Thank you. I really have to say, we've enjoyed bipartisan support around the Parliament of Canada.
In 2005, when we had the massive killing of demonstrators and the continued unrest, the foreign affairs critic then, Mr. Stockwell Day, issued about five or six statements. In one of his statements he clearly said that the gravy to the Government of Ethiopia has to stop. Something has to be done. The human rights abuses cannot continue. They cannot continue to expect Canada's aid if they continue to abuse the human rights of their own people.
Very honestly, we're just saying that we have to look into those options. How? It has to be thought out very carefully, but I think Canada has big leverage. Canada can do more, very honestly.
It's doing great. Ethiopians of Canadian origin are appreciative of what Canada has done throughout its history for Ethiopia, whether in regard to famine, development, promotion of democracy, or other things. But Canada can do more. Canada is powerful, and as a strong power it can do quite a bit when it comes to Ethiopia. It can influence.
I'm not sure about the election observers. We met with the staff at Foreign Affairs a few weeks ago and we were notified about that development, but we're not sure how many delegates or members of the observing team will be sent from Canada. Will it be substantially enough? There are about 40,000 election spots, and how many of them are going to be covered by Canada is a big concern. If it's going to be really very minute, maybe three or four or five, would that make any difference? That's something of concern for us.
The other thing I would raise is that I understand they might go, as already suggested, with other countries, but Canada also has a substantial investment. So would it be a good idea for Canada to have its own delegation so that it has its own voice? It's something about which we have spoken to the people at Foreign Affairs. The other thing, again, as I suggested, is that it's good that Canada is starting to get involved in that respect too, but it has to go beyond that.
In terms of Meles' promise to make some changes, again, as I said, there has to be accountability. It has to be measurable, and it has to be a really clear target, as far as I see it. Otherwise he promises, but reneges on his promises from year to year. This has happened many, many times, and there's no reason to believe that what he has promised now will be implemented. In fact, he says he will try to do something in terms of the problems that could arise after the 2010 election. Well, there is a problem right now. He is killing people. He is killing candidates. He is arresting them.
I have a list, and I can tell you, throughout the country there have been about 11 places in the last two or three weeks alone where people have been forced to pull back their candidacy because they're told, “If you continue to do that, you're going to lose your job; that's it, you're out.” Their families are harassed. In some places, people are killed. In central Ethiopia, as I said, a person was killed. In other places, people are attacked. This is happening.
So he may promise what will come tomorrow, but today shows us a completely different thing.
It's great that Canada is engaged, but I think we need to be more assertive, more vocal, and push a little bit further to make a change.
Thank you.