From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Tue Jan 05 2010 - 10:40:23 EST
Eritrean president says CIA behind war with Ethiopia
Tuesday 5 January 2010 03:00.
January 4, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) - Eritrean president, Isaias Afeworki said
that intelligence agencies of the United States were the main
instigators of the 1998-2000 Ethiopia-Eritrea border war which claimed
the lives of 70,000 people.
In an interview with the state-run TV the President on Sunday said that
CIA mainly aimed at creating a crisis situation in Africa and exposes
its people to animosity among one another, and thus plunders the
resources of the continent, besides imposing one's narrow interests.
"The policy of the hegemony (US) in the Horn of Africa unfolded by end
of the Cold War at the time Eritrea achieved independence, Somalia was
engulfed in turmoil, Sudan entered into a new political stage and
Ethiopia in particular experienced new situation," Isaias said
"In this respect, the US intelligence agencies were the main instigators
of the Eritrean- Ethiopian conflict," he added.
Recently, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo against
Eritrea for arming, supporting and training Somalia insurgent group.
However the Eritrean president once again blasted the resolution as
"illegal" and "misguided".
"Sanctions resolution against Eritrea is a manifestation of failed
adventurous policies designed to victimize the nation. The allegation
has no substance at all" he said adding "Eritrea has the right to extend
arms political or moral support to other forces" he said.
The President accused the US intelligence agency (CIA) being the
"mastermind" of the imposed sanction which he said was aimed to isolate
Eritrean nationals from their people and leadership through various
ploys.
"Although Ethiopia may perhaps have something to do with the sanctions,
the whole affair is not basically its handwork."
He further stressed that the sanctions resolution has "undoubtedly been
masterminded by the CIA". The imposed UN sanctions include travel ban to
top military officials and also freezes their assets.
(ST)
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