ETHIOPIA: CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD TO MARK THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ETHIOPIAN REVOLUTION

Record ID: 707155

  • Title: ETHIOPIA: CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD TO MARK THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ETHIOPIAN REVOLUTION
  • Date: 14th September 1981
  • Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA GV Crowd seated in stadium 0.03 GV PAN PULL BACK LV Performers in stadium doing flag waving routines. 0.13 SV Husak and Mengistu waving session 0.22 TV Performers in flag waving session 0.22 SCU Mengistu speaking to crowd in Amharic 0.34 SCU Husak listening 0.37 CU PULL BACK GV Soldiers, diplomats, foreign delegates watching 0.42 SV Husak and Mengistu 0.43 LV Horsemen carrying flags parade past 0.51 GV Helicopter 0.53 GVs Float passess Husak and Mengistu applauding (3 shots) 1.07 GV Troops march past (2 shots) 1.28 GV Troops march past 1.49 GV Military personnel watching, PULL BACK LV troops march past 1.49 SV Husak and Mengistu PAN officials and delegates standing for the "Internationale" PAN to band playing 3.00
  • Embargoed: 29th September 1981 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ethiopia, Ethiopia
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADPKPA2HA17H53YDK4JUBYJVAJ
  • Story Text: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

    INTRODUCTION: Ethiopia on Saturday (12 September) celebrated the seventh anniversary of the Marxist military coup which overthrew former Emperor Haile Selassie, in 1974. Serious economic difficulties face the country, and the dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden desert remains unresolved. The government of Chairman Mengistu Haile Mariam remains closely tied to the Soviet bloc. His special guest at the celebrations was Czeckoslovak President, Gustav Husak.

    SYNOPSIS: The anniversary was celebrated throughout the country. But it was in Revolution Square in the capital, Addis Ababa, that the celebrations took on a special importance, due to the presence of foreign dignitaries, headed by President Husak.

    It was a colourful show, but despite the glamour, serious economic difficulties face the country.

    In an address, Colonel Mengistu blamed "individualistic and destructive elements for what he called the "sad state" of the Ethiopian economy. The country suffers food shortages, unemployment, and lack of health and educational facilities. Some state controlled enterprises faced bankruptcy, he said.

    Colonel Mengistu also attacked unnamed countries which he said had failed to contribute to the development of socialism in Ethiopia.

    He pledged to take all necessary steps to fight what he called "trends that hamper the economic interest and growth of the broad masses," and he called for loyalty to the socialist ideology.

    After the speeches came the military displays. Since the coup, the armed forces in Ethiopia have grown to more than one quarter of a million men. Conscription is in force and in 1980, about 385 million dollars was spent on defence. The armed forces have been equipped with new tanks, ships and more than 100 combat aircraft. The para-military forces include about 150,000 members of the People Militia, and a 9,000 strong mobile police reserve.

    Many of these troops took part in the 1977 war with Somalia over ownership of the Ogaden desert. Now this frontier os mainly quiet, although sporadic clashes continue.

    President Husak and Colonel Mengistu later stood with the other delegates as the Communist anthem, the Internationale, was played.

    For the two leaders, the occasion provided an opportunity for bilateral negotiations. At the end of President Husak's visit, Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia signed a treaty of friendship and co-operation. The two countries agreed to establish a joint commission for economic, scientific and technical co-operation.

    Co-operation between the two countries already exists. A 60 million dollar brewery financed by Czechoslovakia is nearing completion in Ararge, Eastern Ethiopia. A tannery said to be the first of its kind in Africa, produces semi-processed hides for export. A tyre plant and shoe factory were also built with Czechoslovakian aid.

    <strong>Source: REUTERS - TAFESSE JARRA</strong>
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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