Press Release

His Excellency Kassahun Ayele, the Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, met last week on Capitol Hill with Representative Christopher Smith (R-New Jersey), chairman of the House International Relations Committee's subcommittee on Africa, Global Human
Rights, and International Operations. Congressman Smith is also vice chairman of the full International Relations Committee.

 Although the House of Representatives had recessed only hours before after a marathon, all-night session, Chairman Smith received Ambassador Ayele in his office, and the two engaged in conversation for almost an hour and a half.

 Ambassador Ayele began the discussion, at Congressman Smith's invitation, with a brief synopsis of recent Ethiopian history, pointing out how his country had thrown off the shackles of a Communist dictatorship less than 15 years ago, evolving into a competitive democracy with regular parliamentary elections, a free press, and a free-market economy. The most recent elections resulted in opposition parties increasing their representation in the national legislature from 12 to nearly 180 seats. The Ambassador said that Ethiopia has three interrelated goals: "peace, development, and democracy."

Congressman Smith gave the Ambassador a personal letter to convey to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, whom the Congressman met during a recent visit to Addis Ababa.

The Congressman and the Ambassador also discussed Ethiopia's partnership with the United States in the global war on terror.     The meeting was the first in which Congressman Smith and Ambassador Ayele were able to sit at length to discuss events in Ethiopia and U.S. policy toward that country. Both men agreed that future meetings should occur on a more frequent basis, noting that friendly dialogue is a key component of understanding. Ambassador Ayele extended an invitation to Congressman Smith to visit Ethiopia again, an invitation which was accepted in principle, contingent on the availability of travel dates.
    

Deutsche Welle