ERINA Daily Update
Tuesday, June 9, 1998
Eritrea has called on the international community to "take requisite action" against Ethiopia's threats to wage indiscriminate air strikes in Eritrean airspace on all "commercial aircraft and vessels". In a letter to the United nations, the Organization of African Unity and the President of IGAD, Eritrea stressed that this action was a violation of Eritrean sovereignty and an "act of war". The Government of Eritrea, says the letter, "underlines that Ethiopia will bear the full responsibility for the consequences that may ensue if this dangerous situation is not checked".
Because of Ethiopia's air strikes and its bluff of not guaranteeing any air and sea access to Eritrea, commercial flights and shipping have come to a virtual standstill. Almost all foreigners have also been evacuated.
Fighting continues on the Zalembessa area where Ethiopian troops have launched a dawn attack on Eritrean positions. Initial reports state that the Eritrean Defense Forces have successfully repulsed the Ethiopian attack.
Further details are not available.
Eritrean News Agency (ERINA)