Meles says coming 10 years crucial to reduce poverty, backwardness

  Mekelle, August 1 (ENA) ---The coming ten years would be crucial in the long and checkered history of Ethiopia to reduce poverty and backwardness, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said. 

Addressing the fourth organizational conference of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) held in Makele town on Wednesday, Meles said Ethiopians from all walks of life should fasten their belts and grit their teeth to accelerate economic development. 

Meles, who is also chairman of the TPLF and the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said the bitter experiences drawn from the armed struggle to topple the dictatorial military regime should be applied to improve the living standard of the toiling masses. 

He said that at present TPLF has been on a firm ground, adding that the issue has become either to be part of the reformation process under way or abandon it.

 All EPRDF affiliated parties in a bid to strengthen their organizational structures have also conducted the renewal process, he said.

 The Prime Minister noted that constructive measures have been taken during the last few months to keep intact the existence of TPLF.

 He said TPLF has entered a new chapter that could enable it to rectify its previous mistakes and set a new vision in the nation building process. 

The Prime Minister said utmost efforts would be exerted in the years ahead to reduce poverty and accomplish the various out standing development projects. 

 A one-minute silence was observed in honor of the martyrs' who died during the bitter-armed struggle launched to bring the demise of the dictatorial military junta that reigned in the country for about 17 years. 

Over 700 participants’ represented by the organization are in attendance at the conference. 

The third organizational conference of the TPLF was held in Makelle town in 1985 E.C.

 ( ENA)