HOUSE ENDORSED MOTION OF THANKS

The House of Peoples’ Representatives’, in its 4th regular session held on 23rd of October 2007, has endorsed the motion of thanks presented in relation to the opening speech of President Girma W/Giorgis delivered to the first joint session of the 3rd tenure of the third Houses of the FDRE.

The House endorsed the motion after it had discussed the amendment motions moved by political parties with seats in the House and heard government’s stand presented by his Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The House endorsed the motion with a majority vote of 279 for 87 against and 14 abstentions as resolution No. 1/2007. Earlier to this, however, opposition political parties in the House have put forth their concern with regard to peace, democracy, good governance, unemployment, market instability and other related issues such as the imprisonment of some people of Oromo ethnic group.

Accordingly, the premier has given broad explanations to the questions and suggestions forwarded as well as the amendment motions moved by opposition parties at the House’s 2nd regular session held on 11th of October 2007.

With regard to corruption the premier called upon all parties to stand by the government for the campaign against corruption so as to procreate a society with zero tolerance towards corruption.

As far as the measures taken on terrorists in Somalia and the anti-peace forces serving as Trojan Horses of the Eritrean government is concerned, the premier assured that the measures were taken to ensure the rule of law and security of citizens.

Concerning the pull of Ethiopian forces from Somalia, he said that the forces will vacate Somalia as soon as the desired preconditions are fulfilled.

With a view to stabilize the market, the government has been taking necessary measures through selected intervention where market failures were observed to encourage healthy market situation he said, and assured that the government would continue the same trend while promoting micro businesses to benefit the youth and women.

The premier expounded that encouraging activities have been carried out to ensure peace, democracy, good governance and development and has also given further elaborations to the various points raised by the opposition political parties.

He stated that the amendment motions moved by political parties are unacceptable, out of touch and digressing from the right track as they have not considered at depth the contents of the president’s opening speech.

Meantime members of the House have observed and pledged to be part of the national motto entitled “Stand up and Speak Out Against Poverty” to play roles in poverty eradication endeavors.