Foreign Minister Seyoum wide-ranging interview with  ETV and Ethiopian Radio

Foreign Minister Seyoum told ETV and Ethiopian Radio on Thursday that successful steps taken by defense forces and local populations in recent months meant that ONLF had no more chance to disrupt peace in the Somali Regional State. In a wide-ranging interview, Minister Seyoum said community elders and public figures in the Somali Regional State had made a number of efforts, in and out of Ethiopia, to reach out to representatives of the group, but its leadership had remained determinedly belligerent, preferring to stay in the comfort of western capitals. After the massacre at Abole in April, when it was clear outside forces were linked with terrorists in the region, the Government was forced to act. Minister Seyoum pointed out that people in the Somali Regional State condemned the disruption caused by the ONLF and emphasized their own desire for peace and development. Community leaders organized their own militia, alongside the army, and engaged the terrorists; they had paid their own sacrifices. Now people could travel everywhere without problem. A majority of the ONLF had surrendered or been disarmed. Some small groups might still be lurking in neighboring areas but their capacity to cause damage was insignificant. Minister Seyoum said the government was implementing infrastructural developments, focusing on improving health, telecommunications and educational facilities in the region. The Disaster, Prevention and Preparedness Agency, alongside with its partners and aid agencies, is, he said, distributing food aid and medical drugs to tackle food shortages and any resultant ailments.

Turning to wider issues, Foreign Minister Seyoum rejected the unfounded accusations of the sponsors of HR-2003. He pointed out Ethiopia had made an immense contribution to peace in the sub-region and more widely, with its forces recently contributing to the UN missions in Rwanda, Burundi and Liberia. Ethiopia’s role in Somalia had created the best opportunity for peace in sixteen years. No one, he said, could deny that Ethiopia was a force for peace in the region. He said there could be no illusions abut the authors of HR2003 who had clearly demonstrated their own disinterest in the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights. Some academics had compared HR203 with the late 19^th century Treaty of Wuchale which had been intended to establish outside control of Ethiopia. Ethiopia, said Minister Seyoum, was and is a beacon of freedom, and would never succumb to any type of neo-colonialism.  "Our Constitution reflects our sovereignty," he said; that was the only law under which Ethiopia could run its affairs.  The Minister reminded his listeners that Ethiopia and its independence had been a source of inspiration for Marcus Garvey and for the famous black American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King. HR 2003, the Minister said, was a deliberate attempt to undermine Ethiopia’s sovereignty, and he criticized the pardoned CUD leaders for their public support for HR-2003. Their praise of the authors of HR2003 and of their outspoken mentors, he said, betrayed their contempt for the people of Ethiopia.  

On Eritrea, Minister Seyoum reiterated the necessity for the full restoration of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Demarcation in accordance with the EEBC decision could only be implemented when the integrity of the Algiers Agreement had been fully restored.  On Somalia, Minister Seyoum expressed hope that the Transitional Federal Government would be consolidated by the formation of a new and robust government. He said the Government and People of Ethiopia would continue to stand firmly by the side of the Somali Government in its drive to restore peace and to reconstruct Somalia. He praised former Prime Minister Gedi for his decision to resign in the interest of peace; and honored him for the resolve he had displayed. 

11/2/07