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

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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.

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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