US envoy says Ethiopian election given first mutli-party system

Oct 1, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Charge daffaires of the U.S. Embassy to Ethiopia, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston said the recently held national election in Ethiopia has given Ethiopian people their first ever multi-party parliament.

Speaking at a media round table discussion on Friday September 30, 2005 at the premises of the American Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Huddleston said the recent Ethiopian election should be a win-win situation where the EPRDF has won a majority of parliament seats to form the next government, while the oppositions won 170 seats.

Citing the U.S governments statement of September 16, 2005, Ambassador Huddleston said the elections stand out as a milestone in creating a new, more competitive multi party political system in one of Africas largest and most important countries.

We call on all newly elected members of parliament to take their seats, and serve under Ethiopias constitution, the Charged Affaires said.

I believe that the Ethiopian people have spoken she said, and added the only way that democracy and the will of the people will prevail is if all elected representatives respect the constitutional process and do their best to represent their constituents in the new multi-party Parliament

Ambassador Huddleston also indicated the desire of the U.S government to work impartially with the elected government and with all parties in a bid to craft a solution to outstanding issues resulting from the election.

(ENA)