An advisor in the office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa provided the following information during a telephone interview on 30 September 1996. The advisor stated that to his knowledge kebele cards are currently being issued by individual kebeles. He emphasized that there are five to six thousand kebeles in the country, most of which are operated on a volunteer basis; in rural areas, some kebeles are run by one or two volunteers and "operate out of a shack." Issuance of new kebele cards varies greatly from one kebele to another, and is largely dependent on the discretion of the kebele chairman and funds at hand. The advisor also stated that he believed kebele cards issued several years ago are still in use today.

The following information was obtained from Sue Pollock, author of the March 1996 report Ethiopia(Human Tragedy in the Making, during a telephone interview on

26 September 1996. For further information on Ms. Pollock's background and experience in Ethiopia, please consult the attached June 1996 article from New African.

Ms. Pollock stated that she believes current issuance of kebele cards is very restricted, and would likely be more frequent in urban than in rural areas. She asserted that both possession and non-possession of kebele cards can serve to control the spread of information and movement of persons. For example, as a kebele card bears a person's name and address, members of the opposition in possession of kebele cards could be more easily located and victimized by the authorities. Non-possession of kebele cards, particularly in rural areas, also leaves persons subject to abuse or detention. For example, if a person without a kebele card disappeared, it would be difficult to locate them. Ms. Pollock added that it was possible that persons could be detained and then released without their kebele cards. She stated that control of movement is particularly severe in rural areas, as this tactic serves to restrict the spread of information about abuses and maltreatment which occur in rural areas. It is important to note, she concluded, that most houses are numbered, so the authorities are aware of most people's whereabouts.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. 30 September 1996. Telephone interview.

Pollock, Sue, author of Ethiopia(Human Tragedy in the Making. 26 September 1996. Telephone interview.

New African [London]. June 1996. No. 342. "The Oromos-A Forgotten People," pp. 10-12.