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Honourable MP, Ambassador Mohammed Drir (SPDP)

In the past few days, violence and insurrection created problems in our country. I would like to offer my condolence to all those who lost their lives. I supported the religious leaders� call for peaceful struggle.

Regarding the report, some Honourable MPs said it should have been presented by the Premier. I believe this is strange. They criticized that the police commissioner is the member of EPRDF. I would like to remind them that the Prime Minister who they want to present the report is not only the member of EPRDF but also the leader of the party. I believe that the report was presented by someone who was very close to the development that happened in the last two weeks. And I think it is proper that the police chief presented the report. There were also concerns expressed that the police chief has stated the opposition is bent on insurrection and violence. Let us take, for instance, the actors of the violence. If some have not done anything wrong and was mentioned as violent, it would have been wrong. But calling a spade a spade is not wrong. We know what kind of agitation and statements were issued before the violence that aggravated the situations. We the Somali, the Afar, the Benshanul-Gumuz, the Harari and the Gambella People and leadership of the parties have made our statement clear that targeting one people who are Ethiopians are wrong. Such act would lead to a very dangerous situation. It would also undermine the Constitution and cause a lot of turmoil. Not only the CUD but also the leadership of the UEDF were involved in the agitation. They must understand that they cannot use legal and illegal means of pursuing their struggle.

They must either take the legal way or the other one. They have now become the mouthpiece of the violent elements. What the opposition claimed was not a peaceful struggle. Using hand grenades, bombs, snatching guns from policemen as well as targeting one Ethiopian people for attack were not peaceful. Had it been peaceful, there would have never been losses of lives and properties. Neither would there have been any burning and destruction. To agitate the public not bury each other when they die, not to live peacefully, not to eat together, are immoral. These would hurt not only Ethiopians but also the African peoples. Addis Ababa is the home of all peoples � the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia . It is our gathering place. The political organization that won the city must be seen as failing to take its responsibilities in taking over the city administration. The accusations made against the African Union (AU) must be remembered. We Ethiopians are hospitable. We are good to our neighbours and other peoples. And the opposition must never forget this. It is true that the opposition tried insurrection to dismantle the government which the Somali people oppose very strongly.

Honourable MP, Dr. Beyene Petros, chairman of UEDF


Thank you, Honourable speaker. We have fifteen minutes. I don�t think it is enough for us. First, on 8 June and 1 November, 2005 , there were problems in Addis Ababa and other regions. We would like to express our regret for the loss of lives in those days. We tried to call for emergency meeting of the House. But we were not given positive response which we regret too. The Prime Minister should have presented the report, not the police commissioner, in the act of ensuring peace as it was not only the police but also the army that involved. In relation to this issue, all employees in different government offices are being warned or fired. The question is not about keeping the peace. We don�t think that the police whose job is to keep the peace, have done their jobs. Now, the government may win the case in the court. However, it will not satisfy the supporters of the party and will not present a lasting solution to the problem. It will not appease the people. A political solution should be found, not a legal solution. This can only happen through dialogue, tolerance and discussions�a solution should be sought in these directions.

Coming back to the report, the report presented by the police commissioner, has a political position. As far as I know, the police should not have a political position. It should be neutral.

For instance, the report states that the election was endorsed by international observers. This is a political position. The report also accuses us of fictitious allegations. This should never have been uttered by a police force, which should be neutral. The police should not have had political position. We consider this report as an EPRDF report with huge propaganda element in it. We would like to have the constitution respected. We would like to ask them why people were rounded up by the police. Is it according to the Constitution that they were rounded up and taken into custody? The report also characterizes the oppositions as agents of insurrection and violence. The police ought to be careful not to say such things because we were not forces of violence and insurrection. This is really regrettable because it is illegal to call us agents of violence. The report says pre-election processes were peaceful but it was not.

We tried to organize a peaceful demonstration at Meskel Square but it was characterized as a call of violence. The report says the demonstration did not succeed�that it was foiled. Well, it was not foiled actually. We cancelled it because we have responsibility to our country. It was done due to our feeling of responsibility to the people. The accusation that is stated in the report is wrong and is not useful.

The report accuses us that we called for violence on 4 July and 1 November, 2005 does not bear any supporting evidence. You have got no evidence. No evidence to prove that we were involved in that. In our belief, those problems happened because the government refused to address our concerns and questions that angered the people. We believe that the government had done that not according to the laws. We had agreed upon certain agendas when we were engaging in dialogue with the government. But we had some more agendas. We wanted to know, for, example, how many people were in jail; we wanted to know their condition in the prisons; where the prisons are/were; How about habeas corpus? How about their families visiting them? These are the issues we wanted to be addressed.


Honourable MP, Berhanu Adelo (EPRDF)

My party EPRDF would like to express a feeling of regret about the loss of lives as a result of the violence. Some of the opposition MPs who spoke before us must be reminded that the manner we behave now is quite different from the time of the election campaign. From wherever we are, MPs should take into consideration the people we represent and the interests of the Ethiopan people in addressing the issue. We should never calculate individual benefits and express views that are not in compliance with the constitution. Views were expressed that the oppositions are not a violent force. What is important is that the opposition were engaged in the violence. The constitution states that people who are engaged in the violence will be brought to court of justice. That is what is going to happen. What the opposition should be accountable for is what they did. The opposition MPs said that they had cancelled the call for demonstration on 2 October, 2005 because they cared for the Ethiopian people. In any case, we know that the demonstration was foiled.

The police report presented today was correct. You can go to the court as witnesses by the time it rules the case. It was proper to present the report today. The other views expressed is that demonstrations are allowed. Yes, demonstrations are allowed. But there is a legal procedure. Regarding the views that were expressed by Honourable Bulcha Demekssa that no political opinion should be a reason to be charged. All people have the same rights. There is nobody who is above the law. No politician is allowed to commit a crime. Everybody is equal before law. If politicians are engaged in violence, they should be accountable. One needs to know that political parties are not immune. This should be clear.


Source: ENA