The Ethiopian government has rejected a peace offering, which the opposition had hoped could heal the risk created following the May's 15th elections. The combined opposition now hold nearly a third of the 500 seats in parliament compared with 12 prior to the elections. Now, though the opposition is refusing to accept the outcome saying the elections were rigged, it has also called on the Prime Minister Meles Zeanwi and his ruling EPRDF party to form a government of national unity. But this offer has been soundly rejected.
In Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told Martin Plaut why.
PM Meles: - Well, the rules of the game and the constitution says that whoever wins majority seats in parliament has the right to form a government. Now, a government of national unity would assume that we have common positions on issues. We don't. We do not have common positions on fundamental issues with the opposition. We do not beg their support in parliament to establish a government. The constitution allows us to do so, to establish a government of our own. And so, we see no reason for doing that. I assume the opposition knew that if they got a majority, they would have the right to form a government and we would have no right to demand that we be included in their government.
BBC: - They are saying that if you don't at least make some just towards them that they won't take up their seats in parliament. What do you feel about that?
PM Meles: - Whether they take their seats in parliament or not is ultimately their own decision.
BBC: - There are some steps that you could take in order to assist the process. For example, they are now almost completely kept away from the official media from the radio and television. They have no access to that which they did have during the election campaign. Could you not allow them to have the same kind of access as they had during the election?
PM Meles: - Well, during the election campaign, we were in an election campaign. And therefore, there had to debates through the media and the parties had to be given slots in the public media. That is normal. When election campaign ends, such access has to end.
BBC: - They suggest that they have absolutely no way of getting their views across. Wouldn't it may be sensible at least to open things half of it. They could feel yes there is a way of getting their views across?
PM Meles: - If their views are views of calling insurrection, I would doubt whether any self-respecting media would continuously provide such access.
BBC: - Well, they said they are going to hold demonstrations later this month. Are you going to ban this?
PM Meles: - We will see what needs to be done to protect the constitutional order. At this stage, it is premature.
BBC: - Do you thing that you are heading for a showdown with the opposition?
PM Meles: - I think the ball is in their court. If they are seeking a showdown, there is no way of willing it. If they are seeking playing by the rules, again we will be more than prepared to meet them more than half of the way.
* Text transcribed from the interview with the BBC’s Network Africa
