Superdelegates-Ending the game in Obama favor

In the closing chapters of the U.S Elections fight for the Democratic Party nomination Senator Hillary Clinton has won an overwhelming victory in the West Virginia primary that did little to dent Barack Obama’s lead in the Democratic presidential race. With more than 90 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton captured 67 percent of the vote and the bulk of the state’s 28 pledged delegates. She vowed to continue through five remaining primaries, even as Obama turns his sights on Republican John McCain. While Clinton called the result “a vote of confidence” in her candidacy, Stephen Wayne, a professor of government at Georgetown University in Washington, said it won’t alter the trajectory of her campaign or Obama’s.
With her deep party ties, the New York Senator was supposed to own the superdelegate primary. But in the last two months, it’s been the rookie, Democratic rival Obama, who has maximized his superdelegate moments.
When new images of Obama pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s “God damn” America sermon emerged in March, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was escorted to a stage to dub the Illinois senator “a once-in-a-lifetime leader” and steady the candidate.
In the aftermath of another staggering wave of Wright publicity and after getting thrashed in the Pennsylvania primary, it was former Democratic National Committee chairman and Clinton backer Joe Andrew’s turn to stem the bleeding as Obama fought for a close finish in Andrew’s home state of Indiana. And then there was former presidential challenger John Edwards on stage this week in Michigan endorsing Obama and putting the brakes on any momentum Clinton might have seized from her West Virginia primary rout. It is unclear whether the timing of the show-stopping endorsements is the product of luck or design. Both the candidates and the superdelegates are on virgin turf, feeling their way through a primary phase that has never been tested since the nominating rules were written in the late 1980s. Obama’s campaign won’t elaborate on its superdelegate strategy. “As people tell us they support us, we release it,” said Bill Burton, a campaign spokesman. That’s pretty much how it worked in Andrew’s case. In an interview, the former DNC chairman said the campaign never overtly asked for his support since he’d already announced his backing of Clinton. But it stayed in contact with him, seeking guidance on issues or strategy. That lack of pressure impressed Andrew, who said he viewed it as “part and parcel with their commitment not to play the political game the old way.” Once he made up his mind to switch his pledge, he called the campaign on a Tuesday and said he’d like to go public on Thursday when he could get back home to Indiana from Washington.” They said, ‘O.K.,’” Andrew said. Such a hands-off approach, of course, doesn’t fully explain the made-for-television moments that surrounded the Edwards and Richardson endorsements. And people close to the campaign say that some superdelegate announcements have been delayed a day or two to ensure full impact.
Richardson, a former Clinton cabinet secretary, has told reporters that he decided to endorse Obama a week before it became public. The Obama campaign, on the day of the announcement, said only that the governor had informed it “recently” about his decision.
There is no doubt, however, about the impact of the March 21 event in Oregon that came on the heels of Obama’s well-received speech in Philadelphia about race in America.
Richardson’s effusive endorsement drowned out the Wright story, sent a powerful signal to Hispanics and other superdelegates, and so angered Clinton supporters that consultant James Carville was reduced to calling his former friend “Judas.”
“It’s like playing a Bridge hand,” said Peter Hart, a Democratic polling expert. “You want to use your trump cards at the right time and in the right way.” Beyond the big names, the Obama campaign has also employed his superdelegate pledges to create a lower decibel — drip, drip, drip — feeling of inevitability to his nomination quest. It began as trickle after Super Tuesday, with two superdelegates announcing one day, followed by another one two days later. Then they came in threes and fives. Now there seems to be a steady flow, boosting Obama to what is currently a 288.5 to 270.5 advantage over Clinton.
In addition to unveiling Edwards, Obama countered Clinton’s West Virginia win this week with endorsements from another former Clinton-era DNC chairman, Roy Romer, the steelworkers union, NARAL Pro-Choice America abortion rights group, and three former Securities and Exchange commissioners.
“You don’t have control of your own destiny because a lot depends on when these people want to come out and they have different ways to stage it,” said Bill Carrick, a neutral Democratic consultant. “But when you have three or four a day, you have a story every day about it.”
The incremental nature of the process runs counter to rumors earlier in the campaign that the Obama camp had a sizeable bloc of superdelegates that planned to endorse him after Ohio or North Carolina and decisively shift momentum in the race. Burton dismisses those strategic musings as “just rumors.” Doug Schoen, another independent Democratic consultant, says that ultimately a slower strategy is the best one for the campaign.
“By doing it that way, they are avoiding the charge that the bosses, the party leaders and insiders, are conspiring to deny Hillary a voice and voters a choice,” said Schoen. “My sense of it is that everything is working to their advantage. They get more press each time they do it. They are not looking like they are trying to steamroll Hillary. And the inevitability is fed,” he added.

Taking issue with new press law

By Kirubel Tadesse

The much anticipated Ethiopian press law is now in its closing chapter as the House of Peoples’ Representatives is to endorse it in less than two weeks. Amendments are still possible since the pertinent standing committees of the parliament are studying the bill and yet to have a final say even if major alterations are unlikely.
This bill [mass media and information freedom] contains fifty one articles which avow the abolishment of censorships in any media work, rights to criticize, report and to express ideas together with a rather new concept, the right to ask for information from government organs for a fee, which most question the legality of since accountability, which comes in one way by providing information on demand, should be one of the government responsibilities fulfilled without asking any fee for the service. Of course the government can claim that through the new empowerment, all citizens are entitled to demand information in written format and because of this unlimited documents size institutions can run costs that could be beyond their capacity.
Article seven of the bill, which stipulates about the ownerships of mass media, states that an individual isn’t allowed to have control of significant shares in more than one media organization, if the organization has national coverage or distributed in areas with more than 100, 000 population. In a country with our political background and history, it is understandable that only few people take interest in investing in press. Putting restrictions in one’s investments size could force some of the press to close down and leave the market since shareholders might withdraw their investments to cause the overall collapse in the company. Of course, monopoly is not desirable in any sector, as it will hurt consumers by placing the ultimate decision in the hands of few instead of the market competition.
Sub article 5 of the same article states that all shareholders of any mass media should be Ethiopian nationals. As there are some who don’t see the need to associate ownerships with citizenship, few others are demanding special treatment in the bill for Ethiopian born foreign nationals, claiming that the special investment opportunities given to them should incorporate investments in mass media companies. In this time of ICT, information a fraction of seconds away, for example, whatever BBC reports is at our disposal, may be faster than ETV, making it difficult for anyone to have a say who delivers what to whom, making it slavery in the targeted market. If there is a broadcast that targets to reach an Ethiopian audience, it is neither cheap nor democratic for the government to challenge it. If it is not healthy to challenge international broadcasts, why not then hosting them? Whoever the owners are should not matter since all the operation is liable to the country’s law. Many do not see why ownership is kept and seen as a privilege like voting or deciding the nation’s fate.
This bill, explaining freedom of information access, empowers all information seekers to ask and obtain information. It also puts responsibilities on government organs to issue predicable reports explaining its organizational setup, major operations, decision making process and the like. A more liberating sub article is one that protects information seekers from having to explain why they are asking for information.
The major problem critics point out in relation to this is that one has to wait a month, even two, to obtain info for their requests. The bill narrows down the period to ten days for seekers whose main operation is providing the public information. Even if the period is significantly shorter for the period, whether it is a press published daily or weekly, or a broadcast program, any information which ‘ages’ for ten days would become worthless. The journalist who is seeking the information could drop either the stories or print insufficient info, both hurting the target audience. If the response time cannot be narrowed down to a day or two, weekly and more frequent press and broadcasts will hugely hurt with the ten day waiting period.
This bill, resulting in many critics, has put a long list of conditions on which request of information would be denied. Among one is documents of Council of Ministers which have not been made public. Article 24 of the bill states that all documents sent to the Council should not be accessed before the Council itself officially makes them public.
All of the questions and comments, mainly stated by media professionals in meetings, should be brought to the Information and Cultural Affairs standing committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives as it would conduct public hearings before it endorses it and send to the House for final say. After that, adhering to it would be the only task remaining.

Meles meets business community

By Groum Abate

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held discussions with members of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association (ECCSA) on Monday May 12.
Meles held the discussions with the members in relation to the current economic situation faceing the country. The one-day discussion has raised different issues.
Price Hike
The premier says government measures taken to contain the ever-increasing price of food grains are bearing fruit.
Meles said the government has become successful in controlling the existing price hike, with the exception of some products like petroleum. He adds that the measures have already put the ever-increasing price of food items under control.
The government in collaboration with the business community has been importing food items like wheat and edible oil with a view to curbing the increasing price of food grains, he said, wheat flour would enter into the hinterland soon.
The government is also preparing itself to import one million tons of cement in order to mitigate a shortage in the country, Meles said.
Money Circulation
The prime minister also announced that his government is working with banks to reduce the amount of money circulating across the nation.
Actually, Meles said, a lot is expected from the business community since the private sector has key role toward the success of the government’s measures in particular and to the growth of the national economy in general.
The country has no greater agenda than eradicating poverty and backwardness, he said. Hence, the business community shall play its level best toward the same cause in line with the national economic policy.
Especially, the private sector shall work together with the government toward ensuring legal transactions and institutionalizing up-to-date system of tax collection across the nation, the premier underscored.
Eritrea-Djibouti-Ethiopia
Meles said despite in the face of the unpredictable nature of the Eritrean regime, Ethiopia will make sure the corridor was safe and sound.
“They do act silly sometimes, but I don’t think they would go totally insane,” Meles said referring to the recalcitrant Eritrean regime.
“Even so, Ethiopia has a capacity of protecting the safety of the Ethio-Djibouti trade corridor,” he added.
Asked about the relations between Eritrea and Djibouti, he said the tension between the two countries was not of direct concern to Ethiopia but could “threaten the peace and security of the whole sub-region.”
Meles told members of the business community there was no reason to worry and urged them do business as usual.
Power and Telecommunication Services
Responding on the existing power cuts and faulty telecommunication services across the nation, Meles said the government is striving to resolve the problems in the sector in a sustainable manner, though some of the problems do require some time.
The prime minister reaffirmed to participants on the occasion that the government is ready more than ever to assist entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in basic development sectors that are crucial to the overall development of the nation.
ECCSA Building
Meles said the government has decided to return a building which belonged to the ECCSA, located around ‘Mexico Square’, confiscated by the Derge regime in 1968 E.C, to the proprietor.
He announced that even though the government agencies in the building do not have any place to go they will pay rental fees until they find a place to relocate.

Groupe castel Transplanting a rich tradition

By Tedla Yeneakal and Tesfu Telahoun

Ethiopia's lakes region, which begins at Debrezeit with its numerous crater lakes, extends southwards in what must be the most beautiful part of Ethiopia. Situated in the center of this watery paradise is Lake Zeway way and the town by that evocative name. We were on our way just past the town, invited to witness a vinous occasion.
Let alone the anticipation of a historic event accompanied with a sumptuous buffet luncheon later on, the Saturday morning drive was by itself a feast for our city-sore eyes.
The Capital news crew was speeding on this vinaceous mission - to cover the ceremonial transplanting of red merlot grape shoots; which is the first step of the establishment by Groupe Castel, of what is to be Ethiopia's finest ever vineyard and winery. Attending the grand event on Saturday May 10, 2008 were guest of honor, Tadesse Haile, State Minister of Trade and Industry, Stephane Gompertz, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, other diplomats, Jean Paul Blavier, Castel Winery and BGI Ethiopia General Manager, Campillo Guy, Technical Manager of the Zway Vineyards, Isayas Hadera, BGI Marketing Manager, officials and invited guests.
The occasion was launched with prayers and blessings by elders of the locality who praised the initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, State Minister of Trade and Industry Tadesse Haile was beaming when he reiterated that the realization of the Zeway Winery was a result of the conducive investment policies of his government and assured the gathering of the government's continued support. This was a theme shared by Alemu Desie, Commissioner of the Oromia Investment Commission, who added that oromia region is highly supportive if this exciting venture.
In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Gompertz noted that the winery project was launched in January 2007 after a fruitful discussion between P.M. Meles Zenawi and Mr. Pierre Castel, Chairman of Groupe Castel. The Ambassador expressed his conviction that the successful implementation of the winery demonstrated that Ethiopia is indeed a land of many opportunities. He added that this success is also attributed to the personal effort of the Prime Minister. "I remember when P.M. Meles Zenawi visited France that the first thing he did was not to hold a meeting with the French President or other officials but rather with the business community, which he urged to invest in Ethiopia. They have taken this advice and we are now witnessing the fruits."
Tadesse Haile was given the privilege of planting the first grape vine. A commemorative plaque marks the historic moment.
The Castel Winery has acquired 493 hectares of suitable land of which 125 hectares has been readied for the planting of the high quality merlot red grape, specially imported from France. The investment is valued at over 10 million USD in this initial phase.
It was disclosed that the Zeway Castel winery targets to exports 50% of its production and in fact has already secured firm orders from Abyssinia, a renowned Ethiopian restaurant in Bordeaux, France.
The winery will provide up to 300 job opportunities during harvest season and 80 permanent jobs throughout the production year.
Viniculture being a slow and methodical process, vintagers expect the very first Zeway harvest after three years. The three varieties of wine have a shelf life of half a century - ensuring many years of high class product. Campillo Guy, Technical Manager of the Zeway Vineyard on his part spoke about Ethiopia being highly conducive to viniculture.
"The climate, soil and other factors are all very favorable for growing red grapes. We identified various other potential areas - Ambo, Awash, Yerer Gota, Wekro and Gibe but after due consideration and study, we decided on Zeway," said Guy, an expert with over a decade of experience including in Tunisia, China and Australia.
Isayas Hadera, Marketing Manager of BGI Brewery, is closely involved with the winery and added, 'parts of our country are able to produce two grape harvests each year although experts say the best wine is from grapes harvested just once a year. By the way, when we refer to wine I do not mean cheap table wine (Vin ordinaire) but high quality wine from specific and reputable grape varieties.
The global beverages market is worth tens of billions of dollars yearly and is considered as one of the largest industries in the world, employing literally millions of workers ranging from master vinters, bottling line staff, distributors to retailers. Among the biggest players in this vibrant industry is Groupe Castel, a leading producer of high quality French wines with a 60 year tradition of excellence.
Groupe Castel was founded in 1949 by nine brothers and sisters and originally traded as a wine merchant. Less than a decade later, the Castel family began what has now become a hallmark of the Groupe - innovation and expansion, by establishing bottling plants. As the business flourished Groupe Castel conducted a series of local, nationwide (France) and eventually, international acquisitions of globally reputable companies engaged in the wine sector. The Groupe's strength was reinforced when in 1992 it bought Societes des Vins de France, the nation's second largest wine concern.
Today, Groupe Castel in addition to its commanding presence in the international market for fine wines, is also a market leader in beer and soft drinks, especially in Francophone Africa, and has also energetically entered the bottled water sector (again at the high end of the market) to complete the picture of a truly diverse and international beverages company.
Vineyards of the Castel Groupe lie on 3000 hectares in Province-France, Morocco, Tunisia and most recently in Ethiopia. After the planting ceremony of the first red merlot grape sapling, the assembled dignitaries and invited guests, were treated to a sumptuous buffet luncheon spread which they washed down with some of Groupe Castel's finest wines.