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