Council Of ministers discusses, refers bills to federal parliament

The 30th regular meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday discussed and passed decisions on six agendas, the Office of the Prime Minister said.
In a statement it sent to Ethiopian News Agency on Friday, the Office said micro economy and fiscal framework for 2000 to 2002 has been the first agenda the council discussed.
The office said the framework for the medieval years of 2000 to 2003 has incorporated a brief summery of the general economic performance of the country in recent years.
Predictions on the general economy, federal government finance and budget and foreign finance flow for the three years have been discussed, the statement said.
The statement said the framework mainly indicates income and expenditure, cost coverage, budget preparation guidelines for the coming budget year as well as prediction considerations. After making some amendments to the framework, the council has decided to implement the framework. (March 2, 2007 ENA)

EC signs 25 mln birr grant with CSOs

The European Commission Delegation in Ethiopia signed here on Thursday a 25 million Birr grant contract with 11 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Speaking on the occasion, Head of the EC delegation, Ambassador Tim Clarke said more than 60 partner organizations operating in the areas of women empowerment, conflict prevention, advocacy and lobbying, constituency building, among others will directly benefit from the grants.
The EC Civil Society Fund aims to increase the engagement of Ethiopian non-State actors in dialogue with their constituencies, with government, while also building their capacity to be stronger development partners, according to Ambassador Clarke.
The EC Civil Society Fund is the first EC program jointly managed through tripartite arrangements in which the donor, government and civil society organizations cooperate on a regular basis, he said.
The Commission has plans to provide over 104 million Birr grant within the next five years, according to Ambassador Clarke.
Through the 11 CSOs, activities will be carried out in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and seven other regions. (March 1, 2007 ENA)

Landmine Survivors Network Ethiopia urges signing of convention of disabled persons

Landmine Survivors Network Ethiopia called on the nation to join the countries that would be taking the lead in signing the convention on disabled persons which is due to be signed on March 30.
Speaking here today at the celebration of the International Anti-mine Convention Day, Director of the network, Bekele Gonfa said the convention on disabled persons that has been prepared after a long process would be an important document for the respect of the rights of disabled persons.
Disabled persons and representatives of the government of Ethiopia took part in the preparation of the convention, he said, adding that the approval of the convention by governments would lay the foundation to enable disabled persons enjoy their rights and get assistance in accordance with their disabilities.
If the government falls short of approving the convention due to reasons beyond its control, it should do its level best to enable disabled persons, who make up 10 percent of the population, enjoy the benefits enshrined in the convention, he elaborated. (March 01, 2007 WIC)

EBA eyes enhancement in professional competence of lawyers

The Ethiopian Bar Association (EBA) said it has been implementing various programs to enhance the capacity of legal practitioners.
EBA made the announcement at the opening here on Thursday of a three-day workshop it organized in collaboration with the Canadian Bar Association.
Three programs are in the pipeline towards the realization of effective administration of justice in Ethiopia, documents circulated by the association said.
According to the documents one the program is organizing various periodic workshops and seminars on current legal issues with a view to promoting and upgrading the knowledge and the skill of lawyers.
The other program is intended to raise public awareness in law, human rights and rule of law, the association said.
To this end, EBA publishes a bimonthly newsletter and biyearly journals that promote public awareness on law and human rights.
Legal Aid Service, the third program of the association is designed to assist people who cannot afford to have legal service and increase accessibility of justice to the general public. (March 1, 2007 WIC)

293 mln birr Aseliso water project sped up

The Harari State Water and Sewerage Service authority said over 50 per cent of construction work on the water project being carried out in Harar Town with over 293 million Birr has been finalized.
Plan and public relations department head with the authority, Bushra Mohammed told Ethiopian News Agency on Wednesday that most of the installation of main water pipes, generators as well as construction of water reservoir and residential units for technical staff is nearing completion.
Some 12 of the 17 water wells drilled in an area called Aseliso in Dire Dawa interim administration were confirmed to have huge water resource.
Sinking of four additional deep water wells, with the capacity of generating 50 liters of water per second, is being carried out with a view to ensuring provision of clean water in the area.
Some three million Birr compensation was paid for people relocated for the installation of water pipelines, the head said. (March 1, 2007 WIC)