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http://erigazette.org/?p=166> Kenya to face off with Eritrea at UN
By Xinhua
Posted Sunday, December 4 2011 at 22:30
The Kenya government is optimistic it will get the support needed to push
for further sanctions against Eritrea during Monday's UN Security Council
meeting.
Officials said they had galvanized support from the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), the UN Security Council and the East
African Community (EAC) states to support their position against Eritrea's.
"We have lobbied enough support for the UN meeting on Monday(today)," said
Ms Mary Ombara, Director of Communications in the Ministry of Information
and Communications on Saturday.
Kenya and Eritrea exchanged diplomatic rhetoric before the UN Security
Council after Asmara accused Nairobi of "defamation" over claims that
Eritrea was airlifting plane loads of arms and other ammunition to the
Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Kenya is fighting the militants.
Eritrea asked the Security Council to take action against Kenya for the
utterances.
Kenya also filed a counter-claim against Eritrea, providing the Council with
information it believed could prove Eritrea's complicity.
The case is set for discussion on Monday. Eritrea sought a hearing before
the UN on October 24 to defend itself against the accusations. The Security
Council granted Eritrea a hearing on Monday.
However, Asmara has asked to be given more time for the arrival of its
delegation, including President Isaias Afewerki.
Eritrea said it was under travel sanctions from the US and only obtained
their visas on Thursday. Kenya and its six IGAD neighbours have called for
additional sanctions on Eritrea.
They are seeking a ban or restrictions on taxes levied on remittances by
Eritreans living abroad. The two per cent levy has been criticised as a form
of "extortion."
Ethiopia, Eritrea's arch-enemy, says there have been fears the taxes
generated from the mining sector are used to support the purported
activities of Eritrea in Somalia.
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Received on Sun Dec 04 2011 - 21:17:00 EST