United States | Wire to Ethiopia

[Odinson]

[TR][TD]

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OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

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TO: Demeke Mekonnen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ( Naio90 )​

FROM: Charlie Price, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America

Minister Mekonnen,

The White House was pleased to hear Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's hopeful speech for Ethiopia and the African continent. On behalf of the United States federal government, I wish your country the best in living up to Prime Minister Ahmed's speech. While bringing in large swaths of Ethiopia is a lofty goal, it is certainly possible and equally something worth striving for. Under a standing directive from the Secretary of State and the President of the United States, I would like to formally request that the United States be permitted to establish a diplomatic mission in Ethiopia, including an ambassador, staff, and security as outlined by the Global Assembly. In return, President Gore invites your government to establish a diplomatic mission in Washington D.C.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Respectfully,

Charlie Price
Deputy Secretary of State
​

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[Naio90]

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia የኢትዮጵያ ፌዴራላዊ ዴሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade _________________________________________________________________________​

Status: Private To: Mr. Charlie Price, Deputy Secretary of State, United States of America ( Odinson ) Re: Diplomatic relation​

Dear Deputy Secretary, I would like to express our gratitude for your kind words regarding the Prime Minister's speech and our nations immediate and long-term objectives. The United States is an example of an industrious and progresive society, that we wish to emulate in our path to social and economic development.​ ​ Following our policies of integration into the modern global economy we can only but accept your proposal to reorganize your diplomatic representation in Addis Ababa, while we do the same with our diplomatic post in Washington DC.​ ​ Following up, we would also be interested in requesting a bilateral meeting between our soon to be appointed Ambassador to the United States and yourself, to discuss potential areas of cooperation and to give you more insight on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia's program for the upcoming years. ​ Respectfully, Demeke Mekonnen Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Addis Ababa​

 

[Odinson]

[TR][TD]

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OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

[TR][TD]

TO: Demeke Mekonnen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ( Naio90 )​

FROM: Charlie Price, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America

Minister Mekonnen,

The President has appointed Dr. Condoleezza Rice as the next United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. If your government accepts her appointment, she will depart from the United States along with her new staff and embassy security. I will gladly accept your offer to have a bilateral meeting between your new ambassador to the United States and myself. I look forward to meeting him or her.

If there is anything else that my office can do in the meantime, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Respectfully,

Charlie Price
Deputy Secretary of State
​

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[Naio90]

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia የኢትዮጵያ ፌዴራላዊ ዴሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade _________________________________________________________________________​

Status: Private To: Mr. Charlie Price, Deputy Secretary of State, United States of America ( Odinson ) Re: Bilateral relation​

Dear Deputy Secretary Price, We have received the official placet for Dr. Rice to be accredites as the new US ambassador to Ethiopia and have signed her official accreditation. Please let her know that she can directly contact the Director of Ceremonial and Protocol Affairs of our Ministry should she need assistance in settling in.​ ​ As for the proposed bilateral meeting, Ambassador Mesay Amir Emerta has been appointed as our Representative in Washington DC and is ready for the audience at your earliest convenience.​ ​ Further details on bilateral affairs may be discussed in a more fluent environment through him. ​ Respectfully, Demeke Mekonnen Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Addis Ababa​

 

[Odinson]

Private​

Newly-appointed Ambassador Rice and her security entourage set out to Ethiopia so that they could establish the United States's new diplomatic mission in Ethiopia. With her went staff, security, encrypted computer systems, and other important paperwork and information. Within a week the Embassy was up and running as America's diplomatic outpost in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Deputy Secretary Price's office sent a formal invitation to Ambassador Emerta to meet him at the Hary S Truman building, where State Department offices were housed. Diplomatic Security Service agents waiting outside would promptly escort the ambassador into security and, assuming there were no issues, up to one of the various diplomatic reception rooms in the building (which were really just exceptionally elaborate conference rooms). Waiting inside was Deputy Secretary Price. "Ambassador, welcome to the United States. I hope that everything has fitted your need so far," he said as he offered his hand to shake.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Ambassador Mesay Amir Emerta would arrive at the Harry S Truman Building accompanied by his Deputy and one note-taker. After going through the standard procedures for visitors he would follow the local staff to the meeting where he would kindly greet Deputy Secretary Price.

"Deputy Secretary, it is a pleasure for my colleagues and me to be here today, thank you for having this meeting so swiftly." After the greetings and handshakes they would take their seats around the table.

"Let me start by saying that we appreciate the interest vested by the US into the bilateral relation with Ethiopia. We are aware that due to recent history our nation has still to catch up to most of the developed countries in the world in terms of economic and diplomatic influence, and things would be much harder for us without the support from the international community."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Ambassador, welcome to the United States," Charlie said as they all took a seat. Everyone in the room was offered refreshments.

"I am happy to hear that, Ambassador. I think that Africa has been largely overlooked and that it is critical for the State Department to establish formal and positive relations with as many countries as possible, especially those with so storied pasts and future potential as Ethiopia. I know that the White House is directly invested in ensuring that Africa remains a peaceful and stable continent. So, how can I help you?" he asked.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"We are very happy to hear that. Indeed Africa was relegated for many years, and there hasn't been a reliable, stable african international player in the last few years. Our hope is to change that, but with a new philosophy.

Africa has long seen the rise of temporary powers, but based purely on military might. Obviously, such policies are very difficult to be sustainable on the long term and have a near to zero benefit to said populations. Our vision is different.

Ethiopia is blessed with a rich territory and a potentially strategic geography which we aim to use to achieve a long term social and economic development. Opposed to other african experiments, we do not plan to make out military the backbone of our strenght, but to work on developing economic and diplomatic ties with nations and markets all accross the globe with one goal: bring prosperity to our people.

Within this framework lies our interest in establishing a positive relation with great nations such as yours.

We would like to increase US investment in Ethiopia to help push our industrial capacity forward and to introduce new technologies to our productive sectors, specially in the mining industry. It might be a task for more specialist officials, but we have made a short list of some US companies that we would love to work with and might ask you to maybe help us make the proper connections.

Furthermore, we have several major reforms envisoned in Ethiopia, including giving our foreign policy constitutional level, ecunring it for the long-term to avoid shifts and uncertainty, and also give our Armed Forces a new role, more akin to the 21st Century. We plan to put forward these changes as soon as we can settle the definitive borders with Eritrea. Are you aware of the current situation there or do you want me to give you a quick overview of that diplomatic issue with our neighbours?"

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I am happy to hear that your government has made these productive plans and taken such a positive outlook. I hope that more African nations are able to follow your government's example in focusing on nation-building instead of propping up a junta. And yes, I do believe I understand the very basics of the situation with Eritrea, but I would be happy to hear your government's historical and present perspective on the matter," he said. Charlie sipped from his water and waited patiently for a response from his Ethiopian colleague.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"We agree with you on that. An african continent more focused on development, rather than just amassing brute force, is way more convenient for everyboddy. We do have countries such as Angola, who also proved interest in following a similar path to Ethiopia with many projects ongoing. Sadly they do not seem to be that eager to take actively part in the international scene though. We would love to see that happening.​

​

As for the Ethiopia-Eritrea Dispute, its good to know that the situation is already getting known abroad, let me just add you some more details.​

​

Post-WWII Ethiopia comprised the whole territory now known as Ethiopia and Eritrea, but due to centuries of colonial intervention on the coastal areas -european companies set their camps there- an alienation occured which led to decades of civil unrest between 1970 and the early 90s, culminating in Ethiopia agreeing to the secesion of part of the territory to become Eritrea. But while we recognize their independence, we still haven't defined where the actual borders lay, leading to a de-facto situation where we have been completely cut-off from the sea and international maritime trade. Our intention is to settle this diplomatically and establish a formal de jure border between our nations that will benefit both sides equally.​

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We propose drawing the de jure border in a way that gives Ethiopia access to the sea through the southern coast, which is a desert wasteland, unproductive and just full of sand, while at the same time giving Eritrea territories to the west, including rubber and coffee production zones. This way, Ethiopia mantains its access to the sea, avoiding being the largest landlocked market in the world, and Eritrea gains a significant economic boost due new producttive regions, something which it currently lacks. ​

​

This swap would also be accompanied with several benefits and projects that would make the lifes of the people in the region better.​

​

Solving this dispute means we can focus entirely on our development, which holds maritime trade as a key element."​

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"That sounds like a very reasonable compromise for your government to offer, I wish your government the best of luck in those negotiations," Charlie said. "If there is any way that the Federal Government or the State Department can help in those negotiations, I hope that you will let me know. It feels like there are so many governments that, today, forget that diplomacy is even an option," he said.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Thank you for your encouraging words. We hope that with this diplomatic effort from our part in trying to explain our case to the world, and in showing that this deal would ebnefit both Eritrea and Ethiopia likewise, we can gather enough international pressure to help Eritrea see this is the best solution for everybody. We would love to have US observers present at the meeting to give the diplomatic proceedings more transparency and international support.

We would even like to see the GA involved to some extend, even though we are not part of it, we value the international law it represents and witnessing a succesful diplomatic process may help reactivate it and bring back some of its former glory."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"I cannot speak for the Global Assembly, but I can tell you that the United States would be happy to have diplomatic observers present to help with this process," he said. "Have your government name a time and place, and they'll be there," he said with a polite nod.

"The Federal Government would be willing to sponsor your government if it decided that it wanted to join the Global Assembly," he said.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Thank you for this offer. I have taken note of it and will inform my superiors. While its something that goes above my paygrade, I do believe that the intention of my Government is to have the Ethiopia-Eritrean meeting in the upcoming months, as its tied together to our economic and commercial expansion plan.

As for the GA, once we can go past the border issue and we have our foreign policy panorama cleared up, it is certainly within our options to request a formal inclusion to the GA. A major factor in it will be to see the gears of multilateral diplomacy moving again within it. We heard some other nations might have reform plans, which could act as catalyst for this "revival"."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Well, please know that the United States supports your government's efforts to find a peaceful solution in regard to the situation with Eritrea. I will be sure to pass that information along to the White House, as well as your possible interest in joining the Global Assembly in the future," he said.

"I am curious if your government has a position on where ownership of Doumeira Island, and the surrounding islets?" he asked.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"I am no specialist on the matter, but from what I can tell you, if our proposed territorial swap solution is accepted, the islands and surrounding territorial waters and EEZ would be transfered to Ethiopia. We understand that they are claims from Djibouti as well, a nation with whom we have a very constructive bilateral relation. Considering this, plus the fact that we would already have re-gained the access we wanted, would eventually leave the door open to start a bilateral dialogue with Djibouti to potentially reach an agreement to transfer at least part of that archipielago to them, in the spirit of cooperation and regional trust-building.

One of our main drives with all this diplomatic negotiations and solutions is to ammend the damage made by the arbitrary drawing of borders during colonial occupation times.

Obivously we are aware of how sensitive this waterway is for international maritime trade, and we would do our best to assure international traffic is guaranteed, including the maintenance of an international-waters passageway and constant anti-piracy operations. We look forward to be able, on a longer term, to provide anti-piracy services around the horn of Africa to facilitate marine trade."

Odinson