Ethiopian premier, US Albright hold talks on Somalia, Darfur

Dec 2, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has held talks with former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, here today on Somalia and Sudan’s Darfur.

The two sides discussed on issues related to the current situation in Somalia and Darfur as well on the relations between US and Ethiopia. Meles on the occasion briefed Albright on the political situation in the Horn of Africa.

Albright lauded the efforts being made by Prime Minister Meles to reduce poverty and maintain democracy in Ethiopia.

Albright who is currently associate chairperson of the Pro-Poor an international commission noted she has exchanged views with Prime Minister Meles on ways that would enable the commission to support the poverty reduction efforts in Ethiopia. Albright said the commission will also be doing pre-assessment activities to help improve legal empowerment of people.

“We have been conducting consultations in the region. We were in Kenya and Tanzania and now here to see what the commission can do to listen to ideas from the local constituency about what can be done about the most serious problem in the world. And that is the number of poor people that are not part of any legal system.”

(ST)