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From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Feb 04 2011 - 09:18:20 EST
Ethiopian PM: Eritrea behind plot to attack AU summit
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
February 4, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) - In fresh accusations, Ethiopia has laid
fresh accusations against arch-foe Eritrea for conspiring to perform bomb
attacks during the Africa Union (AU) summit held last week in the capital,
Addis Ababa.
Australia warned of high terror risk during the 30-31 January,16th Ordinary
Session of the African Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa. A few
days earlier to the warning, Ethiopia said it had thwarted a "terrorist
attack". Ethiopian officials said that security forces had arrested seven
Eritrean-sent "terrorists" who were in possession of large amount of
powerful explosives. However, at the time Ethiopian authorities did not
state that the plot was targeted at the AU summit.
"Eritrea sent its missionaries [non-religious] to perpetuate massive bomb
attacks during or after the African Summit" Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles
Zenawi told parliament on Thursday.
According to the premier, the Eritrean militants were trained and armed for
a "terror" mission by the Eritrean government. He said they departed from
the Eritrean port town of Asab, crossed the border to Ethiopia before they
were arrested in Bati, a village near the Afar region, bordering Eritrea.
Zenawi also accused Eritrea of being a major destabilising factor and
stumbling block to peace in the region.
He went on to say that Eritrea is also arming and sending "terrorists" into
Djibouti soil to create sabotage ahead of country's April elections process.
In 2009, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea, accusing the
red sea nation of backing Islamist insurgents in Somalia.
The resolution places an arms embargo on Eritrea, and also imposes travel
bans and asset freezes on businesses and individuals.
Eritrean officials have repeatedly dismissed the allegations, calling them a
"fabrication" of US intelligence. The resolution was backed by 13 votes to
15. China abstained while Libya, the only Arab council member, voted against