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Viewing cable 06ADDISABABA3249, ETHIOPIA: SENATOR FEINGOLD DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIC

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06ADDISABABA3249 2006-12-11 08:19 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Addis Ababa
VZCZCXYZ0027
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #3249/01 3450819
ZNR UUUUU ZZH(CCY ADD THREE ADDRESSEE AD0596972 MSI9057-536)
P 110819Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3654
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 003249 
 
SIPDIS 
C O R R E C T E D   C O P Y - ADDING THREE ADDRESSEES - PLS FORWARD 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E 
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: SENATOR FEINGOLD DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIC 
 
REFORM, SOMALIA WITH OPPOSITION LEADERS 
 
REF: ADDIS ABABA 03115 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Opposition parliamentarians told visiting 
U.S. Senator Feingold that they are still waiting for the GoE 
to address key democratic reforms during the ongoing 
inter-party dialogue. Opposition leaders bemoaned the divide 
that has grown between their parties in Ethiopia and former 
diaspora supporters abroad, resulting largely from their 
decision to join parliament last year.  Opposition leaders 
explained their disagreement with the GoE,s strategy in 
Somalia; the previous day, most voted to oppose authorizing 
military intervention.  Their primary fears are a politically 
divided Ethiopia getting stuck in an un-winnable war and 
incorrect reference to Ethiopian domestic insurgencies 
involvement in Somalia.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) On December 1, during a three-day visit to Ethiopia, 
Sen. Russ Feingold, accompanied by Senate staffers Grey 
Frandsen and Evan Gottesman, met with opposition 
parliamentary leaders.  Parliamentarians present during the 
meeting were: Lidetu Ayalew, United Ethiopian Democratic 
Party ) Medhin (UEDP-Medhin); Dr. Merera Gudina and Beyene 
Petros, United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF); Temesgen 
Zewdie and Ayele Chamisso, Coalition for Unity and Democracy 
Party (CUDP).  Ambassador Yamamoto, DCM, P/E Counselor, PAO 
and Poloff (notetaker) also accompanied the Senator. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
DEMOCRACY, THE DIASPORA AND ETHNIC FEDERALISM 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) Sen. Feingold asked parliamentarians about their 
views on the state of democratic reform in Ethiopia and 
progress since the start of the inter-party dialogue. 
Responses varied on this issue, but most agreed that the GoE 
has a long way to go before Ethiopia could be considered a 
fully functioning democracy with a relevant opposition.  Dr. 
Beyene Petros pointed out that even though the opposition had 
made large gains in terms of numbers in the 2005 elections 
(from 12 opposition parliamentarians to 174), the opposition 
now has less opportunity to voice opinion in parliament.  On 
this point, Dr. Merera Gudina remarked that during the 
parliamentary debate following the recent submission of the 
Independent Inquiry report, the opposition was collectively 
given only 28 minutes of speaking time.  Dr. Beyene added 
that one significant accomplishment since the election is 
that the opposition is in dialogue with the government on 
important matters such as media law and the National Election 
Board (NEB), but that even in this area they are still 
waiting for action on the part of the ruling party. 
 
4. (SBU) In discussing the role that the Ethiopian diaspora 
plays in domestic politics, opposition leaders all agreed 
that serious tension exists and that the relationship is much 
less consructive than in the past.  Dr. Merera said that "a 
serious rift" exists between his party in Ethiopia and former 
supporters in the diaspora.  Dr. Beyene added, "At this time, 
nothing good is coming out of the relationship."  They 
explained that the split stemmed largely from a lack of 
understanding and anger on the part of the diaspora following 
their decision to ultimately join parliament in October 2005. 
 The two sides are further divided by power struggles and 
increasing belligerence on the part of diaspora leaders. 
Lidetu Ayalew pointed out, "The problem is that those (in the 
diaspora who are) against us are very powerful, but there is 
a silent majority that, in fact, sides with us (the 
opposition in parliament)."  All admitted that the flow of 
funds from the diaspora to support their parties had dried 
up, hindering their ability to properly function as a party. 
They said that this is compounded by the fact that their 
parties do not receive any public funding and very little 
from local supporters. 
 
5. (SBU) Though opposition parties share many criticisms of 
the GoE, a discussion on ethnic federalism established by the 
ruling party highlighted a fundamental divide in party 
policies.  The UEDF and Oromo parties generally agree with 
the principle of ethnic boundaries by which the country has 
been divided in to administrative regions, but that the 
boundaries "need fine tuning."  Dr. Beyene told Sen. Feingold 
 
that in his home region, the Southern Nations and 
Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR), there are over 50 
different ethnicities and that merging them into the same 
region was not ideal.  The CUDP and UEDP-Medhin parties (both 
remnants from under the former CUD umbrella) are opposed to 
administrative divisions based on ethnicity.  Lidetu 
explained that his party is in support of the principle of 
federalism, but the division should be based on other aspects 
such as geography, economic factors, historical bonds and 
language. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
OPPOSITION HAS CONCERNS ON GOE'S SOMALIA STRATEGY 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
6. (SBU) Following a session on November 30 in which 
parliament passed a resolution authorizing the use of 
military force in Somalia against the CIC, Sen. Feingold 
queried opposition leaders on their views on the matter.  An 
unprecedented debate in parliament (reftel) allowed the 
opposition to voice their opinion; all opposition leaders, 
with the exception of Lidetu, voted to oppose the proposal 
advanced by PM Meles.  The resolution passed by a 3-to-1 
margin, following which, opposition parties publicly 
expressed their disagreement on the GoE's strategy. The GoE 
in turn criticized the opposition for not supporting it in 
countering a threat at its border. 
 
7. (SBU) In explaining his opposition, Dr. Beyene told Sen. 
Feingold that the PM's resolution is "overreaching" and that 
he fears that Ethiopia "will get itself into a war that it 
can't get out of."  He also shared his concern that the PM is 
leading Ethiopia into a war that will divide the country and 
warned that many Ethiopians do not support intervention.  Dr. 
Merera raised another general opposition concern, criticizing 
the inclusion of domestic insurgent groups, including the 
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Ogadan National 
Liberation Front (ONLF), in the resolution's language.  He 
labeled this "unjust" and said that the PM was using the 
resolution against domestic opposition for fear that it has 
the potential to bring down the EPRDF government.  He also 
added that all of those in the CIC are not necessarily "bad 
people," rather, "it is 10 or 15 percent that are the 
problem."  Temesgen Zewdie (CUDP) questioned whether Ethiopia 
is capable of an extended confrontation with a foe like the 
CIC, pointing out that "a conventional war may not be the 
best way to fight an unconventional enemy."  He also told 
Sen. Feingold that an "information gap" exists regarding 
between the opposition and the ruling party, claiming that 
that opposition leaders get most of their information on the 
issue from the media.  Lidetu, the only opposition leader to 
support the resolution, said that while the government should 
attempt to exhaust all peaceful means to resolve the 
conflict, Ethiopia is right to defend its borders if 
threatened.  He cited the recent UN report identifying 
assistance that the CIC is receiving from several foreign 
countries, including Eritrea.  Lidetu said that, given this 
interference by countries hostile to Ethiopia, as well as the 
public declaration of jihad and the CIC's interest in 
acquiring former Somali lands in Ethiopia, it is appropriate 
that the GoE act to protect itself. 
 
8. (U) Sen. Feingold did not have the opportunity to clear on 
this message. 
WILGUS