MILITARY UNREST IN ETHIOPIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78S01932A000100130097-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 27, 2000
• Sequence Number: 97
• Publication Date: June 29, 1974
• Content Type: CABLE

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TO: IMMEDIATE WHITE HOUSE//SITUATION ROOM FOR MR. FAZIO.Y
WARNING NOTICE SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS
INVOLVED "
ITEM NOVIWH-1
DATE: JUNE 29, 1974
SUBJECT: MILITARY UNREST IN ETHIOPIA
THE MILITARY HAS NOT YET TAKEN OVER THE GOVERNMENT AS PRESS
REPORTS HAVE IMPLIED AND IT IS OF1FJflSTILL RELUCTANT TO ESTABLISH
A MILITARY REGIONME.
MODERATE MILITARY ELEMENTS ARE, HOWEVER, PREPARING TO ARREST
SEVERAL HIGH GOVERNMENT OUFFICIALS WHO ARE SUSPECTED OF THWARTING
THE MILITARY'S PROGRAM OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES. THE
ONLY CABINET MINISTER ON THE ARREST LIST REPORTEDLY IS DEFENSE
MINISTER ABIYUE ABMEDE, ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MEMBERS OF
THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT. OTHERS ON THE LIST INCLUDE AN ADVISER
TO PRIME MINISTER ENDALKATCHEW, TWO CLOSE ADVISERS OF EMPEROR
HAILER SELASSIE, AND SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
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Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP71 S130097-8
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THE MODERATES HAVE BECOME IMPATIENT WITH THE GROWING
INFLUENCE OF CONSERVATIVE ELEMENTS OVER THE GOVERNMENT, PARTICU-
LARLY THE CONSERVATIVES' SUCCESS IN HOLDING UP THE PROSECUTION OF
FORMER OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION. THE MILITARY'S ACTIONS,
HOWEVER, ARE A DIRECT CHALLENGE TO ENDALKATCHEW'S AUTHORITY.
THE SUCCESSFUL ARREST OF ABIYE, IN 11PARTICULAR, WOULD GREATLY
INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE ENTIRE CABINET'S RESIGNATION.
THE MILITARY MODERATES WOULD PROBABLY TIHEN ATTEMPT TO HAVE MORE
OF THEIR OWN OFFICERS APPOINTED TO OMINISTERIAL POSITIONS.
THE MILITARY ISM NOT AS UNIFIED AS IT WAS WHEN IT REVOLTED
AND OUSTED THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT IN FErBRUARY, MOST UNITS
WILL PROBABLY SUPPORT THE ELEMENTS IN ADDIS ABABA THAT INTEND
TO CARRY OUT THE ARRESTS, BUT INDISCIPLINE IS WIDESPREAD, ANOD
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF LOCAL CLASHES BETWEEN ARMED FORCES UNITS.
ARMY TROOPS HAVE TAKEN UP POSITION AROUND KEY POINTS IN
THE CAPITAL, BUT MILITARY PATROLS ARE BEING KEPT AT A MINIMUM.
E-2 IMPDET.1d {SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION: MEA DIV AND NIO
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DATE UfTlJUNE 29, 1974
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UNIT: CIA OUPS CTR
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REPRODUCTION BY OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE IS PROHIBITED E 2 IMPDET
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Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP78S01932A000100130097-8 008871