ETHIOPIA: MELES DISCUSSES INQUIRY COMMISSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002877

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AF FOR A/S FRAZER AND DAS YAMAMOTO
DRL FOR DAS KRILLA AND KGILBRIDE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: MELES DISCUSSES INQUIRY COMMISSION
REPORT, CUD TRIAL



1. (C) SUMMARY: PM Meles told visiting Gen. Fulford and
SFRC staffer Michael Phelan that the just-released report of
the Independent Commission of Inquiry into 2005 political
violence had clearly identified a number of problematic
actions by security forces that required additional
investigation. He emphasized that the GOE did not dispute
the facts of the report, and noted that the totals of dead
and injured were the same in the official and the "leaked"
report. The PM also repeated his estimate that the trial of
CUD leaders would finish by the end of the year, or early
next year at the latest. He acknowledged that his government
had made mistakes, but also underscored for the delegation
that its will to proceed with democratization in Ethiopia
remained strong. End Summary


2. (C) A USG delegation including Ret. Gen Carl Fulford and
Amb. Peter Chaveas from the African Center for Strategic
Studies (ACSS),Gen. Remkis from EUCOM J5 and Michael Phelan,
a Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer, called on Prime
Minister Meles Oct. 26. Charge and Pol/Econ Counselor
accompanied the group. The ACSS delegation was visiting
Addis to inaugurate a new ACSS annex, the first in Africa, on
the compound of U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa. Phelan is
conducting a multi-nation visit in East Africa. The Prime
Minister welcomed the establishment of the ACSS in Addis.
Septel reports on discussion concerning Somalia. This
message focused on the report of Independent Commission of
Inquiry into domestic political violence in 2005.

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WE'VE MADE MISTAKES, BUT WE'RE DEMOCRATS
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3. (C) After concluding a discussion on Somalia, SFRC staffer
Michael Phelan told PM Meles that the U.S. Congress was
interested in the situation in Ethiopia following the 2005
election. He noted the release of the report of the
Independent Commission of Inquiry into post-election violence
and said it would likely be interpreted in different ways by
different people. He underscored the value of releasing an
English translation of the report as soon as possible, as
well as the evidence and documentation reviewed by the
Commission. Phelan welcomed the Prime Minister's Oct. 25
public statements in which Meles expressed his own anguish at
the loss of life during the political violence. Phelan urged
the PM to consider additional statements that would promote
reconciliation, assuage concerns raised by the incidents and
help the country move on. The SFRC staffer also encouraged
the GOE to provide a fair and expeditious trial to opposition
leaders and others arrested in connection with the November
2005 unrest. He recommended that the PM seize any
opportunity to reach an understanding with opposition leaders
that would allow the two sides to move forward together.
Such progress on the democratic process would inform
Congressional consideration of the situation in Ethiopia,
Phelan added.


4. (C) The Prime Minister responded by reiterating that while
the GOE hoped that the country's democratic process would win
the support from friends in the Congress and elsewhere, that
was not why the GOE had embarked on democratization. The
reason for democratization was rather to ensure the future of
the Ethiopian state. Meles said that the GOE had tried to
manage the process and minimize risks in the post-electoral
period. "Naturally, we were bound to make mistakes," he
said. "There have been some, but not from a lack of will to
accomplish democratic reform. We are serious about this,
though I know it's not easy for many in the West to believe
that an African country can be as committed to democracy as
they are. There are lots of negative examples in African
countries, but we'd like you to believe that we know this is
essential to our national survival."

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NOT CONTESTING THE FACTS
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5. (C) Meles told the group that all members of Parliament
had received a copy of the Inquiry Commission's report, and
that legislators would have the opportunity to debate the
report and offer comments and recommendations. The report
had clearly identified a number of problems and incidents

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that would require further investigation, he said. Among the
most serious concerns raised were events that took place
outside of the capital, particularly those in Bahir Dar and
Western Wollega (Oromiya region). The PM also cited reports
of abuses in Kaliti jail in Addis in the wake of the
violence. There was also clearly weaknesses in the riot
control capacity of the police. Meles said the GOE had
tried to address these problems, but added that "Parliament
will want us to do more."


6. (C) The PM emphasized that "we are not contesting the
facts." He noted that the report's death toll (193) cited in
the report included victims from throughout the country,
which explained in part why it was higher than earlier
official figures. He also noted pointedly that there was no
difference in the figures between the official report just
released and "those who abused their positions to leak a
report earlier." Concerning the trial of CUD leaders and
alleged co-conspirators, Meles reiterated that he expected it
to conclude by the end of the year or in the early part of
2007 at the latest. He argued that the trial had so far been
speedy and transparent.

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COMMENT: PM ACCEPTS SOME RESPONSIBILITY
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7. (C) Meles acknowledgment that security forces might have
committed some excesses worth further investigation, together
with his expression of personal regret for deaths during last
year's political violence, are positive developments.
Earlier comments by ruling party spokesman Bereket Simon
suggested that the EPRDF might simply seek to discredit (its
own) commission and its work. The PM's softer line does not
change the fact that the GOE interfered with the commission's
independence, but it should make it possible to use the
factual findings of the commission in productive ways. The
only major differences between the original commission report
leaked by the former vice-chair of the commission and the
version released today were 1) a finding that in general
excessive force was not used; and 2) more discussion of the
overall context in which the violence took place. The GOE
was clearly unwilling to be formally blamed in deaths for
which it intends to hold CUD defendants responsible, but PM
Meles at least appears willing to acknowledge that some
mistakes were made by his government.
HUDDLESTON