The Monthly Publication of The Ethiopian Embassy in London 

ETHIOPIAN  NEWS

Volume 4 Number 3 November 2004 On-line version   

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Parliament Passes Decision on Ethio-Eritrean Border Dispute

• Presents Five-Point Proposal

• Ethiopia Accepts Boundary Decision ‘in principle’

• Meles Addresses House of Representatives

The House of Peoples Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has adopted a five-point peace proposal for the resolution of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, following a speech by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The new peace initiative was approved by the Council of Ministers at a meeting on 24^th November, after a detailed evaluation of the current border demarcation situation, and was submitted to the House on 25^th November for a final decision to be made.

In his speech, the Prime Minister began by commenting on Ethiopia’s significant achievements since it declared war on poverty and backwardness to attain economic development, but noted that the unresolved problem between Ethiopia and Eritrea threatened to detract from these vital goals.

He explained the Government of Ethiopia’s opposition to the decision of the Boundary Commission, which called for villages to be split and for homes to, literally, be divided down the middle, the unaltered implementation of which, it was felt, could undermine peace between the two countries. The Government had attempted to seek a better solution, but recognised that in the ‘interest of the considerations of greater value’, it would neither be the ‘first or the last unfair and illegal decision’ made. 

“Peace has always been the strategic goal of the Government of Ethiopia,” Meles said. “Not only has our Government made clear its preparedness to engage with Eritrea in a dialogue, but it has also made all the necessary efforts to make this known to the Ethiopian and the Eritrean peoples as well as to the international community at large.

“The Ethiopian people and Government have made it clear that while, on the one hand, we will always remain vigilant in the defence of the country and enhance its capabilities for that purpose, we on the other hand, demonstrated our unwillingness to go to war with Eritrea or with any other country.”

Detailing each of the five points of the plan, the Prime Minister said that the Ethiopian Government ruled out the “use of force as a means of resolving problems, once and for all”, and intended “to address problems and disputes through peaceful means only”. Therefore, the key to the resolution of all causes of dispute is dialogue, through which underlying problems can be addressed, and tensions between the two countries eased. He noted that, while it was appropriate and necessary to oppose the unjust and illegal decision, it was not more important than peace.

“There is no doubt that, since the proposal we are presenting shows our preparedness to go more than half way for peace, this initiative will make a great contribution for peace in our sub-region.  It is also my judgment that this peace proposal would help the international community appreciate, more fully, Ethiopia's peace agenda.”

The Prime Minister held talks with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Ethiopia and Eritrea Joseph Legwaila and UNMEE Force Commander Major General Rajender Singh on 24^th November, ahead of the announcement of the five point plan.

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Text of the Five-Point Proposal For Resolving the Dispute Between Ethiopia and Eritrea

The House of Peoples’ Representatives of the FDRE, having discussed in detail the five-point peace proposal submitted to it by H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi;

Realizing that the desire for sustainable peace of the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea can only be achieved when the present no war no peace situation is replaced with a lasting and durable peace between the two countries;

Cognizant that the resolution of all disputes between neighboring countries by peaceful means only and through negotiation is the only guarantee for lasting peace and for promoting mutual interests;

Reiterating  Ethiopia's conviction which remains unchanged  that the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission was flawed, but nonetheless realizing that nothing is more  important than the achievement of lasting peace between the two counties; and

Has hereby adopted the following five-point peace proposal:

1. Resolve the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea only, and only, through peaceful means.

2. Resolve the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with the view to normalizing relations between the two countries.

3. Ethiopia accepts, in principle, the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission decision.

4. Ethiopia agrees to pay its dues to the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission and to appoint field liaison officers.

5. Start dialogue immediately with the view to implementing the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission’s decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the two peoples.

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PM Makes Official Visits

November has been a busy month for official high-level delegation visits, with trips to China, Germany, Austria and Italy by the Ethiopian Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister Meles was accompanied by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu,  State Minister of Finance and Economic Development Dr. Mulu Ketsela, and State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Belay Ejigu during his official weeklong visit to China, which culminated in the signing of two agreements which closened the economic and educational ties between the two countries.

The agreements, were signed on 3^rd November after talks held in Beijing between Prime Minister Meles and his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wen Jiabao. China will allow the import of certain Ethiopia commodities free of tariff, and expressed willingness to subsidise businesses that are interested in purchasing Ethiopian products. It will also provide a further seven million birr in support to the country and permit forty Ethiopian students to use Chinese Higher Learning Institutions.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister also met with the President of China, Mr. Hu Jintao, representatives of the Chinese National Development Commission and business men, who were briefed on the investment potential of the country, and work undertaken into speeding up the issuance of visas and licences.

In Germany, Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder agreed to closen the ties between their two countries after meeting on 10^th November. The delegation also held talks with the German President, Foreign Minister, members of the Bundstag, as well as other German officials, during its four day visit. After their meeting, Chancellor Schroeder announced that Germany had decided to provide training to Ethiopian construction professionals as soon as possible, while Prime Minister Meles said that his government had been working to attract more German investors to Ethiopia in addition to those already involved in the floriculture industry. 

The delegation then left for Austria, where they held constructive discussions with President Wolfgang Shultz, senior Government officials and investors. President Shultz expressed the Austrian Government’s willingness to assist Ethiopia’s efforts to reduce poverty, and told Prime Minister Meles that his government had the will to cancel the debt his country owed as part of the international poverty reduction programme.

Prime Minister Meles also visited Italy where he called for greater investment in Ethiopia from the Italian business community. He talked of Ethiopia’s attractive investment climate and assured the assembled business representatives that the federal government was committed to tackling any obstacles that may arise. Current investors in Ethiopia were also present, and expressed their appreciation for the support given to them in overcoming transportation and bureaucratic impediments. Areas of keen interest for potential investors include the textile and leather industries, as well as the coffee and agricultural sectors.

Prime Minister Meles also held talks with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, as well as other senior Italian government officials. President Ciampi expressed Italy’s wish to consolidate trade and investment relations, and his personal commitment to encourage Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia. Meles also praised two new agreements with Italy which extend $366.3 million in credit to Ethiopia to pay for a hydroelectric power scheme, and write-off $430 million in debt, as part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.

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AU, EU, Germany & UK Welcome Parliament Decision

The Ethiopian Parliament’s decision to accept the border Commission decision has been overwhelmingly welcomed by leading politicians from around the world.

Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, responded to the announcement by saying the proposal constituted an “encouraging development in the efforts to promote lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as in the region of the Horn of Africa as a whole.” He also committed the AU to providing whatever assistance is necessary to help the process move forward towards the “normalisation of relations.”

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder  welcomed Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s clear  statement, which he called an “important step to give a new impulse to the deadlocked peace efforts”.

European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, expressed hope that the decision will lead to a speedy start of the border demarcation, and break the stalemate in the peace process. Solana also encouraged the Eritrean government to “respond positively to Ethiopia's offer of talks about the root causes of the conflict, with a view to normalising relations between the two countries".

The UK government warmly welcomed Ethiopia’s five-point proposal. Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, and Chris Mullin, Minister for Africa both said: “We hope that Ethiopia and Eritrea can now move forward together towards the resolution of this long and tragic dispute. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can.”

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Australia Cancels Ethiopia’s Debt

Australia has joined the ranks of those countries that have cancelled debt owed by Ethiopia. The Australian Government announced on 16^th November that it would forgive a US $6.1million debt, after Ethiopia met the requirements of the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative.

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EPRDF Conducts Review

(2004-2005)

The executive committee of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) concluded its first quarterly review of the Ethiopian year 1997 by endorsing future plans. The performance review and the regional and national elections for May 2005 were high on the agenda of the regular session of the committee, which ended on 14^th November. 

Reports to the Committee explained that a consensus had been reached between rural and urban communities on development and good governance, with great support reported for the implementation of the Front’s plans. It also heard reports that the voluntary resettlement programme had achieved successful results, with some resettlers managing to generate greater income than before. The Committee expressed its commitment to encourage opposition parties to work closely and inclusively with the Front, and evaluated its preparations for the forthcoming national elections, taking on board the constructive and legal input of opposition parties.

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Meles Attends NePAD Summit

Meles Zenawi joined more than twenty Heads of State and other Prime Ministers, including Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak and South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki, in Algiers for the twelfth NePAD summit which began on 23^rd November. The second peer review was held at the summit, and discussions were held on NePAD performance reports and the support provided by the African Development Bank for various projects. Under the Peer Review Mechanism, countries submit themselves for governance rating by a NePAD panel. Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda and Kenya were the first to be scrutinized under the plan.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Head of the African Union and Chairman of the Executive Committee for NePAD – the New Partnership for African Development – said that external challenges had impeded the efforts of African nations to speed up development, but felt that the partnership would enable Africans to share experiences, ensure good governance, improve socio-economic conditions and enhance Africa's role in international fora. Although no concrete steps were taken during the summit, it did provide the opportunity to review the progress over the past three years and to discuss how to integrate NePAD into the African Union.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika repeated his call for fellow African countries to rely more on their own resources and not wait for aid from international donors.  “Now we have 24 African states in the NePAD initiative.  It shows our willingness to work hard in order to promote democracy and human rights,” he said. “It is also a signal to the international community that we are serious about going forward in developing our continent. 

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 Meles Greets British Parliamentarians

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks with three visiting British parliamentarians during which he called for closer ties between the two countries. Laurence Robertson MP, the Shadow Minister for Economic Affairs, John Austin MP, Chair of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Lord Dholakia of Waltham Brooks OBE, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, were in Ethiopia from 15^th November. During their discussions, Prime Minister Meles told the parliamentarians of his belief that cooperation between Ethiopia and Britain was “gathering momentum” and called for greater trade and investment ties. Other topics raised included the poverty reduction and food security programmes, civil service reforms, global trade, debt and the efforts underway to encourage greater female participation in the upcoming elections.

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Ethiopia’s Food Security Efforts can Provide Lessons

Ethiopia’s “exemplary efforts” towards the achievement of food security can “provide lessons for countries around the world” – according to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Mr Jean Ziegler. “Ethiopia has made food security the key priority of government policy and has made important advances in the realization of the right to food, through averting widespread deaths from famine and increasing food production” Mr Ziegler said in his report to the UN General Assembly. 

Mr Ziegler, who conducted his mission in Ethiopia between 16th and 27th February this year, went on to say that the country’s safety-net programme is exemplary in that it supports the chronically hungry, and aims to increase small-scale irrigation, which could provide lessons for other countries around the world. The Special Rapporteur carries out country missions looking at the situations of the right to food in different countries across the world. Each year he delivers an annual report on his work to the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in April and to the UN General Assembly in November.

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CFA Releases Consultation Document

The Commission for Africa produced its initial Consultation Document on 11^th November 2004. UK International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn MP, who is also the Deputy Chair of the Commission for Africa, said that the document had been specifically designed to gather new ideas and to encourage feedback on the Commission's work so far.

The document reflects the CFA’s discussions that were held at the meeting in Addis Ababa in early October, and the open debates with civil society. It highlights the need to make trade fairer with richer countries through agricultural reform, the lowering of trade barriers and opening up of markets. It also suggests there should be strong support for Africa-led initiatives, such as NePAD and the African Union.

It will also form the basis for a series of consultation meetings in Kenya, Cameroon, Egypt, Zambia and Senegal in December. The document, which is not a draft for the Commission’s report, can be found on the Commission website – www.commissionforafrica.org

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Agricultural Marketing Credit Extended

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed loan-guarantee agreements with the Awash International Bank (AIB) and the Bank of Abyssinia (BOA), which will allow them to offer short and medium-term loans for marketing and capital investment in the agricultural sector.

The agreements, signed on 5^th November by USAID Ethiopian Director, William Hammick, AIB President Leiken Berhanu and BOA President Kebede Temesgen, will provide an estimated $18 million over five years to the banks. This in turn will enable them to provide loans that will benefit thousands of small-holder farmers and agricultural cooperatives and businesses engaged in the coffee, grain, horticultural and livestock industries in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali and the State of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. By increasing rural lending, the banks aim to support the government’s rural development strategy of accelerated rural economic growth, enhanced trade competitiveness and private-sector led development.

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Ethiopia is WTO First ST-EP

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has chosen Ethiopia as one of the first countries to be targeted by its Sustainable Tourism and Elimination of Poverty Initiative (ST-EP). Francesco Frangialli, the WTO Secretary General described Ethiopia “with its seven world heritage sites” as a “huge tourism magnet.”

The Secretary General made the announcement at the start of the three-day Sub-regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics and Elaboration of a Tourism Satellite Account, which was held in Addis Ababa between 16^th and 18^th November.

"Tourism is the only service industry where there is a positive balance of trade flowing from first world to third world countries," 

Frangialli added. Cities like Addis Ababa, he said, could reap enormous rewards from growth in the tourist sector.

The new initiative will offer technical and operational expertise, promote quality ethics and practices, and establish a unit to attract 

funding for tourism proposals.

Tourism features in Ethiopia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) which aims to combat poverty and encourage development. 

The government has revamped its regional airports, is restoring historical sites and offers visas upon entry to the country in a bid to 

attract more tourists. Last year, according to the ETC, some 180,000 people visited the country generating US $80 million.

Opening the workshop, President Girma Wolde Giorgis said Ethiopia recognised that tourism promoted greater integration.

"Ethiopia has once again become keenly aware of its immense development potential in tourism, and efforts are underway to 

exploit that potential in the best interests if its people," he noted.

During a meeting prior to the workshop, Mr Frangialli and President Girma exchanged views on the ST-EP initiative and other ways the WTO could provide assistance to Ethiopia, while the President praised the WTO for the support it had given to Ethiopia. Accepted as a specialised UN agency in December 2003, the WTO recognises tourism as an effective weapon in helping nations to achieve the 2015 Millennium Development Goals. It launched the ST-EP initiative to creatively develop sustainable tourism – social, economic and ecological - as a force for poverty elimination.

The sub-regional workshop, organised by the WTO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourism Commission, was attended by 212 professionals from national and international organisations.

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KLM To Fly To Addis

Royal Dutch Airlines, KLM, is to launch a service to Ethiopia, with the maiden flight to Addis Ababa scheduled for 31^st March 2005. The announcement was made by the Netherlands Embassy in Ethiopia on 24th November.

The twice weekly Amsterdam-Khartoum-Addis Ababa-Amsterdam service will use a Boeing 767-300ER and fly every Thursday and Saturday. Ethiopia’s floriculture industry has grown fast in the last three years. Holland is at the heart of the European flower trade.

“The start of KLM flights fits in with the Dutch policy in Ethiopia, to support and expand trade relations and investment between our two countries,” the Embassy said.

"KLM expects that the services from and to Addis Ababa will be very attractive to the Dutch and Ethiopian business markets. But also passengers transferring at Amsterdam Airport to and from the United States, Great Britain and Scandinavia will gain from the KLM-services."

The Embassy identified the introduction of the new service as a result of a successful Ethiopian mission, led by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Girma Biru. The high-level delegation, which included government officials and around 30 Ethiopian businessmen, visited the Netherlands at the beginning of November as part of a horticultural trade mission. The programme for the trip included the International Horticulture Fair in Amsterdam, and visits to several Dutch horticultural businesses, as well as meetings with the Minister for Development Co-operation, Mrs. Agnes van Ardenne and senior officials from the Ministry for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries.

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UK Trade Delegation to Visit Addis

A trade delegation from Britain will visit Ethiopia from 29^th November. The group, led by Director of International Trade Michael Brosch, will be representing 21 companies from the Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI). According to the British Embassy in Addis, the delegation – which represents companies involved in power supply, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and mobile communications - will hold talks with government officials, Ethiopian businessmen and  Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce representatives. The NCCI is one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in Britain with 2,800 members, which collectively employ 150,000 people, and is a keen promoter of trade between the UK and Ethiopia. 14 members of the Chamber previously visited in December 2003.

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ETC at World Travel Market

The Ethiopian Tourism Commission (ETC) promoted Ethiopia as a historically exciting and culturally fascinating tourist destination at the 2004 World Travel Market. The market, which ran from 8^th to 11^th November at the ExCel Centre in London’s Docklands, is the annual event of the international travel and tourism industry, with more than 5,000 leading suppliers and 44,000 industry professionals from over 190 countries in attendance.

The trade event allowed the world’s travel suppliers to meet with influential industry figures from airlines, with hoteliers, tour operators, search engine and online intermediaries, to negotiate and exchange vital contracts, source new products and services and learn about latest developments in the industry and network.

The Ethiopian stand, which was organised by Ethiopian Airlines and thirteen other tour agencies and hotels, was decorated with models of Axum and Lalibela, and provided the opportunity to witness a coffee ceremony, view films, flyers, posters and traditional dress.

Representatives of the ETC and a number of tour operators also took the opportunity to publish an open letter to the UK media, voicing their concerns about the negative impact on tourism caused by the recent press coverage of the Live Aid 20^th anniversary.

“Ethiopia is not the country it was 20 years ago. It has a fast growing economy and strong tourist infrastructure including many airports, better roads and quality hotels, with more on the way,” the letter said.

“Research has shown that every visitor to Ethiopia helps, directly or indirectly, at least 40 Ethiopians. Tourism could overtake coffee as the main foreign currency earner in perhaps five years. Our business offers jobs to Ethiopians and feeds their families, but negative media perceptions cancel out these benefits.”

The letter concluded with an appeal to the UK media to help make Ethiopia “the thriving tourist destination it will one day be.”

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ALSO IN THE NEWS

● Addisu Legesse, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, visited the USA at the end of October. During his weeklong stay he met with the US Secretary of Agriculture, representatives for USAID, and the heads of various agricultural universities and research institutions in Texas and Louisiana. The talks focused on how best to enhance Ethiopia’s agricultural and rural development policies, with particular emphasis on the food security programme.

● His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander Claus, the Crown Prince of the Netherlands, arrived in Addis Ababa on 5^th November on a two-day visit, during which he delivered a speech to the conference on Water for Food and Ecosystems at the United Nations Conference Centre. The Prince also visited Lake Tana with the Head of the Amhara State Water Bureau and Nile Basin Initiative specialists.

● UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appointed Sissel Ekaas of Norway as the new deputy UN Special Representative for the UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

● Jim Randell has resigned as President of the Anglo-Ethiopian Society. The Embassy would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Randell for his dedicated hard work over the years, and wish him well for the future.

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Education Leaps Ahead with Pioneering Satellite Venture

Ethiopia is leaping ahead in education on the African continent, with a new satellite-based teaching system, which allows 450 high schools across the country to receive lessons beamed directly into classrooms. Each of the lessons is enhanced by graphics, animations and real life footage. The pioneering venture, a collaboration between the Ethiopian government and the South African Memar TV company, has already seen the creation of 3,000 lessons, with an eventual total of 13,000 lessons to be produced for broadcast onto 7,000 plasma screens in schools. The venture gives Ethiopia’s education authorities the opportunity to reach out to large numbers of learners at different locations at different times.

The new system is an important element of sweeping educational reform in Ethiopia, which has seen the construction of more schools in the past decade, a revision of curricula incorporating more practical and relevant education, and improvements in teacher training. Greater numbers of teachers now receive additional English language training, and earn a higher wage in order to make the profession more attractive. As a result, there has been a leap in child enrolments, from three to nine million, and greater numbers of females attending classes in urban centres than ever before. 

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Unite to ‘Find a Solution’

Ethiopia’s musicians joined with hundreds of politicians on 18^th November to record “Find A Solution”, a charity song which it is hoped will help end the stigma of AIDS in the Horn of Africa.

The song was proposed by the National Coalition for Women Against HIV/AIDS, an organisation led by prominent women, and of which Azeb Mesfin, Ethiopia’s first lady, is a leading member.

“Songs are traditionally used in Africa to communicate important information,” Azeb said. “The new song will help spur discussions on HIV as it plays on the radio and television. We hope that people will be able to sing the song in their communities as they go about their daily chores, and help people discuss HIV/AIDS openly.”

Ethiopia’s leading hip-hop singer, Abdu Kiar said he hoped the project would raise awareness of HIV, which has infected 2.2 million people in Ethiopia. He identified the 1984 Band Aid song as an ‘inspiration’ but said “we Ethiopians must also show what we can do.”

The recording of “Find a Solution” came less than a week after the re-recording in the UK of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid 20, from which money raised will go to the Band Aid Trust for food aid to the Darfur region of the Sudan.

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Hollywood Stars Visit Ethiopia

Hollywood stars Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Danny Glover and Emma Thompson have all visited Ethiopia within the last two months. Celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston began their four day trip, organised by Washington-based lobby group DATA, on 3^rd November, to learn more about AIDS as part of a fundraising campaign to fight the disease on the continent.

During their visit, Mr Pitt and Ms Aniston toured local projects designed to fight the spread of HIV and met with eight top Ethiopian singers, who have collaborated on songs to educate people about the virus and to raise money for various AIDS programmes.

One of the singers who met the actors, Tsedenia Gebremarkos, who recently released a hit album in Ethiopia, said Pitt was keen to learn about the impact of the virus.

“He was very humble and really interested in the situation here,” Gebremarkos said. “We hope his popularity can raise awareness in the same way that we are trying to do. We need the support of people like him.”

Actor Danny Glover, UNICEF goodwill Ambassador and star of the Lethal Weapon films, began his visit to raise HIV/AIDS awareness on 24^th November. Accompanied by Ethiopian champion athletes Berhane Adere and Kenenisa Bekele, Glover will travel to Aletu to visit children whose lives have been affected by the virus, before returning to Addis on 28^th November to hand out awards to the first six competitors to finish the Great Ethiopian Run. 

The visits by the American celebrities come a month  after acclaimed British actress and ActionAid goodwill Ambassador Emma Thompson spent eight days in Ethiopia. During her stay, Thompson met with President Girma Wolde Giorgis and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and visited coffee growing woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State as well as regional development activities supported by ActionAid Ethiopia.

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Lalibela Chronology Challenged

Historical assumptions about Ethiopia’s rock-cut churches at Lalibella were challenged in a lecture delivered by Cambridge University Professor David W Phillipson on 27^th October. The lecture was delivered at the British Academy at a joint meeting of the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and the Anglo-Ethiopian Society, and was chaired by former British Ambassador to Ethiopia, Myles Wickstead, with guest speakers Ethiopian Vice-Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, H.E. Mahmouda Ahmed Gaas, and H.E. Fisseha Adugna, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK.

Professor Phillipson’s speech challenged previously held assumptions about the age and origins of the Lalibela churches and disputed suggestions that they were the work of foreign influences, such as the Egyptians. His speech also touched on the notion that sadly, the churches – which he chose to label hypogea (or underground places) as they were carved and not built - would not last forever.

“Ethiopia has a unique past, important not only for the country’s own citizens but for all people’s understanding of their place in the world,” he began. He questioned the notion accepted by many historians that the churches could be attributed to the reign of King Lalibela, and suggested there were in fact three ‘phases’ of Lalibela – A, as old as the 7^th and 8^th centuries; B, dated to the 10^th or 11^th century, and C, attributed to the late 12^th and 13^th centuries.   

He suggested the role of foreigners in cutting the Lalibela churches had been greatly exaggerated and suggested that the architectural features represented in the churches had reached Lalibela within an established local tradition, just as many aspects of the manuscript tradition, including book-binding techniques and use of Eusebian canon tables had done.

Following Professor Phillipson’s lecture, Ethiopian Vice-Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, H.E. Mahmouda Ahmed Gaas, added that his country was “rich in cultural heritage which some have already termed as ‘heritage of mankind’”, before reaffirming the Ethiopian Government’s commitment to creating “a conducive atmosphere for researchers to continue their duties, so that our history will be fully known.” He also announced that a feasibility study into the building of a Museum of Human Origins which will house all the archaeological and paleontological discoveries that have been made, was underway. Also speaking at the event, H.E. Ambassador Fisseha Adugna said that he believed the coming Ethiopian Millennium would “afford this generation a unique opportunity to look back on one thousand years of its history, and to look forward to its destiny to be fulfilled in the coming one thousand years.” He called on those in attendance at the meeting to help Ethiopia to promote investment, tourism and trade to demonstrate that the country is “much more than the image the media in this great country would have you believe.”

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Axum Obelisk Set to Return?

A deal has been made which should see the return of the Axum Obelisk early next year (2005). The Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, and Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alfredo Mantica, signed an agreement on 19^th November which resolves the transportation problems which have held up the repatriation of the 200 tonne granite relic, paving the way for its return. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who led the high-level delegation that visited Italy, said that the return of the obelisk “will mark the end of an irritating problem and the beginning of a new era in the relations between our two countries.” While no exact date has been set for its return, an Italian Foreign Ministry official confirmed that the agreement was signed “with the intention of returning the obelisk by the beginning of next year, before the rainy season starts.” A national holiday has been promised for the day it is finally returned home.

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Sports Highlights

Great Ethiopian Run Triumph

The fourth Great Ethiopian Run took place on the 28^th November with an estimated 20,000 competitors taking part. Abebe Dinkesa and Genet Getaneh won the event with finishing times of 29 mins 57 secs and 34 mins 18 secs respectively. Abebe had returned three days earlier from Japan (see below). This year the 10.2km race was started by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and saw International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack in attendance – the presence of both providing an indicator of just how popular the biggest race in Africa has become. Hollywood star Danny Glover was also present to hand out medals to the victors. The previous competition in 2003 was wildly popular. Officially 18,000 people entered the race; an incredible 25,000 actually turned up on the day. Richard Nerurkar, local race organiser and a former World Marathon Cup winner, said that after three years of building the event and its reputation, “it’s now gathered its own momentum, with people eagerly awaiting its return each year – hence the flood of entries.”

Ethiopians Triumph in Japan Ekidem

For the third year running both the Ethiopian Men’s and Women’s teams have won the Chiba International Ekiden in Japan. The Men’s team, which consisted of Abera Chane, Markos Geneti, Gebre Gebremariam, Maregu Zewde and Abebe Dinkesa, won the race – with took place on 23rd November - in 1 hour, 56 minutes and 57 seconds. The Women’s team -    Eyersalem Kuma, Meselech Melkamu, Ejegayehu Dibaba, Sentayehu Ejigu, Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba – finished in 2:11:54.

IAAF Cross-Country Success

Seventeen year-old Tariku Bekele, brother of World and Olympic champion 10,000 metres champion Kenenisa, led Ethiopia’s success at the Oeiras International on 21^st November, the first IAAF Cross Country Permit race of the 2004/2005 season.

Ethiopia to host Cecefa

Ethiopian News – Volume 4 Number 3 November 2004

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

Edited by James Thresher

Telephone: 020 7838 3884   Fax: 020 7838 0173

info@ethioembassy.org.uk  www.ethioembassy.org.uk