Member of the US congress disclosed that the bill was approved by the Congress before it passes through the necessary discussion and deliberation.

While conferring on Thursday with US Congress delegation led by Congressman Kendrick Meek, Prime Minister Meles said that the HR 2003 bill, which was sponsored by few individuals and endorsed by the US Congress is detrimental to the common interests of Ethiopia and the US.

The act, which potentially puts shadow over the future relations of Ethiopia and the US has also hurt the spirit of the Ethiopian people and government, he added.

Ethiopia and the US are enjoying good development cooperation, Meles said, however, such acts could negatively affect existing cordial cooperation between the two parties, according to an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion.

Congressman Kendrick Meek after the discussion told journalists that the HR 2003 bill was passed in the congress by voice vote, before it was discussed by members of the Congress.

Accordingly, he said that the bill was passed with out taking the negative repercussions that it will bring on the smooth relation between the US and Ethiopia in to account.

Congressman Meek further said that he will make all efforts to aware other members of the Congress and US government officials on the negative impacts of passing the bill.

The discussion, the US congress delegation held with Prime Minister Meles was focused on ways of further augmenting the cooperation between the US and Ethiopian governments.

Members of the delegation for their part expressed their readiness to play role in further scaling up the relation between Ethiopia and the US in various sectors.

R--5:12-6:00 Pm

E--6:00- 6:17

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