Ethiopian opposition CUD leader says party infiltrated by “spy”

ADDIS ABABA, EThiopia, July 28, 2005 (The Reporter) — One top opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), leader has said that a paper called Efitin had been publishing word by word all CUD Council meetings, discussions and this shows that some non-CUD members of the council are spying against the organization.

The 16-man CUD Council, which comprises four members each from the All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), Ethiopia Democratic Unity Party-Medhin, Ethiopia Democratic League (EDL) and Rainbow Ethiopian Movement for Democracy and Justice (REMDJ) had been meeting continuously, specially following the 15 May elections, and discussing various current issues.

The senior CUD leader said everything discussed in every meeting had been published almost word by word by the newspaper called Eftin to show that there is divisions within the coalition. The leader said that although it is not surprising to see different views being expressed with in the coalition, he was dismayed to see the [paper] giving more attention on the different views expressed with in the coalition and also of trying to create divisions within the party.

Adding, the leader said although the report is not being recorded on tape, he said that he read what every member of the council talked during their meetings.

He said the ruling coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front EPRDF) will not stop planting a spy fearing that the coalition is conspiring to overthrow the government.

The leader said although the coalition does not have secrets hidden from the public, the coalition is investigating how the information was illegally going out, and soon the necessary action will be taken on those found leaking the information.

Eftin was launched a month ago and the general manager is called, Zerihun Teshome. He is an ardent supporter of the EPRDF.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.