Codel Jackson-Lee Advocates Agricultural Technology and

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 002825 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAGR PHUM ET SO SUBJECT: Codel Jackson-Lee Advocates Agricultural Technology and Human Rights Summary: ¶1. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee advocated for U.S. Technology as well as the need for Ethiopia to adopt land reform and liberalization of the fertilizer and seed markets to help Ethiopia's farmers enhance agricultural yields during a very cordial meeting with Prime Minister Meles on August 31. The Congresswoman also pressed for the right of peaceful demonstration and raised questions on human rights issues stemming from demonstrations during the post 2005 national elections which led to the deaths of 199 and arrests of thousands. Accompanied by Congressmen Steve Chabot and Adrian Smith, Representative Jackson Lee also thanked the Prime Minister for Ethiopia's contributions to peacekeeping operations in Burundi and Liberia, its role in bringing peace to Sudan, and in stabilizing and supporting Somalia's Transitional Federal Government. Jackson-Lee asked for Ethiopia's continued efforts in assisting internally displaced persons in Sudan and Sudanese refugees. ¶2. Prime Minister Meles remarked that Congressional legislation (H.R. 2003) focused on Ethiopia was an unfair criticism of Ethiopia's efforts to promote democracy. He reviewed the tough negotiations with the opposition party after the 2005 elections and the refusal of the leadership to take their seats in parliament and Addis Ababa City Hall. Meles noted the pardon the government granted to 71 former leaders of the opposition party and journalists, underscoring that the former detainees were given due process for their roles in the post election violent demonstrations. Meles added that the government is making significant progress on the process of democratization, and human rights are being addressed. On Agriculture, the Prime Minister said more work needs to be done to enhance yields and to become more self sufficient. Privitization, however, is difficult, but he noted that growth is averaging a remarkable 10 percent per annum. End Summary. Regional Stability: ¶3. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, accompanied by Congressmen Steve Chabot and Adrian Smith, as well as Major Thomas (escort officer),Ms. Brown (Foreign Affairs Committee Staff),Ambassador (note taker),and PolOff (control officer),met with Prime Minister Meles, Director General of American and European Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Tesfai, and Chief of Staff Gebretensai on August ¶31. Representative Jackson Lee thanked the Prime Minister for Ethiopia's commitment to peacekeeping operations in Africa. Its troops, she noted, contributed to stability in Burundi and Liberia and she appreciated Ethiopia's commitment to provide troops for the hybrid operations in Sudan and Somalia. Jackson-Lee did call on the Prime Minister to make every effort to support Sudan efforts. The Congresswoman expressed support for Ethiopia's efforts to stabilize Somalia and support the Transitional Federal Government. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, the Congresswoman also praised Ethiopia's counter terrorism efforts and cooperation with the U.S. in the region. ¶4. Prime Minister Meles thanked the U.S. for its close intel sharing relationship and also for its commitment to support Ethiopia meet logistical needs, such as procurement of C-130 spare parts to help its troops meet security as well as peacekeeping requirements. Meles also appreciated the U.S. commitment to support the U.S.-established command and staff college will help professionalize the Ethiopian military. ¶5. On Somalia, Meles said the TFG is making progress, but lamented the slow pace of troop support for AMISOM. Ethiopian troops, supported by Ugandan troops, continue to bear the burden for security. Meles noted Eritrea as a threat to regional stability and security through its arms supply to extremists in Somalia. While noting that Ethiopia is committed to resolving the border conflict with Eritrea, Meles argued that the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission which met on September 6 went beyond its mandate. Ultimately, Meles noted, the parties must resolve their problems and normalize relations. ¶6. Meles reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to Sudan. Ethiopia is prepared to send 5,000 troops to the Hybrid AU-UN force. He agreed with Representative Jackson-Lee to continue support for Sudan peace efforts, critical to regional stability. ¶7. Representative Chabot thanked the Prime Minister for Ethiopia's commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and the cooperation between the two countries. Meles noted that Admiral Hart, commander of the CJTF-HOA, visited Ethiopia recently and that through CJTF and CENTCOM, Ethiopia was an important partner with the U.S. on the war on terrorism. Representative Smith urged the Prime Minster to explain any misunderstandings and the importance of cooperation, as well as agricultural development. He also commended the Prime ADDIS ABAB 00002825 002 OF 003 Minister for Ethiopia's efforts on peacekeeping. Improving Ethiopia's Economy: ¶8. Representative Jackson Lee asked the Prime Minister about poverty reduction efforts and questioned why Ethiopia is still at a low USD 300 per person annual income. She suggested that U.S. technology may help per acre yields and raised the issue of land reform through private ownership as well as liberalizing the fertilizer and seed markets to help farmers become more productive. Meles avoided the issue of liberalizing fertilizer and seed markets, which are controlled by the ruling party. While he did not specifically address U.S. technology, he has in separate discussions acknowledged the importance of new techniques and technology to help expand acreage yield, which remains far below productivity in other countries. Meles explained that Ethiopia is making steady progress with 10 percent annual growth. On privatization of land, Meles argued that land ownership was not the reason for low productivity. (Note: The World Bank and farmers themselves say privatization should not be the focus). Meles explained that 85 percent of the population are rural based with each family having an average of only a half a hectare of land. In the low lands, farmers can have hundreds of hectares, but based on tradition, quality of soil and harsh climate in the low lands, farmers still remain tied to the highlands. Meles added that even though farmers do not own their land, the family controls the land and is passed from one generation to the next. ¶9. Meles said the solution is not land sale, which could result in creating thousands of unemployed people unable to sustain themselves. The answer is commercialization of the small plots of land -- from high value rose and vegetables to other types of small non-farm commercial ventures. He stressed export led growth as an important factor in fighting poverty. Another area for growth is livestock. Noting USAID's important contributions to expanding the quality of livestock as well as marketing for export, Meles acknowledged that Ethiopia has a long way to go to develop its livestock market, the tenth largest in the world. Congressional Concerns over Human Rights: ¶10. Representative Jackson-Lee said that recent legislation proposed by Congressman Payne (H.R. 2003) reflects the deep concerns of the Ethiopian American community and by Members of Congress on human rights in Ethiopia. She noted that Meles can play a role in shaping the debate, addressing the concerns, and explaining the events of ¶2005. Meles replied that the 2005 national elections were remarkable, but the post election period met with the opposition party calling for an orange revolution to take over the government. The EU election observer head, Anna Gomes of Portugal, said the opposition won, but only focused on Addis Ababa, an opposition stronghold. President Carter reported there were irregularities, but said the ruling party won the election. Meles argued that the government did all it could to negotiate with the opposition, many refused to take their seats in Parliament and the Addis Ababa City Hall, while most of the opposition parliamentarians did take up their seats in parliament. In the end the arrest and subsequent trial and conviction of some of the leaders was unavoidable. Meles added that they were given due process. The pardons granted to the final 71 opposition leaders and journalists were meant to put this issue aside and focus on the progress being made on democratization. ¶11. Meles called the proposed Congressional legislation a misunderstanding of the progress being made to promote democracy and human rights. At one point out of frustration, Meles asked why Congress focuses on alleged ills of Ethiopia yet Eritrea with its continued detention of eleven ministers without due process, arrests of families whose children do not serve in the military and arrests of religious leaders and followers is not condemned by Congress. Comment: ¶12. The visit by Codel Jackson-Lee was significant because it highlighted clearly for the Prime Minister the concerns of Congress about Ethiopia's human rights record and, more important, the lack of information provided by the GOE on what it is doing to address such concerns. It also underscored for the Prime Minister that there is no conspiracy by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. press to raise criticism of Ethiopia. While Congress does recognize much of the important contributions made by Ethiopia to regional peace and stability, Ethiopia must do a better job articulating what it is doing to advance human rights and what it is doing to correct problems. Rep Jackson-Lee noted that it is important for Ethiopia to create an environment to promote the ability of opposition groups ADDIS ABAB 00002825 003 OF 003 to demonstrate peacefully without fear of arrest. End Comment. YAMAMOTO