ETHIOPIA: 2003 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 004636 S/CT FOR REAP, AF/E - WOLNICK, AF/RSA, NEA/ARP, NEA/NGA, INR/AA - OFCANSKY, INR/TNC, EB/ESC/ESP-GLAS CORRECTED TO INCLUDE OMITTED INFO ADDRESSEES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PINS ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: 2003 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT REF: STATE 301352 ¶1. This is post's submission for the 2003 Annual Terrorism Report. Answers are keyed to questions in reftel. ¶2. Post Responses A) Significant actions taken by host government to support the Global Coalition Against Terrorism: The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE) is a firm and committed partner in the Global Coalition Against Terrorism and has not shied away from making public statements condemning terrorism to include providing full support to the U.S. policy on Iraq. The GFDRE has cooperated in USG efforts to block any terrorist assets that might be in Ethiopia. In fall 2003, the GFDRE created a committee to draft new counterterrorism legislation and expects to enact this new counterterrorism law by early 2004. B) Response of Judicial System: The GFDRE did not prosecute any incidents related to terrorism in 2003. There were no acts of terrorism against U.S. citizens or facilities in Ethiopia in 2003. C) Extraditions: The GFDRE did not extradite or request the extradition of suspected terrorists in 2003. There were no USG requests to the GFDRE for extradition of suspected terrorists in 2003. We believe Ethiopia would extradite suspected terrorists to the U.S. if requested, although we have no extradition treaty. D) Impediments to prosecution: There were no significant impediments to prosecution and/or extradition of suspected terrorists in Ethiopia in 2003. However, the GFDRE's ability to respond effectively to terrorism is hampered by insufficient funding and inadequate training of its security forces and judiciary. Criminal cases languish in the judicial system and suspects can spend years awaiting trial. E) Responses other than prosecution: The GFDRE has consistently condemned terrorism, including the 1998 Nairobi and Dar es Salaam bombings and the 9/11 attacks. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi regularly condemns all forms of terrorism. The GFDRE has taken actions to controls its border with Somalia to prevent smuggling and terrorist movement. The GFDRE and the Government of Djibouti are discussing ways to reduce terrorists' ability to move across their border en route to and from Yemen and Somalia. The GFDRE is cooperating with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in training to fight terrorism. Infantry forces from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, currently assigned to CJTF-HOA, have conducted three-month training sessions for elements of the Ethiopia National Defense Forces (ENDF) at the Hurso Camp in eastern Ethiopia in an effort to establish the first of three new anti-terrorism battalions in the ENDF. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum stated during his address to the opening session of the UNGA in September 2003 that, "We in Ethiopia are determined to contribute more than our share to assist in the regeneration of our sub-region which has also been the target of international terrorism. The achievement of peace and national reconciliation in Somalia is extremely critical in the fight against this scourge as well. That is why all those who are willing to join in the fight against international terrorism should be automatically supportive of the peace effort by IGAD in Somalia." Ethiopia and Yemen issued a joint statement on July 22 underlining the need "for great cooperation amongst countries in the region in the fight against this evil (terrorism)", and for an international conference on terrorism under the umbrella of the United Nations. F) Major counterterrorism efforts: There were no major counterterrorism efforts undertaken by the GFDRE in 2003. G) Support for terrorism: The GFDRE did not give any support to terrorism in any manner in 2003. H) Statements supporting terrorism: The GFDRE did not make any public statements in support of a terrorist-supporting country on a terrorism issue in 2003. I) Changes in attitude: There were no significant changes in the GFDRE's attitude toward terrorism in 2003. BRAZEAL