Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ADDISABABA557
2007-02-26 05:42:00
SECRET
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA: PRIME MINISTER MELES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KREL ET ER 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4762
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0965
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000557 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: PRIME MINISTER MELES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND
DEMOCRACY


Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000557

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: PRIME MINISTER MELES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND
DEMOCRACY


Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (S) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Prime Minister Meles
discussed on February 21 the return of NDI and other USG
sponsored programs to build the capacity of the anticipated
new National Electoral Board as the nation prepares for local
elections. The PM also remarked that it is important not to
impose foreign notions of democracy on nations like Ethiopia,
but rather to nurture and develop receptivity to democratic
values, which would prove more effective over the long-term.
The PM reiterated his willingness to support efforts by
distinguished Ethiopian elders to grant clemency to detained
opposition leaders before a court decision. In exchange, the
PM wants a promise by the detainees to respect the
constitution and the peaceful political process. He also
wants the detainees to express remorse for their actions that
contributed to the violence after the 2005 election, and in
return, they would be permitted to participate in politics
again. The EU Ambassador's efforts to re-direct the work of
the Ethiopian elders is proving to be counter-productive and
could deep-six their efforts. END SUMMARY.

--------------
NDI AND DEMOCRACY
--------------


2. (S) Following a meeting with House Intelligence Chairman
Representative Reyes and his delegation on February 21, Prime
Minister Meles met privately with the Ambassador for over an
hour to discuss human rights and democracy issues. The
Ambassador followed-up on Secretary Albright's January 2007
visit and request, as a Board member of NDI, to have NDI
return to Ethiopia. The PM agreed with the Ambassador to
consider allowing NDI to play a role in supporting capacity
building of the soon-to-be-announced, newly formed National
Electoral Board (NEB). International support would help the
NEB in preparation for local elections at the end of the
year.


3. (S) The Ambassador requested, and the PM agreed, to break
the logjam on an IFES representative seeking to come to Addis
to work for the AU. The PM saw no problem and post will work

with the AU to ensure the representative receives his
Ethiopian visa to begin work at the AU.


4. (S) The Ambassador and PM discussed at length the latter's
views on democracy. The PM said democracy cannot be forced
on a nation, and that it must rather be nurtured.
Receptivity for democracy must be promoted. Meles pointed to
Saudi Arabia as an example where efforts to force democracy
have failed. He stressed the importance of developing
democracy in Saudi Arabia, though, given the country's strong
influence in the region.

-------------- --------------
DETAINEE RELEASE: POSSIBLE, BUT MAYBE NOT PROBABLE
-------------- --------------


5. (S) Much of the discussion with the PM centered on the
U.S. Mission's priority to secure the release of high-profile
detainees - the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD)
opposition leaders who have now served over thirteen months
in prison. On the recommendation of Ambassador Huddleston in
August 2006, Prime Minister Meles and the detainees began a
dialogue through a group of respected Ethiopian "elders":
Professor Ephraim Isaac, an esteemed scholar who has taught
at Harvard and Princeton; Haile Gebreselassie, Olympic
Marathon gold medalist; and Ambassador Bekele Endeshaw,
current National Chairman of the Peace and Development
Committee. The opening for the elders was Prime Minister
Meles' willingness to grant clemency to the detainees prior
to any judgment by the courts, thus allowing the detainees to
return to political life. In exchange, the elders have tried
to negotiate with the detainees a commitment to abide by and
work within the constitution, as well as an expression of
remorse for actions that may have contributed to the violence
after the historic (and remarkably free and open) national
parliamentary elections of May 15, 2005.


6. (S) Prime Minister Meles noted that his offer remained,
but expressed doubt that the detainees would accept the

ADDIS ABAB 00000557 002 OF 002


conditions under which clemency would be granted. The PM
wants a commitment by the detainees not to try to overthrow
the government and their promise to abide by and work within
the constitution, enhancing a peaceful and stable political
process clearly defined under the constitution. The PM asked
for a statement from the detainees to the elders, not to him,
expressing remorse for their actions which contributed to the
violence after the 2005 elections.


7. (S) The dialogue was proceeding positively through the
beginning of the new year. The PM noted that in the past
month, the detainees have become more resistant in meeting
the conditions for clemency. The PM noted the efforts by the
EU Ambassador to have criminal charges against the detainees
dropped and lesser charges filed instead. In a separate
conversation, the EU Ambassador told the Ambassador in
private, and without the concurrence of the other European
member state ambassadors, that the best resolution was not
the course being pursed by the elders. Rather, he suggested
changing their focus toward having the charges dropped and
lesser ones applied. He felt that this would be more fair
and would permit the detainees to be released on bail. The
EU Ambassador noted that the detainees bear responsibility,
along with the government, for contributing to the violence
and disorder after the 2005 elections. The EU Ambassador
argued, however, that this was a far lesser crime than the
charges the detainees currently face. The Ambassador replied
that such an approach would delay the judicial process and
might prevent the detainees from returning to political life
if convicted on lesser charges.


8. (S) The PM clearly stated to the Ambassador that
withdrawal of charges and the application of lesser charges
was not an option under the judicial process. It would
unnecessarily lengthen the process and it is not clear that
additional, more serious charges would not be levied. It is
also not clear that bail would be granted by the courts. The
quickest route to resolution was the efforts by the elders.
The Ambassador remarked to the PM that the U.S. Mission
strongly supported the efforts by Ethiopian elders, a
traditional and respected conflict resolution process. Any
undercutting of the elders, as suggested by the EU
Ambassador, would derail the current process.


9. (S) The PM remarked that the EU Ambassador and that of
other European Ambassadors to "adjust" and change the course
taken by the elders has contributed to the detainees changing
their position on any letter of admission of guilt to
contributing to the violence (even though the letter will go
only to the elders and not to the PM). The PM believes the
detainees are hoping that the EU will somehow get the
detainees out of jail. Professor Ephraim will return to
Ethiopia the week of February 26 in a last ditch effort to
secure agreement from the detainees along the lines the
elders have pursued. Further, the elders will meet with the
EU Ambassador to get him to stand down and allow their
current approach to proceed.


10. (S) COMMENT: The U.S. Embassy sees the efforts by the
Ethiopian elders as the only way for success on the detainee
issue. It is an Ethiopian approach to resolve an Ethiopian
problem. We will work closely to support Professor Ephraim's
efforts and, if necessary, coordinate in getting the EU to
back down and allow the Ethiopian process to proceed. END
COMMENT.
YAMAMOTO