Germany's Merkel calls for democracy in Ethiopia

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Also:
- Today's Top HEADLINES
- INTERNATIONAL news
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-PROMOTING MILLENNIUM HOPES
(Professor Mammo Muchie, Chair of NES)
-Thank You, Congress, for Passing HR 2003 (EAC)
-PRESS RELEASE - CONGRESSMAN PAYNE’S OFFICE
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ADDIS ABABA — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday urged Ethiopia to allow more democratic freedoms after the country ran into international criticism over disputed 2005 elections.

(Picture - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi hold a press conference at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. Merkel kicked off her first tour of sub-Saharan Africa with a plea for more democratic freedoms in Ethiopia.(AFP/Axel Schmidt)
"We are in favour of further openness of the country, of the political system," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Merkel was in Ethiopia on the first leg of a three-nation African tour that will also take her to South Africa and Liberia. "We have the interest to see this society more open and the opposition's rights protected," she said, adding: "The respect of human rights is among the factors very conducive for development."

(Picture - German Chancellor Angela Merkel helps cut a traditional loaf of bread at a home for former street children in Ethiopia on the first day of her four-day, three-country trip to Africa. DPA)

Several opposition leaders were detained during a heavy crackdown in the aftermath of the 2005 parliamentary polls that the opposition claimed were rigged by the ruling party.But in July, the leaders, who were facing heavy jail terms, were freed under a pardon.

Merkel and Meles also discussed cooperation, regional conflicts, notably the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, violence in neighbouring Somalia as well as the border dispute between Ethiopian and long-time foe Eritrea.

Also see:
-Merkel kicks off Africa tour with plea for democracy (AFP)
-Merkel starts Africa tour with plea to Ethiopia (Reuters)
-Chancellor in Ethiopia, urges human rights efforts (dpa)
-Chancellor offers help in Ethiopia-Eritrea dispute (AP)

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(Click on picture for tuesday's Special
coverage on the passing of HR 2003 from the house)
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INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

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