ETHIOPIA: SENATOR FEINGOLD DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIC

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 003249

SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDING THREE ADDRESSEES - PLS FORWARD

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: SENATOR FEINGOLD DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIC

REFORM, SOMALIA WITH OPPOSITION LEADERS

REF: ADDIS ABABA 03115


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Opposition parliamentarians told visiting
U.S. Senator Feingold that they are still waiting for the GoE
to address key democratic reforms during the ongoing
inter-party dialogue. Opposition leaders bemoaned the divide
that has grown between their parties in Ethiopia and former
diaspora supporters abroad, resulting largely from their
decision to join parliament last year. Opposition leaders
explained their disagreement with the GoE,s strategy in
Somalia; the previous day, most voted to oppose authorizing
military intervention. Their primary fears are a politically
divided Ethiopia getting stuck in an un-winnable war and
incorrect reference to Ethiopian domestic insurgencies
involvement in Somalia. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On December 1, during a three-day visit to Ethiopia,
Sen. Russ Feingold, accompanied by Senate staffers Grey
Frandsen and Evan Gottesman, met with opposition
parliamentary leaders. Parliamentarians present during the
meeting were: Lidetu Ayalew, United Ethiopian Democratic
Party ) Medhin (UEDP-Medhin); Dr. Merera Gudina and Beyene
Petros, United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF); Temesgen
Zewdie and Ayele Chamisso, Coalition for Unity and Democracy
Party (CUDP). Ambassador Yamamoto, DCM, P/E Counselor, PAO
and Poloff (notetaker) also accompanied the Senator.

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DEMOCRACY, THE DIASPORA AND ETHNIC FEDERALISM
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3. (SBU) Sen. Feingold asked parliamentarians about their
views on the state of democratic reform in Ethiopia and
progress since the start of the inter-party dialogue.
Responses varied on this issue, but most agreed that the GoE
has a long way to go before Ethiopia could be considered a
fully functioning democracy with a relevant opposition. Dr.
Beyene Petros pointed out that even though the opposition had
made large gains in terms of numbers in the 2005 elections
(from 12 opposition parliamentarians to 174),the opposition
now has less opportunity to voice opinion in parliament. On
this point, Dr. Merera Gudina remarked that during the
parliamentary debate following the recent submission of the
Independent Inquiry report, the opposition was collectively
given only 28 minutes of speaking time. Dr. Beyene added
that one significant accomplishment since the election is
that the opposition is in dialogue with the government on
important matters such as media law and the National Election
Board (NEB),but that even in this area they are still
waiting for action on the part of the ruling party.


4. (SBU) In discussing the role that the Ethiopian diaspora
plays in domestic politics, opposition leaders all agreed
that serious tension exists and that the relationship is much
less consructive than in the past. Dr. Merera said that "a
serious rift" exists between his party in Ethiopia and former
supporters in the diaspora. Dr. Beyene added, "At this time,
nothing good is coming out of the relationship." They
explained that the split stemmed largely from a lack of
understanding and anger on the part of the diaspora following
their decision to ultimately join parliament in October 2005.
The two sides are further divided by power struggles and
increasing belligerence on the part of diaspora leaders.
Lidetu Ayalew pointed out, "The problem is that those (in the
diaspora who are) against us are very powerful, but there is
a silent majority that, in fact, sides with us (the
opposition in parliament)." All admitted that the flow of
funds from the diaspora to support their parties had dried
up, hindering their ability to properly function as a party.
They said that this is compounded by the fact that their
parties do not receive any public funding and very little
from local supporters.


5. (SBU) Though opposition parties share many criticisms of
the GoE, a discussion on ethnic federalism established by the
ruling party highlighted a fundamental divide in party
policies. The UEDF and Oromo parties generally agree with
the principle of ethnic boundaries by which the country has
been divided in to administrative regions, but that the
boundaries "need fine tuning." Dr. Beyene told Sen. Feingold

that in his home region, the Southern Nations and
Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR),there are over 50
different ethnicities and that merging them into the same
region was not ideal. The CUDP and UEDP-Medhin parties (both
remnants from under the former CUD umbrella) are opposed to
administrative divisions based on ethnicity. Lidetu
explained that his party is in support of the principle of
federalism, but the division should be based on other aspects
such as geography, economic factors, historical bonds and
language.

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OPPOSITION HAS CONCERNS ON GOE'S SOMALIA STRATEGY
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6. (SBU) Following a session on November 30 in which
parliament passed a resolution authorizing the use of
military force in Somalia against the CIC, Sen. Feingold
queried opposition leaders on their views on the matter. An
unprecedented debate in parliament (reftel) allowed the
opposition to voice their opinion; all opposition leaders,
with the exception of Lidetu, voted to oppose the proposal
advanced by PM Meles. The resolution passed by a 3-to-1
margin, following which, opposition parties publicly
expressed their disagreement on the GoE's strategy. The GoE
in turn criticized the opposition for not supporting it in
countering a threat at its border.


7. (SBU) In explaining his opposition, Dr. Beyene told Sen.
Feingold that the PM's resolution is "overreaching" and that
he fears that Ethiopia "will get itself into a war that it
can't get out of." He also shared his concern that the PM is
leading Ethiopia into a war that will divide the country and
warned that many Ethiopians do not support intervention. Dr.
Merera raised another general opposition concern, criticizing
the inclusion of domestic insurgent groups, including the
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Ogadan National
Liberation Front (ONLF),in the resolution's language. He
labeled this "unjust" and said that the PM was using the
resolution against domestic opposition for fear that it has
the potential to bring down the EPRDF government. He also
added that all of those in the CIC are not necessarily "bad
people," rather, "it is 10 or 15 percent that are the
problem." Temesgen Zewdie (CUDP) questioned whether Ethiopia
is capable of an extended confrontation with a foe like the
CIC, pointing out that "a conventional war may not be the
best way to fight an unconventional enemy." He also told
Sen. Feingold that an "information gap" exists regarding
between the opposition and the ruling party, claiming that
that opposition leaders get most of their information on the
issue from the media. Lidetu, the only opposition leader to
support the resolution, said that while the government should
attempt to exhaust all peaceful means to resolve the
conflict, Ethiopia is right to defend its borders if
threatened. He cited the recent UN report identifying
assistance that the CIC is receiving from several foreign
countries, including Eritrea. Lidetu said that, given this
interference by countries hostile to Ethiopia, as well as the
public declaration of jihad and the CIC's interest in
acquiring former Somali lands in Ethiopia, it is appropriate
that the GoE act to protect itself.


8. (U) Sen. Feingold did not have the opportunity to clear on
this message.
WILGUS