Violent fighting continues between Eritrea, Ethiopia
Eritrea-Ethiopia, Politics, 5/19/2000

Eritrea said in a statement today "Ethiopia is at present occupying undisputed sovereign Eritrean territory in the western part of the country including the regional capital, Barentu. Ethiopia unleashed its invasion--which has so far resulted in the displacement of over 500,000 people."

It added "Ethiopia claims that it was forced to go to war because 'the peace process hit a brick wall due to Eritrea's intransigence.' This allegation is not borne out by the facts. Impediments to the peace process were not put by Eritrea, which has accepted all the OAU peace documents in good faith, but by Ethiopia which rejected the implementation plan. The fact is Ethiopia abused the peace process in order to buy time until it finished its military preparations."

A statement added "Ethiopia is also trying to hide its agenda by arguing that it Rhad supported the referendum in 1993 and was the first country to recognize Eritrean independence.¹ This is true as a historical fact. But it does not mean that Ethiopia may not suffer a relapse of its earlier malaise to entertain territorial ambitions against Eritrea. More importantly, if we are talking about historical facts, we must recall that it was Eritrea's major military part which helped the current regime gain power in Ethiopia at the time by defeating the Mengistu regime in Addis Ababa."

Ethopia for its part said "Just as 350,000 Ethiopian citizens were displaced from their homes and farms when Eritrea invaded sovereign Ethiopian territories in May and June of 1998, many innocent Eritreans have also been displaced from their communities as a result of their government's war of aggression. ³ Ethiopia added in a statement ³Having chosen to first, attack Ethiopia and then to refuse to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Issaias regime bears full and complete responsibility for any suffering that has resulted from its aggression and intransigence."

Adding "When Issaias' army invaded and occupied various towns and villages in May and June of 1998, soldiers killed innocent civilians, abducted priests, nuns and other citizens and raped women and young girls. Approximately two years after this initial invasion, the whereabouts and status of most of the abductees are still unknown. As a result of the abductions, many families have been separated and children have been orphaned. Family members were also separated from one another as they fled the Eritrean soldiers. The sick, elderly and young children, who were physically unable to flee, were left behind to suffer under Eritrean occupation."

Ethiopia said "Because many Ethiopian villages and towns still remain under Eritrean military occupation, it has been impossible to deliver relief assistance to those Ethiopians who were unable to escape from the invading army and are now forced to live under Eritrean jurisdiction."

Both countries continue to trade accusations and insults and blame each other for the current condition and lack of peace.

Meantime,

Previous Stories:
  Fierce confrontation between Ethiopia and Eritrea   (5/18/2000)
  Ethiopia broke into Eritrea's territories   (5/17/2000)
  Ethiopia is advancing against Eritrean forces   (5/16/2000)

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