EMBASSY ADDIS ABABA NOMINATES GIRMA ABEBE FOR FSN

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001132 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, HR/OE/PC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER AFSN SUBJECT: EMBASSY ADDIS ABABA NOMINATES GIRMA ABEBE FOR FSN OF THE YEAR REF: STATE 028557 ¶1. Nominee: Mr. Girma Abebe. Official Position Title: Political Specialist. Grade: FSN-11. Total Years of Service: ¶16. Type of Appointment: DH. ¶2. BEGIN NOMINATION TEXT: Girma Abebe, Addis Ababa's senior Political Section Foreign Service National, one of the most senior FSNs in our Mission, with nearly two decades of dedicated work, is nominated by FSNs and the entire Mission for FSN of the Year in recognition of his exemplary work. ¶3. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: Girma played a critical role supporting the sudden influx of TDY personnel handling security, information exchange, and humanitarian crisis resulting from Ethiopia's incursion into Somalia. Girma's analysis of ethnic and religious violence in the Ogaden and elsewhere was critical in our assessment for Washington. His assessment of the Somali clans and support structure of the ONLF insurgent group helped us understand the linkages between the Ogaden and Ethiopia's fighting in Somalia. Girma helped us navigate among Muslim and Christian sects, factions and groups as we began engaging all religious faiths in dialogue to better understand conflict and to defuse friction. ¶4. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: Girma was our key analyst during the historic 2005 national elections, one of the most transparent and open elections in Africa, and the ensuing violence and government marginalizing of the opposition. Through personal courage in the face of threats from opposition and government groups, Girma arranged meetings, exposing us to influential people not met by diplomats and human rights groups, and provided accurate information of what the U.S. needed to do to encourage political dialogue and openness. He fearlessly investigated human rights problems, making our Human Rights Report the most hard-hitting and respected thus far. We are pushing the government for political space for the opposition to ensure transparency in the 2010 election and improve human rights. ¶5. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: As FSN Committee President for ten years, Girma helped us revise the FSN handbook, improve medical options and raise FSN salaries. His program of FSNs co-hosting new American military families to post is unique among sponsorship programs in Africa. He pioneered support groups for FSN families facing financial hardship. ¶6. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: Our security threat assessment rose dramatically due to extremists infiltrating into Ethiopia from Somalia. Girma worked his extensive contact network to help us assess the threat and gain accurate information for Washington. Girma supported USAID and NGO groups as we assessed the Ogaden crisis, helping us look beyond humanitarian relief to forge an integrated strategy for the entire country in health, education, development and nutrition as a long-term solution to Ethiopia's problems. USAID and the Ethiopian government are advocating a similar approach. ¶7. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: Girma is creative, innovative and dedicated to helping us understand the fundamental problems in different ways, to develop sustainable solutions and new ideas to tackle poverty. Girma helped us establish the American Chamber of Commerce, only the third in sub-Saharan Africa, to meet our "trade not aid" approach. It will help us expand trade, create jobs, build capacity and give hope for a better tomorrow. ¶8. NOMINATION TEXT CONT'D: Girma is without exception one of the most accomplished, innovative thinkers and courageous risk takers. He would stand as an exceptional FSN of the Year recipient in the line of past winners. END NOMINATION TEXT. ¶9. CITATION TO READ: In recognition of unparalleled commitment and dedication to the pursuit of U.S. national strategic interests and uncommon courage in advancing human rights. ¶10. Mr. Girma's position description and performance standards for the position were thoroughly reviewed by the Joint Country Awards Committee. The Committee certifies that the employee's performance of all important job elements substantially exceed normal requirements. YAMAMOTO