News Items

October 08, 2005
Opposition parties quit negotiations with the ruling
EPRDF
Addis Ababa, (WIC) - The Coalition for Unity and
Democracy (CUD) and United Ethiopian Democratic Forces
(UEDF) have discontinued the recent negotiations
blaming the ruling EPRDF for being not willing to
include additional agendas to the eight agendas agreed
upon.

In a joint statement they gave late on Friday evening,
the executives of the two parties said the refusal of
EPRDF to include additional agendas other than those
agreed upon , which they consider a precondition, has
forced them to pull out of the discussion.

They said the respect for the ''stolen votes'' and the
formation of National Unity Transitional Government
were the agendas they proposed to be included in the
discussion, but rejected by EPRDF.

They also said the EPRDF was unwilling to accept
agendas on issues of reconsidering the results of the
national elections endorsed by the National Electoral
Board of Ethiopia and re-organization of legal
institutions, including the board.

The movement of the defense and police forces in urban
areas was also the agendas proposed by opposition
parties for discussion but EPRDF rejected it saying it
would not negotiate the issue of defense and police,
as it is the issue of safeguarding the constitution
and national security.
Asked as to what measures they would take after
quitting the discussion, the executives said they
would pursue peaceful struggle.
Regarding the joining or boycotting the federal
parliament, they said the issue of joining the
parliament is yet to be decided .CUD has scheduled to
reach decision on Saturday.

It was to be recalled that CUD and UEDF said they had
agreed with the EPRDF that the discussion was
conducted in a constructive spirit, while pointing out
they had reached agreement on eight agendas and rules
of engagement in the joint statement they gave on
October 25, 2005.

The agendas in which EPRDF, CUD and UEDF had reached
agreement for discussion, include, among others,
accountability to the constitution of the country,
refraining from violent activities, respect the
supremacy of the law and abiding by the constitution.

Addis City Administration CUD holds talks
Addis Ababa, ENA - The Addis Ababa City Provisional
Ad-ministration said it held talks with the Coalition
of the Unity and Democracy (CUD) here yesterday.
In a statement it sent to ENA yesterday, the
Administration said it has finalized preparation to
hand over power to the winning party, CUD.
However, it said, the CUD has been requested to
disclose its position whether it will join in the city
and federal parliaments.
The Statement said the representatives of CUD said
during the discussion that the issue of joining the
federal parliament has not yet been decided and that
it is under discussion.
Accordingly, the two sides reached consensus to
discuss the issue as soon as CUD reaches final
decisions, as it would be impossible to settle the
subject in question for the time being, the statement
said.
The discussion was held in accordance with the request
made by CUD, it said.
Five Cabinet Members including City Mayor Arkebe
Ekubay and five executive of the CUD Including Dr.
Admasu Gebeyehu as well as Deputy Head of the National
Electoral Board of Ethiopia Tesfaye Mengesha attended
the discussion between the two sides.

October 09,2005
ONC says it will never overlooks forces against
rights, privileges of Oromo people
Addis Ababa, ENA -As there is no the Oromo National
Congress (ONC) under Dr. Merera Gudina, the Oromo
National Congress will never overlook those
individuals and groups who promote their benefits at
the expense of the rights and privileges of the Oromo
people, ONC Provisional Secretary said.

Bona Tadesse told ENA late on Saturday that the
central committee of the congress said that there is
no any representative of the ONC at the United
Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) during its meeting
held on September 25, 2005.
Some 38 of the 39 members of the ONC who won the
election will join the parliament due to be formed
next Monday.
Bona said though, the ONC had previously announced
that Dr. Merera Gudina would not represent the
congress on any forum, he had taken part in the
discussion held recently between EPRDF, CUD and EPRDF.
The congress has been working by designing its own
strategy like other political parties in the country,
the Provisional Secretary said.
He said ONC will form unity with other Oromo
organizations, but never with other forces were
oppressing the Oromo people.
Oromia State council concluded, elects members of
Federation council
Adama, - The founding conference of the Oromia State
council was concluded after electing members of the
Federation council and establishing various
committees.

The founding conference concluded on Saturday has
elected President and vice President of the State
Council as well as 19 members of the Federation
council.

The conference has also decided with majority votes to
lift immunity of members the Coalition for Unity and
Democracy (CUD), who refused to join the newly
established council until the next conference.

It was also indicated that only six of the 33 CUD
members who won the May 15 election joined the State
Council so far.


Moreover, the assembly has unanimously approved the
agenda forwarded by Speaker of the State Council, Dr.
Mohammed Hassen for the establishment of six standing
committees.

Accordingly, the State Council will have
administration and security, Industry and town
development, budget and finance, women and public
organization as well as social affairs standing
committees.

Some 10 representatives of opposition political
parties have been included in the committees.

The Speaker said establishment of the standing
committees is needed for the realization of government
policies with the participation of the public.

Majority MPs registered for inaugural conference
Addis Ababa, (WIC)- Registration of MPs who would
attend the inaugural conference of the House of
Peoples Representatives has reportedly been underway
up until today.
According to the Information and Public Relations
Department of the HPR, 44 members of the UEDF,
including the leaders Dr. Beyene Petros and Dr. Merea
Gudaina, and six CUD members were registered.
Also were registered 10 members of the Oromo
Federalist Democratic Movement, it said.
It is to be recalled that the ruling party EPRDF has
won 327 seats in the HPR, while the CUD secured 109
seats and UEDF 52. The Somali People Democratic Party
won 24 seats and OFDM 11 seats.

October 10,2005
HPR re-elects Meles Zenawi as Prime Minister
Addis Ababa, (WIC)-The inaugural conference of the
House of Peoples Representatives (HPR), which began
this morning, has re-elected Meles Zenawi as Prime
Minister for the coming five years.
The HPR also elected Teshome Toga as Speaker and
Shitaye Minale Deputy Speaker. The House will
reconvene its session tomorrow morning, it was learnt.

According to the latest statistics obtained from the
HPR, 44 members of United Ethiopian Democratic Forces
(UEDF) and six members of Coalition for Unity and
Democracy as well as the winning party, EPRDF,
attended the opening session.
The inaugural session was held in the presence of
foreign dignitaries, religious leaders and other
invited guests.
Meanwhile, the founding conference of the Addis Ababa
Administration was not convened as scheduled today as
members of the winning party, CUD, failed to show up.
The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia had called
for the convening of the first session this morning,
it was learnt.


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Polethiopia
Oct. 10,2005
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