Millennial Challenge; Will Addis host the new AfricaCommand for Diplomacy and Development?

Dear Patriotic Global Citizens and Friends of Ethiopia:

As the new Ethiopian/African Millennium which is refeered to the 8th Millennium according to traditional and historical literatue is approaching, the world situation is becoming rather challenging.

The recent tragedy in a Red Masgid in Islamabad in Pakistan and subsequent call for Jihad by Dr Alzahwiri- the infamous Egyptian Peadiatrican is leaving a serious challenge for all of us.

Some of his comments as reported by world news and AP are rather explosive and are posted below.

World news (The inset of pictures attached shows)

Pakistani religious students of Islamabad's radical Red mosque arrive at sports complex from a jail in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Pakistani commandos cleared the warren-like Red Mosque complex of all die-hard defenders Wednesday, ending a fierce eight-day siege and street battles which left more than 80 dead. (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
K.M.Chaudary: AP



July 11, 2007, 2:46PM
Al-Qaida calls for war against Pakistan

CAIRO, Egypt — Al-Qaida's No. 2 issued a new videotape on Wednesday calling for Pakistanis to join the jihad, or holy war, in revenge for the attack by Pakistan's army on a radical mosque.

Ayman al-Zawahri's 4 minutes and 24 address was entitled "The Aggression against Lal Masjid" and entirely focused on the recent clashes between Islamic students and Pakistan's army at the mosque.

The video was released by al-Qaida's multimedia branch, as-Sahab. Its authenticity could not immediately be confirmed, but two U.S.-based terrorism monitoring groups also reported it.

"Muslims of Pakistan: your salvation is only through Jihad," or holy war, al-Zawahri said in the video, which was subtitled in English.

"Rigged elections will not save you, politics will not save you, and bargaining, bootlicking, negotiations with the criminals, and political maneuvers will not save you," a bespectacled and white-clad al-Zawahri said.

"Musharraf and his hunting dogs have rubbed your honor in the dirt in the service of the Crusaders and the Jews," he said.

As events are unfolding dramatically in Pakistan and Iraq, the US Pentagon is preparing for the worst and has plans to open a new Africa Command and has chosen a decorated African American General to be its first commander.

The task of this illustrous commander and his office is to enable diplomacy and development efforts in Africa, but there are other conocerns such as humanitarian and counter-terrorism activities too.

The challenge is can Africa lead the world in a different track from what the West and Middle East or in their terms the Jihadists and Crusaders are imposing on the world?

Can Ethiopian Millennium bring the long awaited Peace and Prosperity to the world by engaging contending parties towards win-win strategic enterprises or would Africa collapse under the weight of the Global Terror Mantra be it that declared by Ayman Alzahawiri or the Pentagon.

Can Africa tame these two conflictual interest groups? That is the challenge of our time. Please read on the stories and make your comments and creative suggestions.

with respect and seeking your creative contribution towards Global Peace and Prosperity, I remain;

Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH
Global Strategic Enterprises for Peace and Prosperity
www.SolomonicCrown.org; Globalbelai4u.blogspot.com
Globalbelai@yahoo.com



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news/2007/07/military_ward_africacommand_070710w
Gates taps Army 4-star to be AfriCom chief

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 5:33:20 EDT

The deputy commander of U.S. European Command has been nominated to become the first-ever commander of Africa Command.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Tuesday that President Bush has nominated Army Gen. William Ward for re-appointment to the rank of general and the top job at the new command, announced in February by President Bush.

“Kip” Ward, who must be confirmed for the job by the U.S. Senate, was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1971. His military service has included overseas tours in Korea, Egypt, Somalia, Bosnia, Israel, two tours in Germany and, most pertinent to the “AfriCom” assignment, Somalia.

Ward’s long list of staff assignments includes a posting that should also prove valuable in his new job, should he be confirmed: Chief of the Office of Military Cooperation, at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt.

The command will begin life in October as a “sub-unified” command with “initial operating capability,” headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and operating under European Command. It is to become a fully operational, separate unified command no later than October 2008. The ultimate headquarters location — officials say there could be more than one — is still being determined.

The administration’s goal for AfriCom is “to help build the capacity of African nations and African organizations like the African Standby Force to promote peace and security and respond to crises on the continent.” The command will also, according to DoD, “coordinate DoD support to other U.S. government programs for Africa in the areas of diplomacy and development to help make those efforts more effective.”

Officials say the command will employ a unique blend of diplomacy, humanitarian aid and counter-terrorism operations, using a wide range of U.S. capabilities that aim to stop problems before they start in a region of growing economic and political importance to the U.S.