[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Mr. Leahy):
  S. 3457. A bill to reaffirm United States objectives in Ethiopia and 
encourage critical democratic and humanitarian principles and 
practices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008. Senator 
Leahy joins me as an original cosponsor. The purpose of this bill is to 
reaffirm policy objectives towards Ethiopia and encourage greater 
commitment to the underpinnings of a true democracy--an independent 
judiciary and the rule of law, respect for human and political rights, 
and an end to restrictions on the media and non-governmental 
organizations.
  As many in this body know, I have spoken numerous times in recent 
months about the situation in Ethiopia and I continue to believe that 
the U.S.-Ethiopian partnership is very important--one of the more 
critical ones given not only our historic relationship but also 
Ethiopia's location in an increasingly strategic region. Ethiopia sits 
on the Horn of Africa--perhaps one of the roughest neighborhoods in the 
world, with Somalia a failed state and safe haven for terrorists, 
Eritrea an inaccessible authoritarian government that meddles across 
national borders, Sudan a genocidal regime, and Kenya still emerging 
from a profound electoral crisis. One look at the deteriorating 
situation across the Horn and the importance of a robust relationship 
with Ethiopia is obvious. And, by contrast with some of its neighbors, 
Ethiopia appears relatively stable with a growing economy. But I am 
concerned about a number of anti-democratic actions in that country, 
particularly since this administration has largely overlooked them.
  The security threats in Ethiopia are real but, unfortunately, the 
Bush administration's approach to addressing these threats and 
strengthening this alliance remains short-sighted and narrow--focusing 
predominately on short-term ways to address insecurity while 
overlooking the need for long-term measures that are needed to achieve 
the same goal, such as desperately needed goverance reform, the rule of 
law, and increased accountability. Genuine democratic progress in 
Ethiopia is essential if we are to have a healthy and positive 
bilateral relationship. It is also essential if we are going to 
successfully combat extremism, thereby bolstering our own national 
security here at home.
  That is why today I am introducing the Support for Democracy and 
Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008--because as our administration 
fails to balance our priorities in Ethiopia, or to adopt comprehensive 
strategies to achieve those priorities, we are watching significant 
backsliding in previously hard-won democratic gains. As we turn a blind 
eye to the escalating political tensions, people are being thrown in 
jail without justification and non-government organizations are being 
restricted, while civilians are dying unnecessarily in the Ogaden 
region--just like so many before them in Oromiya, Amhara, and Gambella. 
Furthermore, the Ethiopian military has come under increasing scrutiny 
for its conduct in the Ogaden as well as Somalia, with credible reports 
from non-governmental organizations of torture, rape and indiscriminate 
attacks. By providing unconditioned security assistance we are also 
sowing the seeds of insecurity and creating new grievances both in 
Ethiopia and in its neighboring countries.
  I want to see greater progress--not less--in Ethiopia which is why 
this bill authorizes an additional $20 million for democracy and 
governance projects in Ethiopia. The addition of these funds would make 
it one of the top five countries on the continent receiving this kind 
of assistance from this U.S. Government. This bill calls on the 
President to take additional steps to implement these programs but also 
requires that funds made available to the Ethiopian government be 
subject to regular congressional notification. This ensures U.S. 
taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately--and used to support a 
government taking steps to become more democratic, not less.
  I make it a practice to pay for all bills I introduce, and the 
authorization in this bill is offset by a transfer of funds from NASA. 
Some may disagree with me on the need for an offset, but recent Office 
of Management and Budget projections confirm that we now have the 
biggest budget deficit in the history of our country. We cannot afford 
to be fiscally irresponsible so we must make choices to ensure that our 
children and grandchildren do not bear the burden of our reckless 
spending. Instead of cutting specific programs, which are likely to 
have begun and thus would cost more to close, transferring $20 million 
from the general budget would allow appropriators to evaluate, at their 
discretion, how best to make this transfer.
  I ask my colleagues to consider what our own State Department has 
said about the political situation in Ethiopia and then consider how 
best to rectify the situation. The 2007 State Department Report on 
Human Rights notes that in Ethiopia the following occurred: 
``limitation[s] on citizens' right to change their government during 
the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, and 
mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces; 
poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of 
those suspected of sympathizing with or being members of the opposition 
or insurgent groups; detention of thousands without charge and lengthy 
pretrial detention; infringement on citizens' privacy rights and 
frequent refusal to follow the law regarding search warrants; use of 
excessive force by security services in an internal conflict and 
counter-insurgency operations; restrictions on freedom of the press; 
arrest, detention, and harassment of journalists for publishing 
articles critical of the government; restrictions on freedom of 
assembly; limitations on freedom of association; violence and societal 
discrimination against women and abuse of children; female genital 
mutilation, FGM; exploitation of children for economic and sexual 
purposes; trafficking in persons; societal discrimination against 
persons with disabilities and religious and ethnic minorities; and 
government interference in union activities, including killing and 
harassment of union leaders.''
  The continued failure of the administration to acknowledge this 
reality is emblematic of its insular thinking and unwillingness to see 
the big picture. Without a balanced policy that addresses both short 
and long-term concerns in Ethiopia we are putting ourselves at greater 
risk and making ourselves more vulnerable, not less.
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