ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 29, 2005 (ENA) — Californian State Congressman Mike Honda said the US Congress would do everything possible toward ensuring democratic system in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In a statement it sent to Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) on Thursday 28 July, the ministry said Congressman Honda, who is also Chairman of the Ethiopian-Americans Group, expressed the commitment of the US Congress in assisting Ethiopia toward institutionalizing democratic system.

Congressman Honda made the remark last Monday while opening a meeting on role of Ethiopia-US relations in combating international terrorism organized by Public Affairs Committee of the Ethiopian-American Group in Washington DC.

Honda said on the occasion he has a better understanding about the prevailing situation in Ethiopia owing to his visit to the country recently.

He said the Ethiopian-American Group would play its level best toward encouraging Ethiopians living abroad to contribute their share in ensuring democracy and sustainable economic development in the country.

According to the statement, prominent scholars presented papers on, among others, the Ethiopia-US relations, May national elections and democracy in Ethiopia, and the role of Ethiopia in combating international terrorism in the course of the meeting.

Members of the US Congress, representatives from USAID, Ethiopians and people from Ethiopian origin living in Washington DC, and radio programme producers, and representatives of the civic associations were in attendance at the meeting, the statement said.