Private Press in Ethiopia on Nov 18
November 19, 2008
Reporter (Circ. 12,500) reported that IGAD Council of Ministers urged the Security Council to discharge its responsibility to protect TFG from destruction and prevent subsequent disaster. Chairman of the Ministerial Council Seyoum Mesfin who expressed dismay over the disagreement between TFG’s President and Prime Minister on the constitution of a new cabinet, said the Ethiopian forces and AMISOM are not expected to pay more sacrifices. He appreciated Kenya’s readiness to send its forces to Somalia.
Mesenazeria (Circ.6,700) presented a news analysis which said Obama wanted the US Defense Minister to remain in his position…. “Obama has won worldwide support due to his different approach from that of Bush to stop terrorism without military means putting peace first….It is because of his background (both Christian and Muslim) that Obama has been able to adhere to values such as peace, love, unity, equality that pleased the world … He received congratulatory messages from countries including Iran which the US considered as enemies. … What would be Bin Laden’s reaction? Bin Laden has been saying his enemies are not Americans but the leaders…. Bin Laden has been stating that he did not have a hand in the 9’11 attack. He said, he has respect to innocent Americans and world citizens. He said in his religion, it is a sin to kill women, children and civilians without any reason. Because of this, he said he never hurt innocent people and does not have any plan to attack innocent people… If Obama addresses the US -Arab rough relations, Bin Laden may no longer hide himself. The new president’s belief that love can beat terrorism may serve Bin Laden to reveal himself….Political analysts say if Bin Laden’s break/disengagement from Al Qaida is true, it will affect the moral of those terrorists functioning in different countries under Al Qaida.”
The economic crisis has forced Ethiopians in the US to go back to Ethiopia. Electronics Engineer Ephrem Ababu has come to Ethiopia for a long vacation after he has been laid off. Different companies laid off about 500, 000 people. ..Ethiopians are affected by the economic crisis.
Sendek (Circ.4, 500) reported that Americans were restricted from taking part in the great run not because there is a particular risk—They are also warned of travel risks in Eritrea and Somalia. Mrs. Darragh Paradiso, reading the warning statement to us over the phone said, the embassy gave warning not because it received special information on security threat but because the Ethiopian government warned its citizens of security threats through public media. Citizens and employees were advised to distance from public places including public transportation and hotels. Accordingly, they cannot participate in the great run as it will attract a lot of people. Organizers of the great run have stated that 100 employees including the Ambassador had registered to run. Meanwhile, US State Department issued travel warning to its citizens of risks of traveling to Eritrea and Somalia. The statement explained people could be kidnapped, killed and robbed in Somalia; while in Eritrea, the government is interfering with diplomatic pouch against international law.
A website indicated that Birtukan may not return to Ethiopia. The Party’s deputy PR Endalkachew Mola however said, that was a rumor spread by those who do not want our party to be strong.
The paper presented a report on Bin Laden‘s relation with Al Qaeda which said the CIA director told representatives of NATO member countries that Bin Laden has distanced himself from the nucleus of Al Qaeda. … The U.S. needed t