In a 9 October 1997 interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) in Addis Ababa, stated that the President of the All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) is still imprisoned leader, Professor Asrat Woldeyes. According to this source, AAPO's Dire Dawa office was closed and the officer in charge, Mindaye Haile Selassaie was killed on 23 May 1994, but another official, Melaku Yirdaw had disappeared on 8 September 1992.

In a 10 October 1997 interview with the Research Direcrate, the Coordinator of the AAPO office in Washington, DC., corroborated the above information adding that AAPO offices in other parts of Ethiopia have been closed except for the office in Addis Ababa which is directed by the first vice-president of AAPO, Kengazmach Nekatebeb Bekele. The office is run by a central council and some officials, as the president of AAPO, and "many" other officials remain in prison in Addis Ababa (ibid.).

He explained that AAPO welcomes anybody who is Amhara or who claims Amhara ancestry. However, the person has to prove that he is authentically Amhara. This is usually done by two witnesses who must be AAPO members (ibid.). Members have to fill in an application form (see enclosed copy) and pay a membership fee of $30.00 a month. The coordinator further stated that AAPO has 17 organizations in North America and Canada. He emphasized that these are not political parties but support groups whose role is to raise funds and help AAPO members who may be in distress in Ethiopia or elsewhere (ibid.). He also stated that AAPO offices are authorized to process memberships and maintain lists of members. The following is the address, telephone and fax numbers of AAPO in Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 882, Addis Ababa. Telephone Number: 011-251-1-553506, Fax number: 011-252-1-55-31-55.

An article published in the October 1997 issue of the Ethiopian Register states that a group of youth was expelled from AAPO's youth council for "insubordination and an attempt to incite the members against the leadership of AAPO." The expelled members had reportedly tried to set up a surrogate AAPO loyal to the current government, by calling a meeting in the name of AAPO. AAPO reportedly issued a press release condemning the action of the expelled youth leaders. For additional information on AAPO, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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.

All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO), Washington, D.C. 10 October 1997. Telephone interview with Coordinator.

Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), Addis Ababa. 9 October 1997. Telephone interview with representative.

Ethiopian Register [Minnesota]. october 1997. "AAPO Condemns "Attempts to Set up Surrogate AAPO."

All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO), Washington, D.C. AAPO Membership Application Form.

Ethiopian Register [Minnesota]. October 1997. "AAPO Condemns 'Attempts to Set up Surrogate AAPO,'" pp. 8-9.