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Ethiopia criticizes opposition parties over Somalia

May 5, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian minister of information has criticied severely a statement issued yesterday by opposition parties on the current situation in Somalia and the killing of Ethiopians and Chinese citizens in the Somali State in southeastern Ethiopia by the rebel ONLF. He further said that such position puts the country’s national interest in danger.

The opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), led by Mr Temesgen Zewde, yesterday issued a joint statement on the current situation in Somalia and the recent attack against Ethiopians and Chinese citizens in the Somali State.

At a press conference held today, the minister of information, Berhan Hailu, said that the stand taken by the opposition parties claiming that the Ethiopian government was interfering with the internal affairs of Somalia is to be condemned strongly.

He went on to say that as long as the threats posed by “the terrorist forces” put the existence of Ethiopia in danger, the measures taken by the Ethiopian government in regards to the “Somali terrorist forces” – Union of Islamic Courts — could not be considered as interference in the internal affairs of Somalia. “The action was taken after parliament approved it with a majority and was in line with international conventions and laws.” The minister underlined.

“The Ethiopian National Defence Forces have not interfered with the internal affairs of Somalia. The [military] action was taken since there was a threat posed against Ethiopia; the action was proportionate and taken to thwart this danger so as to bring it to a level whereby it no longer threatened our country.” Berhan Hailu said.

The minister went on to say that the Ethiopian government gave its support to efforts to bring about lasting peace in Somalia following a request by the internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

The minister criticized the opposition parties’ stance saying “they are not willing to condemn this web of destruction; and there is no sign that one or more of these parties are willing to dissociate themselves from these forces.

On the issue raised by the opposition that Ethiopia had increased the number of its troops in Somalia, the minister said that “as long as Ethiopia was not safe from the threats posed by Somali terrorist forces, military action would be taken without any qualms.” He noted that the government had at several occasions made its stand on the issue clear.

(ST)

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