CODEL INHOFE DISCUSSES BIRTUKAN, SOMALIA, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000964 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019 TAGS: PREL ECON MASS PGOV OTRA SO ET SUBJECT: CODEL INHOFE DISCUSSES BIRTUKAN, SOMALIA, AND CURRENT CHALLENGES WITH PRIME MINISTER REF: ADDIS 594 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Visiting Senators James Inhofe, Mike Enzi, and Congressman John Boozman met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on April 7 to discuss the imprisonment of political leader Birtukan Midekssa, recent economic progress in the country, current developments in Somalia, U.S./Ethiopian military cooperation, and challenges facing Ethiopia. Meles maintained that Birtukan violated Ethiopian rule of law and would remain imprisoned. On Somalia, Meles said that moderate Muslims have begun to fight back against Wahhabi extremism, but al-Shabaab still has significant military capability, especially in the southern tip of Somalia. Current challenges facing Ethiopia include sustaining economic growth despite the global downturn, tracking Somalia without a physical presence there, and mitigating the impending crisis in Sudan. Meles asked the U.S. Congress to closely follow developments in Sudan, and he hopes that we will "maintain what we have now" regarding our bilateral relationship. End Summary. Birtukan -------------- ¶2. (C) Senator Inhofe asked Meles about the continued imprisonment of Birtukan Midekssa (reftel),leader of the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice party, despite international and domestic pressure. Meles responded that Birtukan violated the terms of her pardon and would be subjected to the consequences under Ethiopian law. Meles said that releasing Birtukan would "make a joke out of rule of law in this country" and he felt he needed to "draw a line in the sand." He finished by stating that the Birtukan case is likely to "create more fires abroad than domestically." Economic Progress -------------- ¶3. (C) Senator Inhofe commended Meles on economic progress in the country. Meles affirmed that the economic situation is improving, especially in Addis. He added that there are many microfinance projects here, and Senator Enzi praised the Ethiopian Government for encouraging microfinance. Somalia: Moderate Muslims Fighting Back Against Wahhabi Extremism --- -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Meles said that the influence of hard-core Jihadists in Somalia is decreasing because moderate Muslims have begun to disassociate themselves from them. He added that there has been a shift in alliances, and the population has started to fight al-Shabaab terrorists because they are imposing their regime on the population. However, he added that al-Shabaab still has significant military capability, especially in the southern tip. Military Cooperation -------------- ¶5. (C) Congressman Boozman expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's cooperation in counterterrorism and regional security interests. Senator Inhofe said he hopes to expand International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs with Ethiopia and further strengthen alliances. Meles thanked the U.S. for its support to the Ethiopian Defense Command and Staff College and said it was very helpful. Key Challenges for Ethiopia -------------- ¶6. (C) Meles articulated three key challenges currently facing Ethiopia: sustaining economic growth despite the global economic crisis, tracking Somalia without a physical presence there, and mitigating an impending disaster in ADDIS ABAB 00000964 002 OF 002 Sudan. Meles closed the meeting by asking the U.S. Congress to follow closely developments in Sudan and anticipate how events are likely to evolve. Meles said that Sudan is more of a threat than Somalia because it neighbors nine countries and has a tradition of radical Islam. Finally, regarding our bilateral relationship, Meles expressed his hope that we will "maintain what we have now." YAMAMOTO