Ethiopian PM holds talks with World Council of Churches official

Sept 28, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks with Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Rev. Samuel Kobia here on Wednesday, the state-run ENA reported.

Zenawi on the occasion expressed that he felt honored to confer with the delegation led by Kobia.

Prime Minister briefed the delegation about current regional issues as well as about the recently held national elections in Ethiopia.

Kobia on his part expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Meles for having been playing significant roles for Africa.

Kobia appreciated Meles for his significant roles in the Sudan peace process through IGAD as well as in his efforts as one of the Commissioners of the Commission for Africa to alleviate poverty in Africa.

Kobia told journalists that he took it upon himself to visit Ethiopia to get a first-hand knowledge and experience of Ethiopia, the only African country as founding member of the World Council of Churches.

He said during his visit he have seen a wide-range of development activities being carried out in the country.

Commenting on election-related issues, Kobia said the oppositions boycotting parliament might lead the country to clashes and indicated the need for the government and religious institutions to make employ all options to prevent this looming danger.

Kobia said he was informed by Prime Minister Meles that the government had held discussions with the oppositions and will carry on with its efforts to safeguard the constitution and the peace and security of citizens.

Kobia pledged that the World Council of Churches will do everything possible to help diffuse tension.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the largest and oldest church on the African continent, is hosting an international ecumenical delegation headed by World Council of Churches’ (WCC) general secretary Samuel Kobia, 24-30 September 2005.

The WCC delegation is invited to Ethiopia by H.H. Patriarch Abune Paulos, head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church since 1992. With an estimated 38 million members, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the largest national churches in the world, and was a founding member of the WCC in 1948.

(ENA/ST)