From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Thu Feb 26 2009 - 10:08:03 EST
Ethiopia: Yamamoto Meets Press, Speaks on CSO Bill, Birtukan
Yonas Abiye
26 February 2009
_____
Addis Abeba - US ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto on Monday met and
held discussion on a host of outstanding issues in the context of the
bilateral relations between the two countries.
In his monthly round-table discussion with journalists, the ambassador also
responded-tried to respond- to a number of questions from reporters.
The new NGO bill and the re-arrest of the leading opposition figure Birtukan
Mideksa dominated the discussion and the question to the ambassador.
Speaking on CSO bill, Ambassador said the law remains confusing as, he said,
it has a lot of contradictions.
Asked whether it was reluctance on the US government or firm Ethiopia's
resistance that there was not as yet any change to the law, Yamamoto said:
"We are trying to consolidate the issue with Ethiopian government." He added
"We recognize the right of all countries to make a statement on their own
laws on CSO or NGOs. So the law is not unique," he said while elaborating
his effort.
"You have to have some types of coordination and also how you do recognize.
Because you have some issues who is CSO or who is NGO. How do we get the
money? So it's true each country has the right to regulate international
organizations. But the issue we said is in the implementation process. It is
how it gone be implemented." Yamamoto said the new law will prove
problematic when it comes to implementation.
"We really think there is lot of contradiction. We are not quite sure how
that can be implemented. The issue comes in the next year during the
implementation stage" he said adding: "We are working very hard to
consolidate with the government." According to him, 67% of US assistance to
Ethiopia is given through NGOs and CSOs and the lion's share goes to grass
roots development, "as we cannot go to all part of the population of
Ethiopia which is estimated around 74 million." Yamamoto stressed the need
to have a clear understanding so as to draw a line between what we consider
as CSOs and the so called NGOs as much as we have to know which group of the
society this will affect.
"We have to know also the definition that is why it is so critical to
understand. What parts of the assistant groups would be affected and why,"
Yamamoto said.
Speaking about government's recent action against Birtukan, he said it was a
tragic-both for the detained and the government.
"To me the case is very tragic for the Ethiopian government and Birtukan,
including for all opposition parties in the country." Yamamato said he hoped
the issue will be resolved peacefully for the benefit of all the parties
involved.
The ambassador hailed the recent move by the opposition in forming an
alliance saying "the good step would facilitate and promote dialogue with
the government.
"It makes them stronger and helps to make decisions," he said.
He, however, seemed sceptical on the possibility of a smooth and
constructive dialogue between the ruling party and oppositions in the run up
to the next national election.
He said he expected the dialogues to be full of emotionally charged debates
and wrangling.
But the dialogue will be instrumental for both the government and the
opposition" he said.
The ambassador said Birtukan's arrest will not affect the long standing and
strong relation that exists between Ethiopia and the US "I don't think
Birtukan's case will be a barrier for our relation, if we continue towards
an open and democratic election," he said adding however that Birtukan case
was a very sensitive issue.
Ambassador Yamamoto did not want to further comment on that-until the next
roundtable, may be.
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