ETHIOPIA: GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AFFAIRS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 002880 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AFFAIRS MINISTER PROMISES EQUAL AIR TIME FOR OPPOSITION PARTIES REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 2817 ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 2877 ¶C. ADDIS ABABA 2878 ADDIS ABAB 00002880 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Classified by CDA Tuli Mushingi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a November 19 meeting with visiting AF Deputy Assistant Secretary Wycoff, Ethiopian Minister for Government Communication Bereket Simon promised equal air time for opposition parties in the run-up to Ethiopia's parliamentary elections in 2010. The government will offer live, televised debates in which parties can participate free of charge and according to international standards. Bereket characterized opposition groups that did not participate in the electoral Code of Conduct negotiations as lacking commitment to peaceful elections. He claimed the ruling party had implemented a series of measures to broaden political space, but lamented that opposition parties did not take advantage of the opportunities afforded them for increased participation in more open "political space" created in Parliament. Noting the importance of media freedom in general and the importance of media access by opposition parties, DAS Wycoff expressed Washington's concern about the negative trend in political space and media freedom and stressed that all parties should be included in order for there to be a level political playing field. He stressed the point that the ruling party and the government needed to help create an environment that was conducive to the participation of all other parties in a fair elections process. End Summary ¶2. (SBU) Visiting AF/DAS Karl Wycoff and CDA Meece met with Ethiopian Minister for Government Communications Bereket Simon for 20 minutes on November 19 to discuss media freedom, political space, the GOE's relationship with political parties, and the negotiation of the electoral Code of Conduct. The USG was also represented by Deputy Pol/Econ Counselor and Poloff. Equal Air Time for Opposition Political Parties -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Bereket highlighted that in the 2005 elections, more than 1000 hours of media time were used and that 54 percent of this time went to opposition parties. He affirmed that this would also be the case in the coming election, and said the GoE planned to continue the democratic measures it instituted in 2005. Specifically, he said the GoE is proposing 10 to 11 live, televised debates in which parties can participate free of charge and according to international standards. Bereket echoed statements heard from both Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin on Ethiopia's commitment to democracy, saying that either Ethiopia "must democratize, or it will perish." He pointed out Ethiopia's efforts to improve the democratic situation from election to election, but explained that extremist elements, as well as traditional rural Ethiopian society worked against the GOE on this front. Code of Conduct Negotiations and "Political Space" -------------- --- ¶4. (C) Responding to DAS Wycoff's question on the Code of Conduct negotiations, Bereket characterized opposition groups that had not participated in the talks as not being committed to peaceful elections. He suggested that the main goal of these talks was too broaden political space for legal and productive groups, and to narrow the space for others. Bereket recounted numerous opportunities for the opposition to have their voices heard in the negotiations in parliament and in the preparations for the 2010 elections. In response to a question from DAS Wycoff about negative trends in the political space arena, Bereket asserted the ruling party had implemented a series of measures to broaden political space for all parties, including writing rules of engagement in Parliament for participation of opposition parties; a period in Parliament during which the Prime Minister accepts questions; a period in Parliament during which Ministers accept questions; and opportunities for opposition parties to present questions every month. Bereket lamented that these opportunities were not being taken advantage of. In a vague parting comment on the opposition Bereket suggested the GOE felt other actors (with Eritrea offered as an example) were attempting to use the opposition as a destabilizing force in Ethiopia. ADDIS ABAB 00002880 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C) DAS Wycoff expressed the USG's disagreement that there was a broadening of political space for all political actors, but offered that he would stress the importance of participation in meetings with opposition leaders. He also stressed the responsibility hat the ruling party and the government have to create an environment that was conducive to the participation of all other parties in a fair elections process. He noted that the USG was involved with opposition groups all over the world, and maintained a commitment to supporting and promoting the democratic process. Wycoff expressed Washington's concern about the negative trend in political space and media freedom and stressed that all parties should be included in order for there to be a level political playing field. ¶6. (C) In a press conference prior to departure, Wycoff stressed the point concerning the importance of all parties creating an enabling environment so that all other parties could participate in a free and fair elections process, a point that was picked up by domestic media (and later protested by the MFA). ¶7. (U) DAS Wycoff cleared this cable. MUSHINGI