Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Ethiopia's Opposition Wants U.S. Support for Democracy Struggle

Check back with ETP for more news throughout the day

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Also:
- Today's Top HEADLINES
- INTERNATIONAL news
- Picture of the Day - (millennium edition featuring Faces of Ethiopia)

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UN's FULL REPORT ON THE OGADEN (UN FACT FINDING MISSION TO THE OGADEN PUBLISHES FINDINGS)

LETTER TO THE NATIONAL BLACK CAUCUS (Ethiopian American Civic Advocacy, EACA)
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Ethiopia’s main opposition, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) says the struggle in Ethiopia is a struggle for democracy, and it hopes the United States will stand on the side of those fighting for democracy in Ethiopia.

In July this year, the Ethiopian government pardoned and released from prison 38 of the country’s top opposition leaders. They had been arrested and charged with treason in a government crackdown following the 2005 parliamentary elections. Now a five-man delegation of the opposition CUD is in the United States.

[CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO REPORT]

Spokesman Hailu Araaya told VOA that the delegation is here to thank the Ethiopian Diaspora for its support.

“You know we have been in prison for almost 21 months, and the Ethiopians in the Diaspora have been helpful, so supportive in many ways such as diplomatically, financially and so on. So we wanted to come to this country to meet them face-to-face and say thank you to them. The other thing is there is a struggle going on in Ethiopia to establish democracy there, and this democracy needs the support of the people not only in Ethiopia but also outside Ethiopia. And we are here to discuss with them how best we can work together to promote the struggle for democracy in Ethiopia,” he said.(More...)

Today's Top HEADLINES

-UN fact-finders say situation in Ogaden deteriorating fast
-Ogaden NGO slams Ethiopian govt over U.N. visit
-Kinijit Leaders Continue in Ethiopia's Fight for Democracy
-Meles's bruised image recovering in Addis? (Fortune)
-EU urges Eritrea to charge or free detainees
-Police surround and fire upon Somalia ’s Radio Shabelle
-US Firm enters Ethiopia’s fuel-distribution market
-Uplift of Ethiopian plateau coincided with evolution (science)
-Africa: Many Modern Conflicts are Food Wars (Analysis)

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[VIDEO] - Finding the origins of humanity

Paleoanthropologist Zeresenay Alemseged is looking for the roots of humanity in Ethiopia's badlands. Here he talks about what he has found -- including the oldest skeleton yet discovered of a humanoid child -- and how Africa holds the clues to what makes us human.[Watch Video]
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INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

-Rice Begins Mideast Peace Mission
-Israel: Hamas-controlled Gaza 'hostile entity'
-Monks on march again in BURMA
-10 Musical Events that Changed the World
-10 Technologies That Will Change The World

-Study: L.A. drivers lose 72 hrs a year
-Kanye crushes 50 Cent in sales showdown

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Tutu calls for action on Zimbabwe

The former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, has called for tougher action to end the crisis in Zimbabwe. He told a British television station that South Africa's "softly-softly" diplomatic approach had failed and more forthright measures were needed.(More..)

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PICTURE OF THE DAY - FACES OF ETHIOPIAMillennium edition

(western Ethiopia, Nuer girl)

(The Nuer of Ethiopia are located in the western part of the country, there are also many Nuer in Sudan. Collectively, the Nuer form one of the largest ethnic groups in East Africa. Nuer warriors were noted as some of the most skilled in East Africa, with weapons made of fine crafted iron. Since the Nuer were so successful at fending off European powers, they spent much of their time interacting with bordering groups like those of the Dinka and Anuaks.)


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