German Embassy School admits Ethiopian students

The German Embassy School has taken the first pupils of Ethiopian nationality in its kindergarten and primary school after a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the German Embassy in Addis Ababa. According to the memorandum, Ethiopian families who have developed a special relationship with Germany can apply for the admission of their children into the German Embassy School. Mr. Gerhard Mai, member of the school-board, told the media that already 10 Ethiopian children will attend the German kindergarten in the coming school year. They will learn the German language in special courses in order to be prepared for the primary school where the teaching language is German.
The former German School had been closed by the Derg Regime. In its succession the German Embassy School now has about 150 students and its kindergarten is attended by 40 children. The re-opening of the school for Ethiopian students was initiated by Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after his visit to Ethiopia through a letter to H.E Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. (German Embassy School, press release)
European Commission welcomes release of Ethiopian opposition leaders
The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, welcomed the decision by the Ethiopian authorities and the announcement by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi to grant pardon and release the leaders of the CUD opposition party and the other political detainees recently condemned by life imprisonment.
Commissioner Michel praised this decision as “a major political act of reconciliation” after the tragic events of 2005 that stalled the democratization process of Ethiopia. “This outcome would not have been possible without the relentless efforts of the Group of Elders who served as mediators and the will and courage of both sides to overcome their differences for the good of the country. I have always passed the message to both parties that a solution could be found through dialogue...’he said. (European Commission Delegation to Ethiopia press release)

German Government increases humanitarian aid for Somali refugees

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Claas Dieter Knoop, announced that Germany will contribute more than 3 mln birr (250,000 Euro) in addition to the already pledged emergency funds of 10 mln birr.
The donation comes in reaction to the UNHCR’s appeal and will go towards UNHCR’s project for additional humanitarian assistance and International protection for Somali refugees in Ethiopia.
This contribution increases the overall 2007 German financial assistance to Somalia and to Somali refugees in the neighbouring countries to more than 3 mln Euro. (German Embassy Press Release)

Agency conducts market chain study

The Oromia State agricultural products marketing agency said it has conducted study on marketing chain with a view to enabling the state produce market oriented agricultural products.
Agency's General Manager, Ismael Yasin told Ethiopian News Agency recently that the study is conducted to identify market oriented agricultural products that could be produced in the state.
The study also aimed at identifying preconditions needed to produce export standard agricultural products.
Ismael said the study is believed to have identified crop varieties, production techniques and suitable sites for production of export standard agricultural products.
The study assessed contribution of farmers, agricultural experts and the business community in the sector for the production of export standard products.
Currently the findings of the study have been provided to the state's agriculture and rural development bureau and preparations are underway to practically implement the findings in the coming crop season. (ENA)

Credit, Saving Institute disburses over 594 mln birr loan

Over 594 million birr loan has been disbursed this year among low-income cross sections of the society in the Amhara State over the past five months, the Amhara Credit and Saving Institute disclosed.
Institute Planning and Research Expert, Tewabe Aysheshum, told WIC recently that the loan has been provided for 321,000 people of whom some 60 percent are framers.
The farmers have subsequently engaged in cattle fattening, bee keeping and flour mill services, among others, instrumental in backing up the efforts launched by the government to enable farmers attain food self-sufficiency, Tewabe elaborated.
The remaining 40 per cent of the beneficiaries have embarked upon wood work, metal work, urban agriculture, small businesses as well as various income-generating schemes, the expert indicated. (WIC)

AAU to open masters program in federalism study

The Addis Ababa University (AAU) announced plan to launch a new masters program in the field of federalism studies. Set for the coming Ethiopian academic year, its goal is to enable the democratic system to flourish.
The University has adequately prepared the launch of this new field of study, he said, adding that the field would admit students from neighboring countries as well as Ethiopians. According to University President, Professor Andreas Eshete, some 40 per cent of the world’s population lives under a federal government. (ENA)

Census Commissions established to coordinate population, housing census in Afar, Somalia

Central Statistics Agency said it has established Census Commissions that would coordinate population and housing census to be conducted in the coming November in Afar and Somali States.
The Census Commissions in turn will form sub-commissions that coordinate the population and housing census at Zonal and Woreda levels and preparations have been underway in terms of education, agitation, finance and human power provisions to establish coordinating committees in kebeles, according to Agency Operation, Methodology and Data Processing vice Director General, Yacob Mudesir. (WIC)

Ethiopia orders Red Cross to leave Ogaden Region, reports
The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is still trying to confirm media reports that the Ethiopian government has issued an order for the Red Cross to leave the restive Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia within one week. .
The spokeswoman for the ICRC in London, Leila Blacking, tells VOA that the organization is in talks with Ethiopian officials to determine who issued the eviction order.
On Tuesday, the Associated Press said the vice president of the Ogaden region, Jama Ahmed, told the news agency that the government has ordered the Red Cross to leave the region within seven days because its workers were siding politically with local rebels.
The ICRC says it is unclear if the vice president was referring to an order issued by the regional government or the central government in Addis Ababa, which recently launched a military campaign in the country’s volatile east to wipe out rebels belonging to the Ogaden National Liberation Front. 
The U.N.’s World Food Program spokesman in Nairobi, Kenya, Peter Smerdon, says Ethiopia is allowing WFP to distribute food in three zones.  But he says restrictions on trade and movement are hampering food deliveries. (VOA)