Wednesday, June 10, 1998
1. Fighting between the Ethiopian army and the Eritrean defense forces has broken out in the Badme area inside Eritrean territory a day after Ethiopia stated that it was launching a general offensive. Speaking to journalists yesterday, Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi said " we will not be limited to the scope of action on Zalambessa only". Today's attack came a day after Ethiopia mounted an assault on Eritrean positions in the Zalambessa area. That attack was repulsed by the Eritrean defense forces.
2. Eritrea's foreign ministry stated today that "the over 100,000 (one hundred thousand) Ethiopians residing in Eritrea continue to live and work as before". In a press release issued this morning, the Ministry rejected Ethiopian accusations that Eritrea has expelled three thousand Ethiopians from the country. It said this was a "fabrication" intended to "gain popular support for its declared war on Eritrea by inflaming hatred among Ethiopians".
Noting that almost all foreigners had left Eritrea because of Ethiopia's threats of air strikes, the statement added that it is not surprising that some Ethiopians want to leave Eritrea.
3. In violation of the agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia that
citizens of each country do not need visas to visit the other country, Ethiopia has told all carriers not to board Eritreans who dot have a valid visa to Ethiopia.
4. Eritreans inside Eritrea and all over the world have started a major fund raising campaign in support of Eritrea's efforts to defend itself from Ethiopian aggression. In a spirit of solidarity, unity and self-sacrifice that is reminiscent of the years of the liberation struggle they are contributing a month's salary/income as a minimum.
Eritrean News Agency