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1 Memorial for Ethiopians Killed by ISIS in Libya Ethiopian Embassy News A Monthly Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy, Washington D.C. Issue 09, May 2015 Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians Killed by ISIS in Libya A memorial service and a candle lighting ceremony was held for the 30 Ethiopians whose fate abruptly ended with the brutal murder by the ISIS in Libya and those killed in South Africa recently at the Chancery of the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C. The event was attended by Ambassador Girma Birru, Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US, religious leaders from all faiths in the Metro area, hundreds of the Ethiopian Diaspora members and invited guests. A minute of silence in remembrance of the victims was held and prayers were made by the religious leaders. Contents Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians Killed by ISIS in Libya .................................. 1 Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Visits Ethiopia .................................. 3 Passport DC - An Open House Event Staged at Embassy of Ethiopia .................. 4 Lelissa Dessisa wins Boston Marathon 2015 .................................................................. 6

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Page 1: Ethiopian Embassy News · Ethiopian Embassy News A Monthly Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy, ... wealth of cultural milieu and exotic fauna and flora. Ethiopian traditional dances

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Memorial for Ethiopians Killed by ISIS in Libya

Ethiopian Embassy News A Monthly Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy, Washington D.C.

Issue 09, May 2015

Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians

Killed by ISIS in Libya

A memorial service and a candle lighting ceremony was

held for the 30 Ethiopians whose fate abruptly ended

with the brutal murder by the ISIS in Libya and those

killed in South Africa recently at the Chancery of the

Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C.

The event was attended by Ambassador Girma Birru,

Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and

Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US, religious leaders

from all faiths in the Metro area, hundreds of the

Ethiopian Diaspora members and invited guests.

A minute of silence in remembrance of the victims was

held and prayers were made by the religious leaders.

Contents

Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians

Killed by ISIS in Libya .................................. 1

Under-Secretary of State for Political

Affairs Visits Ethiopia .................................. 3

Passport DC - An Open House Event

Staged at Embassy of Ethiopia .................. 4

Lelissa Dessisa wins Boston Marathon

2015 .................................................................. 6

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Ambassador Girma speaking on the occasion called on

all Ethiopians to rally behind the government and the

people of Ethiopia in the fight against international

terrorism.

Religious leaders speaking on the event

Speakers on the occasion emphasized that the heinous

murder of the Ethiopians would all the more galvanize

the Ethiopian society to be vigilant against terrorists of

all colors and hues. Ethiopia, they affirmed, has been in

the forefront in the fight against extremism and

terrorism and the recent mishap would embolden their

resolve to continue their bitter struggle against the

international menace.

The entire gathering which was enraged by the brutal

and inhuman act went into the open air in the premises

of the Embassy building lit their candles in memoriam of

the 30 slain brothers in Libya and those killed in South

Africa.

In a related development a book of condolence which

was opened to the public was signed by hundreds of the

Ethiopian Diaspora members and Members of the

Diplomatic Community which had expressed their deep

sympathy and condolences. An on-line book of

condolences published by the Embassy was signed by

hundreds of people globally. Major cities across US States

also held memorial and candle lighting ceremonies.

Signing of Book of Condolence

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Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs

Visits Ethiopia

Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy

Sherman, paid a working visit to Ethiopia from April 16-

17, 2015. During her two day visit she met with

Ethiopian high-level officials including Prime Minister

Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros

Adhanom.

In an interview she gave to the Reporter newspaper, Ms.

Wendy Sherman spoke about the bilateral cooperation

between Ethiopia and the United States. She also spoke

of the fight against terrorism, concerns about Ginbot 7

and other terrorist organizations, the forthcoming

elections and the general situation of the peace and

security in the Horn of Africa as well as the discussions

she had with Ethiopian officials during her visit.

Ms. Sherman said that the ties between Ethiopia and the

US featured continued dialogue, sharing of information,

and growing and deepening cooperation on the three

pillars of bilateral engagement: democracy and human

rights; economics; and a security partnership on the

basis of mutual understanding. She stressed that the US

wished to help the Government of Ethiopia consolidate

the good progress made in the economic sphere; and

sustain their partnership in the field of security to

ensure the people’s day-to-day lives are secure. She

expressed her hope that the upcoming election would

be free, fair and credible, stating that Ethiopia had

shown improvements in its election process though, as

a young democracy, there was still a long way to go to

make certain that everybody’s voice was heard and

ensure that opposition parties had a fair chance to be

elected.

In reply to a question over her recent statement on the

US’s readiness to work with the Ethiopian Government

to address issues related to political groups’ which

attempt to topple a democratically elected government,

she noted that the Government of Ethiopia had

identified the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the

Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) along with

Ginbot 7 as terrorist organizations. She said this was a

concern. The US was aware that the Government of

Ethiopia had put labels on these groups as terrorist

organizations but she said the US had a different legal

system and different thresholds as well as various

evidentiary standards for identifying direct threats to

US security. The US admitted that the Government of

Ethiopia had identified concerns for all three of these

groups, and she emphasized that “We want

to…understand those concerns, share information

where we have it, and make sure that indeed the

process goes forward in an appropriate way.”

Ms. Sherman said Ethiopia wanted to make sure that

“we understand how Ethiopia sees these groups. And

we do. What they want to make sure of is that we share

information in law enforcement, in intelligence, in our

diplomatic engagements. We understand Ethiopia’s

point of view.” She underlined that the US, as a key

partner to Ethiopia in various areas of common interest,

appreciated the concerns presented to it. She said she

knew that there were individuals linked with Ginbot 7

who resided in the US. In this regard, she reaffirmed

that the US was fully committed to address the concerns

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raised by the Government of Ethiopia through

appropriate channels.

Ms. Sherman underlined that the US was willing to

encourage a steady and sustained dialogue on all

three pillars of engagement and in reply to a

question over Washington’s apparently

contradictory statements with reference to its views

on democracy in general and the elections in

Ethiopia, Ms. Sherman said she thought there were

no conflicting messages from Washington

concerning the democratization process. She said

“we also have great hopes for Ethiopia,” and pointed

out that her meeting with civil society members was

a testimony of Ethiopia’s progress. She said it had a

window of opportunity to see the emergence of

“tremendous leadership in your civil society.” She

said it also allowed her witness people of courage

who remained committed to solve problems and

make their voices heard. She said these people were

not “about overthrowing governments, they’re about

solving problems and being advocates for people

who don’t believe they have a voice.” She said that

this attested to “the strength of a democracy” and

added “we hope that those voices grow to be an

even more institutional part of Ethiopian society.”

Ms. Sherman noted she had discussions on South

Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and related concerns during

her stay in Ethiopia. On the crisis in South Sudan,

she noted that “strength always comes through

partnerships” and reiterated that the US would

continue to work with leaders in the region to find a

resolution of the crisis. She said the US appreciated

Ethiopia’s contribution to the IGAD-led mediation

and urged the two parties to give peace a chance

through a negotiated political settlement. She

affirmed the US was committed to encourage the

parties to reconcile their differences and recognized

the IGAD process as the way out from the crisis.

The US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs

expressed her concerns over the threat of terrorist groups

including Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and Da’esh

(ISIS) in Syria and Iraq. She said the US had formed a

coalition of more than 60 countries to fight against Da’esh

through military action, border security, countering violent

extremism through social media, and the setting up of a

legal framework to tackle foreign fighters returning home

and creating trouble.

She said the US was also working in this region, using the

same tools to counter the threat of terrorism in the region.

It has played a constructive role in supporting AMISOM and

the Federal Government of Somalia in close partnership

with Ethiopia and other countries.

Referring to Eritrea, Mr. Sherman suggested Ethiopia and

Eritrea should “work out their relationship with each other,”

and said the US tried to be “a neutral force” in this

regard. She expressed her hope that they would settle the

problems surrounding their disagreement and said the US

was supportive of resolving outstanding issues.

(Source: Week in the Horn, MFA, April 30, 2015)

Passport DC - An Open House Event Staged at

Embassy of Ethiopia

A-day-long annual event, "Passport DC, Around the World

Embassy" highlighting Ethiopian cultural and social

extravaganza which attracted more than Eight thousand

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residents of the Washington Metropolitan hub was

colorfully held in the premises of the Chancery of the

Ethiopian Embassy in Washington Dc. on Saturday May

2, 2015.

The festival was accompanied by a colorful display of

Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony, authentic and

organic Ethiopian cuisine, raw and roasted Ethiopian

coffee, and other cultural and modern Ethiopian

beverages. Ethiopian honey wine, accompanied by

traditional songs and aesthetics, exemplifying the

special Ethiopian blend of cuisine, music, art and

culture gave the occasion an aura of festivity.

Visitors enjoying Ethiopian Coffee and food

The open house program was also given an added color

by vendors presentation of Ethiopian made apparel

products, traditional costumes, spices, coffee beans,

souvenirs, artifacts & hand woven bags designed by

local Ethiopian seamstress, Ethiopian music CDs and

DVDs, Children's books and other tools of learning and

delicious Ethiopian cookies and pastries.

Photograph Exhibition

Photograph exhibition, cooking demonstration and

Ethiopian Coffee roasting and sample drinking were

some of the activities of the full day celebratory get-

together that showcased that Ethiopia is a country with a

wealth of cultural milieu and exotic fauna and flora.

Ethiopian traditional dances

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An Artistic group called "Thomas and students"

entertained the audience by presenting traditional and

cultural Ethiopian music and dances.

Tsehaye Debalkew, Media Officer, Public Diplomacy and

Communications Affairs of the Embassy, addressing the

touring visitors on behalf of Ambassador Girma Birru,

said that Ethiopia is endowed with a wealth of natural

attractions coupled with a mix of its diverse peoples

and cultures and a multitude of religious and traditional

beliefs and rituals.

He added that it is the birth place of the human species

represented by the premier human ancestor Lucy or

Dinknesh, a land of the legendary Queen of Sheba,

home of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, the source of

the Blue Nile, the originator of coffee-Ethiopia's gift to

the world and presently building the Grand Renaissance

Dam, number one by continental measure and the

seventh biggest dam on earth and the first ever modern

light city train transportation system in Africa which is

sceduled to begin its services shortly.

In reference to contemporary Ethiopia, the Media Officer

apprised the audience that Ethiopia has opened a new

chapter in its history and the world is witnessing that

we are both a nation with solid history and an

impeccable tradition with a rising economy setting a

new standard for Africa.

He further stated that Ethiopia has registered a double

digit economic growth for the last twelve consecutive

years earning it as a country inking double the African

average economic growth per annum by positioning it

among the fastest growing economies of the globe.

On hand, welcoming the touring visitors were the entire

staff members of the Ethiopian Embassy who were

adorned with varieties of traditional attires and cultural

costumes.

More than Forty Embassies and dozens of cultural

institutions in the Washington Metro Area participate in

the annual "Around the World Embassy Tour". The event

takes place throughout the month of May signifying

celebration of international culture in the nation's

capital portraying an opportunity to travel the world

without leaving DC. The cultural Tourism Extravaganza

is a once in a year special event presented by cultural

tourism D.C. It is estimated that over 8,000 visitors have

toured the embassy on this year's "Passport DC" event.

Lelissa Dessisa wins Boston Marathon 2015

In 2013, Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa stormed to victory in

the 117th Boston Marathon. Twelve months later, he

returned with a weight of expectation on his shoulders;

the result was a DNF. In 2015 he came to Boston with a

point to prove - which he did in demonstrative fashion

after a race that was epic from gun to tape, with more

plot twists than a soap opera. Desisa stayed strong

through less than ideal conditions, breaking the tape on

Boylston Street in 2:09:17.

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Connect with us:

https://twitter.com/ethembassyUS

Contact Us: EMBASSY OF ETHIOPIA

3506 International Drive, NW

Washington D.C., 20008

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 202 364 1200 Fax: 202 587 0195

www.ethiopianembassy.org

At the 5K, the split of 14:42 illustrated that this was going

to be anything but easy. Gebremariam, twice a third place

finisher here, fronted the pack, but in close formation

were Desisa, Tola, two-time world marathon champion

Abel Kirui (KEN), four-time world half marathon

champion Zersenay Tedesse (ETH), last year's second

placer Wilson Chebet (KEN), 2012 champion Wesley Korir,

defending champion Meb Keflezighi, three of Meb's US

teammates - Nick Arciniaga, Matt Tegenkamp and Dathan

Ritzenhein - plus a clutch of other world class performers

- 17 in total. Notably missing, at this early stage, was

Patrick Makau, former world record holder at 2:03:08,

who inexplicably had stepped off the course not to be

seen again.

As the 22 mile mark approached, Tsegay put his foot

down and the real racing began. Along with Tsegay in the

seven man pack were Desisa, Keflezighi, Korir, Chebet,

Kipyego and Chepkwony. But Desisa was looking

powerful, apparently not at all fatigued by his several

turns at the front in the earlier miles. The 22 mile mark

was passed in 1:49:13 (4:47) and 23 in 1:53:55 (4:42).

Desisa was flying, Tsegay was hanging close and

everybody else was suffering. Chepkwony, Chebet, Korir,

Kipyego and the defender Keflezighi all gave ground and

it was down to just two.

Desisa weathered the challenge, crossing the finish line in

2:09:17. Tsegay was as jubilant in second as he was

crossing the finish line 35 seconds down in 2:09:48.

Chebet, second here in 2014, held on for third in 2:10:22.

"I'm happy and excited for my second victory," Desisa

stated, as he should have been, given his $150,000 first

place prize. "During the race, after 35K, knowing who was

around me, I knew I was going to win because my speed

was greater than theirs."

Next year, the hallowed race turns 120.

(Source: Boston Atheletics Association)