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Ethiopian PM warns opposition
25/09/2005 09:38 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi cautioned opposition parties late on Saturday of dire consequences if they press on with protest rallies that incite violence under the pretext of protesting disputed general elections.
The opposition alleges that the May 15 vote results were rigged.
"The government is aware that they are trying to destabilise the constitutional order in the country, openly rejecting the outcome of the elections and threatening to boycott parliament when it opens in a few week's time," Meles said in a radio and television address to the nation.
He warned that those responsible would be dealt with accordingly for instigating any riots and violence.
The two main opposition parties have announced massive demonstrations for October 2 in Addis Ababa to rally against "the illegal manner" in which the Meles' ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) was declared winner of the general elections.
The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) and the Union of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) have widely publicised their calls for mass demonstrations in Addis Ababa and on October 1-2 in the capitals of North America and European countries against what they assert to be fraudulent elections.
'Undermining a legitimate government'
Meles said that such a protest was not only illegal but also tantamount to undermining a legitimate government.
He gave stern warnings to the opposition and anyone considering joining illegal demonstrations believing they are immune from persecution, and stated that the government knows that the opposition parties were planning activities that endanger law and order and threaten life and property, for which they would be held accountable.
"We have ample evidence of what they intend to do, from what they had said in public and through covert agitations," Meles said.
In a related development, the Federal Police Commission also warned the public against taking part in any illegal activities.
Speaking to the local press earlier on Saturday and reported by state television, Commissioner Workineh Gebeyehu said that political parties and the private press who agitate the public to engage in illegal activities would be severely dealt with the full force of the law.
Post-election protests over alleged vote rigging paralysed Ethiopia for nearly a week in early June, and the manifestation turned violent in Addis Ababa, where 42 people were killed and more than 60 others wounded by gunfire from security forces.
Sapa-dpa
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