From The Addis Tribune: 27/09/96

Poster Recently Stuck on Aksum Obelisk in Rome

A large poster has recently appeared on the Aksum obelisk in Rome, explaining that it was stolen from Ethiopia. The poster, which is written in Italian, in big blue and red letters, is addressed to the present Government of Italy, headed by Prime Minister Prodi. It reads as follows:

"This obelisk belongs to Ethiopia!

"It was taken on the orders of Mussolini from the holy city of Axum in Tigray.

"The Treaty of Peace of 1947, in Article 37, imposes on Italy the obligation of returning it.

"50 years have passed, and it is still not returned!

"We strongly urge the Prodi Government to apologize to the Ethiopian people for the genocide committed by the Italian army during the 5 year occupation of Ethiopia, and that the obelisk be returned to Ethiopia as soon as possible".