While Senator Russel Finegold, Rep Donald Payne and the series of AP reporters: Jeffrey Getleman etc are supporting terrorist and Pirate infested Somalia, AlShabab and AlQaeda, true American heroes like Senator Browback are supporting Ethiopia.
Just read Senator Browbacks speech and the attached Somali Pirates and Terrorists who are hodling the whole Gulf of Aden Shipping lane hostage!
Just imagine how stupid Senator Finegold and Rev Donald Payne are! It is just amazing, how the fools get themselves elected into US Senate and Congress and continue to make fool of themselves in the international arena.
One wonders why the Arabian world has very little respect to US Congressional figures like foolish Payne and stupid Finegold.
History will judge these fools for their remarks against Ethiopia. However, Ethiopia does have friends and here is one.
A friend in need is a friend in Deed!
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
PAGE S10466
Oct. 2, 2008
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ETHOPIA
Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President,
I would like to voice my support for the difficult work that Ethiopia is doing on the battlefield of the war on terror in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia is a country of great importance to the United States, and is located in what some have called one of the roughest neighborhoods in the world.
As one of our strongest allies in this complicated region, Ethiopia has shown promise in meeting both economic and security challenges.
Although Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, it is developing a market-based economy which has experienced an impressive 10 percent annual growth since 2003.
In addition, the Government of Ethiopia, in close collaboration with regional and international health organizations, has achieved some success in addressing global public health concerns, including the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The US-Ethiopia bilateral relationship is strong and enduring. Ethiopia is a vital partner of the United States in the fight against terrorism, promoting regional stability and combating violent extremism.
As a growing democracy, Ethiopia shares with the United States a common commitment to promoting freedom and human dignity.
With respect to Ethiopia’s involvement in Somalia, it is important to understand that the U.S., U.N., E.U., and A.U., all have urged Ethiopia to remain in Somalia until replacement forces arrive or a stable government is formed.
Ethiopian government officials have stated that while the Government of Ethiopia is anxious to remove their forces at the earliest possible time, it has delayed the withdrawal of troops from Somalia, at great political and economic cost, until replacement troops arrive to ensure the stability of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.
Unfortunately, while several nations have pledged to send replacement troops under the auspices of the African Union, only a small fraction of those pledged have actually arrived.
I am grateful that Ethiopia remains committed to securing stability and peace in Somalia, and hope that the full African Union contingent arrives soon to enable the safe withdrawal of Ethiopian forces.
Ethiopia faces a host of ongoing challenges both at home and abroad, and merits our support and assistance.
I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the progress made by this Ethiopia in promoting the health and welfare of its people, and assisting in the war on terror in the Horn of Africa
Somali pirates made $18-$30m this year
Reuters | October 3, 2008
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NAIROBI - Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has cost shippers between $18-30 million so far this year in ransoms and is threatening global business, British think-tank Chatham House said on Thursday.
Pirates have hijacked more than 30 ships off Somalia this year, making the country's 3,300 km coastline one of the most dangerous in the world and threatening an important shipping lane between Europe and Asia.
"Total ransom payments for 2008 probably lie in the range of $18-30 million. Inflation of ransom demands makes this an ever more lucrative business," a Chantam House report said.
The gangs have received ransoms between $500,000 and $2 million for each ship taken this year, according to the report titled: Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars.
Chatham House says the piracy was likely to divert shipping away from the major global sea artery used by about 20,000 vessels each year, increasing operating costs and end prices. Risk insurance premiums have risen tenfold this year, the report said.
Shippers are considering avoiding the Gulf of Aden for a longer route to Europe and North America around the Cape of Good Hope, Chatham House said. "Extra weeks of travel and fuel consumption would add considerably to the cost of transporting goods. At a time when the price of oil is a major concern, anything that could contribute to a further rise in prices must be considered very serious indeed."
The pirates are getting more sophisticated and brazen as little is done to counter their activity, the report said. In the latest hijacking, Somali pirates captured a Ukrainian ship carrying 33 tanks and have demanded a $20 million ransom.
The pirates are said to be using MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems) and rocket propelled grenades during their attacks. They also have GPS systems and satellite phones. Most attacks have been in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and north Somalia, a major route leading to the Suez canal linking Europe and Asia.
Despite US and French military bases in the area and the UN Security Council having promised to take steps against the pirates, the report said global action was lacking.
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