In an interview with a Dutch national news agency (NOS), Mr. Thijs Berman, the head of EU observes mission to Ethiopia, said the ruling party is angry about the EU observers press statement, and he and his team are being intimidated by Meles Zenawi. Mr. Berman said “in a live transmitted speech of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles, Zenawi, sent his message for election observers and other critical institution saying, ‘We will not allow foreign forces to take our vote’ ”. Mr. Berman also added that EPRDF rallies were held all over the country condemning and threatening foreign forces, such as the EU observer mission.
When asked about what went wrong during the election, Mr. Berman said the people voted peacefully and there was a big turnout. However, Mr. Berman said the playing ground was not level for the ruling party and the opposition.
The government had more advantages than the opposition. As an example, Mr. Berman mentioned how the ruling party uses government buildings and kebele buildings for party purposes, how the ruling party uses the government transport, a lot of attention is given for the ruling party in the state media.
Mr. Berman added that the most important opposition leaders are in prison or in exile (most of them in America). One important political leader, he said, pointing to Birtukan, is serving a life term in Addis Ababa prison. Taking all these facts, he said, the opposition is powerless and divided due to the unlevel playing ground created by the ruling party.
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Translated from Dutch to English by Ethioguardian.com
