The Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) Central Committee on June 23 reluctantly approved the PM's proposal to release the prisoners, but forced a two-week delay in the announcement. This gives hard-liners in the TPLF, as well as those in the CUD, who oppose any deal with the PM, more time to "deep six" the agreement. Post urges no public statements during this sensitive period.
During a previously scheduled meeting of the central committee of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on June 23, PM Meles presented his plans to release the CUD detainees on the basis of their statement acknowledging mistakes and agreeing to uphold the constitution. During the meeting, Meles faced sharp criticism from the hard-liners of his own TPLF Central Committee, many of whom vehemently oppose release of the CUD detainees. They pointed out that a release at this point would amount to circumventing the judicial process, given that the detainees had been convicted, but not yet sentenced (ref 
. They further noted that negative attention coming from American media, as well as from the U.S. Congress, makes any action at this point appear that the GOE capitulated to public pressure. In the end, after a prolonged debate, PM Meles was able to secure agreement from the Central Committee, but the apparent difficulty he faced in doing so is evidence that the TPLF is not the one-man show that some believe it is.
. They further noted that negative attention coming from American media, as well as from the U.S. Congress, makes any action at this point appear that the GOE capitulated to public pressure. In the end, after a prolonged debate, PM Meles was able to secure agreement from the Central Committee, but the apparent difficulty he faced in doing so is evidence that the TPLF is not the one-man show that some believe it is. In order to secure agreement from the TPLF Central Committee to release the CUD detainees, PM Meles agreed that Ethiopia's High Court would first be permitted to complete the sentencing of those found guilty, scheduled to take place on July 9. Following that, the detainees who signed the document are expected to be released, and the GOE will issue a statement explaining the move. PM Meles asked Professor Ephraim to return to Ethiopia at that time, when the Elders are also expected to issue a statement on the release and the need for national reconciliation.
http://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/06/07ADDISABABA2005.html
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