VZCZCXRO5069
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #2438 2511230
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081230Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2353
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002438
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: MFA APPRECIATIVE OF PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ON GWOT DETAINEES
REF: STATE 146996
(SBU) Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel points to Amb. Teruneh Zenna, MFA Director General for International Organizations, on Sept. 7. Teruneh expressed appreciation for the President's public explanation of U.S. actions and policy, and in particular the emphasis on the value of intelligence gathered from detainees in saving lives. The transparency of the U.S. explanation was also positive, he said, since the United States could not "hide its practices like a small African country." The DG noted that the GOE had never criticized Guantanamo detentions nor other actions in the war on terrorism, and added that if the President can convince the American people of the wisdom of his actions, "the world will follow." WILGUS