ETHIOPIA: MELES DISCUSSES INQUIRY COMMISSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002877 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS 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. -------------- WE'VE MADE MISTAKES, BUT WE'RE DEMOCRATS -------------- ¶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." -------------- NOT CONTESTING THE FACTS -------------- ¶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 ADDIS ABAB 00002877 002 OF 002 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. -------------- COMMENT: PM ACCEPTS SOME RESPONSIBILITY -------------- ¶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