Will Democrats Punish Another Ally in the War on Terror?
Ethiopia has ousted the Al Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union in Somalia and pledged 5,000 troops to a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur. Yet a bill that prohibits the US from providing financial and military support to the country has made its way to the Senate. Patrick Poole reports on a possible setback for American foreign policy.
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Not content with passing a resolution condemning the Turkish genocide of Armenians nearly a hundred years after it happened, House Democrats are now dead-set on trying to punish Ethiopia, one of our most valuable allies in the War on Terror.
The punishment is in the guise ofH.R. 2003, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007. Sponsored by Rep. Don Payne (D-NJ), the bill was passed by the House on October 2nd by voice vote. It currently has no Senate sponsor, but there are fears that the Democratic leadership will wrap H.R. 2003 up in the massive legislative end-of-year omnibus bill making passage virtually certain and debate over the bill unlikely.
The bill’s key language:
Prohibits until the President makes specified congressional certifications: (1) security assistance to Ethiopia, with exceptions for peacekeeping, military education and training for civilian personnel, or counter-terrorism assistance; and (2) U.S. entry of any Ethiopian official involved in giving orders to use lethal force against peaceful demonstrators or accused of gross human rights violations, and government security personnel involved in specified shootings of demonstrators or prisoners
H.R. 2003 is ostensibly intended to spur further democratic progress in Ethiopia. In reality, the bill ignores the impressive (and in the Horn of Africa region, unparalleled) gains in both multi-party politics and human rights achieved in recent years and imposes a certification process that will severely cripple support for essential anti-terror efforts in this critical region. Not only would it stifle much-needed humanitarian and development funds to one of our closest and most reliable allies, but the legislation would prohibit the US from providing counter-terror and military support to Ethiopia until the stringent certification regime is met.
In a phone conversation I had with Ethiopian ambassador to the US Samuel Assefa on Monday, he expressed amazement that such a draconian measure would be considered in light of the cooperative relationship between his country and the US:
This bill is terribly misleading, and the timing of it couldn’t be worse. It can only be attributed to the changing political landscape in Washington D.C. Our country is facing serious internal and external terror threats, and we are working with our regional partners and the United States to see the situation in Somalia stabilized to prevent the return of the al-Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union. Neighboring Eritrea has been accused of supporting terrorist organizations, and we have the ongoing Darfur crisis to our north in Sudan. What possible interests for the United States could be satisfied by imposing these restrictions and treating Ethiopia as a rogue state, rather than a friend and ally?
Ambassador Assefa cited the example of the 2005 multi-party elections, where the opposition won 174 seats, as opposed to just 12 in 2000. More than 90 percent of the voting population participated, which prompted the US State Department to declare that the elections were “a milestone in creating a new, more competitive multiparty political system in one of Africa’s largest and most important countries.” Moreover, recently pardons were issued to restore the civil rights to opposition leaders who were involved in post-election violence in 2005. And this despite the fact that the country continues to face terrorist activity from both the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the Omoro Liberation Front (OLF) separatist movements.
Some on Capitol Hill have expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of H.R. 2003. One vocal critic of the bill has been Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who spoke forcefully against the measure in a statement after it passed the House:
The language contained in H.R. 2003 enflames tensions already present in the Horn of Africa, threatening regional stability and long term U.S. national security. The growing instability in Somalia and the Ogaden region, combined with the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the north, has created major challenges for Ethiopia. While I agree that the violence and intimidation that took place in the country after the 2005 election was an unnecessary use of excessive force, the Government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain a democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights.
Africa expert J. Peter Pham has also noted the singular role that Ethiopia has played in helping the US confront terror and establishing stability in the region:
Ethiopia has participated in the State Department-funded capacity-building East Africa Counterterrorism Initiative (EACTI). The Terrorist Interdiction Program (TIP), which is designed to identify terrorists and hinder their movement across borders, is operative in Ethiopian airports and other international transit points. Last year, when no one else was willing to deal with the menace of a rising Islamist movement in Somalia- which included Al-Qaeda members specially designated by the U.S. government as well as by the United Nations Security Council-Ethiopian troops preemptively dispersed the militants. All this is more than can be said for any other country in the subregion.
Pham’s comments make clear that Ethiopia is actively involved in two of the most important foreign policy challenges on the African continent - the genocide in Darfur by the Sudanese Islamist government and the continued fight to prevent Somalia from turning into a Taliban-like refuge for terrorists.
The importance of Somalia in the War on Terror was underscored last year when Osama bin Laden issued a message in support of the Islamist takeover there:
You have no other means for salvation unless you commit to Islam, put your hands in the hands of the Islamic Courts to build an Islamic state in Somalia.
Despite bin Laden’s warning against outside intervention in Somalia, Ethiopia moved to restore the UN-backed TFG government and ousted the al-Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union. Ethiopia has also pledged 5,000 troops to a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur.
With Ethiopia shouldering virtually all of the burden of supporting US policies in that part of the world, the present move by congressional Democrats is simply mystifying. Not only is Ethiopia strategically placed to influence Africa, but the Horn of Africa region can also be considered the gateway to the Middle East. Any damage to our relationship with Ethiopia is certain to impede our own objectives in Africa and the Middle East.
The certification regime proposed by H.R. 2003 is also unique in that their standards could never be met by many of our other international partners in the War on Terror. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and many others are not even remotely as far advanced in legitimate democratic processes and reforms as Ethiopia, and many of those same countries have been identified by our own State Department as the worst human rights abusers in the world.
So why would Congress now contemplate imposing a certification regime on Ethiopia, when such a proposal has historically only been directed at rogue states and state sponsors of terror rather than committed allies, and when its standards could not be met by many of our other partners around the globe?
The very same legislators who decry the interventionist and paternalistic foreign policy they deem responsible for the poor standing of America in the world are the ones backing this measure. This legislation would undoubtedly damage our relationship with Ethiopia when the country’s well-earned friendship and sustained cooperation is most desperately needed to protect our interests in Africa and the Middle East. Worse, it would inevitably send a message to our other allies that our friendship is feckless and always subject to the political winds of change in Washington.
Patrick Poole is a counter-terror consultant to law enforcement and the Executive Director of Central Ohioans Against Terrorism.
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15 Comments
ic:Democrats’ goal is to deny Bush memorable success, i.e. “legacy”. They will not hesitate to claim credits for whatever treaties/ policies started by Bush when one of them took over the presidency.
Nov 1, 2007 - 12:51 am David Thomson:James Burnham wrote The Suicide of the West over four decades ago. He was specifically referring to the threat of Communism. Still, nothing has really changed. Leftism is all about self hatred. The denizens of the West are supposedly so filthy and vile that the world would be far better off if we were all eradicated. Such disgusting people should existentially be programmed to destroy themselves. In their heart of hearts, the Democratic Party elites are truly self-hating Americans.
Nov 1, 2007 - 5:53 am Dave:it is not about punishing Bush adminstration, it is about radical policy change. i have followed up the HR 2003 story for many months. Congressman Donald Payne, the sponsor of the HR bill has an ethiopian congressional adviser by the name of Ted Dagne. Mr. Ted is supporter of the previous ethiopian government that was overthrown so he has persuaded the Congressman to support the Al-Qaeda linked Islamists in SOmalia instead of the somalia government because the government has warlords inside it. Mr. Ted uses this execuse and he doesn’t seem to support the US State Department and United Nations assessment that al-qaeda linked groups being a threat more than warlords ( warlords are common in africa anyway). Ted Dagne knows even Iran and Afghanistan groups are arming the islamists but his hate for the current government ethiopian government and his plan of revenge overshadows his assessment. [by the way, this same Ted Dagne guy is famous for his failures in Sudan by misleading congress] Anyway, Donald Payne has been piling up secret ways to defame ethiopia and legitimize the islamists & their eritrean backers. when DOnald payne was once asked about the lack of democracy in the one-party, no-media and no election status of governance of eritrea, he SKIPPED the question and went back to criticizing the multi-party election and parliament in ethiopia. So it is all about Donald Payne and his intelligence staff. They want to help islamists and the Eritreans instead of Ethiopia.
check this link about Ted Dagne views. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060606/ai_n16452467
Nov 1, 2007 - 7:30 am thomas:i am very surprised by your article that blindly supports terrorist regime in ethiopia.
what can a minorty terorrist group can help american interst, don’t you know that this group is making a bussinus with andercover terrorists like alamudin.if you are realy want to protect american interest just go down and ask the people of ethiopia you can get the answer.
the more this regime kept in power the more people going to be rebels and the american lose their crideblity in the eyes of the mass.
Nov 1, 2007 - 9:29 am thomas:i am very surprised by your article that blindly supports terrorist regime in ethiopia.
what can a minorty terorrist group can help american interst, don’t you know that this group is making a bussinus with andercover terrorists like alamudin.if you are realy want to protect american interest just go down and ask the people of ethiopia you can get the answer.
the more this regime kept in power the more people going to be rebels and the american lose their crideblity in the eyes of the mass.
Nov 1, 2007 - 9:32 am Kassa:A superbly articulated piece. H. R. 2003 does a disservice to the long and short term American interest. Islamic Terrorism is agaist American interest, and most importantly against, liberal democracy. It stands in sharp contrast with the ideals of Americas kind of system of government.
Rep Donald Payne should know better that terrorist are not going to cease to be enemies of America just because the Democrats are in power. Strong and realiable allies like Ethiopia should not be compromised for the sake of scoring political points agaist Bush and Republicans.
As for the Bills claim to promote democracy in Ethiopia, we should learn from our failed history. America cannot legislate democratization. The best America can do is consult and advise friendly nations to democratize, not threaten and intimidate them into submission. Proud nation like Ethiopia will reject this type od paternalistic relationship.
Ethiopia is making progress. Under difficult circumstances in a troubled region, Ethioipa is the only country with a functioning multi-party government. H.R. 2003 fails to recognize this and other momentous achievements by the Ethiopian governemnt.
Nov 1, 2007 - 10:58 am Alemu:I am an Ethiopian, I can tell you that we Ethiopians love freedom and democracy as much as you, the American.
You need to learn that your “American interset garbage” has no place in the minds of starved and suppressed Ethiopians.
You are from OH; do you write anything about the jobs that are being offshored to china and india from your own state?
Did you know that Sekih Muhammed Al-amoudi is the largest contributer to the current Ethiopian Government?
Before 1991, only 38% of the population was Islam now over 48% is islam getting more radical daily.
I advise you to do more research before writing about a country or “DEMOCRATS” such as Chris Smith of NJ.Oh, he is a repbulican.
Nov 1, 2007 - 11:07 am abdirahman warsame:The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that threatens the fragile peace in many parts of the Horn of Africa region. As a Somali-American,we want to protect the tenuous peace in the region of my homeland by opposing HR 2003,
For more than a decade, my country has been in a state of lawlessness with no central government. With Ethiopia ’s support, the Transitional Federal Government, which is backed by the United States and the United Nations, has a chance, to take its place as the legitimate leaders of Somalia and restore Somalia ’s standing in Africa and in the world. Such leadership would quell the rising militant Islamic insurgency that threatens the entire region. It is not an exaggeration to say that should H.R. 2003 become law, the stability of the Horn of Africa is in great jeopardy.
H.R. 2003 sends the misleading message to Eritrea , a country that the U.S. is currently considering designating as a state sponsor of terrorism, and the Islamic Courts Union, a group whose leaders have ties to al-Qaeda, that the U.S. finds the acts of an emerging democracy as the most deplorable in the region.
Please show your support for democracy in Ethiopia and peace in the Horn of Africa by not allowing H.R. 2003 become law.
somalia is key battleground in the global war on terror Somalia there is, for the first time since 1991, the prospect of the establishment of a national government with some semblance of authority. This will not be an easy task and could be jeopardized by the general reluctance to send peacekeepers.
Washington remains traumatised by the Black Hawk down disaster of 1993 when 18 American soldiers deployed to the country on a humanitarian mission were killed in urban warfare, their bodies dragged through the streets.
Other countries have been deterred by the fact that bin Laden, who welcomed the rise to power of the Islamic Courts, has repeatedly called on Muslims to resist any peacekeeping force dispatched to Somalia.
The hundreds (possibly thousands) of foreign fighters who joined with the Islamic Courts have announced their intention to continue the struggle through guerrilla warfare, meaning that Somalia needs an international peacekeeping force as a matter of urgency.
But, so far, only Uganda and Ethiopia are the only one helping the war on terrorism in somalia , a sad commentary on the short-sightedness of the world’s strategic vision.
For the war on terrorism is not a Middle Eastern issue but a global one. If Somalia lapses back into chaos it will once more become a haven for terrorists and prove that we have still not learnt one of the key lessons of 9/11: a terrorist sanctuary
Nov 1, 2007 - 3:25 pm Awale:Patrick Poole seems a radical neocon and dictator apologist who mixed up democracy and good governance and carping terror actions around the world. Here Mr poole is trying to quote hundred year old atrocities that happened in different continent to justify the daily butchering of innocent Somalis by Tigre led soldiers of Ethiopia in Somalia. You need to set the record right and tell the whole story instead of misleading unsuspecting readers and politicizing the senate bill against ruthless dictator in the Horn of Africa. The Tigray government has never had an interest of fighting terror because they terrorize their own people, they were also terrorizing the Somalis before invading as they were sending regular military consignment to the Somali ruthless warlords to massacre their people. When the public upraising rooted the warlords out they come in real with their army and started slaughtering hundreds of innocent Somalis with the blessing of the Bush administration. Tell the fact or take from here Somalis will continue resisting the Tigrey occupying forces till they see the back of their last one. You may see terrorist in Somalis because you are paranoid about it but we see ruthless occupation forces used by ruthless dictator for political game at home and financial gain abroad.
Nov 1, 2007 - 3:47 pm Null Patrick:Mr Patrick appears not to be blessed in knowing anything outside what he learns from fox news or the Ethiopian Embassy where he may have earned few dinnars.
This poor fellow does not know that HR 2003 was a unianimously approved in the House and that the bill was first introduced as HR 2243 by a Republican. That information was not in Fox.
HR 2003, is a bill intended to help the US from the mess it is immersed in because of the work of bloggers or self named journalist/analyst like Patrick.
Would Patrick understand if a republican Congressman tells him that Ethiopia is another Dafur in the making?
I doubt, he needs a dinnar to understand that.
Poor Patrick
Nov 1, 2007 - 8:16 pm scanderbeg:The previous poster is sorely misinformed. HR 2003 was not passed unanimously, but by voice vote - as Mr. Poole noted in his article. HR 2243 (the previous incarnation of HR 2003) could not even get voted out of committee because it was recognized as detrimental to Ethiopian and American interests.
The only supporters of this bill seems to be Democrats who want to harm the US-led War on Terror, US-based enthusiasts of the terror-backed Ethiopian political opposition (who have no reservations about using terror and violence to achieve their politicals goals, like in 2005), and supporters of the al-Qaeda-allied Somali Islamic Courts Union. They are the only ones benefitted by HR 2003, not Ethiopians themselves.
Nov 2, 2007 - 3:08 am daniel berhane:Mr. Poole
Nov 2, 2007 - 4:57 am Hirsi:You are right. But it can even get worse.
Imagine a Russian millitary team stationed in Mogadisho or a Chinese intelegence agency getting full access to Darfur.
There is no reason to believe Ethiopia will remain loyal freind of the US,in the world the Russians and the Chinese are giving their support even to Terrorist and Dictator states.
See you
Let us put the politics a side and talk the reality. The Passage of H.R. 2003 on October 2, 2007 in the U.S. House of representatives was
Great Day for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia.
The Bush administration have failed to intervene Ethiopian troops burning villages, masscaring civilians, raping women and blocking humantrain food and media in the Ogaden region.
I’m sure that (in the pit of his stomach) Mr. Assefa himself is happy with the decision and regards it as a positive step towards stable and democratic Ethiopia. He should know much better than anyone else in Washington about the (non-existent) democratic situation of the country he is representing. No one doubts that more Ethiopians are languishing in the jails today than anytime before; thousands have already lost their lives in the hands of the regime; others disappeared; and the remaining are living in fear with no end in sight. It is therefore, true that this legislation may hinder the bold efforts of this regime in which it has been massacring, jailing, intimidating, and terrorising its own citizens.
Nov 2, 2007 - 12:05 pm Hirsi:Let us put the politics a side and talk the reality. The Passage of H.R. 2003 on October 2, 2007 in the U.S. House of representatives was
Great Day for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia.
The Bush administration have failed to intervene Ethiopian troops burning villages, masscaring civilians, raping women and blocking humantrain food and media in the Ogaden region.
I’m sure that (in the pit of his stomach) Mr. Assefa himself is happy with the decision and regards it as a positive step towards stable and democratic Ethiopia. He should know much better than anyone else in Washington about the (non-existent) democratic situation of the country he is representing. No one doubts that more Ethiopians are languishing in the jails today than anytime before; thousands have already lost their lives in the hands of the regime; others disappeared; and the remaining are living in fear with no end in sight. It is therefore, true that this legislation may hinder the bold efforts of this regime in which it has been massacring, jailing, intimidating, and terrorising its own citizens.
Nov 2, 2007 - 12:24 pm jas:I’m an American of Ethiopian origin who served in the Armed Forces of the U.S.
I don’t need to remind the writer the loss of life and treasury in Iraq in the name of bringing “Democracy” to Iraqis’. The least we can do is to not support dictators such as Mr. Zenawi of Ethiopia with our aid to oppress Ethiopians and commit crimes that could amount to genocide (currently going on in the Ogaden region).
Your writing is full of misleading statements in order to get undue support from readers. You mentioned that this bill “would prohibit the US from providing counter-terror and military support to Ethiopia.” That is completely wrong. The bill actually makes exception for exactly what you claimed would be prohibited. Here is the paragraph.
“Nonessential United States assistance shall not be made available to the Government of Ethiopia … ‘nonessential United States assistance’ means assistance authorized under any provision of law, other than humanitarian assistance, food aid programs, assistance to combat HIV/AIDS and other health care assistance, peacekeeping assistance, and counter-terrorism assistance.
It is easy to write an essay from one’s cozy office or living room about a region and country you may only know from reading books and gathering news articles. You at least need to be on the ground in order to speak of the state of democracy in the country.
You’re right the Ethiopian government is in Somalia. Did you ask why? Well, I wonder if you knew these facts about Ethiopia:
- there are an estimated 4.8 million orphans
- Only 22% of the population gets improved drinking water
- 31% primary school enrollment
- 3 doctors per 100,000 people
- More than 6 million people are at risk of starvation every year
- etc.
So, did you ask why such a government would choose to wage a war to its neighbors instead of address these terrible problems? It is to get people like you in the current administration to look away from its crimes. In your case and some officials in the current administration, it seems to be working.
Instead of using ‘national interest’ as cover, let’s just say it the way it is. Who cares about democracy in Africa, right? But look at the impact of lack of democracy on millions of people. This is not some abstract idea. I challenge you to just go to any of the countries you claim to be knowledgeable, live a day in the lives of the people, and then let us know your opinion.
Nov 6, 2007 - 3:19 pm