According to one representative of the Ethiopian Community Centre in Washington, D.C., Amharas have legitimate reasons to fear the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). This political organization, which controls the government, is a coalition of several groups including the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF currently dominates the EPRDF and aims at establishing the domination of ethnic Tigreans within government institutions (17 Nov. 1992). A representative of the Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (CODEF) in Washington, D.C. concurs with this statement, adding that the EPDRF, under the pretext of promoting the interests of ethnic communities that have been disadvantaged in the past, considers the Amharas as the enemies of the nation, holding them responsible for all the crimes committed by the former regime (CODEF 17 Nov. 1992). The national media reflects the position held by the EPDRF, giving the public a negative image of the Amharas, which incites other ethnic groups to commit acts of violence against members of this community, particularly in the multi-ethnic cities of the South, such as Harar, Diredawa and Nazareth (Ibid.).

No additional and/or corroborating information on the treatment of the Amharas by the EPRDF is currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa.

According to an FBIS report, the Council of Representatives of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia approved, on 29 August 1992, the appointment of a new cabinet whose members were chosen by Prime Minister Tamirat Layne. Among the 20 ministers appointed, nine retained their positions, six were named to fill as many vacant ministries, four were given new portfolios and one was put in charge of a new ministry (VEN 29 Aug. 1992). Four of the six vacant ministries were filled following the "collective departure" of the four ministers belonging to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) (Indian Ocean Newsletter 5 Sept. 1992).

According to the representative of the Ethiopian Community Center in Washington, D.C., the Amharas are not represented in government due to the domination of the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) within the EPDRF government (17 Nov. 1992).

For further information on the composition of the new cabinet, please consult the attached documents.

No additional and/or corroborating information on the representation of the Amharas in the Ethiopian government is currently available to the DIRB in Ottawa.

Ethiopian Community Center, Washington, D.C. 17 November 1992. Telephone Interview with a Representative.

Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (CODEF). 17 November 1992. Telephone Interview with a Representative of this organization in Washington, D.C.

Voice of Ethiopia Network [Addis Ababa, in Amharic]. 29 August 1992. "Council of Representatives Approve Cabinet Changes." (FBIS-AFR-92-169 31 Aug. 1992, p. 6)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter. 5 September 1992. "Reshuffle Replaces OLF Ministers."

Voice of Ethiopia Network [Addis Ababa, in Amharic]. 29 August 1992. "Council of Representatives Approve Cabinet Changes." (FBIS-AFR-92-169 31 Aug. 1992, p. 6)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter. 5 September 1992. "Reshuffle Replaces OLF Ministers."

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. 1-30 September 1992. Vol. 29, No. 3. "Government Appointments," p. 10707-10708.