The Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party

October 9, 2005

Eight-Point Preconditions to Join Parliament

The 60-member Kinijit Council has unanimously agreed on the following eight-point precondition the Meles regime must fulfill in order for Kinijit to enter Parliament:

1. The Election Board needs to be restructured and be able to operate independently

2. All government controlled media should be free and accesible to all political parties

3. The legal system must be able to operate independently without any coercion by the ruling party

4. An independent commission should be established to investigate the June 8, 2005 killings of unarmed civilians

5. Ensure that the police and the armed forces do not get involved in politics and take sides

6. Recent laws that have been passed at the concluding sessions of the last Parliament that deal with parliamentary procedures and governance of the City of Addis Ababa should be recended

7. All political prisoners should be released, and opposition party offices that had been closed should be opened

8. Establish an independent body that will make sure that the above mentioned conditions are fulfilled

Four members of the Kinijit Executive Committee have been assigned to submit these conditions to the Prime Minister.

Oct 8, 2005, 1:00 PM
Ethiopian Review

The CUD Council meeting ended today without deciding the question of whether to join parliament. The meeting will continue tomorrow.

Today’s discussion focused on the advantages and disadvantages of entering parliament. The council members agree to sleep on it and return tomorrow morning. As reported earlier, if either side of the argument doesn’t get a 2/3 majority after two attempts, a decision will be made by a 51% majority tomorrow.

The CUD chairman Ato Hailu Shawel implored members of the council to think of the wish of the people before themselves, the party, or any thing else. Other prominent members of the council, including Wzt. Birtukan Mideksa, Ato Lidetu Ayalew and Dr Berhanu Nega did not speak today.

Oct 8, 2005, 8:20 AM
Ethiopian Review

Debate continues in the 60-member CUD Council on the question of whether or not to enter parliament. For the past 6 hours the debate was on how to make the decision. It is now agreed that the decision should be made by a super majority (2/3 votes). Currently, the debate is on how to decide if there is no 2/3 majority. The motion on the table now is if there is no 2/3 majority, the decision should be made with a simple majority (51%). With the way the debate is going, it’s doubtful that there will be a decision on the main agenda today. In attendance are 54 of the 60 members. Ato Hailu Shawel is chairing the meeting.

Oct 7, 2005
Ethiopian Review

The UEDF executive committee decided yesterday in a 10 to 3 vote not to enter parliament, but the chairman, Dr Beyene Petros, said he will not abide by the decision and will enter parliament on his own.

The executive committee also decided to discontinue negotiation with the Meles regime until Meles is willing to discuss the primary concerns of the opposition, including contested ballots.

As the next course of action, the executive committee decided to call a general strike next week jointly with the CUD.

The parliament will convene Sunday, Oct 9.

Oct 7, 2005, 9:00 AM
Ethiopian Review

The 60-member CUD Council postpones discussion on parliament until tomorrow. This was decided after the chairman, Ato Hailu Shawel, requested delay until he arrives in Ethiopia from his trip abroad. According to inside sources, the council is now evenly divided on the question of entering parliament, and Ato Hailu’s arrival is expected to sway some member to his side. Upto yesterday, the informal count was 30 to 27 favoring entering parliament

The Council also today approved the Executive Committee’s decision to discontinue negotiation with the EPRDF until Meles agrees to include the issue of contested ballots in the agenda. The decision was 34 to 4.

Oct 7, 2005, 9:00 AM
Ethiopian Review

The 60-member CUD Council postpones discussion on parliament until tomorrow. This was decided after the chairman, Ato Hailu Shawel, requested delay until he arrives in Ethiopia from his trip abroad. According to inside sources, the council is now evenly divided on the question of entering parliament, and Ato Hailu’s arrival is expected to sway some member to his side. Upto yesterday, the informal count was 30 to 27 favoring entering parliament

The Council also today approved the Executive Committee’s decision to discontinue negotiation with the EPRDF until Meles agrees to include the issue of contested ballots in the agenda. The decision was 34 to 4.