I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 129 together.
Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia, most recently in a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, on 17 January 2006, the need to respect human rights and the rule of law, to strengthen the democratisation process by opening a non-conditional dialogue with all opposition parties and allowing those parties and civil society organisations to operate freely and to allow the private media operate without restrictions.
Some recent positive developments should be noted. An independent investigation commission to examine the June and November violence was set up by the Ethiopian Parliament in late November and is expected to report-back by end February. An initiative to reform Ethiopia's parliamentary rules of procedure and strengthen the role of the opposition is under way. The Prime Minister has recently indicated some flexibility regarding the composition of the national election board and willingness to consider amendments to the draft press law. It is understood that 141 out of 173 opposition MPs have now entered parliament. Dialogue is under way between the Government and two opposition political parties. The majority of detainees arrested during the unrest last November have been released. Also, the necessary minimum number of the opposition councillors who won control of the Addis Ababa City Council last May have recently agreed to take their seats, which should allow the opposition to manage the affairs of 3 million people in Ethiopia's capital.
However there remain issues of serious concern, particularly the forthcoming trial of opposition leaders and other political detainees, which is due to begin on 23 February 2006. Some 131 individuals, including the elected leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, CUD, the largest opposition party, journalists, and civil society leaders are currently facing the most serious charges of treason and genocide. Ireland, along with our EU partners, has underlined to the Ethiopian Prime Minister the need for the trial to be conducted in a transparent, fair and speedy manner in accordance with international standards. We have also called for the release of the detainees on bail as a confidence building measure and for better access to detainees by families, lawyers and the international community. The Prime Minister has agreed to an EU request for international observation of the trial. A distinguished international lawyer, Mr. Michael Ellman, will observe the trial on behalf of the EU and provide a report. EU embassies in Addis Ababa, including Ireland, will also monitor developments.
The EU Development Commissioner, Mr. Louis Michel, met Prime Minister Meles in Brussels on 4 February 2006 and subsequently visited Addis Ababa on 16 to 17 February 2006. The Commissioner held a three hour meeting with the imprisoned CUD leadership, the first time such access had been allowed to a representative of the international community, and also met the Prime Minister twice.
The Prime Minister confirmed to Commissioner Michel that international legal observers will be welcome at the trial, indicated that the trial could be speeded up and assured him that the Government was committed to dialogue. While there may be some concessions in relation to the charges against the detainees, indications are that these would not be sufficient to allow their release on bail.
The CUD leadership told the Commissioner that its main ambition was to resume dialogue with the Government on a package of democratic reforms. It also stressed that it respected the Ethiopian Constitution and would not support any attempt to overthrow the Government.
Recent negative political developments in Ethiopia have raised questions about Ireland's development cooperation programme there. In the light of these developments Ireland, along with other donors, has been reviewing our aid activities and plans in Ethiopia. In making any assessment and future decisions about Ireland's co-operation with Ethiopia, I will be guided by the situation on the ground and by close contact and liaison with Ireland's EU and like-minded development partners.
The US is pursuing its efforts to facilitate progress in the stalled Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process. A meeting of the Witnesses to the 2000 Algiers Peace Agreement is taking place today in New York at which the Austrian Presidency is representing the EU. It is hoped that this meeting will be followed shortly by a meeting of the Ethiopia- Eritrea boundary commission, in which both countries would participate and that this will lead to a quick start to the demarcation of the border. Ireland and the EU remain fully committed to the implementation of the Algiers agreement. We welcome the US initiative and hope that it will promote stability between the parties and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in the region.