Residents of Jijiga town [eastern Ethiopia] and its environs today held a peaceful demonstration in support of the steps taken recently by the [Somali] regional council at its second extraordinary meeting.
The over 20,000 demonstrators went to the region's parliament to express their support, waving the Ethiopian flag and the region's emblem and chanting various slogans. Some of the placards the demonstrators were carrying said: We will stand alongside the administrators to strengthen the peace and development of Somali region; Expedite the merger of the two political parties [The Ethiopian Somali Democratic League and the Ogaden National Liberation Front]; We support the resolutions passed.
While addressing the demonstrators, the head of the Somali regional state, Mr Mohammed Ma'alim Ali, said the [new] administration respects the constitution and the people's democratic rights...
________________________________________________________
Radio Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, in Amharic 1700 gmt 15 Oct 97