Ethiopian Prime Minister Vows to Fight Domestic, External Threats

(April 07, 2011, VOA)--Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi issued a blunt warning to opposition groups he says are trying to organize a people’s revolution.

Mr. Meles on Tuesday accused the largest opposition coalition of serving as a cover for an outlawed rebel group.


In a nationally televised session of parliament, Mr. Meles had harsh words for the domestic opposition and for external forces he said are trying to destabilize Ethiopia.

He served notice that his government would not tolerate anyone plotting demonstrations or terrorist attacks. The legislative session had been called to hear the government’s six-month progress report.  

But when the only opposition lawmaker in the 547-seat legislature asked why supporters of the Medrek coalition are being arrested in the Oromia region, Mr. Meles responded that those in custody are suspected of being members of the outlawed Oromo Liberation Front.

Speaking in Amharic, Mr. Meles suggested that his government is aware of attempts to incite a people’s revolution.  He blamed Medrek and its main component, the Unity and Justice for Democracy Party. He said, "I would like to pass a message to Medrek, and particularly members of [the] Unity [for Justice and Democracy Party].

The Ethiopian leader said his government is not blind and deaf, and warned that anyone who takes part in what he called "the plot being hatched to incite protests and terror" would "pay a price." FULL ARTICLE AT VOA »

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