By Eskinder Ferew
Ethiopia’s prime minister dictator Meles Zenawi has refused to say how many troops were killed or wounded during the his regime’s two-year military campaign in Somalia.
During a question-and-answer period in the Ethiopian parliament Thursday, an opposition lawmaker asked Meles to provide casualty numbers from the Somalia conflict.
The prime minister responded by saying it is “unnecessary” for parliament to have that information, and that he is not obligated to provide it.
One Member of Parliament, former President Negaso Gidada, told VOA that he found the comments arrogant.
Tune into the Amharic service report of the exchange in parliament from Eskinder Firew.
Gidada says that, as representatives of the people, parliament members have a right to know.
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FORUM | 8 Comments

Why should he give anything that he is asked by any Ethiopian – be it parliamenterians or not. The guy knows he can pee all over us and get away and he has!
[Reply]
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:36 PM
For sure he does not know and he does not want to know as well. In a country where people die every minute or every other minute because of starvation and government repression, why ask such a question. those soldiers, I am not speaking ill about soldiers, most of them decided to join the illegitimate government. the most important point is the government is killing hundreds and why care about those killed by the Somali. Negasso is another retarded guy who has been been mopping up this government’s **s for how many years.
How is this war going to be remembered in Ethiopian history. Ethiopian aggression on Somali people?
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 AM
I think Meles has lost his mind and is going crazy. I don’t know what is going on within the EPRDF, all of them have lost it, especially after the 2005 National election.
Guys, the country is really in a mess.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:32 AM
It is very unfortunate those soldeirs killed and wounded in vain in a foreign country. I feel sorry for the families and relatives of those killed. Here again weyane rubbing salt on the wound by denying the sacrifices of those soldeirs. This clearly shows the barbarism of the tplf gangs.
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I wonder how many have died. Meles we demand that you tell us? Ten thousands lifes for nothing. Welcome to africa!
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March 23rd, 2009 at 12:35 PM
ያሳዝናል!ያሳዝናል!
[Reply]
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Let’s try to save those who are alive still in Ethiopia if we can.
[Reply]
March 24th, 2009 at 6:36 AM
Refusal by Meles to tell how many have died can be equated to indifference to the soldiers’ death and therefore no purpose (I mean in Meles’ context, because we all know that the Somali fighting was unnecessary). I am very, very sorry!!!!
[Reply]
March 25th, 2009 at 10:58 AM