International: Bush Urges Senate to Confirm Gates as Defense Secretary, Russian agents the poisoners: UK, Ailing Castro Takes Comfort in Chavez Victory and more of today's top stories-------------------------------
*petition: start dialog, not war
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Qaliti qalkidan Urgent Petition - Sign it!
At least 10,000 signatures needed before the Christmas holiday break
Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussain’s widow refuses to endorse war with Somalia 
ETP - Widow of the late Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussain and member of the House of People’s Representatives, W/O Aneb, has refused to support a resolution by the parliament of Ethiopia authorizing war with Somalia. W/O Aneb, has instead abstained from voting on the resolution.
This is highly embarrassing for the government since W/O Aneb is an MP of the somali people democratic party (SPDP), member organization of the ruling party EPRDF. Source say there was a lot of cajoling done to persuade her to change her mind but she was adamant.
Her late husband, Dr. Abdul Mejid Hussein (seen here), was an Ethiopian of Somali dissent who was staunchly opposed to the notion of a "greater Somalia" and had served the government in various high level positions. At the time of his death he was serving as a special envoy to the United Nations.
In 1996 there was an assassination attempt against Dr. Abdul Mejid, then Ethiopian minister of transport and communications. al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, a terrorist organization based in Somalia, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Recently, the EPRDF has been using the late Dr. Abdul Mejid in its propaganda to push for war against Somalia. The refusal of his widow to endorse the war is seen as a big blow to EPRDF’s public relations campaign.
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*ETP would like to acknowledge and commend members of the House of People’s Representatives who had the courage to vote against the war in spite of the veiled threats and bullying by the ruling party
Ethiopia Says It Is at War With Somalia
James Butty, VOA - Ethiopia said its involvement in Somalia is part of self-defense because of what the government called a repeated declaration of jihad on Ethiopia by the Islamists in Somalia
Bereket Simon is advisor to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. For the first time, he said Ethiopia has declared war on Somalia.
“Technically, we are war with Somalia. Everybody knows it is them who declared jihad on Ethiopia. So technically speaking, we are at war with them based on their declaration of war. Now, we have asserted our rights to defend ourselves,” he said.
Simon rejected suggestion by some that Ethiopia’s war in Somalia was an attempt to divert attention from the country’s economic and political problems.(More...)
Ethiopia eliminated from East Africa's Cecafa
BBC - Hosts and defending champions Ethiopia crashed out of East Africa's Cecafa Cup as they lost 1-0 to Zambia in Tuesday's quarter-finals.
The Chipolopolo will now play Rwanda in Friday's semi-finals, after the Wasps came from a goal down to beat Tanzania 2-1.
Zambia left it very late to seal their victory as Jonas Sakuwaha scored in the 87th minute with the only goal of the game.
Tanzania opened the scoring in the 26th minute of their quarter-final against Rwanda, with a goal from Elias Uzamukunda.
The lead lasted just 15 minutes before Robert Ujenza equalised for Rwanda.
The match-winner came in the 55th minute when Ujenza was brought down in the penalty area and Genot Witkenge stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Today's Top Stories
-Enset: Tolerating Dissent and Admitting to Mistakes are Signs of Good Leadership-Bush Urges Senate to Confirm Gates as Defense Secretary
-Russian agents the poisoners: UK spies
-Ailing Castro Takes Comfort in Chavez Victory
-Iran in final stage of nuclear program
-It could be Greater with a road right about here
