West urges Ethiopia talks, govt says stop meddling

West urges Ethiopia talks, govt says stop meddling 06 Nov 2005 15:31:25 GMT Source: Reuters

By David Mageria ADDIS ABABA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Major Western donors issued a fresh appeal on Sunday to impoverished Ethiopia's government and opposition to end the worst political unrest in months. The government dismissed the plea as unacceptable meddling. "We urgently call upon all political parties to desist from further violence and to abide by the rule of law," the United States and European Union said in a joint statement on five days of unrest in which at least 46 people have been killed. "These distressing events have further deepened mistrust, as well as political and social divisions...The EU and the U.S. urge the opening of political dialogue to foster peace." Washington and the EU provide much of the $1 billion Ethiopia receives each year in foreign aid to help its mostly rural population of 77 million hit by recurrent drought. The statement, which urged the release "where appropriate" of people detained in the unrest, made no comment on an announcement by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Saturday that he would appoint an independent investigation into the deaths. Under international pressure to curb alleged abuses by his security forces, Meles said the probe would examine whether police had used excessive force, and also look at similar clashes in June when 36 people were killed. An EU ambassador who asked not to be identified said foreign diplomats had not had a chance to discuss the announcement. Information Minister Berhan Hailu rejected the US/EU appeal. "Their statement is unacceptable, since they themselves do not allow parties that have declared violence as a means of attaining power to exist in their countries," he told Reuters. "Such double standards should not be applied in our case. We have told everybody that we have reached a stage where we do not tolerate violence. We believe it is high time that they stopped meddling in our internal affairs and mind their business." The protests began in Addis, a stronghold of opposition groups, who accuse Meles of manipulating polls in May to stay in power. Meles denies this and the government says the violence was instigated by opposition leaders. The disturbances have coincided with military buildups on both sides of the border with Eritrea, Ethiopia's foe in a 1998-2000 border war. CAPITAL QUIET Addis Ababa was quiet on Sunday, and a police spokesman said there were no reports of violence in the capital or elsewhere. Thousands of worshippers thronged the Orthodox Holy Saviour Church in Addis, beginning three days of prayers for peace. "I am praying for my country, my people and family. It is for God to keep my people safe," said Manhat Thomas, a girl of 15 who was handing bread to the poor outside the church. The US/EU statement urged the opposition to disassociate itself from actions directly or indirectly inciting violence. The second biggest opposition party, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), gave a guarded welcome to Meles's announcement of an inquiry. "This is what we have been calling for since June," said party chairman Beyene Petros. "We need this to be delivered, we want him to act now. The May election was widely regarded as a test of Meles's commitment to bringing democracy to a country still struggling to shake off the effects of centuries of feudalism, followed by nearly 20 years of Marxism under dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. The polls were Ethiopia's freest ever, giving the opposition its largest showing in parliament. But the EU said the blemishes, including intimidation and murders of opposition officials, were so numerous that the polls did not meet international standards. There was no word on Meles's announcement from the largest opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, whose call for peaceful action drew people onto the streets last week. Many of its leaders were detained on suspicion of inciting the violence. Meles told state media they would face court as soon as investigations were complete.

Source: Reuters AlertNet
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06722589.htm