German chancellor in Ethiopia, urges human rights efforts (Roundup)

Oct 4, 2007, 11:19 GMT

Addis Abeba - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, starting a five-day tour of Africa, met Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi on Thursday and urged more efforts to enforce human rights.

Merkel said the transparency of a country, respecting human rights and freedom of the press were ingredients which also helped economic development.

At the same time, the Berlin leader called for stronger European efforts for Africa.

'Europe must do more,' she said.

However, she also called on China to 'play by the same rules' in its engagement in Africa.

Talking to the press, Merkel commented on the human rights situation in Ethiopia without exposing Zenawi and the government of her host country directly.

As president of the Group of Eight leading industrial nations she was also to talk to the African Union (AU) about a 'reform partnership' with Africa later in the day.

'It depends on shared values, such as the respect for universal human rights, democracy and constitutionalism,' her speech manuscript said.

Human rights organizations are still critical about the civil rights situation in Ethiopia.

Unrest broke out after the 2005 elections because the opposition suspected vote rigging. Some people were killed, others were arrested.

The press is still largely state controlled, and Amnesty International, referring to local sources, estimates the number of political prisoners at 200.

In his comments, Zenawi pledged renewed efforts and said his government was working toward a separation of powers between government, parliament and judiciary. But he said Ethiopia's path towards a democracy meeting Western standards was a difficult one.

Four weeks ago in China Merkel spoke up for respecting human rights, while the reception for the Dalai Lama in Berlin more than a week ago also caused disharmony between China and Germany.

Merkel conceded that Europeans had neglected Africa in recent years, but Europe had done some introspection, she said self- critically. It was 'in Europe's own best interest to intensify relations,' she said.

Regarding China's growing influence in Africa, Merkel said that Africans would in future still have to be able to draw income from their resources.

Zenawi emphasized that the era of colonialism in Africa was over. Africans would now make more efforts to get access to the Chinese market.

In her speech to the AU, Merkel reassured her audience that promises to increase development aid by 2015 would be kept. According to Merkel, industrial nations would have to donate 0.7 per cent of their economic power.

The AU, which is based in its organization on the European Union, has increased significantly in importance since its foundation five years ago. With the exception of Morocco, the AU represents all remaining 53 African countries.

Merkel saw Africa as a whole 'in motion.' One trend, she said, had been clear for years: 'Fewer conflicts, more democratic elections and peaceful transitions of power. Economic growth has increased significantly,' Merkel told the AU.

Ethiopia is Merkel's first station of a five-day trip to Africa, to be followed by South Africa and Liberia. She travels on to Johannesburg on Thursday evening and is to meet President Thabo Mbeki on Friday. Her visit to Liberia on Sunday was to last just a few hours on the return trip to Berlin.

The trip has been Merkel's longest visit to Africa so far.

Prior to her departure from Berlin Merkel appealed for a 'common spirit' between Africa and the developed world to reduce poverty, ensure respect for human rights, fight disease and improve education.