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DE RUEHDS #0100/01 0111329
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O 111329Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8611
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000100 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR A/S FRAZER AND DAS YAMAMOTO FROM VICKI HUDDLESTON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA:  MELES ON INTERNAL SITUATION 
 
Classified By: Charg d'Affaires Vicki Huddleston for reasons 1.4 (b,d). 
 
 ¶1. (C) Summary:  In a discussion with Prime Minister Meles 
on January 9, principally on ways to deal with border 
demarcation and Dr. Frazer's visit, Meles made the following 
points regarding the internal situation: 
 
-- The bulk of the youth charged with violent acts will be 
released rather than stand trial.  Currently there are 2,200 
in custody: 800 were freed over the holidays. 
 
-- The U.S. and international community is more concerned 
with the outcome of the trial of the CUD and civil society 
leaders than with the process, but despite international 
criticism, the process must go forward because Hailu Shawel 
and others cannot be seen to be above the law. 
 
-- More time will be provided for the opposition to take over 
City Hall; the number of opposition MPs in Parliament is now 
over 150. 
 
-- Differences with the OLF are not irreconcilable and Meles 
remains open to re-enter a discussion;  the PM thought that 
he had reached an agreement in Bonn, but talks were 
subsequently broken off by the OLF. 
 
¶2. (C)  Toward the end of our conversation on border issues, 
I pointed out our concerns that the trial of CUD leaders and 
others is increasingly divisive, and about continuing unrest 
in Oromiya.  Prime Minister Meles replied that the recent 
U.S. statement reflected our - an international concern - 
with the trial's outcome, not due process.  The international 
community wanted a certain outcome (freedom for the 
detainees), while Ethiopia wanted a process to convince the 
hard core imprisoned CUD leaders that they are not above the 
rule of law.  While the trial might be divisive 
internationally, the PM maintained that it was beneficial 
locally.  Meles explained that the lawyers had been turned 
away once, but they could now meet with their clients.  Some 
had done so.  The CUD leaders' strategy, however, was now to 
reject the process, including the use of lawyers.  I 
suggested separating those with lesser charges from the CUD 
leadership charged with additional crimes so that the former 
could chose to use lawyers and participate in the process. 
Meles complained that CUD leader Berhanu had been 
disrespectful in claiming the court had no jurisdiction and 
in attempting to read a political commentary.  The 
"spineless" judge should never have allowed this. 
 
¶3. (C) Meles said that over the holidays, 800 of the youths 
detained after the unrest had been released.  Furthermore, 
the bulk of the remaining 2,200 would be released soon.  But 
for those not released, they would be subject to the entire 
legal process. 
 
¶4. (C) I told Meles we were hopeful that the opposition would 
take reins of City government now that UEDP-Medhin leader 
Lidetu and his rival, ex-UEDP president Admassu, were 
separately organizing elected city council members to take 
over Addis Ababa.  The PM said "we are dying for them to take 
over, but we can't make them to do it."  He said that given 
the press of events, AU Summit, and important visits (Dr. 
Frazer), he could legitimately extend the deadline for the 
opposition to organize a majority of elected council members 
so that the opposition could manage the city.  (Comment: 
Kemal Bedri, the head of the National Electoral Board, said 
that the two rival UEDF-Medhin groups would have to register 
and determine which one had the mandate to organize the Addis 
executive branch.  End Comment.) 
 
¶5. (C) In regard to the dialogue with the Parliamentary 
opposition, Meles confirmed that the next meeting would be 
Thursday.  I said that OFDM and UEDF were extremely concerned 
about ongoing violence in Oromiya.  Meles said that Dr. 
Bulcha's OFDM, like Sinn Fein, is the political front of the 
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).  He had talked to Bulcha about 
this directly.  Dr. Merera's Oromo National Congress (ONC) 
was more complex, but both parties were closely associated 
with the illegal OLF. 
 
6, (C)  Meles lamented that he thought he had struck a deal 
with OLF leader Lencho in Bonn in which the OLF would respect 
the constitution, give up violence and become a peaceful 
political competitor of the EPRDF.  However, when violence 
erupted and the EPRDF looked weak, the OLF had gone back on 
the agreement and called for insurrection.  Nevertheless, 
differences between the government and OLF were not 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000100  002 OF 002 
 
 
irreconcilable.  Meles confirmed that he remained open to 
renewing the discussion.  All Lencho had to do was contact 
him -- and "he knows how to do that." 
HUDDLESTON