Read HE PM Meles in Walta to widen your views and learn where Ethiopia is today and tomorrow
Addis Ababa, September 06,2005 (WIC) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) would continue implementing development and good governance activities with more vigor in the coming five years.
In an interview he held with Abyotawi Democracy magazine in connection with the Ethiopian New Year, Meles said the development and good governance plans designed earlier would be implemented after some amendments have been made to them.
The five-year plan would be presented to the public after endorsement by the EPRDF Council, he said, adding that the plan is believed to bring about a leap forward in the country's development and good governance endeavors.
The premier also said the five-year plan would mainly focus on effectively implementing the Agricultural Development Led Industrialization (ADLI) strategy through large-scale expansion of infrastructure facilities in rural and urban areas.
Due attention would be given to export-oriented agriculture and industry with a view to registering a sharp growth rate in the export sector as witnessed in the past couple of years, he said.
Meles said the encouraging activities underway to ensure the provision of basic health services and primary education in all rural areas would be sustained in the coming years to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in the education sector.
The Chairman stated that his party has drawn valuable lessons from this year's elections which will help it to rectify problems observed in the implementation of some programs and to strengthen those cardinal strategies that won the support of the public.
Meles also underscored the need to give opportunity to those forces who oppose the constitution to express their views to the public in a peaceful and democratic manner, which, he said, is vital to guarantee peace and democracy in the country.
The fact that the electoral process took a prolonged time had a negative impact on the country's economy, he said, adding that there would never be any dialogue with opposition parties unless they honor the decision of the Electoral Board and pursue their cases in a legal and peaceful manner.
The premier recalled the recent decision of EPRDF's executive committee that the winner party should take measures to end the election saga and set up the new government. Legal measures would be taken against those bent on reversing the constitutional process, he added.
Meles also noted that some remnants of the former regime were operating under the guise of democracy to threaten the public with their motto that there could not be peace unless they come to power. He urged the public to protect its own peace by distancing itself from anti-peace and anti-democratic moves of some opposition parties.
The government is ready to take all legal measures against those who strive to endanger the peace and security of the nation, Meles said.
