Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA2319
2009-09-28 12:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
PRE-EMPTING POLITICAL VIOLENCE; ETHIOPIA ORDERS
how-toVZCZCXRO5850 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #2319 2711227 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 281227Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6313 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUZEFAA/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
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002319
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC PREL ET
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTING POLITICAL VIOLENCE; ETHIOPIA ORDERS
RIOT CONTROL EQUIPMENT
REF: 2005 STATE 172529
Classified By: Information Officer Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002319
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC PREL ET
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTING POLITICAL VIOLENCE; ETHIOPIA ORDERS
RIOT CONTROL EQUIPMENT
REF: 2005 STATE 172529
Classified By: Information Officer Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).
1. (C) A close media contact on September 24 showed
Information Officer a recently released tender from the
Ethiopian Federal Police inviting bids to provide riot
control equipment. Among the list of specific equipment
required was:
8,500 riot control batons,
8,500 riot force helmets,
protective police clothing,
17,000 rubber bullets,
27,000 each of two types of other non-lethal bullets,
tear gas canisters, and
hand cuffs.
InfoOff was not given a copy of the actual tender, which
included a variety of other non-lethal riot control equipment
and supplies. The contact showing the tender speculated that
the entire list likely could be supplied for under USD $2-3
million. The tender requested bid by the end of September.
2. (C) COMMENT: News of the federal police's intended
purchase bodes good and bad for Ethiopia as elections
approach in May 2010. On the positive side, we are
encouraged that the Ethiopian Government (GoE) is moving
forward with procuring non-lethal crowd dispersal and riot
control supplies and equipment, rather than again relying on
lethal force as it did in the late-2005 political violence.
Further, it is encouraging that the GoE is finally
following-up on a commitment by Prime Minister Meles to
then-Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nick Burns in 2005
(reftel) that the GoE would equip police to address future
protests. At the same time, however, this procurement
suggests that the GoE is at least seaking to avoid being
caught unprepared in the event of political violence as we
approach national elections.
3. (C) At this point, the local media source of this
information is not planning on publishing news of this
procurement due to a strong fear that the GoE may target him
for doing so. Still, he may be looking for more receptive
international media outlets which may be willing to run the
story. End Comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC PREL ET
SUBJECT: PRE-EMPTING POLITICAL VIOLENCE; ETHIOPIA ORDERS
RIOT CONTROL EQUIPMENT
REF: 2005 STATE 172529
Classified By: Information Officer Michael Gonzales for reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).
1. (C) A close media contact on September 24 showed
Information Officer a recently released tender from the
Ethiopian Federal Police inviting bids to provide riot
control equipment. Among the list of specific equipment
required was:
8,500 riot control batons,
8,500 riot force helmets,
protective police clothing,
17,000 rubber bullets,
27,000 each of two types of other non-lethal bullets,
tear gas canisters, and
hand cuffs.
InfoOff was not given a copy of the actual tender, which
included a variety of other non-lethal riot control equipment
and supplies. The contact showing the tender speculated that
the entire list likely could be supplied for under USD $2-3
million. The tender requested bid by the end of September.
2. (C) COMMENT: News of the federal police's intended
purchase bodes good and bad for Ethiopia as elections
approach in May 2010. On the positive side, we are
encouraged that the Ethiopian Government (GoE) is moving
forward with procuring non-lethal crowd dispersal and riot
control supplies and equipment, rather than again relying on
lethal force as it did in the late-2005 political violence.
Further, it is encouraging that the GoE is finally
following-up on a commitment by Prime Minister Meles to
then-Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nick Burns in 2005
(reftel) that the GoE would equip police to address future
protests. At the same time, however, this procurement
suggests that the GoE is at least seaking to avoid being
caught unprepared in the event of political violence as we
approach national elections.
3. (C) At this point, the local media source of this
information is not planning on publishing news of this
procurement due to a strong fear that the GoE may target him
for doing so. Still, he may be looking for more receptive
international media outlets which may be willing to run the
story. End Comment.
MEECE