Asked about the situation in Ethiopia, where opposition leaders were imprisoned after the last election, Frazer said, "We think it is important that for Prime Minister Meles to release many of the people who are in jail...certainly to bring their trials to a very speedy conclusion...to give them due process of law." In answer to questions about a possible cut-off of U.S. aid to put pressure on the Ethiopian government to release detainees, Frazer said, "The United States does not finance the government of Prime Minister Meles." She clarified that "...the United States assistance to Ethiopia goes through NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) to the people." With a drought in Ethiopia, Frazer said, a cut off of humanitarian assistance would result in starvation and "I don't think anybody wants that."
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