[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23831-23832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                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

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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.

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