April 5, 2007
Ethiopia united
It is good to see Ethiopians united and speaking with one voice at last.
Everyone from the 'Oromo students of the Addis Ababa University' to 'A Youths Association in Dire Dawa city' has been queuing up to give statements to the Ethiopian News Agency about the eight kidnapped Ethiopians.
And everyone has been so united that they have decided to go beyond speaking with one voice. They have been trying out variations of one sentence - and occasionally one headline.
AAU students call for safe, unconditional release of EthiopiansAddis Ababa, April 3, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Oromo students of the Addis Ababa University (AAU) call for immediate and unconditional release of the eight Ethiopians who were kidnapped in the Afar state at a place very near the Eritrean border and being held in Eritrean soil.
The Oromo nationals also urged the international community to attach due attention to the wellbeing of the kidnapped and to put pressure on the dictatorial government of Eritrea for the release of the compatriots...
The international community should exert utmost efforts toward resolving the kidnapping drama through peaceful means and condemn the activities of the belligerent and terrorist regime in Asmara.
Youth Ass'n urges int'l community to demonstrate concern for kidnapped Ethiopians
DireDawa, April 1, 2007 (DireDawa) - A Youths Association in Dire Dawa city urged the international community to put pressure on the Eritrean government to release the Ethiopians who still remain hostages after having been kidnapped at a place very near the Eritrean border along with five Europeans, who were released after being held for 12 days.
Briefing journalists on Sunday, association president, Kedir Juhar said the international community should denounce the kidnapping, as it is a terrorist act and a crime against a sovereign country.
Hence, the international community should put diplomatic pressure on the Eritrean government for the safe release of the hostages, he said.
Ethiopian Hostages Still In Eritrea: Ethiopian Security Forces
Addis Ababa, March 31, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Ethiopian Security Forces said eight Ethiopians who were taken hostages along with five Europeans on March 1,2007 while site seeing in Afar State are found in Eritrea until now...
The Ethiopian government and people are concerned over the negligence of the international community and media to pressure Eritrea to get the hostages released.
The Ethiopian people and government have been calling the international community to make pressure on Eritrea to get the abductees released.
International community urged to exert pressure for release of Ethiopian hostages
Addis Ababa, March 28, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - The Addis Ababa Teachers' Association called up on the international community to stand on the side of the Ethiopian government and put pressure in the efforts being made to get Ethiopians hostages released...
In a statement they here on Wednesday to the Ethiopian News Agency, Association President Yigzaw Bizuayehu and its Secretary General Shimelis Getachew said the issue of the Ethiopian hostages should be seen as the issue of the international community...
They also expressed sadness over the negligence the International community particularly the western media, which ignored totally the Ethiopian hostage crisis after the release of the European hostages.
International Community Urged Not To Ignore Ethiopian Hostage Crisis
Jijiga, March 26, 2007 (jijiga) - Somali State Administration Chief Abdulahi Hassen called up on the international community not to ignore Ethiopians, who were taken hostages under the coordination of the Eritrean government.
The chief administrator told Ethiopian News Agency on Sunday members of UN Security Council and the international community should denounce the practice and make diplomatic pressure on the Eritrean government to get the hostages released.
Deputy Speaker of the Regional State Council, Sultan Abdurrahman on his part said it is saddening that the international community has totally ignored about the problem following the release of the five European hostages.
Mekele, March 24, 2007 (Mekele) - The international community should not be reluctant on the case of the Ethiopians kidnapped along with the now released five Europeans very near the Eritrean boarder as it is an act of terrorism, scholars at Mekelle University said.
In a statement they gave to Ethiopian News Agency on Friday, the scholars said the Eritrean government is responsible for abduction of the Ethiopians who still are being held hostage.
Law faculty dean with Mekelle University, Adane kebede said the kidnapping of the Ethiopians is an act of terrorism as it targeted on tourists, civilians and civil societies.
He said the Eritrean Government-sponsored kidnapping is a violation of international human right laws.
He said thus the international community should enhance pressure on the Eritrean government...
The international community should enhance pressure on the Eritrean government to stop its acts of terror.
Addis Ababa, March 23, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - The Addis Ababa Youth Association urged international human right activists, agencies, and superpowers to exert utmost efforts toward the safe and immidiate release of Ethiopian hostages.
Association Chairman, Tatek Kassa told Ethiopian News Agency on Friday that lack of concern and commitment on the part of international community and media created an impression that the hostage-taking drama has come to an end.
International Community Urged To Make Pressure on Eritrea
Semera , March 22, 2007 (Semera) - Afar State Administration Chief called up on the international community to give due attention to the release of eight Ethiopians, who were taken hostages through coordination of the Eritrean government.
The Chief, Ismael Alisero told Ethiopian News Agency on Thursday that the international community should make pressure on the Eritrean government, which he said, is responsible for the abduction of the hostages...
Ismael said he was surprised that the international media have not given due attention to the hostage crisis after the release of the European hostages and added that they (the media) have the moral obligation to strive for the release of the hostages.
Ethiopia urges international community, media to put pressure on Eritrea to release hostages
Addis Ababa, March 19, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to put pressure on Eritrean government to release the eight Ethiopian hostages.
The ministry also called on the international media to put pressure on the hostage takers and to keep on informing the world about the situation.
"...Allowing the impression that the hostage-taking theatrics has come to an end ... would endanger and compromise the safety and well-being of the abducted Ethiopians," says the State Minister.
Religious leaders appeal to kidnappers to free eight Ethiopians
Addis Ababa, March 18, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Leaders of four religions in Ethiopia have expressed grave concern that the eight Ethiopians have remained hostage while the foreigners have been released after they were kidnapped very near the Eritrean border on the 1st of March, and urged kidnappers to release them immediately as the act, inasmuch as being inhumane will not be of any gain to anybody.
Having called on the international community and governments to press for the immediate and unconditional release of the Ethiopians, they have also entreated with counterparts in Eritrea to take in the seriousness of the matter and play their share for the peaceful settlement of the issue.
Posted by aheavens at April 5, 2007 7:27 AM