Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
December 4, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopia government on Sunday dismissed an international rights group’s call for the arrest of former US President, George W. Bush for role in water boarding, which right group campaigners consider as torture.
Last week, Amnesty International appealed on Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia to arrest and bring Bush to justice during his visit to the African countries.
Amnesty argued that “there is enough evidence in the public domain” for the African countries to arrest president Bush, who is responsible for authorizing to the use of water boarding as interrogation technique against terror suspected prisoners in Guantanamo bay, Iraq and in other detention facilities.
Ethiopian government spokesperson, Shimeles Kemal, dismissed Amnesty calls as Bush arrives in Addis Ababa on Sunday to attend the16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2011).
“Amnesty has neither the jurisdiction nor the mandate to issue arrest warrants,” said the Ethiopian official.
Amnesty has often accused the horn of Africa’s country of intensifying crack down on government critics and abusing foreign aid and argues foreign aid must stop. Ethiopia has in the past rejected Amnesty and other right group’s accusations as defamatory.
“And from our own bitter experience with Amnesty, its agenda is not justified. No one takes it seriously,” Kemal further said.
The five-day conference on AIDS and STIs (ICASA) in Africa has kicked of last night in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Bush said at the opening ceremony that despite the tremendous achievement a lot remains to be done in arresting the development of AIDS further urging African leaders for more commitment.
“PEPFAR also relies on African leaders to take responsibility for the success of programs,” he said.
“The developing world must set priorities and there is no greater priority than saving a human life,” he added.
During the occasion, President Bush was honored an award in recognition for his support in the HIV and AIDS response to the continent. President Bush received his award from Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.
Bush along his family is in a three nation African tour since December 1, 2011 to promote and raise awareness to efforts on fight to cervical and breast cancer in the continent.
Zambia has on Saturday dismissed similar calls to arrest Bush.
“On what basis does Amnesty International want us to arrest President Bush?” State media quoted Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili as saying.
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Sir. Nostalgic
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
How can you arrest Bush when he the main anti-terrorists around the world. Ethiopia should actually distant herself from such naughty decision by African poor decisive Muslim groups who want to go ahead terrorising the world but what do the gain in such acts. Mahammed Alli will tell us in Khartoum where they are planning for terrorist attack on innocent people. Shame on you, Arabs!
Ras Mitat
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
Qu: Why don’t Amnesty International and all other “human rights groups” call for Bush’s arrest in U.S.?
Ans: Because they’ll lose their fundraising $$$. Easier to lay blame on developing nations for inaction.
FYI: Nobody has died from Bush’s water boarding, but MILLIONS are still alive because of Bush’s free HIV drugs policy. Even Bill Clinton didn’t do half as much for Africa.
Wetdut
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
No any African Country should attempt to arrest President George W Bush on his private or official visits. I argue amnesty International to arrest him if there are enough evidences. there is no connection with African leaders to arresting him. If you don,t have anything to do why not arrest Sudanese President and South Kordofan governor with 52 counts? NO JOKE WHEN IT COMES TO BUSH ISSUE.
Deng Ateny Lueth
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
Bush is Liberator of the oppressed people of the world. ask people of Kurdiskistan of Northern Iraq under SODOM (SADAM HUESEIN) and ask South Sudanese if Bush pressures on both North and South didn’t brought the Lasting settlement of prolong war. i think South Sudan is also looking forward to award President Bush Similar honorary Award in the future. He depeated all South Sudan enem
Deng Ateny Lueth
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
what Arabs are doing to spread Isam by forces and bribing poor people into islam against theri will is absolutely and equaly amount to act of terror,plus activating kids with lethal explosive bomds is another sure islamic work that could be treat with water boarding once muslims fall into our traps.
eneweyay
Ethiopia rejects calls for Bush arrest, honors him a prize
Bravo Ethiopia. Once again you did decide the right thing…the so called human right psycho have been campaigning against many things including aid for Ethiopia in lining themselves with venomous chauvinist, “dergist” and anarchist in America.
Again I want say good job…this group are dangerous and good for nothing.