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Ethiopia rings in new Millennium Ethiopia rings in new Millennium
(about 4 hours later)
Celebrations have been taking place in the streets of Addis Ababa as Ethiopia ushers in the new Millennium.Celebrations have been taking place in the streets of Addis Ababa as Ethiopia ushers in the new Millennium.
The country uses the calendar of the Coptic Orthodox Church - which means the year 2000 began at midnight on Wednesday (2100GMT on Tuesday).The country uses the calendar of the Coptic Orthodox Church - which means the year 2000 began at midnight on Wednesday (2100GMT on Tuesday).
Fireworks lit up the sky above the city, as revellers gathered in the streets for a cultural festival.Fireworks lit up the sky above the city, as revellers gathered in the streets for a cultural festival.
A more exclusive event was attended by a number of African leaders, including Kenya's Mwai Kibaki.A more exclusive event was attended by a number of African leaders, including Kenya's Mwai Kibaki.
We thank Ethiopia for keeping up the flame of African unity Alpha Oumar KonareAU chairman In pictures: Millennium
In the 6th Century, the rest of Christendom revised its estimate of the date of the birth of Christ - but Ethiopia stuck with the old date, which means it was stuck more than seven years behind the rest of the world.In the 6th Century, the rest of Christendom revised its estimate of the date of the birth of Christ - but Ethiopia stuck with the old date, which means it was stuck more than seven years behind the rest of the world.
'Time for renaissance'
Ethiopians gathered together in churches all over the country to mark the occasion.Ethiopians gathered together in churches all over the country to mark the occasion.
'Time for renaissance'
Speaking at the main event to welcome in the Millennium, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi spoke of the glories of Ethiopia's first 1,000 years.Speaking at the main event to welcome in the Millennium, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi spoke of the glories of Ethiopia's first 1,000 years.
We thank Ethiopia for keeping up the flame of African unity Alpha Oumar KonareAU chairman href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6990473.stm">In pictures: Millennium AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY A happy Millennium for all of us! The very reason we Ethiopians celebrate a different Millennium shows that we are a free and independent country Tarik Zarish, Addis Ababa href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7253&edition=1&ttl=20070907132858">Send us your comments
He said decline then occurred, but now it was time for an Ethiopian renaissance.He said decline then occurred, but now it was time for an Ethiopian renaissance.
"A thousand years from now, when Ethiopians gather to welcome the fourth Millennium, they shall say the eve of the third Millennium was the beginning of the end of the dark ages in Ethiopia," he said."A thousand years from now, when Ethiopians gather to welcome the fourth Millennium, they shall say the eve of the third Millennium was the beginning of the end of the dark ages in Ethiopia," he said.
Because it was never colonised, Ethiopia has always had a special significance for the rest of Africa - which was summed up by the chairman of the African Union, Alpha Oumar Konare.Because it was never colonised, Ethiopia has always had a special significance for the rest of Africa - which was summed up by the chairman of the African Union, Alpha Oumar Konare.
"We thank Ethiopia for keeping up the flame of African unity," he said."We thank Ethiopia for keeping up the flame of African unity," he said.
He was speaking at the new exhibition hall where foreign dignitaries gathered.He was speaking at the new exhibition hall where foreign dignitaries gathered.
But correspondents say Ethiopians have mixed feelings about the Millennium celebrations.But correspondents say Ethiopians have mixed feelings about the Millennium celebrations.
Some residents of Addis Ababa - an opposition stronghold - criticised the government's campaign to clear the streets of beggars and the rising cost of food ahead of the celebrations.Some residents of Addis Ababa - an opposition stronghold - criticised the government's campaign to clear the streets of beggars and the rising cost of food ahead of the celebrations.
Tickets for a concert featuring US hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas cost $170, two months' salary for an average Ethiopian.Tickets for a concert featuring US hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas cost $170, two months' salary for an average Ethiopian.