Ambassador Vicki Huddleston was among the more prominent diplomats who were striving to broker the divide between Ethiopia's newly empowered opposition and the ruling party, after the subsequent events of the May 2005 elections. Capital's Kirubel Tadesse conducted an on-line interview with the former US - interim Ambassador to Ethiopia, dwelling on her reflections of that historic period. Excerpts:

Hoping for the best

Capital: Some opposition parties maintain that the U.S government has not been as supportive as it could have been in relation to the May 2005 elections. Do you feel that the U.S could have done more in the post election negotiations between the main opposition and the ruling party?
Ambassador Vicki: We all have 20/20 vision looking back at events. At the time I felt that the US and the European Community had done everything possible to bring the two sides together. Suspicion and public posturing overcame the negotiations with the return of Hailu Shawel. In retrospect both sides needed more time, more patience, and above all a greater willingness to compromise.

Capital: There is a notion that the opposition was sacrificed for the EPRDF regime's support in the war against terror. Please comment.
Ambassador Vicki: "I don't agree with that at all. At the time of the negotiations Somalia was not an issue. Somalia and the issue of the Islamic Courts and there attempt to over throw the Transitional Government only became a serious concern in August of 2006. My objective was to support the Government of Ethiopia in finding a way forward that would allow the Opposition to have a voice in governance and prepare the way for both more political space and economic growth. "

Capital: Would you say the U.S has been more pro-active in the Kenya crisis and has not given adequate attention to Ethiopia's issues of alleged electoral fraud and bad governance?
Ambassador Vicki: in the Kenya crisis the Secretary of State has taken a personal interest as has also the Assistant Secretary and this has been reported in the media. These two leaders were also very much engaged in advising me and the Embassy and working with our allies to secure a peaceful outcome in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, the Ambassadors did seek to help resolve the crisis. In Kenya there has been the successful mediation of the former Secretary General. Although the first negotiation undertaken by the Ambassadors was unsuccessful the follow-on negotiations -- that we sponsored -- were successful. They improved the rule of law, revised the Parliamentary rules, opened a discussion on the media, improved the National Electoral Board and provided more space for the opposition and civil society.
In the end the efforts of the Ambassadors have contributed importantly by reestablishing a peaceful, the establishment of a government in Addis Ababa, and the release of the opposition leaders from jail. If negotiations in Kenya are to be successful in the long-term they will have to follow the Ethiopia model of continuing talks between the Government and the Opposition.

Capital: What are the things that you feel you should have done but didn't? Any regrets?
Ambassador Vicki: I was pleased with the progress made between the Government and the Opposition, especially in Parliament, where numerous difficult issues were resolved. I commend both the Government and the Opposition for resolving the political impase, including the release of the jailed opposition leaders, which was a huge step toward by both sides.
I would have liked for the process to have moved more rapidly and to have gone further toward resolving the political divisions -- especially the separatist tendencies -- within the country. My hope for the future is that both the ruling party and the opposition will become national parties in which all regions as well religions feel that their voices can be heard.
I especially commend the opposition leaders who understood that politics is not a "winner takes all game" but rather, a process of compromise and negotiations. Those in the opposition who courageously decided to take up their responsibilities as members of the Parliament gave Ethiopia the chance to work towards a democratic future. For democracy to work, the ruling party must be assured that they can peaceful leave power and peaceful return. It is up to the Opposition to make it clear that if elected, they will continue a democratic process. It is up to the Government to do everything possible to avoid violence because it has no place in a democracy - it only sets democracy back and hardens the political lines.
I would like to note the good and important work being done by civil society in Ethiopia, especially the many groups who are empowering Ethiopian women. This is democracy from the bottom up -- grass roots democracy. This is the type of democracy that lasts for centuries. I hope that the local elections will reinforce the democracy at the base and be carried out fairly by all sides and that if there are disputes they will be resolved peacefully.

Capital: Other comments, if you please.
Ambassador Vicki: I was very pleased to turn over my responsibilities to Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, who is one of our very best diplomats.
I was honored to have the opportunity to serve as the acting American Ambassador in your incredible country. The long traditions from "Lucy" to the Empire of Axum and the legacy of religions living together in peace gives me great hope for a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future. And on that question of any regrets.... I only wish that I were answering you in person rather than via email. !