http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Eritrea-Envoy-Urges-UN-to-Lift-Unfair-Sanctions--137530963.html
January 17, 2012
Eritrea Envoy Urges UN to Lift ‘Unfair’ Sanctions
Peter Clottey
Eritrea’s envoy to the United Nations says his country is vindicated
following a recently-released preliminary U.N. report that found
insufficient evidence that Asmara provided weapons to Somalia militant
group al-Shabab last year.
Eritrea has often maintained its innocence over accusations it supports
militant groups including al-Shabab, which accusers say destabilizes not
only Somalia, but the entire Horn of Africa region.
Ambassador Araya Desta says the Security Council imposed sanctions on
Eritrea were largely based on what he calls fabrication and
mischaracterization.
“We have never had any time or situation where we have been supporting the
al-Shabab or any other group in Somalia because that is against our own
political stance,” said Desta. “We believe the Somali issue could not be
solved militarily. We have been continuously saying that Somalia should be
given a venue to discuss their own issues and that the solutions should
come from the Somalis themselves.”
In November last year, Kenya accused Eritrea of sending air supplies of
weapons to the al-Shabab held town of Baidoa in southwestern Somalia.
But, in its report, the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and
Eritrea says it did not have sufficient evidence to confirm that allegation.
The coordinator for the UN Monitoring Group, Matt Bryden, said “multiple
credible reports” show no flights have taken place at the time specified.
The group was set up in 200 by the UN Security Council to monitor
violations of arms embargo imposed on Somalia.
“We as government and people support the Somali people and wish to see
peace and stability and a government in Somalia. If we are looking for such
peace and stability, how can we destabilize Somalia?” asked Desta. “Eritrea
has never ever sent financial or [military] support to any group in
Somalia.”
Asmara was accused by some of its neighbors of acting as a catalyst to
destabilize the Horn of African region.
Erigrea described last year sanctions as yet another attempt to thwart the
government’s development agenda aimed at improving living conditions.
“The more Eritrea succeeds in its development and prosperity, the more
conspiracies and misguided policies against her are concocted by special
interests in the U.S.,” said information minister Ali Abdu.
Ambassador Desta said he is working closely with officials of the Security
Council to lift what he describes as unfair sanctions on Asmara.
“We have been going to the Security Council telling them to lift these
sanctions because they were based on fabrication by Ethiopia and supported
by the bigger nations,” said Desta.
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Received on Wed Jan 18 2012 - 01:05:51 EST
