US, Europe tell Ethiopia to avoid election violence

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2005 (AP) — The United States and Europe appealed to Ethiopians on Wednesday to avoid violence as the complete the electoral process that began with parliamentary elections May 15.

A joint U.S.-EU statement said they expect a resolution to the country’s touchy political situation to be achieved “through parliamentary and constitutional means” with dissenting views registered and witnesses protected.

So far, the National Electoral Board has awarded 55 percent of the 547 seats in parliament, 158 to the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front and its smaller political allies and 148 to opposition coalitions.

Both sides, especially the opposition, complained of fraud, and the electoral board postponed declaration of other winners until investigations of the allegations have been completed.

“The European Union and the United States expect all political parties and the government to abide by the political process through parliamentary and constitutional means to resolve this election crisis,” the statement said.

The statement commended Ethiopia for staging a “peaceful and democratic expression of political will on May 15.” Now, it said, “all parties should renounce all use of violence, ethnic hate messages via the media or Internet and any other action that is likely to further increase tension in Ethiopia.”

The vote had been widely considered a test of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s commitment to democracy. In its aftermath, opposition supporters took to the streets of Addis Ababa, the capital, to protest alleged government fraud. Police opened fire, and at least 36 people were killed. Britain froze $35.2 million (A?28.9 million) in aid because of the unrest.

“We urge the government of Ethiopia to respect international principles of human rights by exercising due process and releasing detained party members and party supporters who are not going to be charged,” the U.S.-EU statement said.