Meles: Ethiopia ready to respond if Eritrea attacks
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,12/13 - Accusing neighbouring Eritrea of trying to provoke war against Ethiopia, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi warned Monday that his troops were ready to respond to any attacks.
Addressing parliament on the state of the nation, Meles said Ethiopia stood for a peaceful resolution of the lingering border dispute with Eritrea.
"Ethiopia needs peace. The government will do all in its power to solve the problem peacefully.
"Eritrea is inclined to worsening the situation on the border. They are trying to provoke war believing they would be victorious.
"If they start war, Ethiopia will respond immediately. Our defence forces are prepared for action," the Prime Minister stated.
Lambasting Eritrean authorities for not heeding calls by the international community to resolve the dispute peacefully, he pledged Ethiopia`s readiness to cooperate with the UN Security Council in its endeavours to break the current stalemate.
War clouds have been floating over the two countries since early October when Eritrea banned all UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)`s helicopter flights within its airspace.
In addition, Asmara has imposed restrictions on UNMEE`s freedom of movement, seriously curtailing the international force`s ability to carry out its mandate and put the safety of its personnel on the line.
On 6 December Eritrea gave UNMEE staff from Western and North American countries 10 days to leave the country, a decision which the Security Council has categorically ruled was unacceptable.
Currently, a UN delegation headed by Jean-Marie Guehenno, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, is visiting the two countries to assess the situation on the ground.
The delegation left Addis Ababa for Asmara on Monday after having talks with Meles and senior government officials. |
Source: www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=399421
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