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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 003185 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/E, AND INR/AA 
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM ET
SUBJECT: THE OPPOSITION CHALLENGES PRIME MINISTER MELES IN 
PARLIAMENT 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (U) Opposition Parliamentarians offered critical comments 
of President Girma Woldegirogis, October 8 remarks at the 
opening session of Parliament during the monthly questioning 
session of the Prime Minister. UEDF leader and informal 
leader of the opposition Beyene Petros, CUD/P leader Temskgen 
Zewdie and ODFM leader Bulcha Demeksa struck a common theme 
of criticism of the government for not advancing democratic 
values.  Beyene cited the failure of the interparty talks, 
Temeskgen highlighted failed economic policies resulting in 
heightened inflation, and Bulcha provided the most pointed 
criticism calling on the government to explain the arrests 
without due process of scores of Oromo citizens, citing 204 
specific cases but hinting that hundreds and perhaps 
thousands maybe detained. 
 
¶2. (U) The Prime Minister responded that the opposition 
parties walked out of interparty talks but welcomed them back 
if they committed to not leaving talks in the future.  He 
dropped the condition of expression of apologies as noted by 
other ruling EPRDF members.  The Prime Minister expressed 
concern over inflation and low salaries, but stated that the 
economy is improving with nearly 10 percent annual growth. 
He cautioned that it would take time to empower the public. 
On arrests, the Prime Minister said that suspected OLF and 
rebels were detained and that investigations were being 
conducted.  Finally, he dismissed calls by the opposition to 
leave Somalia noting that if Somalia is not stabilized 
Ethiopian troops may have to return to Somalia. 
 
¶3. (U) It was apparent that the questioning period lacked any 
drama and unexpected issues.  Both sides stated their 
familiar positions.  Troubling is the lack of engagement and 
discussion on how to promote political dialogue.  We will 
continue to help facilitate discussions between the 
opposition and ruling party and plan to meet leaders from 
both camps in our regular meetings in the coming days. End 
summary. 
 
The Opposition Demands Answers 
------------------------------ 
¶4. (U) Parliament convened October 23 for questioning of the 
Prime Minister. Opposition leaders focused criticism on 
President Girma,s opening remarks to Parliament, delivered 
October 8, as the basis for critical remarks to the Prime 
Minister. UEDF leader and informal leader of the opposition 
Beyene Petros listed common opposition themes.  He complained 
about inflation and the low salaries, especially in the 
private sector, calling on the Government to take action. He 
noted the failure of the interparty talks which has resulted 
in the lack of a dialogue between the ruling party and 
opposition on critical legislation such as the a draft press 
law expected to be tabled before Parliament in coming weeks. 
Beyene also questioned the Prime Minister on human rights and 
humanitarian crisis in the Ogaden.  He demanded an 
explanation of what the government was doing.  Beyene 
concluded by noting that there was continued conflict among 
the various ethnic groups and demanded the government,s 
immediate attention to alleviate tensions. 
 
¶5. (U) CUDP leader Temesgen Zewdie focused on what he called 
the failed economic policies of the government.  He noted 
that market interference particularly in forcing farmers to 
sell their food products undermined sound and basic economic 
principles.  He argued that unemployment and the failure to 
create jobs were not being addressed, adding to the suffering 
of the public. Temesgen questioned the absence of democratic 
values citing the passage of the Broadcast law and the debate 
on the draft Press Law without opposition input.  Finally, 
Temesgen called for Ethiopia,s soldiers to return from 
Somalia and criticized the government for following too 
closely the African Union.  He said these are Ethiopian 
troops and questioned what the AU was doing. 
 
¶6. (U) OFDM leader Bulcha Demeksa was the most vocal in 
criticism of the government for unexplained arrests of 204 
Oromos in recent weeks. He speculated that there could be 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00003185  002 OF 003 
 
 
hundreds and perhaps thousands, and asked why Oromos were 
being detained without due process.  He demanded an open and 
transparent legal process. 
 
The Prime Minister Responds 
--------------------------- 
 
¶7. The Prime Minister responded in a very methodical manner 
addressing each point. Meles defended the President,s 
speech, saying that it clearly touched on the issues raised 
by the opposition.  First, Prime Minister Meles said the 
government is committed to democracy and good governance.  He 
underscored the responsibility of the government to address 
questions of fighting corruption and promoting good 
governance.  He admitted that Ethiopia can and needs to make 
improvements, noting that democracy is still a &work in 
process,8 but the path that the government is following is 
correct and is addressing problems.  It will take time, he 
cautioned. 
 
¶8. (U) On interparty talks, the Prime Minister said it was 
the opposition that dropped out of the process.  He called on 
the opposition to return with the caveat that they commit 
themselves to working with the ruling party and not 
boycotting future discussions.  He dropped the condition of 
apology for restarting talks, which EPRDF Central Committee 
member Bereket Simon has insisted on for the past several 
months.  On the passage of the Broadcast Law, the Prime 
Minister said the opposition did have an opportunity to 
adjust the drafts, make recommendations and add amendments, 
but ultimately, the law needed to move forward. 
 
¶9. (U) The Prime Minister addressed economic policies by 
noting that the government is committed to fighting poverty 
and improve productivity.  He noted that the government needs 
to focus on building capacity and improving structures and 
institutions.  Fighting corruption remains important.  He 
added that government oversight is sometimes necessary to 
correct problems and prevent the public good from being 
harmed.  Faith that the market will always make correct 
decisions is not accurate and that government oversight is 
always needed to maximize efficiencies.  If economic 
development fails, the government must intervene to help 
regulate and promote progress.  All countries engage in 
market adjustments.  On low private sector salaries, the 
Prime Minister said the government cannot and must not 
interfere because it could make the situation worse.  Meles 
argued that companies make rational decisions , government 
interference could have negative impacts, and oil and farm 
prices are rising and farm prices are rising.  Still, the 
Prime Minister stated that "We must try to keep prices down." 
 
¶10. (U) Somalia is an issue of national security, the Prime 
Minister argued.  Ethiopia must not leave until there is 
order or else Ethiopian troops may be called on to return. 
On the Ogaden, the ONLF has undermined security.  National 
Security advisor Abey Tsehaye led efforts to reach out to the 
ONLF.  Meles claimed that the GoE had sought to meet the ONLF 
overseas but the ONLF refused to meet in direct discussions. 
There was no dialogue or effort by the ONLF to meet.  "They 
killed innocent people in the Ogaden," Meles stated, "but we 
continue to hold out the option of direct talks with the 
ONLF.  But the ONLF must abide by the constitution and 
peaceful efforts." 
 
¶11. (U) On the arrests of Oromos, the Prime Minister argued 
that only OLF supporters and rebels were being detained and 
were under investigation.  Like the ONLF, the Prime Minister 
said the government reached out to the OLF to meet with them. 
 The government remains open but the OLF must abide by the 
constitution.  If there is evidence of wrongdoing we will 
prosecute, Meles ended. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) Both sides stated their respective positions 
without much drama or new issues raised. The questioning 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00003185  003 OF 003 
 
 
period is defined to help the ruling party.  There is no 
follow-up questions and the opposition is limited in the time 
to ask questions while the Prime Minister is not limited. 
The lack of inter-party dialogue is a concern and a priority 
for the Embassy.  Post will continue to facilitate talks 
through our regular discussions. 
YAMAMOTO