Reaction of Woyane ambassador to HR2003 passage

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Washington, DC, released this statement by Samuel Assefa, Ethiopia's Ambassador to the United States: The U.S. House of Representatives today approved irresponsible legislation that, if it becomes law, would create fresh obstacles to Ethiopia's bold efforts towards comprehensive democratic reforms. The legislation also would undermine regional stability in the Horn of Africa by jeopardizing vital security cooperation between the United States and Ethiopia. The action disregards Ethiopia's immense progress in creating a competitive, pluralistic system of government and a more open civil society. According to the U.S. State Department, "[t]he [2005] elections stand out as a milestone in creating a new, more competitive multiparty political system in one of Africa's largest and most important countries. Nor was the impetus towards democratic reform impeded following the post-election riots that tragically cost the lives of so many civilians and police officers. After intense discussions between the majority and opposition parties, the Ethiopian Parliament took legislative measures to address contentious issues such as revision of parliamentary rules of procedure and reform of the National Election Board. In her testimony before the House Africa and Global Health Subcommittee, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazier said these "steps are unprecedented in Ethiopia and represent monumental advancement in the political environment." While many of these democratic gains seem to have gone unnoticed by Members of Congress, the very presence of two recently convicted and pardoned senior opposition leaders who testified at the Congressional hearing today bears witness to the Ethiopian Government's brave resolve to reinvigorate the democratic process. It is jarring, to say the least, that immediately in the wake of these pardons the U.S. House of Representatives approved punitive measures against Ethiopia. There is no mistaking that this action does not serve the interests of the United States or Ethiopia. By taking this step, the House sadly has allowed itself to be used by extremists in Ethiopian politics who reject peaceful and legal avenues of political participation. The House action serves only to bolster these hard-line elements by encouraging the politics of extremes. The legislation is equally destructive to regional security in the Horn of Africa. Dr. J. Peter Pham, invited by the Africa subcommittee to testify at today's Congressional hearing as an expert witness, said "The most significant national interest at stake for the United States in this complex context is to prevent al Qaeda ... from acquiring a new base and opening a new front in its war against us and allies." Mr. Payne and his allies seek nothing less than a realignment of U.S. interests in Africa. Mr. Payne made this clear in a recent press release in which he accused Ethiopia -- against all evidence and common sense -- of being "a source of instability in the region." The fact is that the entire region faces a serious threat from Eritrea -- a country that the U.S. Department of State is considering listing as a state sponsor of terrorism, and that has rejected the core institutions of legal opposition parties and a private press, officially banning both, and also outlawed worship by minority religious denominations. A recent United Nations report concluded that Eritrea has armed terrorists in Somalia with weapons including suicide belts and anti-aircraft missiles. Yet, rather than move against the country that denies all rights and religious freedom to its citizens, and foments instability, Mr.Payne is leading the Congress to condemn Ethiopia. One of Mr. Payne's key advisors, an Africa specialist for the Congressional Research Service, recently told the New York Times, "If there is one country where the fighting of extremists and terrorists was a priority when it mattered, it was Eritrea." This view is nonsense, and this legislation simply is not consistent with the responsible, reflective action of a legislature weighing U.S.interests around the world. Instead this is legislation favored by regional and domestic political activists who have chosen to use the U.S. Congress in support of a partisan Ethiopian political agenda. It is baffling that the House would allow itself to be used in this way. Ethiopia thanks the current U.S. administration for its continued support and carefully considered opposition to this legislation. It also welcomes the support of thoughtful Members of the House and Senate who understand the reality of the Horn of Africa and recognize Ethiopia's steadfast commitment to democracy in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.