Upset over EU report on polls
2005-08-29 19:54
Addis Ababa - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi condemned in strong language on Monday an European Union (EU) report critical of Ethiopia's post-election period and said it would affect relations between his country and the European Union.
The EU's chief election observer, Ana Gomes, said on Thursday that key aspects of Ethiopia's May 15 parliamentary elections failed to meet international standards. She reported widespread human rights abuses with opposition members arrested and witnesses to election violations intimidated.
"The EU report speaks for itself. The statement in my view shows that the mission has turned out to be something worse than a farce," said Meles. "We shall in the coming days and weeks see what we can do to expose the pack of lies and innuendoes that characterise the garbage in this report."
In a statement released in Brussels Friday, the EU called the 10-page report was "balanced and impartial".
"What the implications of this will be in terms of relations between Ethiopia and the European Union, we will have to wait and see but I don't think you will be surprised if Ethiopia were to insist that it should not be patronised," Meles said.
- AP