Here for our protection???

THE POLICE
STATE VIDEO

The deployment began with military-style precision at 7am sharp as soldiers took up positions outside key strategic points across the country, including as train stations, cathedrals and monuments.
In total, 3,000 troops from all sections of the armed forces will be on patrol alongside traditional officers as the controversial Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government gets tough on crime.
However, the sight of troops on streets alarmed many visitors and locals alike - one 70-year-old pensioner from Essex who refused to give her name described her amazement at seeing armed soldiers.
The woman, who was walking through Rome with her husband, said: "I think it's very sad - it reminds me of a time gone by and is very concerning. I really don't see the point of it.
"It makes you think there is some sort of civil war going on - which there isn't. I would have expected to see them in a South American banana republic not in a European capital.
"I think it is a bit repressive and, if anything, will increase the fears of locals and tourists - the majority of them fortunately don't know what it is like to live through a war."
Her husband, who also refused to give his name, took the opposite view, and said: "I am all in favour of it - it makes us tourists feel safer although I must admit it's not a very pleasant sight."
Troops were also positioned outside the residence of the British ambassador at Villa Wolkonsky, close to Piazza San Giovanni Laterano, which was also being patrolled by soldiers.
In total 1,000 troops will be stationed in Rome - the highest number - and these will include around 35 female soldiers and members of Italy's crack paratrooper squad the Folgore.
Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno appeared to have won a showdown with the government as troops, for the time being, seemed to be away from the centre and major tourist attractions.
Instead, they were positioned at railway stations, metro stops and immigration detention centres. At Anagnina metro they assisted in arresting a bag-snatcher in their first official intervention.
The troops have no power of arrest and can only stop, search and question suspects. If they believe someone may have criminal intentions they must call up proper police officers.
Soldiers were also stationed in other cities, such as Milan, where they patrolled outside the Duomo and also in Palermo, Florence, Naples and Turin.
Interior minister Roberto Maroni and his defence colleague Ignazio La Russo have both insisted the measure will help cut down crime, which has risen sharply in recent months.
They both defended the operation, saying it would free up police for other duties, but police unions said it was an insult to them and threatened strike action.
Much of the increased crime rate has been blamed on illegal immigrants, but many opposition MPs have criticised the deployment, saying it "will make Italy resemble a South American dictatorship."
The troops will initially be on patrol for six months, with a further six months added on and a budget of more than £20 million has been set aside for them.
Centre-Left senator and former Rome prefect Achille Serra, said the deployment was "useless and ineffective" and added: "I'll remind you that we're not in Beirut."
As part of his anti-crime initiative, Mr Berlusconi's government pushed legislation through parliament last month aimed at stemming illegal immigration.
It also declared a state of emergency that gave police and local authorities added powers to tackle immigration-related problems.
But the government's handling of immigration and minority issues - particularly regarding Roma people - has sparked criticism from the Vatican, human rights groups and some European bodies over fears it could stoke xenophobia.
Tour guide Giorgio Sansa, who runs a travel firm in Rome, said: "I really don't see the need for troops on streets, it will have a completely negative effect.
"I have already had people calling me after reading reports of troops on streets in Italy and asking me is there some sort of civil war going on."
The last time Italy put soldiers on the streets was to fight a crime wave in Naples in 1997. They were also deployed in Sicily after a Mafia bomb campaign in 1993-4.
In Rome, troops have not been seen since the "years of lead" in the mid 1970s, when the Red Brigades carried out a series of spectacular kidnappings including the murder of Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro.




Telegraph.co.uk

Free information- They will never give up, neither will we!

Per l'italiano, clicca alla fine dell'articolo.

I’ve decided to do a live streaming on the Internet and not to come to the Book Fair in person. The president Ferrero used the pages of La Stampa to tell me not to do political campaigning nor to use swear words and to explain the value of reading, to limit myself to talk only of books. I don’t want to embarrass him with my presence and with some courageous expressions like Morpheus. A violent insult and censored by the media that cites it in fact as an unprecedented insult. I don’t want to talk about the value of reading, but rather about the value of writing. If what you write is rubbish, what you read is rubbish. Elementary. If what you write is censored by the publisher, by the advertiser, by the telephone call from the politician then in order to continue as a journalist or a writer, the only thing to do is self-censorship. 25 April has shown that information is controlled. This has been the true result. The most important one. The reaction of the media was united. First the silence, then the personal attacks against Beppe Grillo without even talking about the three referenda and why so many people came out into the streets to give their signatures. It has never happened that 1,350,000 signatures have been collected in a day in the history of the Republic, but for Riotta, for Mieli, for Fede or for Scalfari that is a non-fact. 25 April did not exist. What exists is just a delinquent called Beppe Grillo, worse than Mussolini, than Andreotti, than Asphalt Head. A multimillionaire assassin who pays those who participate in V-day. They want to discuss the validity of the signatures and they don’t even mention the content of the referenda. The requests for the referenda have been laid before the Cassation Court, published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. My lawyers and their advisers have no doubts about their validity. It’s the old fascist method of attacking those who denounce abuse on a personal level while never talking about what is denounced. In a few years time, 25 April will be remembered as the start of the end of information of the regime, controlled by the parties, the Confindustria, the banks. Information is moving to the Internet, we are all journalists, we are all publishers, we are all producers. It’s just a matter of time. On the Internet, those who lie are lost. The old rules of information are no longer valid.In the next few years we will see a direct encounter, an escalation between the old media and the Internet, between politics and the Internet. But they have already been defeated. This makes me happy and it gives me a feeling of peace.In July, I will hand over the signatures for the referenda. But before that I will launch an operative referendum. An operative referendum is different from a legislative one as it is executed immediately. The citizen does it himself. I will propose the revocation of the RAI licence fee, with the instructions, the participants, the results in real time. Let the politicians pay for the RAI. TV information is their stuff. The people like Riotta, Mazza and Saccà are their stuff, the Boards of Directors are their stuff, the advertising is their stuff. Petruccioli in Confalonieri is their stuff. To close down the RAI it’s not necessary to change the law, it’s enough to no longer pay the “pizzo”. A single channel with no advertising, without political interference, at the service of information and the citizens. A public channel with a director like Marco Travaglio, to take an example. A channel of culture, of investigations. This is what I would like. Not bums, tits, football and politics in the early, peak and late evening slots.The control of information has changed the country for the worse. Freedom of information can give us a new Renaissance. They will never give up, neither will we.

Per l'italiano, clicca qui sotto:

http://www.beppegrillo.it/2008/05/alla_fiera_del.html

2001: Cement Odyssey

Per la versione in italiano di questo post: http://www.beppegrillo.it/2008/03/2001_odissea_ne.html

Year 2000: Towns can spend money from building licenses ONLY for investmentsYear 2001, October: Towns are authorised to spend money from building licenses to do what they like, thanks to the Unified Text on Building.The building boom arrives. Year 2000: 159,000 homes constructed.Year 2007: 298,000 homes constructed and 38,000 homes extended.Licenses double in 7 years. Italian territory is cementified with small blocks of flats, nano sky scrapers, hangars, second, third and fourth villas, car parks, garages. The towns double the cash coming into their coffers without any obligation according to how the money is to be used. They have a licence to kill the territory.The “territorio comunale” {territory of the town), as the word itself says, is the “communal” inheritance of the citizens who live there. It belongs to them. The wood, the meadow, the panoramic view, a place to go for a walk or to let one’s children play, the park, the gardens, or even, a simple empty space for looking at the horizon. Let it be clear that the territory belongs to the citizens and not to the mayor decorated for the feast and his cabinet members who are ONLY town employees. Let’s ask ourselves a few questions.What’s happened to the money from the building licenses that have been handed out with no longer any obligation to make investments? New services, nurseries, cycle tracks, public transport have not been seen. I’d do a survey. Town by town.How much more can the Italian countryside be cementified? It’s only possible to go back, to de-cementify. Tourism is dying from cement.Which are the main building companies that have obtained licenses? The constructors now are more in charge than mayor Moratti and mayor Topo Gigio. They have to get out of the town councils. They are there, even though they have not been elected.The infernal process put in motion by the 2001 Unified Text has to be stopped. We need to turn the clock back to the year 2000. Less cement, less money for the parties, the true bosses in the towns. The citizens must present themselves in the Town Councils to ask for the reasons for the building disaster and they should document the meeting with a video. The Bel Paese {Beautiful Country} is ours. Let’s claim it back.

The Train to Djibouti on Selamta Magazine (Ethiopian Airlines)

Selamta Magazine, the official website and magazine of the Ethiopian Airlines has included 'The train to Djibouti' by Lara Kassa among its books list.

Books on Ethiopia
The Train to Djibouti by Lara Bordin Kassa

'' … if you will receive my sayings and treasure up
My own commandments with yourself, if you
call out for understanding and for discernment,
if you keep seeking for it as if for silver, and as
for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that
case you will understand the very knowledge of
God. For God himself gives wisdom.’’

[ Proverbs 2: 1-5]

What I’m about to tell, they’re not simply memories, thoughts drawn from the journal of a trip; it is not only the story of one adventure or the recollection of precious moments. It is rather my attempt to revisit the weft of a thick mosaic of emotions, never, before then, experienced; a wood inlaid with indelible, incorruptible images, a drape embroidered with the faces of an entire people; a painting of thousands of colours; a story of a world of dreams, sometimes not appreciated by those who want to achieve other dreams. A story of dreams not understood by those to whom that world does not belong. A story of lives hanging from a thread and that of landscapes hanging in the void.
The story of ancient hidden treasures; the story of a man vanished into nothing and that of others who came out of it. The story of an invisible train and that of a river that disappears into the sands.

About the Author:
Lara Bordin Kassa was born in Turin, Italy in 1976. She studied law and then moved to London where she lives with her husband since 1999.

Web site: http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~41028.aspx

Ethiopia celebrates 112th anniversary of Battle of Adwa Victory

Ethiopia marks the 112th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa Victory, in which the Ethiopian army defeated the invading Italian army on March 1, 1896. Ethiopia was the first and only country in Africa that defeated a European colonial power during the 'scramble for Africa', making it the only independent nation in Africa that has never been colonized.
Ethiopia under Emperor Menelik II decimated the invading Italian army in the Battle of Adwa, which made it a symbol of independence and pride for all black people around the World. The colors of Ethiopia's flag [Green, Yellow, Red] have been adopted by many African countries after their independence and school children across Africa are taught about the Battle of Adwa.

'Out of Ethiopia' - We are all Ethiopians

DNA studies map human migration
The pattern of genetic mutations offers evidence that an ancient band of explorers left what is now Ethiopia and went on to colonize most of the world.
By Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Scrutinizing the DNA of 938 people from 51 distinct populations around the world, geneticists have created a detailed map of how humans spread from their home base in sub-Saharan Africa to populate the farthest reaches of the globe over the last 100,000 years.
The pattern of genetic mutations, to be published today in the journal Science, offers striking evidence that an ancient band of explorers left what is now Ethiopia and -- along with their descendants -- went on to colonize North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, southern and central Asia, Australia and its surrounding islands, the Americas and East Asia. A second analysis based on some of the same DNA samples corroborated the results.

http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2008/Feb/24Feb08/44008.htm

Ethiopia National Palace calls original architect for remodeling

Francesco Saverio Antilici, l'architetto e designer italiano che ha creato gli interni dell'Ethiopia National Palace nel 1972, è arrivato ad Adis Abeba per un progetto di riqualificazione. L'amministrazione del palazzo ha rintracciato Antilici invitandolo ad andare ad Adis Abeba per studiare una ristrutturazione degli interni da lui progettati trentacinque anni fa così come di una nuova ala del palazzo costruita nel 1955.

By Kirubel Tadesse

Source: Capital

Francesco Saverio Antilici, Italian Architectural and Interior Designer, who created the Palace's interior and supervised the construction of the Jubilee Palace in 1972, is in Addis Ababa for a renovation project. The whereabouts of Francesco Saverio Antilici was traced by chance by the Palace Administration through the Internet and he was invited to come to Addis Ababa to help in the study for the renovation and the interior designs of his thirty-five year old work as well as the original wing of the palace which was built in 1955.
Antilici told Capital that he has spent months preparing the survey of both the two wings of the Palace starting from the end of October 2007. "We looked everywhere for the designs of the Palace," explained Antilici," finally, I found some of the designs in my archive and those are what we are referring to now. For the 1955 wing, which was designed by another person, no plans were found so I had to draw and study it thoroughly for months."
He has now submitted the results of the survey and a renovation program to the Palace Administration and is optimistic about the approval of a budget for the projects, which is estimated to last two years. "I was told that the news of an approval of a budget should come in quite a short time," Antilici told Capital. "We will first start to renovate one of the wings, leaving the other to resume service and move to the other wing," Antilici added.Going back to the first time when he was called in for the job, Antilici said "I can say it was by chance I got the job. Back in 1969, I was talking to my uncle, an engineer, and acquainted with the people who were looking for an architect. That's how I came to spend three years working on the Palace. I was 27 at that time and it was a great experience for any young architect."
According to Antilici's recollection the interior designs and finish of Jubilee Palace cost USD 5 million, a budget made available by an export credit by the Italian government. He added he was put in charge of the project after the foundation and basement were completed. Most of the materials were imported from Italy but now Antilici believes that many of them should be available locally.
"The condition of the palace is really amazing; the Palace Administration accomplished a miracle in preserving it. The 1955 palace is also in fair good condition. However, every house needs maintenance after thirty five years of service, particularly in what concerns the technical installations, i.e. electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems, the restoration of wooden floors and the general interior decoration" explained Antilici. Even if the current state of the palace is quite satisfactory, Antilici comments that for unknown reasons, the exterior of the Jubilee Palace has been repainted and has a different look and color." Now we have to undo that and correct it. I don't know why it was made to look like limestone but it was redecorated and now we will change it back to its original look," Antilici added.
Antilici told Capital that he has met some old friends who still work at the palace. "I heard that Engineer Mekonnen Mulat has passed, he was the one I was working with mostly," said Antilici referring to the then Vice Minister of Public Works. "The Emperor too was closely following the palace construction. We were working like mad and eager for the completion day. At the end of the project, the Emperor was satisfied."Renowned architect, Francesco Saverio Antilici, was born in Rome, Italy, in a family of Italian and German descent. He took the final examinations both at the State Art School and at the Technical School in Rome getting the architectural designer certificate. He also studied architecture at the La Sapienza University in Rome.
He started practicing in Tunisia as assistant architect at the Ministry of Public Works. He set up his own Architectural and Town planning practice on authorization by theTunisian Government. He completed successfully a number of projects, as designer and project manager in North Africa, Middle East and Europe sometimes in collaboration with major Italian and foreign offices, or on his own. His portfolio includes clients like Dr G.-R. Flick, the heir of the Daimler-Benz fortune, two daughters of President Bongo of Gabon, Prince Mansour b. Meteib b. Abdulaziz, a nephew of former King Fahad of Saudi Arabia, Mr. C.-J. Tourres of Adidas and many more important private clients and institutions. His experience going from town planning to architecture, interior design, restoration of antique buildings and garden and landscape design. "It is a special moment for me; it isn't always that you are called to do a project you did 35 years ago," said Antilici," the budget required isn't that high since the Palace is just old and not an antique which usually costs a huge amount of money."

Ethiopia & Egypt: It's The Water, stupid! - Part II

The article posted below was written by G. E. Gorfu

It is not only the policy of Khediv Ismael from a hundred years ago, as sated in Part I, but also of Anwar Sadat who in 1978 warned: ‘Egypt would go to war if Ethiopia made a move to build a dam on Lake Tana or any irrigation projects that would affect Egypt’s agricultural and settlement programs.’ (1) He was stating that ancient, aggressive, and ever ongoing policy of belligerence towards any progress and development of Ethiopia.
Sadat was not making an empty threat. Soon after signing the Camp David Accord with Israel in 1977, his first order of duty was to purchase long range missiles from the US. Why did Egypt need long range missile if Israel, just across the Sinai, was his arch enemy? The enemy Sadat needed the long range missiles for however was not Israel, but Ethiopia. He must have acquired those weapons in his arsenal when he made the threat.
In 1987 Ethiopia applied for a loan from African development Bank to build a dam for water conservation and to increase its water storage facilities due to repeated drought and famine. But in 1990 Egypt blocked the loan (2) and killed the project. Ethiopia has never harmed Egypt, nor has the intention to do so, but Egypt’s policy always harms Ethiopia.
In September 2007, BBC reported Mubarak’s announcement of plans to build several nuclear plants: “…making it clear there were strategic reasons for the program, calling secure sources of energy an integral part of Egypt's national security system…”(3) Wow! Nuclear plants with reasons of ‘strategic national security’? What could that mean?
What is Mubarak talking about? We have no doubt the strategic national security means not secure electric power, but ‘secure source of water’. It is interesting to note that no one raised an eyebrow when Egypt announced its plan to build the nuclear power plants, but when a poor country like Ethiopia builds hydroelectric dams, they cry of ‘environmental concerns’ and start letter writing campaigns to block the loans! Is that a double standard?
For the first time in centuries Ethiopia is attempting to rise from the dust and take control of its waters and is building dams. For the first time we see some signs of progress and development however meager these may appear to be. And already our enemy seems scared to death that we will dry up the Nile and turn Egypt into a desert. That is baseless. But Egypt is not only relying on nuclear power, but has enlisted our educated elites to do its dirty work, and push HR bills through the US Congress. What a shame!
Mubarak, who took power after Sadat’s assassination in 1981, has ruled Egypt with an iron fist, arresting some, and banishing other political opponents into exile. He has won every election since then, by a landslide victory of 90% or more. There is no democracy, no transparency, and there are no opposition political parties in Egypt. In spite of that, it has remained the largest beneficiary of US Aid, receiving more aid than all other African countries put together. So, where is the HR bill on Accountability Act for Egypt, uh?
This enemy is proactive, always planning and staying several steps ahead, but all the Ethiopian elites can do, appears to be: fight among themselves, or push stupid HR bills through US Congress to aid the enemy, and entangle their country in an indirect control by foreign governments. Some are so obsessed in divisive ethnic politics and their own Chauvinistic stand that they fail to see the real enemy behind all these machinations.
Many Ethiopians are so foolish as to join these political schemers and operatives, and even give their monetary support, while some of the elites leading the legislation of HR Bills are outright traitors in the payroll of Egypt’s Mubarak and Eritrea’s Issayas. What a dastardly and heinous act! Is that what your motherland deserves? Is that how you repay the poor peasant who worked hard, tilled, and sweated to get you educated? How sad!

Ethiopia among 20 of the best new adventure holidays (Sunday Times)

Lost temples, enchanted forests and poisonous frogs await you on these challenging adventure holidays, says Chris Haslam.

February 10, 2008
If your idea of immersing yourself in local culture involves a yoghurt-based spa treatment, and your concept of an adventure is the latest Wilbur Smith on a sunbed by the pool, you might want to turn the page.
If, however, you judge a holiday by the number of jabs you need and the variety of parasites you pick up, stay with me, because you’ve never had it so good. Mysterious destinations once accessible only to professional explorers can now be booked as easily as a beach break in Benidorm.
To prove it, here are 20 of the newest, most exciting trips on offer, with a rating for fitness. If this is low, and you can walk a mile with a daypack, you’ll be fine. If it’s high, you’ll need to be capable of walking for seven hours a day on tough gradients, lugging your kit, without crying.
And among Brazil, Australia, Nepal and Guatemala is:
IN THESIGER’S FOOTSTEPS: ETHIOPIA AND YEMEN
It’s still rough, and the Red Sea Explorer expedition offered by Wild Frontiers (020 7736 3968, http://www.wildfrontiers.co.uk/ ) is no stroll. Flying into Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, you’ll traverse the Awash to Djibouti before crossing the Red Sea to Aden and plunging into the beautiful void that is the Empty Quarter. The 17-day trip costs £2,300; flights start at £600 with Ethiopian Airlines (020 8987 7000, http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/ ).
Fitness: low
Best time to go: September to March

Ethiopa & Egypt: It's the water, stupid!

I found this post in Nazret.com and I thought some of you would find it interesting. Let me know what you think about it.

File Photo: Ethiopia, Source of the Blue Nile. Tis Abay Falls

Ethiopia - It is the Water, Stupid!

By G. E. Gorfu

For hundreds of years Egypt’s desire, even before its policy was articulated by Muzinger Pasha(1) the Swiss mercenary, has been: ‘to occupy and Islamize Ethiopia, or that failing, to keep it in perpetual poverty and misery….’* This is done to prevent Ethiopia develop its rivers by irrigation, and thereby reducing the flow of the Nile reaching Egypt.
Through the ages this policy has been successfully implemented in various ways and means, and we even saw in our own lifetime how Ethiopia suffered drought, secessionist wars, poverty, and famine, all engineered directly or indirectly, by Cairo. Throughout all that time Egypt has been developing and prospering at the expense of Ethiopia.
Recently a flurry of letter writing campaigns were carried out by some European nations (France, Italy, et. al.), expressing a totally unfounded ‘environmental concern’ with the evil intention of blocking loans earmarked for the Gibe Gilgel III Dam. Behind these letter writing campaigns, we are sure, is our eternal enemy, Egypt! Egypt lives in mortal fear of Ethiopia building dams and drying up the Nile, a fear which is totally unfounded.
The amount in question, $400 million US, a small fry in the scheme of such projects, is for a loan negotiated with the US financial giant, JP Morgan Chase. Unlike coal, diesel, or nuclear power, hydro-electric plants are among the cleanest and most environmentally friendly. So, where is the beef? What concerns could they be expressing? Could it be the environmental concerns of Egypt? What a shameful travesty of justice, truth and fairness!
With the letter writing strategy Cairo is pursuing its long standing policy ‘…of keeping Ethiopia in perpetual poverty and misery…’ So, I personally contacted representatives of JP Morgan Chase and told them I would cut my Chase Credit Card in half and close my account, should Ethiopia be denied the loan. Every concerned Ethiopian should also do the same, and I would be happy to share the address and other relevant information.
What I am interested in here, however, is to ask my fellow Ethiopian Moslem brothers and sisters what they think of this long standing policy of Egypt against our mother land. Is there any justification for it? Has Ethiopia ever wronged or harmed Egypt in any way that our country should forever be hampered in its development, and impoverished?
Famine and poverty are not selective. Both Moslems and Christians, men and women, young and old, starve to death in a famine. So, can anyone make sense of a policy that states: “Egypt should occupy and Islamize Ethiopia or…”? Does Egypt think Ethiopian Moslems are either stupid, or such religious zealots that they would sit and watch quietly as our rivers flow down the Nile for Egypt’s prosperity, while their families starve? Can our Moslem brothers and sisters speak up on this policy?

I Have a Dream

« Ho un sogno: che un giorno questa nazione si sollevi e viva pienamente il vero significato del suo credo: "Riteniamo queste verità di per se stesse evidenti: che tutti gli uomini sono stati creati uguali" » Queste le parole pronunciate nel famoso discorso del 28 agosto 1963 al Lincoln Memorial di Washington durante la marcia per il lavoro e la liberta` da Martin Luther King, il piu` giovane Premio Nobel per la pace della storia. Unanimamente riconosciuto come il leader della rivolta non violenta, eroe e paladino dei reietti e degli emarginati, King si e` sempre esposto in prima linea affinche` fosse abbattuta nella realta` americana degli anni '50 e '60 ogni sorta di pregiudizio etnico. Oggi, 23/1/2008, ha avuto luogo la sua commemorazione... la sua e di quelle parole che hanno segnato il corso della storia. Bill Clinton e` stato invitato alla cerimonia. Volete sapere qual'e` stata la sua reazione? Beh', anche Bill ha 'Avuto un sogno', il suo... clikkate sul DIGG STORY qui sotto per scoprire qual'e`!

read more | digg story

Thank you all

As promised, here are some other comments from the Nazret.com, the website that publsihed a post with my interview with Workema.

Comment from: Samuel Gebru [Member] · http://www.smgebru.blogspot.com

"Kokeb"

Oh you're brave hiding behind that pseudonym! First, a TPLF cadre is someone who is a die-hard TPLF member - which by all means is not me. Secondly, the retard is the one who cannot make proper sentences.

I'd pay to get you through school!

Don't mess with people you don't know.

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 16:21

Comment from: Habtamu [Visitor]

Well done Lara Kassa. We should all appreciate a positive and optimistic view, especially coming from a foreigner. Aren't you fedup yet with all the negative stuff that has been said about us? Congratulations, I've read the book and it's super!

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 16:28

Comment from: Mulu [Visitor]

I'm an Ethiopian living in London too, its was fantastic to read a good book about Ethiopia!
An enjoyable hunting fiction that involves friendship, love, moral values, history and Ethiopia!
Especially when the author describes the various landscapes... I wish I was there!!!
Looking forward to another great story!!!
Well done Lara! Mulu

Permalink 01/09/08 @ 07:59

Comment from: Sean [Visitor]

:XX" class="middle">

Permalink 01/09/08 @ 09:51

Comment from: Sean [Visitor]

Got Jebus

Permalink 01/09/08 @ 09:53

Comment from: Ali Roble [Visitor]

As a someone who born and grew up the said panoramic train route, in Deridewa city to be exact, I have nothing to say about Signorina Kassa's work exept praise. But I have serious doubts as far as the kindness of some ethnic ethiopians ( habeshas.) and the cause of the brain drain concerned .It a is lopsided notion and especially when it come power and support of the downtrodden masses: while they may display deceptive and oppurtunistic genority, they infliction more harm to each other. I left my belove birth place 20 years ago in favor of North America and mainly for political marginalization, lack of opportunity, state sponsored chauovenis and and so on against my ethio-somali ethnic identity. Many habash know what I'm talking about. So would I advice miss Lara to dig deep before she makes hasty,superfial judgements.

Cioa bella signorina!

Permalink 01/10/08 @ 02:02

Comment from: lara kassa [Visitor]

Thanks everybody for your comments. I appreciated them all. Thanks to Kumsa who sparkled the discussion. I also would like to clarify that 'The train to Djibouti' is purely a 'fiction' book (nothing political is mentionned whatsoever), a story-painting having as a frame and background the culture, landscapes and life of Ethiopia, nothing more. My optimism (as Kumsa like to call it) is exclusively due to the fact that I tried to highlight in my book a few positive aspects about a Country too often painted in a negative light and even denigrated by many and for which I feel very strongly. I leave the pessimism to those who have a taste for it.
If you have any question about my book or any comment after you have read it, you can contact me at larakassa@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you all again.
Lara www.larakassablogspot.com

Permalink 01/15/08 @ 12:56

The Iranian job

On monday the seventh of January, a very controversial incident took place in the strategic Strait of Hormouz and left the world holding its breath for a few moments. The western papers reported: "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats have threatened three US NAvy ships in what is being called a 'serious provocation'. American forces were on the verge of firing on the vessels after being harassed and provoked, according to Pentagon officials." But Iranian state TV quoted a Revolutionary Guard official as saying: "The footage released by the US Navy was compiled using file pictures and the audio has been fabricated." So, provocation or fabrication? Threat or excuse? Another Middle East war behind the corner or a pretext for starting one? I found an interesting article from the Beppe Grillo's Blog. Take a look and have your saying.

Petroleum and terrorism

Image from the Financial Times

11 September 2001. Since then we have been one of the nations at risk of Islamic attacks. More than six years have passed and, as far as we can remember, not a single person has been killed or injured in Italy as a direct result of the Jihad. This must be some sort of record. We have not seen a single possessed man wearing a turban, or a bearded fanatic involved in any robbery, bloody event or domestic burglary.
Some may believe that this may be simply because Italy closes an eye (looks the other way), perhaps even both eyes and allows everyone to do their own thing. And the Country allows the setting up of logistics bases that could be used as a springboard for attacks elsewhere in Europe. There may well be some truth in this belief because, here in Italy, we are free to do whatever we wish and this Country is probably the best crossroads for all the secret services of the world. Abu Omar was kidnapped in Milan by twenty-six CIA agents. However, any terrorist wishing to blow himself up in London or Madrid is able to access local support with impunity. He need not go as far as Rome or Milan. Since 2001, there have been around 8000 people assassinated in the workplace, hundreds more have died at the hands of organised crime and there have been thousands of rapes. Entire swathes of the Campania, Calabria and Sicily Regions are beyond the rule of law, with shotguns drawn. The result is that we have sent our troops to Iraq and Afghanistan and cut our funding to the Country’s Police Services. All due to the Jihad.
Of what use is a fear of the Muslims and the mosques? The person who prays does not normally get involved in criminal activity. In an attempt to find some sort of answer to this question, I read the recent International Energy Agency Report on the future of world energy. The report’s content is summarised in a map published by the Financial Times and entitled: “The increasing importance of Middle East petroleum”.
In 1980, the quantity of petroleum extracted in non-Opec countries, such as the United States and Russia, amounted to 35.5 million barrels per day, while 28.1 million barrels were being extracted by Opec zone Countries. The forecast for the year 2030 is exactly the opposite, with petroleum production is expected to in the order of 60.3 million barrels per day in the Opec zone and 53.2 million barrels in the rest of the world. He who controls the Persian Gulf, which is where 30% of the entire global requirement will be extracted, controls the energy resources and, he who controls the energy resources also controls the entire planet. The rising demand for energy (China alone will go from their current 7 million barrels per day, to 16.5 million by 2030) will coincide with the concentration of petroleum in the Persian Gulf, overlooked by Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. All of which are Muslim States. Therefore, the more petroleum you produce, the more you are a terrorist.

Per una traduzione italiana del testo, eccovi la link:

http://www.beppegrillo.it/2007/12/petrolio_e_terr.html

Post in nazret.com: hot debate!

Remember ...
my interview?
Well, yesterday it was posted in the number one ethiopian website in the world: nazret.com. In one and a half day 20 comments have appeard (hopefully many more to come) and a real debate is taking place about the phenomenum of brain drain. It was probably a reference contained in one of my answers, but it seems to have opened a confrontation on two different poles. Here are the bloggers comments. I will keep you updated with the outcome.

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: KUMSA AYENE [Visitor]

she is too optimistic...
Too reductionist with regard to the compelling brain-drain that ethiopians are facing mainly of politically motivated.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 11:49

Comment from: tamrat [Visitor]

I read 'The train to Djibouti' and it 's about time somebody wrote a book with a positive view of Ethiopia. For years we heard enough negativities. Very enjoyable to read and good fiction as well. I can't wait for the her next book. Well done!

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 13:31

Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]

KUMSA, I know a very good number of Ethiopian PhDs living in the west. They are originally from all over Ethiopia. Non of them are here for political reasons. They are here in search of a better opportunity (economic). I don't know of anybody whose life is at risk if they go to Ethiopia. And trust me I know quite a good number from most tribes of Ethiopia.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 15:13

Comment from: Mohammed [Visitor]

Weldeyes,
I agree with u although the government realy annoys me. To tell the truth, I'm out of Ethiopia for study. Most people I know r here for economic reasons. None r here for fear they would be killed/jailed if they go to Ethiopia. So, as a citizen without much political people r not in general afraid for their life. But one thing I can really blame is the fact that things r really unfair. Corruption and favoratism play a big role in ur success in Ethiopian. That's really really bad, and that's why I wish the change of the current system with a better now. May Allah choose the best for us, ameen.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 16:02

Comment from: Samuel Gebru [Member] · http://www.smgebru.blogspot.com

Wow, I am going to buy this book!

Also - yes, most Ethiopians are here for economic reasons. Our country is poor and likewise with other people of the world we come to America for a better chance at living, education, etc.


Merry Ethiopian Christmas!

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 16:15

Comment from: Hope [Visitor]

KUMSA AYENE,

What is wrong being optimistic? You should also try it sometimes; it helps you see more clearly. If you don’t have the ability to see and appreciate what you have now, you will never be able to see what you desire to see in the future. I also am very optimistic about ET, I see that more and more Ethiopians (with money or PHD) from the west are going back to ET now than ever. The brain-drain will stop once Ethiopians start to realize that they can have the same standard of living as the west. We all should put our energy to create that standard than being pessimistic and hateful.

Let me take a wild guess, I must be Woyanne, Woyanne’s cadre, Woyanne’s slave…….and all the name calling you can come up with. ha?

Those of you who is ready to attack me for saying something positive about ET, I’m not Woyanne (What ever that means). I’m just proud Ethiopian who can see and appreciate the positive progress our country is making.

Melkam Gena for all

Hi Z-Mike, remember I’m with you in sprit. Keep up the good work

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 16:58

Comment from: The truth about ethiopian braindrain [Visitor]

Am a graduate student in europe through scholarship. To be honest with, if i return to ethiopia(after finishing my studies) that is gonna be quite a big mistake in my life. Most of my friends are also pursuing their graduate studies in usa and europe, most of them have the same position as me,they never think of returning to ethiopia. Our reasons r mostly political in nature. U know meles is riding our country in to hell and who want to be part of a burning ethiopia while we can run a peaceful life where we are now...
May GOD save ethiopia from the sharp jaws of meles and co.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 18:36

Comment from: Independent [Visitor]

KUMSA AYENE,
most ethiopians leave home for the sake of better life, not due to politics.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 18:51

Comment from: woldeyesus [Visitor]

'The truth about ethiopian braindrain', the fact that you got a scholarship opportunity to Europe tells a lot. Ethiopia and her successive governments including the current one tried their best to get us educated in the hope that one day we may be useful to the people and country who have paid for our education. Unfortunately, like the crow that did not return to Noahs arc, we do the same. Even worse, some of us are bitting the hand that fed us and paid for our education in full (specially those who earn their degrees at Addis Ababa and other state universities).

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 19:15

Comment from: minew [Visitor]

Hey `The truth about ethiopian braindrain` Why do you paint a wrong picture of yourselves in Europe and the states. I beg to differ on your fallacious and scathing remarks about the government. Most of you and your pals are there in search of the ever shrinking greener grass on the western part of the world.

True, that the government has a bad track record of leadership but never to the extent of making hell in ethiopia. I demand that you give an example of a western educated man of Ethiopian origin coming back to be met with a killer. Some hate mongers might have had a rough time coming home.

Happy Christmas and Ethiopia is not burning, but trying to awaken from its millenia long deep slumber and hibernation. The portrayal of Ethiopia as a burning place, ain`t cool and is an affront to the millions of proud Ethiopians who are jumpstarting the walk to the brigther side of life.

And what in this benign interview gave you material for your hate agenda.

By the way sad that much of you foreigners of Ethiopian origin have lost contact of current events unfolding before our very eyes in the nation. I was struck with surprise to find some among you with a fresh memory of the "Good old days of the Hailesellasie`s times" without a single trip to the ancestral land. I surmise that you are not as old as those senior citizens but your age belies your truly anachronistic inner makeup.

God bless Ethiopia

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 19:36

Comment from: ehhron [Visitor]

Comment from: The truth about ethiopian braindrain [Visitor]
"Am a graduate student in europe through scholarship. To be honest with, if i return to ethiopia(after finishing my studies) that is gonna be quite big mistake." The big mistake in your life is the day you believed what you just wrote. What the hell is learning for if you can be easily brainwashed by extreme elements . I advise you to rethink what you said for your own mind. We dont need you and people who think like you in our land.Another word you said : "May GOD save ethiopia from the sharp jaws of meles" No you ignorant academic ETHIOPIA IS ALREADY SAVED THROUG PM MELES ZENAWI.He is done and is doing superb job for his country .

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 21:44

Comment from: Z-Mike [Visitor]

Indeed, it's very nice book. I hope the world will see more about the beauty of ETHIOPIA...

Merry Christmas to you HOPE Have a pleasant and blessed GENA...
take care
Z-Mike

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 23:21

Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]

Congradulations,LARA KASSA,on your book,Tt The

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 07:30

Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]

Lara Kassa,The Train to Djibouti.

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 07:32

Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]

LARA KASSA author THE TRAIN TO DJIBOUTI

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 08:36

Comment from: Joseph Jamene [Visitor]

Lara Kassa on Nazret.com 8 Jan.2008.note

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 08:47

Comment from: Solomon [Visitor]

Finally... something positive about our country.
I've read the book and I enjoyed it so much. By the way, guys, the novel has nothing to do with politic, just go and read it!

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 09:20

Comment from: zelalem [Visitor]

'Well done. I read it and it's an excellent book, with an intriguing plot and positive aspects about Ethiopia... for once!'

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 10:02

Comment from: dereje [Visitor]

i read it and i think it's very beautiful and it's very interesting. peaple can know things about ethiopian live and culture.

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 10:10

Comment from: manan [Visitor]

I have read your book and I liked very much. Immediately understand your great love for Africa and Ethiopia in particular. I look forward to a your next book

Permalink 01/08/08 @ 12:48

Comment from: KOKEB [Visitor]

SAMUEL GEBRU What are you here for? visiting?

a TPLF cadre like you should not waste a tax payers money to go to school here. Please delet all these non-sense you blog on. The DEDEB DUBA-RAS mesfin and his tegre likes are the one who send you to scool to become the trouble maker son of EPRDF organaized LEBAS! I wonder all your pictures are taken at the land of sodom and gomora? TPLF retards wasting millions of dollars to built :TEGRAY AKADAMY OF AKATARIS: while, our people are suffering due you to economical needs, basic living,homeless folks and kids all over our streets and in city garbage pits, shame on to
the person who lives in america and ignore all these facts despite taking humanity,socio-economics, sociology, government and other humanity electives to balance and judge the wisdom of ethics. instead the personal advantages and gains paid by notrious looter like DUBA-RAS seyoum paralayzed your brain.. Go to a hospital and check yourself in-you are mentally unstable and you don't make sense. Please hide your dumb picture.

HELL to WEYANE LEBAS!

So, what do you think? Hot debate? And the funny thing is... my book does not touch on politic at all!