Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA1348
2006-05-15 13:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA: OPPOSITION LEADERS SEEK DIALOGUE,

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ET 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #1348 1351331
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151331Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0545
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001348 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: OPPOSITION LEADERS SEEK DIALOGUE,
STRONGER INSTITUTIONS

REF: ADDIS ABABA 01319

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: OPPOSITION LEADERS SEEK DIALOGUE,
STRONGER INSTITUTIONS

REF: ADDIS ABABA 01319


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a meeting with the Charge May 10,
opposition leaders and the moderate diaspora organization
Voice of Reason discussed the need to continue dialogue with
the EPRDF-led government. Voice of Reason representatives
claimed that only a small (but vocal) portion of the diaspora
are hardliners. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party
(CUDP) wants government funding for political parties. END
SUMMARY.

OPPOSITION LEADERS FAVOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE WITH RULING PARTY
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) Mesfin Ayelu, member of the moderate diaspora group
Voice of Reason, said the Ethiopian diaspora in the United
States is sharply divided over the current political
situation in Ethiopia. Mesfin told the group that while the
bulk of the diaspora believe in peace and a nonviolent way
forward, a small number of vocal diaspora hardliners exist.
He recommended that opposition leaders work together in
Ethiopia and focus on the internal political landscape.


3. (SBU) United Ethiopian Democratic Front (UEDF) chair
Beyene Petros agreed with Mesfin and told the group that "all
of us" contributed to the political problems facing the
country. He continued by encouraging the group to find
strategic and well-planned ways to engage with the
government. Beyene said opposition parties should look for
"useful" concessions in its relationship with the GOE. On
the other hand, UEDF member Merera Gudina said he was less
optimistic than his colleague Beyene and warned that Meles'
continued "control of the internal situation" would create a
diaspora-funded conflict and foster alliances between the
CUDP and insurgency groups, like the Oromo Liberation Front
(OLF).


4. (SBU) CUDP chairperson Temesgen Zewdie said he was
committed to nonviolence and wanted to focus on institution
building. He commented that the opposition parties should
start a dialogue amongst themselves to find common ground and
invited those at the meeting to take part.

CUDP: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
--------------


5. (SBU) Temesgen told Charge that his party's priorities
included consolidating its position within parliament and
securing a financial foundation for the organization.
Temesgen explained how the CUDP's May 10 walkout from
parliament was a protest against the government's decision to
appoint an Addis Ababa caretaker administration (reftel).
Temesgen noted that the government was partially responsible
for the CUDP's failure to take over Addis Ababa, given that
it had imprisoned and harassed some electees. The
government, Temesgen argued, should have encouraged and
empowered the CUDP to taker over the city. Instead, Temesgen
added, the government went "by the book," which precluded an
ability to take over the city.


6. (SBU) CUDP city council electee Ayele Chamiso reflected on
the CUDP's long, difficult journey, but said re-registering
the party was a success. Ayele spoke of continuing
harassment of CUDP members and presumed sympathizers in the
business community, but said the political situation is a
"bit better than before." He reiterated that the party
cannot forget its members in jail and must strive to abide by
their objectives, but United Ethiopian Democratic
Party-Medhin (UEDP-Medhin) chair Lidetu Ayalew was skeptical
about the new and old CUD parties being one and the same. He
told the Charge that he accepted the new CUDP as a political
party and looked forward to working with it as the largest
parliamentary opposition group, but sided with the National
Electoral Board in drawing a distinction between the CUDP new
political party and the CUD leaders in jail. Temesgen
objected saying that there were indeed strategic differences
between the old and new CUDP, namely the decision to take
seats in parliament and the city council, but said the new
CUDP has used the same charter, principles and organizational
documents as the old CUDP.


7. (SBU) Temesgen told the Charge that the CUDP intends to
continue its reorganization effort by opening new offices.
He said the party is hampered, however, by lack of funding.
Temesgen explained that the government must allocate money in
the budget for political parties. Otherwise, he said,
parties would not survive or they would be forced to turn
again to sources of funding outside of Ethiopia.
HUDDLESTON