No State Ever Expelled NDI, IRI and IFES Except Ethiopia

Nairobi (HAN) April 17, 2005 -  In over two decades of working around the world, until now no government has expelled NDI, IRI and IFES," they said in a letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi that also referred to a third US group kicked out of the country. Two US democracy advocacy groups said this week that the expulsion of their staffs from Ethiopia last month raise questions about the credibility of the country's upcoming elections. The Ethiopian Government Spokesman Zemedkun Tekle disputes the findings of the Human Rights Council. He said My government is committed to holding free, fair and democratic elections.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) expressed "concern" and "dismay" at the March 30 expulsions that they said were the first by any government in the world of their workers. "In over 20 years of working around the world, until now no government has expelled NDI, IRI and IFES," they said in a letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi that also referred to a third US group kicked out of the country. 

"We are particularly perplexed by these expulsions at a time when your government has stated its intention to organize an open and democratic election process," they said. "This action will only raise questions about the credibility and transparency of these elections," they said. 

The letter, signed by former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright, the NDI chairwoman, and Senator John McCain, the IRI chair, was sent to Addis Ababa's embassy in Washington on Wednesday and seen by AFP on Friday. 

Ethiopia expelled NDI, IRI and IFES, formerly the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, because they had not registered with proper authorities, prompting Washington to express "disappointment" in the decision. 

The three US-funded non-partisan groups, which promote democracy and good governance around the world had been working in the country to assist in preparations for hotly contested May 15 general elections. 

They acknowledged that they were not registered at the time of the expulsions but said they had been attempting to obtain the necessary accreditation since January to no avail. 

"All three organizations have been making good faith efforts to gain registration in accordance with established laws and procedures and were assured by representatives of your government that their registration would be approved expeditiously," Albright and McCain said. 

They asked Meles, who is currently on an official visit to France, to reconsider the expulsions and allow the three groups back into the country ahead of the polls. 

The expulsions were announced as the election campaign heated up with the government and opposition trading charges of impropriety and followed the release in February of a US report critical of Ethiopia's human rights record. 

There was speculation in diplomatic circles that the move may have been related to Ethiopia's unhappiness over the report but officials in Addis Ababa denied this and noted that US groups had been invited to observe the polls. 

Government Spokesman Zemedkun Tekle disputes the findings of the Human Rights Council. He said My government is committed to holding free, fair and democratic elections.

"So, everything is moving very smoothly,” he said.  “However, you can hear that [criticism] from those organizations, such as the human rights organization, saying this and that. However, the reality on the ground is, any branch of the government has been told to make its best effort to be sure [of] democratic and fair and free election."

Ethiopia's elections are scheduled for May 15. Although about 70 opposition parties are registered with the National Election Board of Ethiopia, two in particular -- the Coalition for Unity and Democracy and the Union of Ethiopian Democratic Forces -- are the main contenders.

FRENCH PRESIDENT BOOST TIES WITH ETHIOPIA

ADDIS (HAN) 17 April, 2005 -French President Jacques Chirac and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi agreed in hour-long talks to strengthen economic and political ties between their two countries, the Elysee Palace said. Speaking on the last day of Meles' first-ever visit to France, the two leaders discussed in particular French participation in Ethiopia's development in the sectors of telecommunications, energy and aeronautics, spokesman Jerome Bonnafont said.

The talks also covered the training of Ethiopian soldiers to take part in peacekeeping operations and French support for a proposed African Union standby force to deal with conflicts.
Regional problems, including Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia's difficult relations with Eritrea, were also discussed, and Chirac accepted in principle an invitation from Meles to visit Addis Ababa, Bonnafont said.
Meles began his trip on Thursday by meeting with French business leaders, to talk of his country's development policy and business opportunities.

Last year, bilateral trade amounted to some 64.4 million dollars (50 million euros) compared to 200 million dollars (155 million euros) between the impoverished Horn of Africa nation and China.
With France only ranking as Ethiopia's 11th most important trading partner, both sides would like to see those numbers improved.

Meles, the first Ethiopian government chief to travel to France on an official bilateral tour since the reign of former emperor Haile Selassie, also met French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier on Friday.
The media watchdog group Reporters without Borders (RSF) had asked Chirac to use the meeting with Meles to press the case of two Ethiopian journalists detained in Addis Ababa for more than a year without charges.

US Marine: My heart’s in Djibouti
Washington (HAN) 17 April, 2005
Dear Dr. Date, 
I am an environmentalist here at the U and last year I studied in East Africa for a semester. I got to know this hot, amazing student from my class whos from Djibouti. We really hit it off. Dr. Date's Archive
- Previous Column


How passionate he is about nature really turns me on. it was a great three months. 
So when I got back to MN, we e-mailed back and forth and I booked him a ticket to come visit me. When he came we had a romantic week and he asked me to marry him. 

The only problem is I would be his fourth wife. I know this sounds weird here in the U.S., but in his country this is really common. My friends think I’m crazy but I truly love him!!! What should I do?
— My heart’s in Djibouti 


Dear My heart’s in Djibouti, 
Can you really live like that? I mean, it might seem all good and fine right now, but when you actually move to Africa — ‘cause you’re gonna have to — you’re going to have to compete with three other ladies for the attention of your husband — YOUR husband! 

I think that pretty much gives you my perspective on the whole situation. I don’t care for it all that much. Maybe that’s just because I’m from the United States and I’ve never lived in a culture that allows more than one wife. It seems absurd to me. If you love someone, you’re going to be jealous, want your husband to be with you and raise a family. Is that wrong? 

I think you need to really evaluate this situation. You’re going to be unable to take vacations with your husband and your children — unless you bring the other wives and the other children. 

Unless you agree with these values and the situation, you’re not going to be happy.
— Dr. Date 

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