Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA567
2009-03-05 05:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR DELIVERS MESSAGE OF CONCERN TO TIGRAY

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL ET 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHDS #0567/01 0640517
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 050517Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4019
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 000567 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL ET
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DELIVERS MESSAGE OF CONCERN TO TIGRAY
OFFICIALS

REF: A. ADDIS 257 AND 258

B. 2008 ADDIS 1592

Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

Summary
--------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 000567

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL ET
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DELIVERS MESSAGE OF CONCERN TO TIGRAY
OFFICIALS

REF: A. ADDIS 257 AND 258

B. 2008 ADDIS 1592

Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) In a February 26-27 visit to Mekele, the Ambassador
met with Central Committee members from the Tigrayan People's
Liberation Front (TPLF, the core party within the ruling
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)
Coalition) to highlight U.S. concerns about Ethiopia's
narrowing political space. At the same time, Ambassador
reiterated Ethiopia's importance to the U.S. and assured
continuation of a close partnership. Central Committee
members, including Tigray Regional President Tsegaye Berhe
and the Tigray Region's TPLF office head Tewodros Hagos,
stressed that the ruling party is committed to the
democratization of Ethiopia and rural development and
encouraged the U.S. to be supportive in these efforts. While
Tewodros insisted that the EPRDF is more than willing to
dialogue with opposition parties, he re-iterated an oft-heard
complaint from Addis-based ruling party officials that
opposition parties have a tendency to instigate violence and
have not requested talks, thereby reinforcing their belief
that the opposition is not committed to participating in the
democratic process. TPLF representatives were apprehensive
about the Ambassador's meeting with opposition party Arena
Tigray, first encouraging us to change the location of our
meeting and later inquiring how the meeting went and what
points the opposition raised. End Summary.


2. (U) The Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, and PolOffs
met with Tsegaye Berhe, President of Tigray Regional State,
and Tewodros Hagos, Tigray Region TPLF office head, in
separate meetings, and also hosted a dinner for TPLF Central
Committee members. The delegation also visited a
USAID-sponsored dairy development project, a newly-opened
garment factory, and a CDC-funded regional laboratory.


Ethiopia Remains a Key Partner to U.S.
--------------


3. (SBU) The Ambassador communicated that, despite Ethiopia's
recent concerns, Ethiopia remains an important partner for
the U.S. and the U.S. expects to continue to have robust

private dialogue with Ethiopia in the coming years. He said
that the talks should focus on stability (including political
and economic reform),opening of political space, and
initiating dialogue between the ruling and opposition
parties. The Ambassador stated that the basis of stability
is democratic values, commended Ethiopia on the campaign
season leading to the 2005 elections, and expressed hope that
the 2010 elections would again see open political
competition. Finally, he encouraged Ethiopia to become a
model for other countries in the region by espousing
multi-party democracy and taking measures to promote economic
reform. Pol/Econ Counselor recounted the concerns raised by
Acting A/S for Africa Phil Carter to Addis-based ruling party
officials during his January visit (Ref. A) i.e. the need to
broaden the scope of dialogue to balance security,
development, and political issues.


4. (SBU) Tsegaye Berhe expressed his view that Ethiopia's
partnership with the U.S. is mutually beneficial, and he
seemed confident that the U.S. will continue to value the
security cooperation relationship. He then stressed that the
Ethiopian government, under the ruling EPRDF, is committed to
developing Ethiopia and is struggling to establish genuine
democracy. (NOTE: He said that because Ethiopia is
"backwards" and has a traditionalist culture, the process of
democratization is very difficult. Tewodros Hagos also said
that their interpretation of democracy may well be different
than ours. End Note.) Tsegaye assured us that we should not
worry if there are "ups and downs" because the government is
working to be transparent and accountable and it is not
against democratic processes. Reiterating a point made by
Prime Minister Meles to the press on February 20, he
concluded by saying that friends (i.e. the U.S.) should
support Ethiopia instead of pushing it aside, and be part of
the solution rather than part of the problem.


ADDIS ABAB 00000567 002 OF 003



5. (SBU) Tewodros stressed that Ethiopia's main security
threat is poverty and lack of development, and its primary
focus is on creating partnerships to achieve development. He
said that the democratization process is also important, and
that in this regard Ethiopia is on the "right track." He
noted that in the 2005 elections several political parties
competed in Tigray, including the multi-ethnic party
Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD). He admitted that
the ruling party had made many mistakes but they are learning
and correcting themselves all the time.


Political Space for 2010 Elections
--------------


6. (SBU) Tewodros seemed confident that the TPLF has the
support of the majority of the region's population and will
win the 2010 elections. The party currently has 450,000
members in Tigray (against a regional population of 4.5
million). Tewodros argued that for TPLF members, political
power is not an individual benefit; they see it as a
commitment to contribute to the development of this country.
He cited an example where Tigrayan peasants set an example
for others by working almost double the amount of time they
usually work in order to accomplish their target. When asked
about Arena Tigray, the first Tigrayan opposition party,
Tsegaye said that opposition parties are free to campaign but
they try to get recognized by breaking the law. (NOTE: Arena
Tigray reported that the TPLF was responsible for delaying
their party registration, blocking media access, and
harassing party officials and members. END NOTE.) Tewodros
Hagos said that the EPRDF is willing to dialogue with any
political party as long as they respect the constitution of
the country, and that there are common issues among parties
they should work together to resolve. However, he added that
opposition parties have a tendency to instigate violence
(citing the post-2005 election disturbances) and none have
requested to dialogue with the EPRDF to date, proving to him
that they are not really committed to promoting the
democratic process. Tewodros assured us that the TPLF is
committed to conducting the 2010 election in a free, fair,
and transparent manner.


7. (SBU) Several TPLF representatives were apprehensive about
the Ambassador's meeting with opposition party Arena Tigray.
After our morning meeting with Tsegaye Berhe, the TPLF
Protocol Officer encouraged us not to meet with Arena Tigray
at their office that afternoon, but instead at a quiet hotel
or other less-public location. During the dinner with the
TPLF Central Committee, three separate Committee members
asked about how the meeting with Arena Tigray went and what
points the opposition raised.


On the CSO Law
--------------


8. (SBU) USAID Mission Director asked about the
implementation of the Charities and Societies Proclamation
(CSO law) that was recently passed. Tsegaye Berhe replied
that foreigners should not intervene in political affairs,
but stressed that Ethiopia encourages foreign help in
supporting the democratic process and social and economic
development. He added that the government will implement the
law and, if unintended consequences arise, they will react
accordingly. USAID Director also raised concerns about the
Ministry of Justice suspending registration of any new civil
society organizations (CSOs). Tewodros Hagos replied that
the intention of the government is not to block CSOs from
registering, but instead the delays are due to institutional
weaknesses and a lack of coordination between government
agencies.


Frequent Droughts Due Partly to Water Mismanagement
-------------- --------------


9. (SBU) The Ambassador emphasized our continued commitment
to the development of the Tigray region, but noted that the
current food assistance program is not sustainable. He noted
that we are looking for ways to increase agricultural
productivity. Tsegaye Berhe said that the frequent droughts
the region experiences are largely a problem of water
mismanagement, and not entirely lack of rain. Two woredas,

ADDIS ABAB 00000567 003 OF 003


Raya Azebo and Alemata, are experiencing the most severe
drought, and if the Belg rains continue badly it could cause
major problems for feeding cattle. He argued that the Meher
harvest increased 7-8% last year, especially in the central
and western zones. Tsegaye noted that enough food is
produced to feed the region, but people in eastern Tigray
cannot afford to buy the food produced in western Tigray.


Eritrea on the Brink of Disaster
--------------


10. (SBU) Tsegaye Berhe reported that the situation within
Eritrea is worsening, with rumors of Eritrean refugees and
soldiers crossing into Ethiopia day and night. Soldiers are
reportedly shooting their own people at the border to prevent
them from fleeing. He also recounted rumors that the army is
disintegrating and President Isaias Afewerki is losing
control.


Comment
--------------


11. (C) The Ambassador's visit reassured TPLF Central
Committee members that, under the new Administration,
Ethiopia will remain an important partner for the U.S. At
the same time, he stressed that the U.S. is concerned about
Ethiopia's narrowing political space and the stability
implications that such narrowing may have. Despite TPLF
rhetoric of promoting democratic processes, our conversation
with the opposition indicated otherwise. The visit made
clear that the TPLF remains committed to the idea of
"revolutionary democracy," whereby the ruling party
determines how best to establish democracy in Ethiopia and
retains a tight grip on power. TPLF interlocutors were clear
in their message that they appreciate U.S. support and
assistance, but that U.S. input into how Ethiopia should
achieve its "revolutionary democracy" and development
objectives is not welcome. At the same time, Ambassador
delivered Acting A/S Carter's strong message of U.S. concern
to the core of the ruling party's politbureau. End Comment.
YAMAMOTO