"Diplomats say because of American opposition it did not get an invitation
until late last week. It angrily rejected this as too late"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16043561?utm_source=world&utm_medium=twitter
5 December 2011 Last updated at 19:48 ET
UN Security Council toughens sanctions on EritreaBy Barbara PlettBBC News,
United Nations
The UN Security Council has toughened sanctions against Eritrea after its
East African neighbours accused it of continuing to provide support to
Islamist militants.
The resolution requires foreign companies involved in Eritrea's mining
industry to ensure that funds from the sector are not used to destabilise
the region.
Thirteen council members voted for the resolution and two abstained.
Eritrea denies the accusations.
East African nations had called for tougher sanctions after a UN report
found that Eritrea continued to support al-Shabab and other armed groups in
Somalia.
Watered down
Early drafts of the resolution included measures like banning foreign
investment in Eritrea's mining sector and blocking a remittance tax imposed
on nationals overseas.
But these were watered down because of opposition from some European states
concerned they would hurt the Eritrean people, and from Russia and China,
which abstained in the vote.
Nevertheless Eritrea called the resolution outrageous and strongly denied
the allegations against it.
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Eritrea is a prime source of instability for the whole region.”
Meles ZenawiEthiopian Prime Minister
Officials from five East African nations addressed the council by video
conference before the vote, including Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles
Zenawi.
His country fought a war with Eritrea, but he insisted this was not a
"family quarrel" between the two countries.
"Eritrea is a prime source of instability for the whole region," he said.
"It's a problem of attitude, of a certain clique in Asmara that has never
grown up; it's a problem of lawlessness and reckless disregard for
international norms."
Eritrea had requested that its president be allowed to speak to the UN
Security Council when the draft was first circulated.
Diplomats say because of American opposition it did not get an invitation
until late last week. It angrily rejected this as too late.
The resolution calls on countries to exercise vigilance to prevent Eritrea
from diverting funds to destabilise the region.
It also condemns Asmara for allegedly planning an attack on an African
Union summit held in Ethiopia earlier this year
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Received on Mon Dec 05 2011 - 23:51:50 EST