Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2057
2009-08-25 04:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA TO INVITE SELECT FOREIGN ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO0155 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #2057 2370449 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 250449Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5974 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3421 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002057
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA TO INVITE SELECT FOREIGN ELECTION
OBSERVERS
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002057
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA TO INVITE SELECT FOREIGN ELECTION
OBSERVERS
1. (SBU) In an August 19 courtesy call with Charge,
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin stated that the
Ethiopian Government (GoE) has decided to invite select
foreign election observers to monitor the country's 2010
national elections. Seyoum noted specifically that the
Foreign Ministry has already issued an invitation to the
Carter Center to participate. The Foreign Minister stated
that the next step would be for the Carter Center to send
an "advance team" to Ethiopia to discuss operational
modalities with the Foreign Ministry before deploying a
full observer mission.
2. (SBU) The Foreign Minister further noted that while the
GoE is interested, in principle, to invite a European Union
Election Observation Mission (EOM),discussions remain on-
going with embassies from EU member states on arrangements.
Seyoum specifically recounted how in 2005 the EU Mission to
Ethiopia signed a code of conduct and statement of principles
governing the scope of work for the EOM, but only after the
EOM breached those agreements did the EU Mission clarify that
the agreements were not binding on the EOM. Seyoum argued
that before Ethiopia approves another EOM for the 2010
elections, the GoE wants to be certain that any agreements
signed are binding on, and honored by, the EOM. In separate
calls by the CDA on the British and French Ambassadors, the
Europeans indicated that the EU has not yet reached a decision
regarding a potential EU observer mission. Both felt that EU
observers could be useful in principle, but noted that there
were internal EU issues to be addressed, as well as
discussions
with the GoE. Seyoum implied that the GoE is waiting for an
EU proposal; the French Ambassador suggested that the EU needs
a formal expression of GoE interest first.
3. (SBU) In a later meeting with the CDA, PM Meles affirmed
that the GoE wants Carter Center involvement. He added that
he hopes that a positive Carter Center response would be
received soon, as it will be important to ensure all
arrangements are made well in advance to permit full observer
participation. In response to the CDA, Meles concurred that
broad international observer participation would be
beneficial,
but offered no comments specifically regarding potential EU
involvement.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) The GoE's initial receptivity to international
election observers is positive. With elections presumed to
be held in May 2010, the election process is likely to begin
in earnest as early as November 2009. USAID/Ethiopia has
$1.15 million allocated to support election processes, but
will need to begin programming this money soon if we are to
support an observation effort that addresses the entire
election process. We, and many others in the international
community, recognize the potential risk of appearing to
endorse a flawed election process if a U.S.-supported
observation effort begins too late in the process or is
subjected to too many operational restrictions. As such,
we will reach out to The Carter Center to explore their
understanding of the GoE's offer to them and encourage
them to act quickly to address modalities with the Foreign
Ministry.
MEECE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/FO AND AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA TO INVITE SELECT FOREIGN ELECTION
OBSERVERS
1. (SBU) In an August 19 courtesy call with Charge,
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin stated that the
Ethiopian Government (GoE) has decided to invite select
foreign election observers to monitor the country's 2010
national elections. Seyoum noted specifically that the
Foreign Ministry has already issued an invitation to the
Carter Center to participate. The Foreign Minister stated
that the next step would be for the Carter Center to send
an "advance team" to Ethiopia to discuss operational
modalities with the Foreign Ministry before deploying a
full observer mission.
2. (SBU) The Foreign Minister further noted that while the
GoE is interested, in principle, to invite a European Union
Election Observation Mission (EOM),discussions remain on-
going with embassies from EU member states on arrangements.
Seyoum specifically recounted how in 2005 the EU Mission to
Ethiopia signed a code of conduct and statement of principles
governing the scope of work for the EOM, but only after the
EOM breached those agreements did the EU Mission clarify that
the agreements were not binding on the EOM. Seyoum argued
that before Ethiopia approves another EOM for the 2010
elections, the GoE wants to be certain that any agreements
signed are binding on, and honored by, the EOM. In separate
calls by the CDA on the British and French Ambassadors, the
Europeans indicated that the EU has not yet reached a decision
regarding a potential EU observer mission. Both felt that EU
observers could be useful in principle, but noted that there
were internal EU issues to be addressed, as well as
discussions
with the GoE. Seyoum implied that the GoE is waiting for an
EU proposal; the French Ambassador suggested that the EU needs
a formal expression of GoE interest first.
3. (SBU) In a later meeting with the CDA, PM Meles affirmed
that the GoE wants Carter Center involvement. He added that
he hopes that a positive Carter Center response would be
received soon, as it will be important to ensure all
arrangements are made well in advance to permit full observer
participation. In response to the CDA, Meles concurred that
broad international observer participation would be
beneficial,
but offered no comments specifically regarding potential EU
involvement.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) The GoE's initial receptivity to international
election observers is positive. With elections presumed to
be held in May 2010, the election process is likely to begin
in earnest as early as November 2009. USAID/Ethiopia has
$1.15 million allocated to support election processes, but
will need to begin programming this money soon if we are to
support an observation effort that addresses the entire
election process. We, and many others in the international
community, recognize the potential risk of appearing to
endorse a flawed election process if a U.S.-supported
observation effort begins too late in the process or is
subjected to too many operational restrictions. As such,
we will reach out to The Carter Center to explore their
understanding of the GoE's offer to them and encourage
them to act quickly to address modalities with the Foreign
Ministry.
MEECE