Source: European Union (EU)
Date: 29 Aug 2005

Statement by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Ethiopian ElectionsP 092/05

Brussels, 29 August 2005 - The European Union notes the balanced and impartial preliminary statement of 25 August issued by the European Union Observation Mission's Chief Observer. While we await the EUOM final report due next month before commenting on the overall electoral process, we note the Chief Observer's preliminary comment that the picture was mixed, with some positive aspects up to the 15th May, and some negative aspects thereafter. We also note that the preliminary statement revealed deficiencies and irregularities in aspects of the complaints process, re-runs and Somali regional elections. However, the EU trusts that all aspects of the report will be received and addressed by the Government and all political parties in the constructive spirit in which they were intended.

The EU congratulates once more the Ethiopian government for launching a more open electoral process, and for the decision to invite international observers. While the EU notes continuing issues of concern, including respect for human rights and balanced access to the media, the EU regards the elections as an important step forward in the democratisation process. We urge all political actors to use the coming period to work together peacefully and constitutionally to further embed multi-party democracy.

Above all, the EU again congratulates the Ethiopian people for their faith in democracy shown by such high voter turn-out on 15 May. The EU request Ethiopia's political leaders of all parties to respond to that faith by continuing the process of reform and positive change in the democratic institutions and media- and by participating actively in the new Parliament, City Administration and other institutions.

The EU reiterates its firm commitment to sustain and strengthen its partnership with Ethiopia and its people in all areas including that of further democratisation.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

WE THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA NEED TO PUSH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT FOR A REELECTION WITH A NEW ELECTION BOARD.

ETHIOPIANS IN THE DIASPORA ,THIS IS OUR TIME TO SHOW THAT WE ARE PART OF THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY IN OUR ETHIOPIA.PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORTING FREEDOM.

NO MORE SILENCE.LET US DEFEND OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILLIES.

WE SHALL OVERCOME!

Email: chombe411@yahoo.com

City: fairfax

Chombe my dear,

I agree with you. There is no turning back from now on. This the greatest opportunity we will ever have. Where ever we are let us get networking and do what ever we can to creat a greater awarness. Say no to TPLF.

City: AA

Now things getting worst for Zenawi and co. They have to accept everthing and leave power for those elected by Ethiopian people. Once again Ethiopians in diaspora has restart their demomstrations to denounce Zenawi's undemocratic goverment to the rest of the world.
May God bless Ethiopia and save from buchers.

Email: ethioboy@yahoo.com

City: Atlanta

I would be surprised if the EU Presidency didn't back the report. I read Meles's article against the EU-EOM report on the Ethiopian herald. The Prime Minister wrote a long report (this is infact the first article, others on the same topic will follow in the following days). In his article, what he is trying to show is that the EU-EOM report contradicts. But the problem is that this is always subjective. It is always the case two people read the same report and might come up with different views and interpretations. What was important to address was rather the facts - the facts in the EU-EOM report solidly put in comparison to the international principles of a democratic election, which are also endorsed by EPRDF constitution. If the PM has got that much time to prepare an article, it was worth spending on facts on the ground rather than trying to show contradictions of a report. Because those are the things that happened in real time and crippled the election process.

Email: mmgelaw@yahoo.com

The key to the EU Presidents message is the following:

"We urge all political actors to use the coming period to work together peacefully and constitutionally to further embed multi-party democracy."

It is not "we ask the opposition to accept the decision of ENEB and join the government. No No NO.

The Government should accept the peaceful proposal to form an intrim government to prepare for a fair and transparent election.

This is a major development for the opposition and for the people of Ethiopia. It is now on the shoulder of Prime Minister Meles and his government.

Ankasa Doro

It is the last straw that broke the camel's back. That huffy Bereket shouldn't have accused the EU election observers chief Ms. Ana Gomes as causing the massacre and wounding of several people. The noose is starting to tighten around Meles' and Bereket's dictatorial regime. No way out of this Jose. Thank you Bereket for digging your own grave. You bite the hands that fed you, and put you where you are to day with that sort of intelligence you possess. Your mud slinging and bad mouthing of Ms. Gomes demonstrates your shallowness in intelligence and manners, that should not be used by someone who is heading the Ministry of Information. You are an embarrassment to your regime, to your family and to your associates. If you have had a formal education, things that you spew out of your rotten mouth wouldn't have offended people, because you could have chosen better approach to redress your grievances.

But resorting to name calling and finger pointing is the sign of an illiterate fool who lacks the art of diplomacy, and confidence in himself. And sorry to here it from me, you are the worst imbecile, who lack decency, and manners to head the information ministry. Your filthy mouth of diplomacy is only adding insult to the already injured, vote rigging, murderous regime of yours.

Now you have arranged some African leader to visit Ethiopia, as a distraction from problems at home. No matter how many visitors you have arranged to throw us off track, we are on your tail no way in, and no way out, of the crimes you and your boss committed against innocent Ethiopian protesters.

Like someone said in this web page," no matter how you sliced it",the bottom line is you and Meles are fully responsible for terrorizing, abduction, imprisonment and killings of so many innocent people who did not agree with you.

Ethiopia would be best served by highly educated incoming opposition parties who can think better and work to their fullest potential for the prosperity of all Ethiopians. Just pack up your belongings get out of town, back to the jungles where you came from, until such time comes for your apprehension for crimes committed against innocent people.

Email: GebregzeeK@hotmail.com

City: southbrookeridge

The leadership quality, the determination and the patience that Ana Gomes has shown in this election observation mission is second to none. She has informed the politacl parties the major observations at various stages of the mission.
The final report is the reflection of the reality on the ground. TPLF/EPDRF was hoping if they could hide the facts and cover up the details as they have done in the last fourteen years. This time the peoples determination coupled with the hard working and the visionary opposition starategy has helped to expose the true nature of the ruling party in Ethiopia. The European obseration team is not going to change the well established facts or the contents of the report. The next step is to recommend some thing tangeble in the lines of either re election on the whole country with an independant electoral board immediately or establish a union government and conduct an independent election with in a year. Either way EPRDF is exposed and has no ally.
This does not mean victory will be achieved with little sacrifies. The people, The opposition parties and the diasporia have to work togather to achieve it. This is a rare opportunity and we should not allow dictators to carry on killing, robbing and dividing our country and our people.

SEme.

Keep going brother and sisters.

Email: Semachewa@yahoo.co.uk

City: London

please let us accept the fact Amhara dose not men ethiopia .

Dear Garage,

You need to be trained by Gebrelikiskis on your cut and paste skills, as your english didn't make any sense what so ever for those of us who are taking part in this forum. May be your are under great pressure.

Ask Meles to send you to college.

City: AA

First, EU, then Herman Cohen and next Carter. It seems the only support Meles has from this ide of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean is Ibrahim, Tulu and Gebrelekuskus. Then again you can add, multiply and square the tree morons and they would not amount to any weight. Meles is a desperate man.

Tengara Gundan