Thousand questions & Thousand Answers

Team of Capital reporters talked to people they met on the street, cafés and hotels to gauge feelings about the upcoming millennium celebrations. On Bole road they met Yafet Tadele, 18, ‘chillin’ with his friends.

Capital: What are your perceptions and expectation of the new Ethiopian Millennium?
Yaftet: I am happy and excited to be alive at this time in Ethiopian history. I hope to enjoy the millennium celebrations with families and friends in such a way that we never forget it. Every one should be happy to have the opportunity to see the Millennium celebrations.
Capital: What are your plans for the Millennium?
Yaftet: I want to become financially independent and be able to take care of myself in every aspect. I am waiting for results to join the university, and plan to do well in the coming few years, which I will spend in campus.
Capital: List three international personalities you would have invited to the celebrations?
Yaftet: Dr. Phil (a talk show host from the US), BONO with his band U2 and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Capital: Who would you rank as Person of the last one thousand years of Ethiopian history?
Yaftet: The great Haile Gebre Selassie.
Capital: Do you feel our country is beginning the third millennium in a positive collective frame of mind?
Yaftet: Yes, I think we are all focusing on what we can give and contribute to our country. I also think the recent pardon will create a good situation and spirit for all Ethiopians.

The second interviewee was a nine year old Capital reporters met at Ghion Hotel’s playground. Her name is Dina Fantaye; she was with her father Fantaye Wogayehu, an Addis Ababa University lecturer.

Capital: What are your plans for the Millennium?
Dina: I am a student at Lideta Catholic Girls School and I was taking winter classes there so I am hoping to do well in fourth grade next year.
Capital: If you were given the chance, who would you invite to come to Ethiopia and celebrate the Millennium celebrations with you?
Dina: I want my cousins Bubu and Blen and their parents to come from the USA.
Capital: Whom would you rank as Person of the last one thousand years of Ethiopian history?
Dina: My Parents, Sister Ayesha (Director of her school) and ABABA Tesfaye.

Later, Capital reporters met the President of the Ethiopian Patriots Association, Lieke Tiguhane Astatke, conducting a meeting in his Arat Kilo office with other members of the association.

Capital: What are your perceptions and expectation of the new Ethiopian Millennium?
Lieke Tiguhane Astatke: The coming Millennium will create a new opportunity for all of us, Ethiopians to win in the struggle against poverty. I hope the youth will follow in the footsteps of their ancestors; and keep their country sovereign and independent through out the third millennium.
Capital: List three international personalities you would have invited to the celebrations?
Lieke Tiguhane Astatke: I would certainly invite President Bush, who is currently helping our country in every aspect of our development. I would put him first on my list so that he can come and be a guest of honor for our millennium celebrations. Also, some other donors who helped our country but I cannot come up with their names now.
Capital: Who would you rank as Person of the last one thousand years of Ethiopian history?
Lieke Tiguhane Astatke: I would not want to be criticized over favoritism since he is still in power, but for me Meles Zenawi, who is serving as the solution for our country’s many problems, is a person of the millennium. Meles Zenawi is lucky to be in power at this time of Ethiopian history, which by itself makes him a great man. Doctor Sheik Mohammed Al amoudi is also a person of the millennium for me.
Capital: What would you say are the most important developments you have witnessed in the last 50 or 75 years?
Lieke Tiguhane Astatke: We are now living in a very democratic system in which citizens have the right to elect their leaders by themselves. For me to reach here is the biggest achievement of all but still all the achievements in agriculture and other sectors like telecommunication services, hotels, roads and others are also important gains for Ethiopians.

after the Patriots Association, our team started walking down the street to Merkato. At ‘Bis Meberat’, a young man was selling oranges and pineapples from a wheel barrow. Our reporters had a little chat with him to find out his plans and perception of the Millennium celebrations. His name is Kedir Feriga.

Capital: How is business? Is the millennium celebration benefiting your business?
Kedir: I am doing fine; I am getting more buyers for my oranges. Even if prices are rising, the price of fruit is still affordable to many.
Capital: Do you have any fears for the millennium?
Kedir: No, but some policemen are telling us that we can no longer sell on the streets. I may have to find another job. That will surely be difficult but if I get a good result in my 10+2 exams I took studying on the night shift, I will join a state university.
Capital: Who would you rank as Person of the last one thousand years of Ethiopian history?
Kedir: I admire Emperor Menilik II, because he introduced many new things some of which still operate today.
Capital: What are your plans for the millennium?
Kedir: I am planning to improve myself, possibly in education or in other ways. I am sure that I will enjoy the millennium celebrations together with friends and family.

After a few minutes walk, our reporters met a young man, Bikilla Tadesse running from car to car to collect fees for Gojam Berenda Dina parking service. They had a chat with him he took a break for a few minutes.

Capital: What are your personal contributions to the new millennium celebrations?
Bikilla: So far none, but I have a plan to clean our neighborhood with family, neighbors and colleagues tomorrow and on the days up to the millennium.
Capital: Who would you rank as Person of the last one thousand years of Ethiopian history?
Bikilla: Haile G/ Selassie is the great person of the millennium. He was the country’s flag carrier for many years. Haile inspired many young Ethiopians. Some of them are bringing gold medals for their country like he did for many years.
In addition to being an outstanding athlete in Ethiopian history, he made a contribution to bring peace in this country by serving as a negotiator with the Ethiopian elders.
Capital: List three international personalities you would have invited to the celebrations?
Bikilla: The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, President Clinton and Hicham Elguerge, an athlete from Morocco who beat Kenensia in the Olympics.
Capital: What are your plans for the coming Millennium?
Bikilla: I am currently working here in parking but I have a much bigger goal to achieve both for myself and my country. I am working on a project every day in the morning to become an international athlete. I hope I will become a good athlete in the coming few years so that I can become like Haile and others who did great things for both their country and themselves.