AP intv, Meles Zenawi accuses militants in Somalia of waging war against Ethiopia

(2 Nov 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi walking along
2. Wide of Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister, Ethiopia facing interviewer
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister:
"So, I think so far the talks have not been serious. (I think) the jihadists believe they have the military momentum and that they're using the talks in Khartoum as a sort of cover for their military take-over throughout Somalia and as a sort of an instrument to garner some legitimacy."
4. Wide of Meles Zenawi sitting in a chair
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister:
"These jihadists have publicly stated that they want to wage jihad on Ethiopia, and have said so on a number of occasions, so in effect they have declared war on us."
7. Wide of Meles Zenawi during interview
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister:
"Well, we're talking about people who have, in the past, been involved in terrorist activities both here in Ethiopia and in Kenya. We are not talking about theoretical possibilities here, we're talking about facts involving the leaders of the jihadist movement in Mogadishu and their previous, direct association with terrorist outrages both in Ethiopia and in Kenya. Now, when they're in a position to control the whole of Somalia, it would be very naive to assume that they will mend their ways, cease to be terrorists and become, you know, very civilised, and very tame 'pussycats'. These are proven terrorists."
9. Close up of Meles Zenawi's hand on the arm chair
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister:
"Well I think the training was started a bit late in the day. It's been a month or so since we formally started training their people, it takes more than a month to train a capable army and therefore while we're mid progress, it would be na�ve to assume that we've done all the necessary preparations to enable the Somali government to fend for itself."
11. Cut of Meles Zenawi during interview
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister:
"I believe they represent a direct threat first to Somalia and the Somali people, secondly to the region and Ethiopia and lastly to the international community."
13. Medium shot of Ethiopia Prime Minister shaking hands with interviewer and walking out of shot
STORYLINE
Ethiopia's prime minister said on Wednesday that Islamic militants in Somalia have essentially declared war on his country.
"These jihadists have publicly stated that they want to wage jihad on Ethiopia, and have said so on a number of occasions, so in effect they have declared war on us, " he told AP Television News.
He said Islamic militants, known as the Council of Islamic Courts, pose a threat to the Horn of Africa and the entire international community and that more must be done to contain them.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told The Associated Press that he held out little hope a peace agreement could be reached between Somalia's internationally recognised government and the Islamic group who have taken over much of the country.
"We are not talking about theoretical possibilities here, we're talking about facts involving the leaders of the jihadist movement in Mogadishu and their previous, direct association with terrorist outrages both in Ethiopia and in Kenya, " he said.
Ethiopia, a largely Christian nation, supports Somalia's embattled secular government.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is concerned about what the Islamic militants' hold on Somalia would mean for his neighbour's future.
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[@abu10012]

Jihad doesn't necessarily mean to fight on the battle field. Jihad is an Arabic word which means to struggle and to strive against one's own evil inclination and against oppression and so on. Just because the fighters are Muslims it can not be considered as Jihad.

[@musemuse963]

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[@yusuf123somali]

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[@asefawoldu1777]

Meles represented the best and brightest Africa had to offer and a beacon of hope in the troubled Horn of Africa region. RIP ATO MELES ZENAWI!

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