Meskel: Crowds Celebrate a New Beginning for the Government

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002944 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL PGOV ET SUBJECT: Meskel: Crowds Celebrate a New Beginning for the Government and the People New Beginning -------------- ¶1. "Meskel", one of the most important Ethiopian Orthodox religious festivals, was celebrated on September 28. It attracted over 500,000 people in and near Meskel Square in the heart of Addis Ababa, with reports from the Ethiopian press that as many as one million people throughout the city celebrated this important holiday. This year's celebrations differed from the bleak events of the past two years when crowds were small and the public was upset with the Government over the continued detention of opposition leaders. ¶2. This year's celebration comes after months of negotiations by Ethiopia's Elders and the support of this Mission, which led to the release of 71 opposition leaders and civil society persons this past summer. It not only created political space for political dialogue but also eased tensions and helped the public focus on the new millennium of the Ethiopian calendar on September 17. Prime Minister Meles delivered a non-political speech focusing on the dawn of a new renaissance for Ethiopia and a new beginning which will potentially bring prosperity, optimism and unity for the new century. That speech, made on September 17, along with the release of the detainees set the tone for the public display of thanksgiving during the Meskel celebrations. A Homily of Peace -------------- ¶3. During the homily delivered by the Patriarch to the crowds gathered in Meskel Square, his Holiness Abuna Paulos praised the government -- which elicited applause from the crowds -- but his message of a new beginning and a peaceful new millennium underscored the theme for the celebrations. Recalling the significance of Meskel as the finding of the true cross of Christ, the Patriarch reminded the people of the holy work of St. Helen, who was the mother of the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine. It was St. Helen who went to Calvary in search of the cross of Christ. The Patriarch stressed that the grace of God will bring new hopes for peace in the new millennium. During a private dinner after the Meskel celebrations, the Patriarch told the Ambassador he was truly humbled by the outpouring of joy by the people of Addis Ababa. ¶4. Meskel also served as the delayed public celebration of the new millennium. The September 17 Millennium activities for the general public were cancelled due to poor planning and security concerns. The public focused on the religious holiday of Meskel as their welcoming of the new millennium. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church organized a program of church chants and dances with displays of traditional liturgical garments with the lighting of a huge bonfire and fireworks. It was the most elaborate celebration organized by the Church and, without exception, Ethiopians whom we spoke with praised the Church for the moving and inspirational program. Holy Fathers Gather in Addis Ababa -------------- ¶5. Making this year's Meskel event special was the week long visit and meetings of the holy fathers from various Christian sects. As President of the World Council of Churches for 2007, the Patriarch hosted the week-long program which included the presence of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew the first, and church leaders or representatives from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Vatican, and the Coptic Churches from Russia, Egypt, India, Syria, Greece, Serbia, Romania and Eastern Europe. The Reverend Calvin Butts from the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York also led his delegation of 160 parishioners to the Meskel event. Patriarch Bartholomew the first also delivered a speech to the crowds at Meskel Square calling on the international community to help Ethiopia overcome poverty and realize a brighter and more prosperous future. Comment -------------- ¶6. The Meskel celebration truly displayed an outpouring of public joy and hope that the new millennium will continue the positive trend at the end of the old millennium with the release of the detainees. People here hope the political infighting among the former detainees visiting the U.S. and the squabbles among diaspora supporters in Canada and the U.S. will not detract from a political dialogue on the future of Ethiopia. It is not clear when the former detainees will return to Ethiopia, but when they do, the Embassy will work with them on a positive political dialogue in Ethiopia. The opposition parliamentary leaders, currently in the U.S. on a voluntary visitors program, return next week and we will pursue with them and the ruling EPRDF party renewed efforts to discuss political, media, and electoral reform. End Comment. YAMAMOTO