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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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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