SIYE ABRAHA SEEKS NATIONAL UNITY PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000421

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL ET
SUBJECT: SIYE ABRAHA SEEKS NATIONAL UNITY PARTY


Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

Siye Returns
--------------


1. (C) On February 15, Ambassador met Siye Abraha, former
Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) stalwart, former
Defense Minister and the architect of the military defeat of
the Derg, to discuss Siye's plans following his return to
Ethiopia from the United States. Siye broke ranks with the
TPLF in 2001 and was imprisoned, released in 2007. Siye said
that at present he does not want to be affiliated with any
particular political party, emphasizing that in his view it
is time for a national unity party that builds consensus
among Ethiopian elites, including the TPLF and serious-minded
opposition parties.

Siye: Ethiopia Hungry for Reconciliation
--------------


2. (C) Based on numerous conversations with Diaspora
Ethiopians during his sojourn in the United States, Siye said
he has concluded that "now is the time for dialogue and
reconciliation, not extreme positions - the country is hungry
for it." He added that the ruling Ethiopian People's
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) must "constrain
itself" and "create political space for reconciliation."
Siye suggested that he might serve as a bridge between the
TPLF and "serious" opposition parties. He ruled out
participating in interparty dialogue until the EPRDF
evidences its intention to permit "real multiparty
democracy," noting that the only opposition figures who are
currently willing to hold the interparty dialogue are simply
"interparty EPRDF." "Postponing real dialogue is not in the
long term interest of the country or regional stability,"
Siye added. Siye said that ultimately he would like to
create a forum where Ethiopians can resolve their differences
peacefully, although he acknowledged that at present he faces
many constraints in realizing this vision: no job, no
institution to back him, and insufficient funds and other
resources. However, he did say that he would be willing to
meet with leading opposition figures as well as with the TPLF
to discuss a way forward politically for Ethiopia.

Under Surveillance
--------------


3. (C) Lamenting that the TPLF has unjustly imprisoned him
and continues to hold his brother as collateral, Siye
underscored that he is not "in the politics of hate or
revenge - but the party of my friend Meles has done great
damage." He said he was under twenty-four hour surveillance
and his family members are regularly harassed by state
security services. Siye said that the TPLF leadership is
afraid that Siye may adversely influence the state security
establishment, but he insisted that he has returned to be an
"anchor of stability." "I want to work for sustainable
democracy and to be able to live my life without harassment,"
he said.
YAMAMOTO