PRESS RELEASE, 9th June, 1998
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Press Inf. & Documentation G/Directorate P.O.Box 393 Tel. 517345
Fax 514300 E-mail MFA.Addis@telecom.net.et
While efforts are continuing to bring about a peaceful resolution of the crisis created by the Eritrean aggression against Ethiopia, the Eritrean Government has continued with its aggression by launching an attack on the Zalambasa front at 5:30 a.m. today 9 June 1998. This attack which was attempted three times has been repulsed by the Ethiopian Defense Forces inflicting heavy casualties on the Eritrean invading forces.
This latest act of aggression by the Eritrean Authorities demonstrates once again without any doubt that the regime in Eritrea is still committed to achieve its expansionist aims against Ethiopia by continuing with its aggression. In contrast, Ethiopia on its part is committed to the peaceful resolution of the crisis while taking all necessary measures in the exercise of its right of self-defense.
Details on the latest aggression by Eritrea will be made available as more information is received.
In the persistent campaign of terror against the Ethiopian people, the Eritrean authorities have expelled over 3,000 from Eritrea and detained 530 Ethiopians. Two thousand were herded in different parts of Eritrea, their belongings confiscated and driven out of the country in the most inhuman manner. One thousand more were evicted empty-handed from Assab alone and 530 others have been detained.
Ethiopia calls on the international community to condemn this massive displacement of innocent civilians as a flagrant violation of human rights.
The Eritrean attrocities against Ethiopia's civilian population contrasts with the meticulous care taken by Ethiopia to protect civilians in this time of crisis.
Ethiopia is gravely concerned that the action of the Eritrean authorities is consistent with their objective of inciting animosity between the peoples of the two countries. Unless pressure is brought to bear on the Eritrean authorities, they will not desist from committing more attrocities against civilian Ethiopian citizens residing in Eritrea.