SOMALI LINKS
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26/01/10,
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next US ambassador to Ethiopia pledged on
Tuesday to press the government in Addis Ababa to improve human rights, free political prisoners
and make upcoming elections fair.
Donald Booth said the United States had "complex interests" in Ethiopia, and that the two nations,
while differing in tactics, saw largely eye-to-eye on the need to bring stability and prevent an
Islamist takeover of Somalia.
"We need to try to work with Ethiopia across the board, preserving the cooperation where we share
interests such as regional security," Booth, a former ambassador to Liberia and Zambia, said at his
Senate confirmation hearing.
But he warned that Ethiopia's "limitations on political expression and economic activities as well
as shortcomings in respect to basic human rights run counter to American principles and risk
becoming the seeds of future instability."
Under questioning by Senator Russ Feingold, who heads the Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa,
Booth pledged to take up the case of prisoners such as Birtukan Mideksa, leader of the largest
opposition party.
Ethiopia sentenced Birtukan to life in prison for treason after she alleged that the government
rigged 2005 elections. She received a pardon two years later but the life term was re-imposed a
month ago.
Booth said the US embassy in Addis Ababa has been seeking access to Birtukan, 36.
"I think we need to find a way to convince them (Ethiopian leaders) that it's in their own interest
not to hold people simply because they hold opposing political views," Booth said.
Booth said he would urge Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government to ensure the fairness of
elections due in May, including by allowing opposition candidates to run and have access to
the media.
Booth also called for domestic and international observers to monitor the election.
The nominee promised Feingold also to look into allegations of human rights abuses in the
southern Ogaden region, where Muslim, ethnic Somali rebels are waging an insurgency for independence.
"Clearly the Ogaden is an area that has created great instability and threats to the
security of the Ethiopian state over time," he said.
"We need to work with the Ethiopians ... to try to figure out a way that they can not only
protect their territorial integrity but also respect the human rights of all their citizens
including the Ogadense," he said.
Source: AP
ogadennews1@hotmail.com
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SOMALI MAQAAL
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Doollo Suugaan
Gumaadka dilka dhaca kufsiga ay
ciidamada Ethiopia ku hayaan shacabka Somali-galbeed ma'ahan wax loo dulqaadan karo. waxaa yidhi Eng: Ahmed mukhtar
Shirkii odayaal
dhaqameedka ee ay London ku qabteen halkan ka dhageyso
isaga oo cod ah
