Eritrean News Agency
Daily Update
Thursday, June 11, 1998
1. As Ethiopia pursues its generalized offensive against Eritrea,
fighting started this morning along the southeastern boundary of the two countries, on the road to Assab. Ethiopia had been amassing troops in the area in preparation for this attack. This follows on the heels of earlier attacks in the Zalambesa and Badme areas. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had made clear Ethiopia's intentions for a generalized offensive, when he said this week that Ethiopia "will not be limited to the scope of action on Zalambesa only."
2. The Ethiopian government is recruiting mercenary air force pilots
from countries in Eastern Europe, diplomatic sources reveal. Ethiopia has also been attempting to recruit the pilots of the previous Ethiopian government, who have been in exile since the present government came to power. It has promised the latter that it would pay them salaries for the past seven years.
3. Eritrea has called on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of international air and maritime navigation in the area. In separate letters to both organizations, Eritrea's Foreign Ministry stated that Ethiopia's acts threatening air strikes against commercial aircraft and shipping constitute a "total violation of the legal responsibilities and commitments" that Ethiopia has entered as a member of both international organizations.
Ethiopia bombed Eritrea's capital and major urban center on June 5 and 6 and has threatened to continue its air strikes.
4. The Government of Ethiopia has detained at least twenty staff
members of the Eritrean Embassy in Addis Ababa. The detentions started last Sunday and are still continuing. The detainees have been subjected to interrogation. Eritrea has officially protested against this contravention of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and the violation of the human rights of the embassy staff.
Ethiopia had earlier decided to close the two Eritrean consulates in the country and ordered that Eritrean diplomatic representation be reduced to two diplomats. (Eritrea has had no choice but to reciprocate.) A total of 65 Eritrean diplomats and dependents have since left the country after much harassment from the Ethiopian authorities.
Attached: Eritrean Embassy staff detained by the Ethiopian authorities.
1. Belay Habtemichael General Service
2. Daniel Gebremeskel Driver
3. Haile Feshaye Protocol Activity & Driver
4. Gebregziabher Measho Driver
5. Adiam Gubsa Cashier
6. Fortuna Berhe Cashier
7. Berri Mebrahtu Ambassador's Secretary
8. Mintewab Berhane Acting Head of Admin. & Finance
9. Semainesh Mehtsune Accountant
10. Alem Woldeselase Secretary
11. Nebiat Kiflay Secretary
12. Asmeret Yoseif Telephone Operator
13. Rosina Fesahaye Receptionist
14. Gebrelibanos Haile Driver
15. Mehari Haile Gurad
16. Yisak Abraham Driver
17. Getu (Solomon) Zemene Gardner
18. Abrehet Kidane Waitress
19. Aynalem Keleta Storekeeper
20. Feisel Sirage Secretary