US calls for restraint after Ethiopian violence

US calls for restraint after Ethiopian violence

www.chinaview.cn 2005-11-03 07:14:16
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Wednesday deplored the violence in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and called on all parties to show restraint.
"We call on all parties to immediately show restraint to step back from the current environment of heightened political tension and call on the Ethiopian government to establish an independent commission to investigate today's public demonstrations and those of June 8th," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack in a statement.
He also said that Washington "deplores the use of violence and deliberate attempts to provoke violence in a misguided attempt to resolve political differences."
At least 11 civilians were killed on Wednesday when Ethiopia's riot police opened fire at stone-throwing protesters, who are members and supporters from the largest opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), witnesses said.
Wednesday's clashes came one day after six protesters and two policemen were killed in violence between riot police and protesters. The protesters took to the street over the contested results of the May 15 parliamentary election.