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UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 004181 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO AND AF/E 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KJUS ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIAN PM ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT ON UNREST, 
REFORMS AND BORDER ISSUE 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY.  In a December 13 address to Parliament, 
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi focused on the 
impending prosecution of CUD opposition party members, a 
newly established commission set to probe the June and 
December violence, and Ethiopia's commitment to withdraw 
troops near the border with Eritrea to December 2004 
positions.  Acknowledging that the government was preoccupied 
with bringing "CUD violent hardliners" to justice and 
investigating its own actions in June and December, the Prime 
Minister admitted little progress had been made recently on 
electoral, civil service, justice and budget reforms.  He 
also reaffirmed the GOE's commitment to withdraw troops from 
the Eritrean border as per United Nations Security Resolution 
¶1640. 
 
¶2.  The entire text of PM Meles' address is included below. 
This is an unofficial translation posted by state-run media 
outlets.  Section titles have been added for readability. 
 
¶3.  BEGIN TEXT: 
 
Please allow me to present briefly a report pertaining to the 
activities of the executive body after the approval of the 
cabinet by the Honored House. 
 
The executive body has been busy with the implementation of 
the objectives of peace, democracy and development, which 
were forwarded by the ruling party in the election process. 
 
------------------------------- 
PROSECUTION OF CUD "HARDLINERS" 
------------------------------- 
 
To realize the building of a democratic system various 
activities have been undertaken in the last two months. In 
this regard, the incident of street violence that was 
instigated by the CUD hardliner leadership and later on 
attempted to be prolonged by OLF attracted our attention to a 
great extent to control and ensure peace, stability and the 
rule of law. As the Police Commissioner had already reported 
the details of the violence I do not go back to that issue. 
However, I would like to focus on some points that are not 
touched on by the report of the Commissioner as follows. 
 
Despite the tireless efforts of the government to settle the 
disputes that came out in connection with the elections and 
following the situation of violence and bloodshed, as a 
result of the refusal of the CUD violent hardliners to 
dialogue, appropriate measures have been taken to put the 
violent hardliners under control and bring them to justice in 
accordance with the law. Police have put under custody those 
suspects who have attempted to demolish the constitutional 
order and brought their cases to the prosecutor straight away 
after investigation. The prosecutor is also ready to sue the 
suspects based on the police investigation in few days time 
soon. Thus, grounds have been laid to conduct the trial of 
violent CUD hardliner leaders in regular court in public in 
line with the constitution with due respect to their 
constitutional rights. As the case is mainly to be handled in 
court now onwards, the executive body is to wait for the 
judgment of the court and is ready to execute it, under 
restricted mission to ensure respect of the law. Those youth 
who had participated in thousands in the CUD violent 
hardliner orchestrated street riot were temporarily put under 
control and most of them have been released after 
investigation and yet about three thousand of them are to 
face justice for the various crimes they committed. The case 
of these youngsters is also to be left mainly to the 
judiciary. Hence the executive body is expecting the judgment 
of the courts and is ready to execute the decision. 
 
After the swift collapse of the street violence that was 
instigated by CUD, principally through the efforts of the 
peace loving and law observing public and the sacrifices paid 
and efforts exerted by the security forces, OLF has tried to 
create similar unrest in Oromia Region in coordination with 
Shaebia. This attempt has been put under control in all rural 
and most urban areas in Oromia without causing any 
difficulty, even though school interruptions have occurred in 
some West Shoa and West Wellega zone towns. Moreover, in some 
towns like Ambo and Jeldu, conflict sparking attempts were 
made. As the problem was bound in few towns and not demanded 
extra force other than the local administration could exert 
the federal government did not intervene. 
 
The regional government by coordinating law enforcing bodies 
and the public has taken necessary actions and is undertaking 
activities to bring to justice those individuals and groups 
who have played leading role in the unrest. 
 
Hence, it has been possible to crash (sic) the coordinated 
attempts of the violence forces that targeted to disrupt the 
stability of our country. The government would also commit 
itself to make strict follow up to crash similar attempts at 
their infancy. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO JUNE, DECEMBER VIOLENCE 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
Ensuring the rule of law is a corner stone in building a 
democratic system. The government has the authority and the 
obligation of taking necessary actions to maintain the rule 
of law, peace and stability. It is believed that the 
government should discharge its responsibility adhering to 
the rule of law as well. Despite the fact that the government 
is duty bound to take necessary actions to ensure the reign 
of law and order, it must not use excess force. In case it is 
found using excess force it is accountable. In the bid to 
protect the law and halt the violence, different parties 
complained that the security forces have used excess power. 
In line with this the government has started the 
investigation process. The Honored House has also established 
by proclamation a free and neutral Inquiry Commission by 
virtue of its power to control the executive body. The 
government has also instructed all concerned bodies to 
cooperate with the Inquiry Commission based on the decision 
of the House of Peoples' Representatives. We are now ready to 
execute any decision that would come out of the Inquiry 
Commission's final investigation task. In general, the 
government has successfully accomplished the task of ensuring 
the rule of law by living up to the expectation of our 
struggle to build a democratic system in that it controlled 
in a very short time, as opposed to the wish or fear of 
certain groups, the violence that geared to turn over the 
government, made possible the investigation of the cases of 
those who are involved in violence and brought them to the 
court and facilitated the realization of the Inquiry 
Commission that would investigate complaints. 
 
-------------------- 
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM 
-------------------- 
 
In addition to the successfully undertaking activities of 
ensuring the rule of law in the last two months the executive 
body has also carried out several performances pertaining to 
a democratic system building. Endeavors are being exerted to 
look into the developments that have occurred after the 
election and examine the shortcomings and put in action plans 
that would correct inadequacies and prevent incidence of 
violence. It is to be recalled that one of the major 
criticisms that opposition parties and some sections put 
against our democratic process is the code of conduct and 
operational procedure of the House of Peoples' 
Representatives. It is also obvious that this code of conduct 
and operational procedure is criticized as if it is uncommon 
in other old democracies and that it would limit the role of 
opposition parties. Based on this it is to be recalled as 
well that the government promised to draw lessons from four 
countries that have rich experiences of parliamentary system 
namely: Canada, Germany, India and Britain. 
 
Accordingly the Spokes Person of the House of Peoples 
Representatives has prepared a guideline that would enable to 
hire external professionals who would study our code of 
conduct and operational procedure vis--vis that of the 
experienced democracies and identify in our conduct and 
operational procedure those articles that are less 
democratic. 
 
If the external experts prove with tangible evidence that our 
code of conduct and operational procedure is in one way or 
another that it is far away from the mentioned four countries 
system and meant to restrict the role of the opposition, the 
ruling party would be ready to correct those articles soon 
according to its prior pledge. 
 
Based on the stated study if the ethics and working 
procedures of our country include no article except those 
found in one or the other of the four countries it will be 
 
notified publicly. Accordingly if there are any problems 
raised by opposition parties after our ethics and working 
procedure has been proven to be similar with that of those 
countries who have advanced culture of democracy, the ruling 
party will be ready to solve them. As the main issue at 
present is ensuring whether our ethics and working procedure 
is similar or different from that of the countries with 
advanced democratic culture, the government's main concern 
will be to work together with concerned bodies to complete 
the stated study rapidly. 
 
---------------- 
ELECTORAL REFORM 
---------------- 
 
It is to be recalled that re-election was held after 
extensive work of investigation in areas where problems 
encountered during the third national election. The process 
of investigation and corrective measures proved that the 
office of the Electoral Board has a considerable problem of 
executive capacity. Thus relevant governmental bodies have 
taken various measures to resolve these problems. 
 
It is also to be recalled that the House of Peoples 
Representatives decided to extend the mandate of the Board up 
to Sene 1998 E.C. (June 2006) and it was given the mission to 
present complete election report to the House as well as to 
build its executive capacity. Based on this, the Board has 
made foreign consultancy body, which has been closely 
following up the election and providing professional support 
present brief evaluation report. 
 
The Board has taken practical measures to employ foreign 
consultants who would address the problems identified in the 
evaluation report and a guideline has been prepared. The 
government will work with concerned bodies to successfully 
implement the capacity building work of the Board by taking 
lessons from countries with advanced democratic culture. 
 
-------------- 
MEDIA FREEDOMS 
-------------- 
 
Mass media plays an irreplaceable role in building a 
democratic system. The state media played a very constructive 
role during the election campaign and it was appreciated 
internationally. However opposition parties have been raising 
complaints regarding media utilization after the election. It 
is essential to investigate these complaints and give lasting 
solution if there are problems. 
 
On the other hand the private media has been proven to be the 
main weapons of violence and upheaval. It also included 
journalists engaged in illegal activities. 
 
It was found to be essential to create a condition in which 
the media will free itself from illegal activity and 
contribute its share in the democratization process. In this 
respect issuing a legal framework and creating a strong 
accountability system is believed to be something that should 
be given a special attention. 
 
Although there was a draft press law, which prepared with the 
participation of all stakeholders, based on our recent 
experiences and by taking lessons from countries with 
advanced democratic culture, enrichment of the draft press 
law is underway with foreign professionals. In order to be 
able to enrich the draft law by adopting legal frameworks and 
systems of accountability from countries that are advanced in 
their democratic culture, practical measure is being taken by 
the Speaker of the House. The government will do its level 
best together with other stakeholders to enable private and 
state media to contribute their share in the democratization 
process by respecting law and order and by being responsible 
and accountable. 
 
----------------------------- 
CUD MPs SHOULD FORM NEW PARTY 
----------------------------- 
 
On this occasion, I would like to ascertain that the ruling 
party is ready to engage in dialogue with opposition parties 
that respect law and order. As the violent leaders of CUD 
perpetrated their illegal action in the name of their party 
CUD is accused as a party. 
 
If there is any decision to be made by the court in this 
respect the Administration will implement it rapidly. This 
being the case it is to be recalled that the government has 
noted that those who have not been detained have three 
options. Should they condemn the illegal activities and 
objectives of CUD and respect the constitution and other laws 
of the land and opt to engage in politics either by 
establishing themselves as a new political organization 
individually, the government will ensure their right. It was 
also made clear that if they pursue, in one way or another, 
the violent option of CUD, the government will take legal 
measures against them, and if there are members who take 
themselves out of politics their right will be respected. 
 
Accordingly, some of the party leaders and members on whom 
decision had not been passed to detain are now being put 
under control as they are found involving in illegal 
activities while others are given last warning to refrain 
themselves from doing such acts. 
 
Other members of the CUD have desire to work independently 
and based on the law. Out of the 109 CUD representatives 
elected for the House of Peoples Representatives MPs not less 
than 66 have joined the parliament, which the government 
considers it as a commendable measure as this is the 
manifestation of pursuing their cause legally and peacefully. 
If these people decide to pursue their politics independently 
or by establishing themselves a new party their move will be 
legal and acceptable unless it promotes violence. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------- 
EPRDF TO ADMINISTER ADDIS ABABA PROVISIONALLY IN ABSENCE OF 
CUD 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------- 
 
The other issue to be raised in connection with this is the 
issue of the Addis Ababa Administration. The government 
believes that like in other parts of the country, residents 
of Addis Ababa should be governed by a party they elected. 
 
It is to be recalled that the necessary preparations had been 
made to hand over the administrative power of Addis Ababa 
council to the CUD who won majority seats. However CUD failed 
to take responsibility of the administration due to its 
violent mission, and in order to fill the power gap in Addis 
Ababa the House decided for the provisional administration to 
remain in power and ordered for a lasting solution to be 
sought and to be presented immediately. 
 
Based on the order and decision of the House, directives have 
been issued for the provisional administration to continue in 
power for three months and set provisional plans. However the 
government has refrained from giving final decision in order 
to close the chance of the residents to be administered by 
the party they elected. 
 
However if the situation continues like this it will 
contradict the order the House passed for lasting solution to 
be sought on one hand, and on the other hand it will hurt the 
socio economic development of the city. Therefore, I would 
like to make sure that I would present after discussing with 
concerned bodies an option that is believed to address the 
problem sustainably in one-month period. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
CIVIL SERVICE AND JUSTICE REFORM DELAYED 
---------------------------------------- 
 
It's clear that strong democratic system can exist when 
democratic and good governance institutions are built. 
Cognizant of this, the government has been vigorously engaged 
in building democratic institutions. In this regard the civil 
service reform and the justice system have been given special 
attention however, due to election related problems it 
received less attention in the last two months. 
 
Because of this, a situation arose in which the programs 
weakened and sometimes a tendency came about in which the 
results that have been achieved became reversed. In 
recognition of this fact, the government has carried out 
tasks in the last two months to re-start and continue, 
aggressively, the reform programs. The result of this 
endeavor would be presented to the parliament regularly by 
the concerned bodies. 
 
------------------------- 
 
ETHIOPIA-ERITREA CONFLICT 
------------------------- 
 
Side by side with the government's relentless effort to 
realize our democratic goals, various efforts have been made 
to achieve our peace objectives in the last two months. 
Accordingly, an issue of special attention has been 
preventing armed hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea and 
achieving sustainable and peaceful solution to the problem. 
Since the moment is one in which the Eritrean government has 
taken measures aggravating the tense situation in the border 
areas and is beating the war drum, it has become appropriate 
and essential that the issue gets a serious attention more 
than any time before. 
 
If the Eritrean government believes that it would achieve 
victory from the war, there is no doubt that it would start 
one. 
 
Therefore, the only way to avoid the possibility of war is to 
build up a balance of power to show that the Eritrean 
government would not achieve any victorious outcome if it 
starts a war. Accordingly, the government has carried out 
satisfactory tasks in the last few years to bring about such 
a balance of power. Such a task will continue until 
sustainable peace is achieved. When the Eritrean government 
took measures aggravating the tense situation in the border 
areas, the government has strengthened our defense forces in 
the area in the last two months so that, on the one hand, to 
avoid armed hostilities emerging out of wrong assumptions and 
on the other hand, to be able to take speedy and decisive 
action in the event of armed hostilities breaking out. 
 
Hand in hand with this measure to address the danger of war, 
the government would exert its utmost effort to bring lasting 
and peaceful resolution to the problem. Thus, many attempts 
have been made to realize the five-point peace proposal we 
made last year to find a negotiated settlement. 
 
The UN Security Council is closely following the issue and 
after many deliberations in the last few weeks have made many 
decisions. One of the decisions is the return of the deployed 
Ethiopian defense force to its last year's position. 
Although, the decisions made by the UN are not without their 
own limitations, since the Ethiopian government is firmly 
committed to implementing decisions passed by a body with a 
huge duty as the UN Security Council, and returning our 
defense forces to last year's position as well as keeping 
away our extra forces from the border would not harm our 
strength, we are implementing the decision by the Security 
Council. 
 
On the other hand, we have made an appropriate and positive 
response, as we used to do, to the call for the 
implementation of the decision by the boundary commission. As 
we all know, although Ethiopia believes that the decision of 
the boundary commission is wrong, she has accepted the 
decision in principle. On top of that, to be able to 
implement the decision so that it could ensure sustainable 
peace, Ethiopia has indicated its readiness to address the 
issue through discussion and negotiation. The government 
would continue with this correct peaceful stand energetically. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
BUDGET AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WEAKENED 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
We know that our government's major focus and undertakings is 
on development. Various tasks have been carried out in the 
last two months to implement the budget and development 
programs approved last year. Because of the tense situation 
created in relation to issues of the election in Addis Ababa 
and a few other towns, on top of causing harm to the 
development endeavor in these towns, by diverting the 
attention of the government, and particularly that of civil 
servants, the development programs suffered a weakening in 
implementation, to some extent. In recognition of this 
situation, the government has taken measures to ensure that 
all development forces made the appropriate effort towards 
development. Encouraging results are recorded in this regard 
and we believe that the details of the implementation of our 
development tasks will be reported by the relevant bodies in 
the future. 
 
Together with the relentless effort to implement the targets 
of the year, a huge effort has been made to complete the 
 
preparation of the coming five years' development targets. 
Currently, since the preparation has been completed it is 
expected that it would be presented for discussion by the 
cabinet of ministers. After that it would be presented to the 
Parliament for exhaustive discussion. The five-year target, 
which would be approved in this way, would serve as our 
strategic plan for all of our development tasks. 
 
Thank you. 
 
END TEXT. 
HUDDLESTON