US officials criticize legislation passed by US House of Representatives on Ethiopia

(WIC) US government officials said the legislation passed by the US House of Representatives under the title ''The Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007”(H.R.2003)'' is wrong and does not reflect the objective reality in the country, Jimma Times and Senator James Inhofe websites reported.

Former Acting US Ambassador to Ethiopia and an expert on Latin America and Africa, Vicki Huddleston said voting for H.R. 2003 was wrong, adding that it will weaken a friend and an ally.

She stated that the government of Ethiopia will reject H.R. 2003 as a naive and unhelpful interference in its internal affairs, further stressing that it will rightly complain that it fails to recognize the considerable progress they have made in growing political space and opening the economy.

They will correctly point out that H.R. 2003 is not evenhanded because it sides with leaders of Ethiopia’s opposition, whom the government recently pardoned and released from prison.

''If our goal is to help a friend build democracy and improve its human rights, then Congress will not vote H.R. 2003 into law because it is the type of legislation that would more appropriately be reserved for our enemies,'' she underlined.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe on his part said '' Though this legislation states that its purpose is to ‘encourage and facilitate the consolidation of peace and security’ in Ethiopia, in reality it focuses only on shortcomings while blatantly ignoring the unprecedented progress the country has made.''

Ethiopia takes great pride in being the oldest independent country in Africa, he said, adding that it will continue to be a close friend of the United States and a strong ally in the War on Terror in the Horn of Africa.

''The language contained in H.R. 2003 enflames tensions already present in the Horn of Africa, threatening regional stability and long term U.S. national security,'' according to him.

He indicated that the government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain a democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights.

“I care deeply about Africa and visit the continent frequently. It is an area of strategic importance globally and to our country. During my recent trip to Africa in April, I witnessed first-hand Ethiopia’s democratic progress and commitment in fighting terrorism,'' the senator stated.

WIC Oct 18,2007
Source: http://www.moinfo.gov.et/English/publication.php?Main_Page_Number=1073&Doc_Type=English