Prime Minister Meles on Thursday received and held talks with a delegation led by Senator James Inhofe of the Oklahoma State.

Senator Inhofe during the discussion told Prime Minister Meles that he, in his capacity as member of the US Senate, strongly opposes the endorsement of HR 2003 bill.

The Senator indicated that his discussion with the Premier was focused on further cementing the bilateral relation between Ethiopia and the US that is based on the mutual interest of the two sides.

Senator Inhofe told Meles that the bill was passed by the US congress before it was well discussed by members of the Congress, according to a Senior Official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion.

The bill which was sponsored by few members of the Congress that have special mission, was passed by voice vote, the Senator recalled.

Prime Minister Meles also said that Ethiopia, which has a long history of independence, has never been administered by a legislation imposed by an outsider.

The Congress should have thoroughly looked in to the negative repercussions of the bill on the cordial relation of Ethiopia and the United States, he noted.

Since Ethiopia is a sovereign country, its people would not accept the implementation of the bill at any rate, Meles said.

The Premier also expressed his hope that the Senate will never adopt the HR 2003 bill, which seriously affects the smooth relation between Ethiopia and the US.

R-- 8:47-9:19 Pm

E--8:19- 8:26

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