latest figures released by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the EPRDF have won 300 of the parliament’s 547 seats, with the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) on 121 and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) on 55. Fully official results are expected to be announced on June 8^th although these will exclude the Somali State, where elections have been postponed until 15^th August due to the greater demands of registering and polling the large pastoralist electorate.

The opposition parties have made huge gains in Addis Ababa, with the CUD winning all 23 seats, as well as the capital’s city’s council. It was confirmed that the EPRDF would be returned for a third term, due to strong support from rural areas, and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said that the government would work in good faith with the opposition.

NEBE Chairman, Kemal Bedri admitted that results from some remote polling stations had taken longer than anticipated due to communications breakdown and that some provisional results had been delayed to ensure any complaints from candidates and political parties would be fully reviewed.

The Election Board authorities said that elections will be conducted in a few areas where irregularities were witnessed, taking into account opposition complaints.

Huge voter turnout

Polling for Ethiopia’s third federal and regional parliamentary elections proceeded peacefully throughout the country on May 15th as an estimated 90% of the electorate turned out to vote in 31,000 polling stations across the nation. Foreign observers welcomed the massive queues as a sign of people’s faith in Ethiopia’s polls, described by former US President and election observer Jimmy Carter, "as good as any we have seen."

Over the course of polling day there were complaints from some polling stations of delays in the process, due to the large voter turnout and a shortage of voter-marking ink, although additional booths were set up in crowded stations to speed up the process and supplies were provided from neighbouring polling stations. The NEBE reassured voters that while the polls closed at 6pm, anyone still remaining in the queues inside and outside the polling station at that time would be allowed to vote, after having patiently waited at the crowded stations to cast their ballot.

Observers praise election

Ana Gomes, the Chief Monitor for the European Union Election Observation Mission, applauded the election, calling it a “victory for democracy and a credit to all parties who participated” in an interview with the BBC.  

Ms Gomes also praised the conduct of the election and voting preparations in an interview with IRIN, the UN Integrated Regional Information Network, as campaigning entered its final weeks.

said, referring to the 2nd May when, for the first time in Ethiopia’s history, a televised debate took place between three political parties. The debate, which concentrated on national security and foreign policy, was attended by representatives of the ruling EPRDF and the CUD and UEDF opposition parties.

She also praised the conduct of the rival political rallies held in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa, which were attended by hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians and passed without incident.

“People are coming out in huge numbers, as seen here in Addis Ababa,” continued Ms Gomes. “It shows that they want to live in a democracy, to express their views and are confident in that respect.”

“Let me just highlight this extremely positive development. It is not just the numbers but the confidence this demonstrates on the part of the people, their hope in this process and their wish to have a say.  I am absolutely sure that the way everybody behaved gives a sense of maturity of everybody and the wish to make the process successful.”

Gomes said that EU observers had been deployed in different parts of Ethiopia, apart from the Somali State with the first team having arrived on 19th March. The EU election observation mission to Ethiopia, the third largest in its history, was in daily contact with officials from the NEBE, representatives from contesting political parties and civic authorities.

The NEBE Chairman, Kemal Bedri, confirmed that more than 300 international observers were in Ethiopia for the elections, most of which were sent by the EU, the Carter Center, the African Union and the Arab League. The United States of America, India, Japan, China, Turkey and Russia also deployed observers from their countries or respective embassies in Addis Ababa. Representatives from the Pan-African Parliament were also deployed, as part of its efforts to closely monitor the activities of member countries in strengthening democracy.

● Former US President Jimmy Carter arrived in Addis Ababa on 12th May to observe the national elections. President Carter held discussions with Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and members of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.  The Carter Center assigned 50 election observers in 22 teams across the country, including the municipalities of Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa. In a preliminary statement after polling day, the Center commended the more open debate seen in this election campaign and the staging of large rallies, while praising the enormously high voter turnout on polling day and the greater participation in the political process.

Axum Obelisk Returns after 68 years in Rome

68 years after it was removed by Italian fascist troops, the Axum Obelisk is now home. After decades of wrangling and weeks of uncertainty and delays, the 1,700 year-old Axum obelisk began its journey back on Tuesday 19th April, when the first section was flown in by Antonov 124 cargo plane just before dawn. The other two sections arrived early on the mornings of Friday 22nd and Monday 25th April.

“I am very happy,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. He was present at Axum airport to witness the arrival of the last piece of the obelisk.

"This is not only a piece of stone, this is a whole symbol of identity," he said as he boarded the plane with his wife and Italian officials to inspect the cargo. "It is the end of a very bad chapter," he added.

"I think this will bring about a major change of attitude in those countries that have treasures that do not belong to them." The Government hopes that the return of the obelisk will encourage others who have looted items in their possession to return them to where they rightly belong.

President Girma Wolde Giorgis wiped away tears as he greeted the obelisk.

"This is the land of the Queen of Sheba, and the obelisk belongs here," the President said. "I never thought I would be alive to see its return."

The head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna Paulos said, “Justice has been done. This was the right thing for Italy to do."

The State Minister for Information, Netsannet Asfaw, said: "I feel it's almost not real, I'm so happy. It's been so long. Now we are lucky enough to receive it. It's something that is our identity, it is who we are. We are very grateful to the Italian people and the Italian government to decide to give it back to whom it belongs."

Many Ethiopians see the obelisk as an important national symbol – its return has been subject to great national anticipation and excitement. The Italian company responsible for transporting the obelisk, Lattanzi, said the obelisk was the largest and heaviest object ever transported by air. Heaters were installed to protect the monument from freezing air temperatures, and steel bars were wrapped around the obelisk to stabilise it in case of turbulence during flight.

The return of the obelisk has already impacted on the Ethiopian tourist industry, with African specialist tour operators Cox & Kings set to include visits to the monument in its Ethiopian Odyssey tour. Paul Salt, the UK Representative for Yumo Tours, Cox & King’s ground handlers in Ethiopia said “This is very important news for Ethiopia. The obelisk has apparently suffered from the effects of pollution in Rome, so we are delighted it is now back in the dryer climate of Axum.”

More finds at Axum

In related news, the team sent by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to the Axum World Heritage Site has discovered major archaeological relics. The team, who were sent to prepare the site for the reconstruction of the obelisk, have found underground chambers and arcades in the vicinity.

Using geo-radar and electromographic prospection, the team located several vast funerary chambers under the site’s parking ground, which was built in 1963. According to experts, the site is a royal necropolis used by several dynasties before the Christian era. The collected data is to be processed at La Sapienza University in Rome and used to create 3D models of the royal tombs. A number of tombs have been discovered in Axum since the 1970s, with their riches now held at the archaeological museums of Axum and Addis Ababa. One tomb – the Tomb of the False Door – is open to the public. The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, welcomed the discovery saying that opening these new tombs to the public “would represent an additional asset for the site, which, by boosting cultural tourism, would contribute to the economic development of the country.”

Ethiopian Airlines increase Boeing 787 Dreamliner order

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will buy ten new Boeing 787 jets, doubling the number of firm orders it announced earlier this year.  As part of the initial order, announced back in February, the airline said it would buy five of the long-range Dreamliner jets outright, and obtained purchase rights for a further five. Those purchase rights were exercised on 31st May, and the airline plans to take delivery of its first 787 in 2008.

The deal, worth about US $1.6 billion at list prices, makes Ethiopian Airlines the first Africa based operator to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliners and the first 787 customer to exercise purchase rights or options for the rapidly selling new jetliner, which is essentially sold out for its first three years of production.

"Having been the first to bring jet service to the African continent, Ethiopian Airlines is excited to once again be the first by launching operations in Africa with this revolutionary airplane," Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake said.

Alan Mulally, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said “the market appeal for the 787 continues to grow."

"We're proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Ethiopian Airlines through the 787, which will help airlines all over the world operate profitably while flying people directly where they want to go, with exceptional comfort and with unmatched economic efficiency."

The Boeing 787 was developed as an entirely new airplane which incorporates composite technology that lends to operating efficiencies and performance characteristics exceeding conventional airframes. Boeing's partnership with Ethiopian Airlines dates back some 50 years. Today, it operates an all-Boeing fleet of 737 and 767 airplanes.

Ethiopia at forefront of African ICT

The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) has officially launched the country's broadband service in a move that places Ethiopia at the forefront of African information and communications technology (ICT). The project aims to provide Ethiopia with a strong ICT infrastructure, which will allow universal access to the information highway for its people.

"Broadband will place Ethiopia at centre stage, not only on the continent, but also globally. Keeping in touch with current technology is just as important in the modern world as breathing, and broadband is the oxygen of the 21st Century."

Increasing the country’s internet coverage is one of the Government’s priorities. At the “E-Enablement of Ethiopia: Transformation in Africa” international information technology conference in April, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced that internet coverage would be boosted to cover the entire country within three years, declaring that hi-tech information technology “lies at the heart of transforming the country.”

The Government’s School-net and Woreda-Net projects – which will provide IT network access to schools and more than 600 woreda administrations across the country – are also nearing completion, while Ethiopia’s prominence among African nations in the development of ICT infrastructure, led to Addis Ababa hosting the annual conference of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation in September last year, with more than 120 experts drawn from numerous African countries in attendance.

“Knowledge equals strength and power, and the key to knowledge is information access, which is why this national network is of such importance to Ethiopia," said Hanif Randera, Executive Director of Dimension Data, "it is time for Africa to stand up and make it clear to the rest of the world that we are also part of the universe."

Major international climate meeting held in Addis

Ethiopia played host to the 23rd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was held in Addis Ababa from 6th to 8th April. More than 150 delegates from 99 governments gathered in Addis to consider the IPCC special report entitled “Safeguarding the ozone layer and the global climate system: issues related to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs)”.

In his opening remarks at the meeting Ethiopian Minister of Water Resources Shiferaw Jarso said that despite its reasonably good agricultural potential, biodiversity, water and mineral resources, Ethiopia suffered from land degradation, deforestation and desertification, as well as pollution from industry.

"Due to the adverse effects of climate variability, Ethiopia is prone to severe and recurrent drought. Abject poverty is affecting the country. To reduce this serious problem the country has formulated an integrated development strategy," he said.

“The Government of Ethiopia has introduced a number of remedial measures from the highest policy framework down to implementation at the grassroots level. Being highly dependent on rain-fed subsistence agriculture, our policy focuses on rural development and poverty reduction. To our people there is no doubt that climate change will pose additional stress to Ethiopia’s natural resource base and its economy, which is already very sensitive to climate variability."

“By signing and ratifying the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, Ethiopia has made it clear that it will contribute to the international effort to combat climate change,” Minister Shiferaw said.

The report by the IPCC – which was formed by the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme – details both scientific and technical information regarding alternatives to ozone-depleting substances that may affect the global climate system, and assesses the options available to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Italy to lend 2.4 billion Birr

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Sufian said the loan illustrated the “prevailing cooperation between Ethiopia and Italy” while Ambassador La Tella noted that the new agreement was the highest amount the country has ever signed with Ethiopia. The Gilgel Gibe II Hydroelectric power project will have the capacity to generate 420 mega watts  which will raise the country’s power generation capacity by 60%. The loan, which will also be used to finance other infrastructure works, is to be paid back over the next twenty years.

Meles visits Paris

A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi visited France in April on a mission aimed at bolstering relations between the two countries. The mission was the Prime Minister’s first-ever official visit to France, and was aimed at strengthening the economic relationship between the two, opening more markets for Ethiopian goods in France and increasing French investment in Ethiopia. The Prime Minister began his visit by meeting with French business leaders and investors, which included representatives from 40 companies, including Airbus, hotel and tourism group Accor, and telecommunications giants Bouygues and Alcatel.

During the talks Meles called for greater investment in Ethiopia and presented the country’s development strategy, priorities and business opportunities on offer to the gathered company representatives, to demonstrate the “numerous investments opportunities” for French investors. Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to US $64.4 million (€50 million) compared to $200 million (€155 million) between Ethiopia and China. While France ranks as Ethiopia’s 11^th biggest trading partner, the meeting established that both sides wanted to see this position improved.

Michel Roussin, the President of the French Confederation of Companies, said that the very fact French companies such as Accor – the French hotel chain that signed a $17 million (€13 million) contract to construct two hotels in Addis Ababa in January – BGI, Alcatel and Total have already invested in Ethiopia, would pave the way for more foreign direct investment.

Representatives from the Confederation, which has more than 120 member companies, visited Ethiopia last month to view the investment atmosphere in the country. Peace and stability, combined with improved governance, had encouraged investors into numerous projects across Ethiopia, which is believed to be an attractive investment destination because of its skilled workforce potential and broad access to markets. Investors were told that their projects would receive government attention and support, based on their contribution to national development and whether they were engaged in priority sectors, and not on the amount of capital that would be brought into the country.

During the four day visit, which ended on 17^th April, the Premier met with French President Jacques Chirac, who reiterated his commitment to continue its cooperation. The Prime Minister also met with French Senate President Christain Poncelet, Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Commissioner and former Prime Minister Edouard Balladur and members of the Ethiopian community in Paris. Other members of the delegation included Foreign Minister Seyoun Mesfin and senior government officials.

EEPC signs agreement for electrification of 40,000 rural homes

KEC International has won four contracts worth $52.9 million from the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPC) for rural electrification. It is estimated that once the project is completed, the lines will provide electricity to more than 40,000 rural households.

Three of the contracts are for the construction of power distribution networks and include the construction of 33kV/400kV voltage distribution lines to be used for rural electrification throughout Ethiopia. Spread over hilly and forest terrain, the total length of the 33kV lines is more than 2,000 km, while the low voltage lines will be more than 450 km long. The fourth contract is for the laying of fibre optic cables and 230KV single circuit transmission lines from Kombolcha to Semera (a distance of 180 km) and Semera to Dicheto (63 km).

The project, which is funded by the African Development Bank, also includes the installation of 180 low voltage substations. KEC International is an RPG company – one of the largest business houses of India, with a global presence spanning a spectrum of business across industries.

PM Meles Receives International Award

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been awarded the Crystal Eagle International Leadership Award by an association of African-American businessmen. Tabor 100 conferred the prestigious award on 6th April on the Prime Minister for his huge contributions to economic and social transformation in Africa. The organisation also commended the efforts of the Government and people of Ethiopia to extricate the country from the grip of poverty.

Ethiopia launches internet coffee auctions

Ethiopia is to begin auctioning nine of its best quality coffee brands online to help boost sales and reach a wider market. In the first move of its kind in the country, the Agriculture Ministry will start the internet auctions in May 2005.

"This is the first time we have ever tried something like this," said Abraham Begashawe, manager at the Coffee and Tea Quality Control Centre with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, "we are hoping the auction will attract a wider buying public and also increase sales overall."

Ethiopia produces around 200,000 metric tonnes of coffee a year. The Ministry expects to sell around 30,000 kg in the auction, appealing mainly to small, specialised roasting companies in the United States, Japan and Europe.

Ten different types of coffee have been selected for the auction after more than 190 varieties – originating from places such as Yirga Cheffe, Sidamo, Nekemte and Illubabor – were tested by 13 judges from Ethiopia, the US, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands and France. The finest coffee beans, according to Abraham, were selected because they were organic with a superb, aroma and flavour.

According to the government, coffee contributes 60% of Ethiopia's foreign earnings but in recent years however, the price has slumped, hitting export earnings, which dropped from 70% to 35% in five years. Ethiopia's finance ministry estimates the collapse in coffee prices has cost the country some US $830 million in lost export earnings over that same period. Abraham said that although prices were beginning to creep up again, they expected to receive a high price of around $4 per kilo in the auction.

Half of the coffee drunk in Japan is from Ethiopia while most is exported to Germany - some 30,000 tonnes - with Britain importing around a thousand kilos a year.

Influx of Investors attracted to Ethiopia increases

New figures announced by the Ethiopian Investment Commission show that the influx of investors in Ethiopia is continuing to grow steadily, with licences issued to 2,200 investors over the past nine months.

The total aggregate capital of the licenced projects amounts to 30 billion Birr, 10 billion of which has come from 470 foreign investors. The increase in investor numbers makes for a substantial improvement. In the ten years from 1991 there were a total of just 500 investors.

Abi Wolde-Meskel, one of the EIC Commissioners, attributed the increases to the pro-investment incentives being offered to entrepreneurs and the improved working procedures introduced by the Federal government, which has also sought to boost investment in key areas of the economy, such as leather production, agro-industry and tourism. Commissioner Abi said that the majority of entrepreneurs granted licences by the Commission and regional investment bureaux were engaged in the industrial sector, with others involved in floriculture, tourism, education, health and construction activities.

New $68.8 million loans and grants

The Ethiopian Government has signed agreements with the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Saudi Development Fund (SDF) that will provide US $68.8 million in loans and grants. Sufian Ahmed, Minister for Finance and Economic Development, signed the agreements and said the money from the ADB would be used for the Ethiopia-Djibouti Power Interconnection Project, the elimination of the Tsetse fly and tryponosomiasis (also known as ‘sleeping sickness’) as well as plans for the development of fishing and construction of the Mombassa-Nairobi-Addis Ababa road.

The $18.8 million from the SDF would be allocated for the construction of the Azezo-Metemma road, which will link Ethiopia with the Sudan, as part of the wider enhancement of economic ties between the two countries.

HIV/AIDS prevention at forefront of health agenda - Meles

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has launched the new National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Strategic Plan, which puts the fight against the virus at the forefront of the Government’s health agenda. Speaking at the second annual field meeting of US President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief conference at the Sheraton Addis on 24^th May, the Prime Minister said the new plan would help enhance the capacity and effectiveness of arresting and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Ethiopia - which has the fifth highest number of people living with HIV in the world - is one of 15 countries being targeted under the emergency plan.

“It is in the light of the complex nature of the challenge that analysis and revision of policy options to deal with HIV/AIDS has been carried out,” Prime Minister Meles said, adding “the Strategic Plan being launched is the result of extensive consultations with stakeholders.”

Meles outlined the principles of the Strategic Plan, saying it was designed in recognition of the fact that a change in behavioural patterns was key to halting the spread of the virus and that such a change would be best achieved by the community. The plan aims to empower the community by encouraging greater involvement in HIV prevention programmes - with a particular focus on youth and women’s associations - as part of a recently established Health Extension Package, which has already begun work in rural areas across the country.

“The prevalence of the disease appears to be leveling off in the urban areas of the country, while it is increasing in the rural areas,” he said, before calling for an even greater effort from all stakeholders to halt the increasing spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.

US Global AIDS Ambassador Coordinator, Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, said US President Bush’s Emergency Plan is the largest international health initiative any nation has ever directed to combating a single disease. It is committed to providing US $15 billion over 5 years to assist work in implementing integrated prevention, treatment and care programmes through bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Ambassador Aurelia E. Brazeal said “hosting this second annual Field Meeting is a valued opportunity.It will allow those of us engaged in fighting HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia to highlight how we support the Government of Ethiopia’s national strategy as well as review our accomplishments and work with our colleagues from around the world.” 

ALSO IN THE NEWS

● The health care system in Ethiopia could be cited as an example to other African countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, said the Ethiopian government had been pursuing the right health strategy, with the support of the WHO, and would significantly contribute to the achievement of the country’s goals.

● Ethiopia took part in a tourism and cultural festival called Touch Africa in the Chinese capital Beijing on 25^th April. The festival, sponsored by the Beijing Oriental Culture Development Company and the Beijing World Park, was aimed at introducing African culture and tourist attractions to Chinese people, at enhancing of China-African trade relations, and promoting Ethiopian coffee.

● Hollywood star Brad Pitt returned to Ethiopia in April on a three day trip on behalf of the US-based ONE organisation. The actor travelled with the DATA advocacy group to meet with orphans of AIDS victims and visited projects offering treatments. Pitt visited projects offering AIDS treatment, orphan care, girls’ education and empowerment, and micro credit for the poorest of the poor, before moving on to South Africa for the second part of his African trip.

Society recognises Phillipson’s “outstanding contribution”

David W. Phillipson, Professor of African Archaeology at Cambridge University, has been awarded the Frend Medal by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Professor Phillipson, who is Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University, received the award on Friday 22^nd April for his “outstanding contributions to knowledge in the fields of the history of the early Christian Church” in recognition of his work in Ethiopia, particularly at Axum and Lalibela.

“I am delighted that this underlines Ethiopia's prominent role in early Christianity,” Professor Phillipson said before collecting the award.

British Museum to transfer tabots to Ethiopian Church

The British Museum has agreed to transfer eleven Ethiopian tabots in its possession to a church in London. According to the Art Newspaper, the museum has agreed to a five-year extendible loan, with the blessing of the Patriarch Abba Paulos. Of the eleven tabots held, ten are part of the loot seized by British troops at the Battle of Maqdala in 1868. Meanwhile, the British Museum has signed agreements with the Ethiopian authorities to assist with the development of their museums. A delegation to Addis Ababa last month agreed to help the University’s Institute of Ethiopian Studies with a conservation survey of its icons and manuscripts. The British Museum has also agreed to assist the National Museum of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport with the establishment of an “ethnographic village” which will house displays of the eighty ethnic groups in the country and will be situated near the city’s airport.

IES Organises Cultural conference

The Institute of Ethiopian Studies held a symposium on 4^th May in celebration of the return of the Axum obelisk during which scholars and government ministers called for the further repatriation of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage. The event, which was attended by scholars, government ministers and diplomats in Addis Ababa, also marked the launch of the “Repatriation and cultural memory” exhibition which features ancient and contemporary pictures of the Axum Steles and Obelisk, shields, swords, necklaces, parchments and manuscripts and paintings.

Independent British scholar Steven Bell pointed out that British institutions themselves have a poor record of looking after their own property and urged the British government to repatriate the Maqdala manuscripts to Ethiopian museums and churches where they would be best preserved.

Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth Ambassador Teshome Toga said events such as the exhibition “would help raise the awareness of the public on valuing the country’s historical and cultural legacies.”

Sport

Ethiopian athlete Diriba Bedada won the Belgrade Marathon on 22^nd April, beating Kenyan rivals David Chepkwony and Collins Edep and setting a new record. Diriba finished in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 10 seconds, beating the previous record of 2:12:27 set in 1994. In the women’s race Ethiopia’s Tiringo Shiferaw finished third in 2:39:47.

Ethiopian athletics hero Haile Gebrselassie smashed the UK all-comers 10k record on Sunday 22^nd May when he won the BUPA Great Manchester Run. Haile’s shaved 14 seconds off the previous record when he crossed the finishing line in 27 minutes and 25 seconds. Haile has set his sights on the marathon world record at the ING Amsterdam Marathon 16^th October.

Haile also recently received an Honorary Doctorate from the National University of Ireland in recognition of his sporting achievements and his charitable and development work in Africa. He said he was honoured to receive the degree, as education had always been one of his priorities in his work on development. “Without education, we will never eradicate poverty in Ethiopia,” he said. Haile also joined some of Ireland’s prominent young athletes at the official opening of the new €3 million sports facilities at University College Dublin.

Athlete Hailu Negussie brought more success for Ethiopia, when he won the Boston Marathon on Monday 18^th April. Finishing the run in a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 45 seconds, Hailu also became the first Ethiopian men’s winner at Boston since Abebe Mekonnen in 1989. In the women’s race, compatriot Elfinesh Alemu came second with 2 hours, 27 minutes and 3 seconds.

Ethiopia grabbed the women’s title in the Beijing International Road Relay (Ekiden) which took place in the Chinese capital on Sunday 10^th April. The squad travelled through the marathon distance of 42.195km in 2 hours 18 minutes and 8 seconds. ■

Ethiopian News – Volume 4 Number 6 April/May 2005

 Published by the Press Office, Ethiopian Embassy, 17 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PZ

Edited by James Thresher

Telephone: 020 7838 3883   Fax: 020 7838 3889

www.ethioembassy.org.uk