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From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Thu Apr 21 2011 - 09:40:19 EDT
http://af.reuters.com/article/eritreaNews/idAFLDE73K0TH20110421?sp=true
REFILE-Ethiopia
says to work for Eritrea "regime change"
Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:15pm GMT
(inserts dropped word "it" in first paragraph)
* The two nations at odds since 1998 border war
* Ethiopia rules out direct invasion of Eritrea
By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA, April 21 (Reuters) - Ethiopia declared openly on Thursday that
it will support Eritrean rebel groups fighting to overthrow President Isaias
Afewerki.
The two countries have often traded harsh rhetoric since a 1998-2000 border
war killed some 80,000 people, but Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has
until now ruled out confrontation.
However, Addis Ababa warned last month it would take "all measures
necessary" against its northern neighbour after accusing it of plotting to
carry out bomb attacks inside Ethiopia during an African Union summit in
February.
Government officials have said the plot targeted a hotel where a number of
heads of state were staying during the summit, as well as other facilities.
Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Hailemariam Desalegn accused Asmara of
working to destabilise his country and topple the government in Addis Ababa.
"We have embarked ourselves on equal reaction, which is regime change (in
Eritrea)," he told journalists.
"This regime change is not by invading Eritrea but by supporting the
Eritrean people and groups which want to dismantle the regime. We are fully
engaged in doing so," Hailemariam said.
Hailemariam did not disclose the extent of Addis Ababa's support, but a few
Eritrean groups already operate from northern Ethiopia and have staged
sporadic hit-and-run attacks inside Eritrea in the past.
On Wednesday, some 1,600 Eritrean refugees gathered in Addis Ababa to call
for democratic rule in their country, which thousands have fled in recent
years citing rights abuses. [ID:nLDE73J1CH]
Authorities in Asmara were not immediately available for comment, but Isaias
often dismisses foreign-based opponents as "puppets" acting under the orders
of foreign governments.
Eritrea was part of Ethiopia until 1991 when rebel forces led by Isaias
fought their way to secession following a 30-year liberation war.
Meles and Isaias were then allies leading separate rebel groups fighting
former Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, but they have been foes
ever since the border war.
Eritrea has since become one of the world's most secretive nations and has
frosty relations with most of the West including the United States, which it
accused of siding with Ethiopia during its border war.
The border conflict has yet to be resolved, with Ethiopia calling for a
negotiated implementation of a boundary ruling, an approach Eritrea has
ruled out.
(Editing by George Obulutsa and Paul Taylor)
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