Norwegain Prime Minister and invited government ministers decline invitation to Yara's celebrations to award Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi

From the title page of Aftenposten, a leading Norwegian Newspaper, 27.08.2005

Shuns Dictator Prize

The government headed by Prime Minister Bondevik have declined an invitation to Yara’s (previously Norsk Hydro) celebrations which will consist of the presentation of a prize to Ethiopia’s dictator.

Clicking on the link under this entry on the title page will lead to the following two articles:


Government Fails Yara

The government headed by Prime Minister Bondevik have declined an invitation to Yara’s (previously Norsk Hydro) celebrations which will consist of the presentation of a prize to Ethiopia’s dictator. Artistes Sissel Kyrkebø and Mari Boine are also evaluating the situation.

By Gunnar Magnus

“He is one of the most hated people in Ethiopia.”

This was stated by an associate professor Kjetil Tronvoll of the Norwegian Center for Human Rights, about Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. As supreme boss of the state-owned agricultural system this same man is also an important purchaser of the products of the artificial fertilizer firm Yara (previously Norsk Hydro).

As part of their jubilee celebrations Yara will award Zenawi the newly established Yara Prize of slightly in excess of one million Norwegian Kroner. This will take place at a spectacular event at the Oslo Concert House. Part of the basis for the award is that Zenawi has taken “decisive steps to increase food production and alleviate poverty in one of the world’s poorest developing countries.” It is also stated that he has brought political change to Ethiopia, and he is praised for his commitment and inspiring leadership.

“There are between 10000 and 30000 political prisoners in the country”, Kjetil Tronvoll estimates. He tells of torture in prisons, political assassinations and an inadequate legal system. After the election 4000 opposition party members were arrested and party leaders were placed under house arrest.

Other African countries also have human rights problems. But Tronvoll says, “Ethiopia is one of the really naughty boys in the class. Here there are documentable excesses on a large scale.”

Yara has invited Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and the political leadership of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. But neither the Prime Minister nor any cabinet Ministers will attend. This was confirmed by the respective Ministries when Aftenposten rang them up.


Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik will not grace fertilizer giant Yara’s award to Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi in the Oslo Concert House with his presence.
Photo: Lise Åserud/SCANPIX

Leiv Lunde of the Foreign Ministry will probably be the only representative of the political leadership of any of the government ministries to attend. Lunde confirms that there has been much discussion in the Foreign Ministry about whether to attend or not.

“Is this a sign that one ministerial secretary represents the entire Norwegian establishment?”

“Jan Petersen is otherwise engaged, Hilde Frafjord Johnson is in Tanzania,” says Lunde. And the Prime Minister’s office points out that it is not natural for any of the other cabinet ministers to attend when Bondevik declines.

Mixed Reception

Arne Cartridge, Yara’s media spokesperson, confirms that the invitations that have been sent have met a mixed reception.

“I don’t wish to go into detail about the invitations, but we are talking about representatives of the Norwegian establishment, voluntary organizations and a broad spectrum Norwegian society. Some of them don’t wish to attend, others are engaged in their election campaigns, while many have accepted. We calculate that around 800 people will be present in the Concert House,” he says.

Sissel Kyrkjebø and Mari Boine are two of the most popular artistes who are planned to perform at the presentation at the Concert House next Saturday. According to their managers, Arne Svare and Pål Gjersum, they will think about whether to participate during the weekend, after have been apprised by among others exile Ethiopians of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s disputed position in Ethiopia.




Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Photo: Reuters/Antony Njuguna

Meles Zenawi
Born 1955 in Tigray Province, Ethiopia
Defeated dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991, after 17 years of war
Ethiopia’s strongman since then. Officially prime minister from 1995.
Widely criticized for his tyrannical rule, according to Internet encyclopaedia, Wikipedia.
Appointed by Tony Blair to his Africa Commission of 2004.

This is a translation of an article from www.aftenposten.no, which was updated 27.08.2005, 00:12 o’clock. The URL is:
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/okonomi/article1103955.ece


Depressing that Suspicion is cast upon us

“I find it depressing that suspicion is cast upon us”, says Yara’s media spokesperson Arne Cartridge. He denies that the prize is being awarded as a reward to a major customer.

By Gunnar Magnus

The Ethiopian State buys Yara’s artificial fertilizer. But it goes through an agent, says Cartiridge, who insists, “we have no direct commercial relationship to Meles or to the State”.

And there is no question of any large sales, he says. “Ethiopia comprises under one percent of our African market. But over a 20-year period it is a very significant market. It is a win-win situation”.


Yara’s boss, Thorleif Enger criticized for awarding to one of the worst dictators in Africa.
Photo: Christian Poppe/SCANPIX

“It’s said that the regime uses artificial fertilizer as a political weapon?”

“The State controls the distribution of products used in cultivation. But if we go 100 year back in our history, we see that it was like that here too.”

“Isn’t there something strange about you giving 200 000 dollar to a politician which in practice is your customer?”

“Once again, this is such a small and insignificant part of our business. The board of the foundation which awards the prize are of the opinion that what the authorities have done to bring about development has been beneficial to the eradication of hunger and poverty. There are also things that can be criticized.”

“You must have understood what kind of impression a prize like this will give.”

“I find it depressing that suspicion is cast upon us.” Cartridge says that the prizewinner was selected from among 31 nominated people and organizations. He hopes that it will lead to a debate on the combating of hunger and poverty in Africa.

This is a translation of an article from www.aftenposten.no, which was updated 27.08.2005, 00:12 o’clock. The URL is:
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/okonomi/article1103954.ece

__________________________________________
Translator’s Note:
Any misinterpretations or errors in translation are the sole responsibility of the translator.

We should like to express our gratitude to Kjell Magne Bondevik, Prime Minister of Norway for the stand he has taken on this issue, supporting right and justice and making his position clear.
- Anti Yara-Award Committee

May God bless the Anti Yara Award Committee's members. We all are so proud of you beyond words.





May God bless the Great Ethiopia and its people!!

you have done great job anti_yara!!!!!!!!!!

Email: getahun123@gmail.com

City: oslo

I am proud of anti-yara committe. Great job!
Yebret Kolo

Wether Meles gets the award or not, the fact you have created this awarness is amazing. This is what happens when people unit they became a force not to be reckon with.

Well done to Yara commtt

City: AA

Thank you, for your hard work. You make me proud.

I simply wonder what kind of man would go to accept an award under this circumstances. What is also interesting is that what kind of man would go in a time his throne is under threat. He may end up staying in Norway for good. Interesting.

Mamo Qilo

Dear Mamo, you raised a good point, I guess he has to order a special kind of eye glass from the Yara Fertilization Company, that could cover his whole face and make him a little bit comfortable during the award ceremony, I guess that is the only way he could face the World. Also, as my good friend said:, "Hodams aka tirifrafi lekamis, know no shame". So, ...we will see...


May God bless the Great Ethiopia and its people!