ENA
11-JUL-98
Addis Ababa, July 11(ENA)--Ethiopia has rounded up close to 1000 Eritreans posing threats to national security owing to their role in the organizational structure of the EPLF across the nation.
According to the government spokesperson, the organizational structure established by the Eritrean government under the name people's front for democracy and justice is entitled zone 7, sub zone 7.1 Ethiopia with four main branches nationwide.
The spokesperson said, the so called sub zone 7.1 comprises a committee led by a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer with chains in various states , towns, zones and woredas.
One of the branches, branch one, representing the city of Addis Ababa under sub zone 7.1 is an autonomous entity consisting of a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer with five sub branches accountable to it.
Branch one is organized into five sub and 61 groups.
Branch two which covers the southern, south western, and south eastern parts of Ethiopia has seven sub branches, 25 groups as well as cells while branch three covering the Amhara and Afar regions as well as some parts of southern Tigray consisted of six sub branches, 22 groups as well as several cells.
Branch four which covers most of the Tigray region has four sub branches, several groups and cells.
The whole structure consisted of 22 sub branches and 123 groups with each groups with each group comprising up to 80 members.
The Eritrean government has been undertaking " a sinister move to reorganize and reactivate the EPLF structure in Ethiopia", said the spokesperson in a press release it issued today.
The spokesperson said, the clandestine move of the EPLF aims at fund raising in support of Eritrean war of aggression, gathering and dispatching information to the government of Eritrea, dissemination of war of propaganda as well as promoting and executing the missions of the Eritrean government in Ethiopia.
So far, the spokesperson said, the Eritreans who have been deported from the country are leadership of the EPLF as well as some Eritrean individuals who have been raising money for the war of aggression.
The action, according to the spokesperson, has been taken following a thorough investigation.
Deportees in the second round constitute the active members of the EPLF structure in Ethiopia, the spokesperson said.
Eritreans who are in their old age, health problem cases, those from the low income group including Eritreans intermingled with Ethiopians through marriage, despite their active participation in the EPLF, are allowed to stay in Ethiopia, according to the spokesperson.
Law abiding Eritreans are leading a peaceful life in Ethiopia, the spokesperson said.