Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2034
2009-08-20 15:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
MELES' RETIREMENT PLANS - ONE MORE TERM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002034
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR ET
SUBJECT: MELES' RETIREMENT PLANS - ONE MORE TERM
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002034
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR ET
SUBJECT: MELES' RETIREMENT PLANS - ONE MORE TERM
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In response to a direct question by Admiral (ret.)
Bill Fallon on August 13 on his future, Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi responded that although he would like
to retire at the end of his current term in office, "it looks
like the (Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front -
EPRDF) party is going to let me down." The Prime Minister
noted that the EPRDF will render a final decision at its
party congress in September 2009. This clarification comes
after months of public statements by the Prime Minister
noting his desire to step down from the premiership.
2. (C) While Meles effectively did acknowledge that he will
run again in the 2010 national elections, he also volunteered
that "there is broad consensus within the party that it will
be time for us in the old guard to hand over the reins to the
younger generation by the end of the next term." Meles
clarified that the turn-over in senior party officials will
not likely come in a mass exit, but rather than over the
course of the 2010-2015 term the older generation of ruling
party leaders would slowly step aside.
3. (C) The Prime Minister's direct confirmation was confirmed
separately by founder of the Tigrayan People's Liberation
Front (TPLF),Sebhat Nega. The Political/Economic Counselor
asked Sebhat's views of the Prime Minister's future over a
private lunch on July 13. Almost laughing at the question,
Sebhat stated "he's not going anywhere."
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) These confirmations from a senior party insider, and
the Prime Minister himself, confirm our analysis that,
despite his comments to the press, Prime Minister Meles will
remain in place through the next election, if not beyond. In
light of the ruling party's style of control, we expect that
the party will elaborately groom an heir to Meles, in a
fashion that is very apparent, well before subjecting that
heir to an electoral contest. End Comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR ET
SUBJECT: MELES' RETIREMENT PLANS - ONE MORE TERM
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael C. Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In response to a direct question by Admiral (ret.)
Bill Fallon on August 13 on his future, Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi responded that although he would like
to retire at the end of his current term in office, "it looks
like the (Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front -
EPRDF) party is going to let me down." The Prime Minister
noted that the EPRDF will render a final decision at its
party congress in September 2009. This clarification comes
after months of public statements by the Prime Minister
noting his desire to step down from the premiership.
2. (C) While Meles effectively did acknowledge that he will
run again in the 2010 national elections, he also volunteered
that "there is broad consensus within the party that it will
be time for us in the old guard to hand over the reins to the
younger generation by the end of the next term." Meles
clarified that the turn-over in senior party officials will
not likely come in a mass exit, but rather than over the
course of the 2010-2015 term the older generation of ruling
party leaders would slowly step aside.
3. (C) The Prime Minister's direct confirmation was confirmed
separately by founder of the Tigrayan People's Liberation
Front (TPLF),Sebhat Nega. The Political/Economic Counselor
asked Sebhat's views of the Prime Minister's future over a
private lunch on July 13. Almost laughing at the question,
Sebhat stated "he's not going anywhere."
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) These confirmations from a senior party insider, and
the Prime Minister himself, confirm our analysis that,
despite his comments to the press, Prime Minister Meles will
remain in place through the next election, if not beyond. In
light of the ruling party's style of control, we expect that
the party will elaborately groom an heir to Meles, in a
fashion that is very apparent, well before subjecting that
heir to an electoral contest. End Comment.
MEECE