Addis Ababa — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has strongly condemned last week's ICG's report on the country.
The International Crisis Group had expressed concern there would be risk of conflict in Ethiopia as a result of rising ethnic tensions, ahead of the elections scheduled for May next year.
Meles told reporters in Addis Ababa that the report was the work of some rich individuals who were attempting to do their wish by financing and organising colour revolutions, against the sovereignty of developing countries.
"Some people have too many billions of dollars to spend and they feel that dictating how developing countries manage their affairs is their God-given right" Meles said.
Meles also warned such kind of meddling may harm the relationship between developed and developing nations.
Meles doubted the credibility of ICG's report, raising his suspicion on the ill motive of the group's financing body.
ICG on its report acknowledges its trustees and many charity groups based in US and Europe including Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim and US tycoon Gorge Soros.
Ethiopia had a very contested and fair election in 2005 but ended up with post election violence bloodshed which killed more than 200 people.
Ahead of the election, opposition politicians accused the incumbent party led by PM Meles Zenawi for harassment and violation of rights.
Last week, the ruling party and opposition groups gathered to discuss the next election's code of conduct, but the main opposition walked out from the discussion after a disagreement.
Meles reacted to this move on Wednesday's press briefing, saying the intention of the individuals in the opposition was to discredit the election from day one. "They are not intending to participate in a proper manner," he said.
Former Ethiopian Defence minister Seye Abreha and former president Negaso Gidada are among the opposition icons to challenge the 18-year-old regime of EPRDF in the 2010 election.
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Well! The condemnation from Mr. Meles is not new. He denies every research findings and recommendations. His speech is characterized by hooks and crooks he spits out of his mouth. His arrogance is known. He thinks that he is all knowing guru. But, the reality is that; whether he accepts it or not, Ethiopia which is considered as if it is his own property is on the verge of distruction. The truth we have observed in Wolega, Borena, Gambella and Ogaden and SNNP regions is an excellent wittness that there is an ethinic tensions in this country. When he says this, he might have relied on his military and defence forces to repress any move of distability. But, that still constitutes the tensions. Finally, thinking before saying a word of condemination, minimizing self reliance, accepting the reality and working towards tackling it is the only way forward. Arrogance and superciliousness can't serve any good anybody. This is the early warning which should not be forgotten.
Trust me, Meles is more gentle and respectful in making speeches and explaining things. So, friend don't be arrogant by calling Meles arogant becuase he is one of the few leaders Ethiopia and Africa will miss after five years. Regarding ethnic conflict, try to think in a humanly manner- Ethiopian ethnic 'minorities' should not continue to be the spots of white tourists satisfaction. Hey this is not tourism, this is about the rights of the frogotten. For centuries, these peole were denied of their existence as humans, their right to elect their leaders, their right to get education,healthcare, road, clean water, electricity, and other basic needs. Now they are all exrecising these just because by the 'Unity in diversity' stile the current political scenario of Ethiopia, not by the Emperors or the communist Derg, or won't get all these by the fanatic KINJIT advocates who think in the superiority of Amhara over the rest of Ethiopians. What the ICG is doing is what Meles told you. Unified Ethiopia will exist only by accepting the equality and rights of its ethnic majorities.