Ethiopia says opposition MPs statement inappropriate

Nov 13, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Minister in Charge of Parliamentary Affairs with the Federal Government said the press statement given by the opposition United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and an independent MP on Friday was inappropriate.

Shiferaw Jarso told the Ethiopian Television on Saturday that the statement issued by UEDF and the independent MP is inappropriate because the House of Peoples Representatives had already scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting for Monday [as received] to discuss the recent unrest in Addis Ababa and other areas.

In a press statement issued on Friday 11 November, opposition UEDF Executives and Former Ethiopian President, Negasso Gidada, who is now MP said though opposition parties’ MPs and Independent MP had requested the parliament to call an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation two times, it had failed to do so.

According to the Amended Rule of Parliamentary Procedure representatives of political parties that have seats in the parliament could submit an agenda to the House Speaker in consultation with the government representative in the parliament.

Accordingly, Shiferaw said, as per the request of both the government and representatives of political parties to hold a discussion on the current affairs of the country, it was agreed on November 10 to convene in an extraordinary session of the House on November 15, 2005.

This being the case, Shiferaw said, the statement issued by representatives of UEDF and the independent MP accusing the House of reluctance to discuss on the issue is far from the truth and a deliberate attempt to create confusion among the public.

(ENA/ST)