VZCZCXRO5977
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1016/01 0951246
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051246Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5453
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001016 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/E 
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR ET
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE MCGOVERN MEETS PM TO DISCUSS FOOD 
AID AND SAFETY NET PROGRAM 
 
------- 
Summary 
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¶1. In response to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles' concern for 
the urban poor, Representative James McGovern (Massachusetts) 
explained to the Prime Minister that the Embassy and USAID 
could advocate for more food aid for the urban poor by 
arguing that it is an emergency food need.  The Congressman 
said he would advocate for Ethiopia back in Washington.  He 
and his staff praised Ethiopia,s safety net program and the 
dramatic progress made in meeting rural food needs.  A 
similar program may very well be needed in the urban area, 
the Prime Minister said, and also noted needs in pastoral 
areas.  The Prime Minister lamented, however, that if the 
safety net program had been started four or five years 
earlier than it was, conditions would be far better today. 
End Summary. 
 
----------------------------- 
Praising the Ethiopia Program 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2. Representative James McGovern and his staffer Cindy Buhl 
and Major Gerald Thomas, along with USAID Director Glenn 
Anders and the Ambassador (note-taker) met with Prime 
Minister Meles, MFA North America Director Almaz and chief of 
staff Gebretensai April 2 to discuss Ethiopia,s progress on 
food security.  The Congressman remarked that after two days 
of traveling through the rural back-roads of Ethiopia 
(Butagira and Dira Dawa regions), he and his staff were 
impressed with the progress made under the safety net 
program.  Professional staffer Buhl remarked that in 
comparison with her visit several years ago, Ethiopia has 
made remarkable progress in meeting food need requirements in 
the rural area. 
 
¶3. The Congressman addressed the Prime Minister,s concern 
for the urban poor.  The recently approved PL-480 Title I 
food assistance for Ethiopia will help meet part of this 
need.  The Prime Minister noted that while safety net 
programs are for the rural area, the urban area must not be 
overlooked.  The Congressman suggested that the Embassy could 
recommend to Washington that there is an emergency food need 
in the urban area in an effort to secure more food 
assistance.  He added that he would support Ethiopia,s food 
assistance needs. 
 
------------------------- 
Prime Minister Focuses on 
What Needs to be Tackled 
------------------------- 
 
¶4.  While the Prime Minister thanked the Congressman for his 
remarks, Meles focused not on areas of progress but on 
challenges yet to be met.  He lamented that, yes, the safety 
net program should have been initiated four to five years 
earlier.  This would have made rural conditions much better. 
He added that water projects are critical to the success of 
food production and need to be expanded.  There are many 
small projects operated by NGO,s and private groups.  The 
key will be to expand these small projects into full scale 
national programs which can help provide water for large 
areas. 
 
¶5. Another area of concern to the Prime Minister centers on 
promoting pastoralist development.  He praised the USAID 
pastoral initiative.  Disease and parasites plague livestock 
severely limiting livestock production.  Ethiopian sheep skin 
is the best in the world, but more needs to be done in 
expanding production.  &Dipping8 or inoculations and 
disease prevention projects will help expand the quality of 
leather production. 
 
¶6. The Prime Minister stated that Starbucks and the Ethiopian 
Government are resolving their differences over certification 
vs. trademark over the sale of Ethiopian coffee.  He added 
that Starbucks was going to subcontract production of aprons 
to Ethiopian manufacturers which would then be sold in 
Starbucks, stores in the U.S.  The Prime Minister noted 
Starbucks' contributions to enhancing the quality of coffee 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001016  002 OF 002 
 
 
production in Ethiopia. 
 
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Comment 
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¶7. The Prime Minister interrupted his hosting of ministers 
from East Africa gathered in Addis on economic issues to meet 
with the Congressman.  The issue of food security and the 
interest of the Congressman were of particular concern to the 
Prime Minister.   Thankful for Title I food assistance, the 
Ethiopian Government views the amount (15,000 mt) as 
insufficient to meet urban needs.  The Prime Minister is 
committed to using food reserves to help the urban poor. 
Opposition leaders have questioned whether this is 
sustainable, will adversely affect the market, and whether 
distribution will be centered on political supporters of the 
government.  The opposition leaders agree with the Prime 
Minister and donor nations that the urban poor need help and 
that a closer examination of the condition of the urban poor 
is essential in establishing an effective safety net program, 
similar to the programs for the rural poor.   End Comment. 
 
¶8. Congressman McGovern cleared this message. 
YAMAMOTO