The Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the following letter (with annexes) regarding Ethiopians detained in Eritrea to the International Committee of the Red Cross on August 14, 1998:

14 August 1998

International Committee of the Red Cross

Asmara

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea presents its compliments to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and has the honour to communicate to the latter regarding the baseless accusation labeled on the Eritrean government by the Ethiopian Embassy in Asmara on 10 July 1998 in which it accused saying that "Seventy two Ethiopian citizens living in Eritrea are detained arbitrarily by the Eritrean Government."

The Ministry wishes to inform the ICRC that there is no Ethiopian citizen detained arbitrarily. However, this doesn't mean that there are no Ethiopians who are arrested due to security, criminal and civil offenses and this makes the Embassy's accusation absolutely groundless.

The Ministry confirms that from the list which the Ethiopian Embassy annexed to its circular, of the 72 people it said were "arbitrarily" arrested:

a. 32 were released after the taking of the necessary investigation, that is before the Embassy notified of their detention (see Annex 1); b. 22 of them have never been detained anywhere in the country. We would like to inform you we do not have any kind of information on the first twelve listed in Annex 2. Those listed from number 13 to number 17 (same annex) are still living peacefully in Eritrea, while the last six have left to Ethiopia. c. 12 are still under the custody of the police, and their case is under investigation. (All of them were visited by your office recently.) (See Annex 3.) d. 6 were tried for the crime they had committed and are sentenced to be imprisoned. (See Annex 4.)

All this shows that the allegations made by the Ethiopian Embassy are pure fabrication and the Ministry calls the ICRC to react against the false allegations that the Ethiopian Government is conducting continuously.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the ICRC the assurance of its highest consideration.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Annex 1 - Detainees Already Released

1. Mr. Niftalem Kasa, goldsmith, Asmara

2. Mr. G/egzier Gebru, bakery owner, Asmara
3. Mr. Gebru Tesfai, student, Asmara
4. Mr. Tedros G/egziher, day laborer, Asmara
5. Mr. Arefaine Negere, E.C. chairman, Asmara
6. Mr. Nigussie Gebru, farmer, Asmara
7. Mr. Yemane Gebru, E.C. chairman, Massawa
8. Ms. Tiebe Mezgebo, housewife, Massawa
9. Mr. Shishay W/yohannes, merchant, Massawa
10. Mr. Haile Aregai, carpenter, Ginda
11. Mr. Alemitu Imuru, bar owner, Ginda
12. Mr. Ataklti G/yohannes, merchant, Mendefera
13. Mr. Aimro Yitbarek, bar owner, Asmara
14. Mr. Tedros Haile, merchant, Dekemare
15. Ms. Yordanos Haile, student, Dekemare
16. Mr. Filmon haile, student, Dekemare
17. Ms. Adiyam Kebede, day laborer, Dekemare
18. Mr. Debas G/giorgis, merchant, Massawa
19. Mr. Isaq G/kidane, merchant, Adi Quala
20. Mr. Abadi Abrha, cashier, Ginda
21. Mr. Kidane Abadi, day laborer, Ginda
22. Ms. Sesen Abreha, bar owner, Ginda
23. Mr. Haile Berhe, day laborer, Ginda
24. Mr. Bereket Haile, student, Dekemare
25. Mr. Kahsay Abreha, day laborer, Massawa
26. Ms. Teberih Meche, bar owner, Dekemare
27. Ms. Berhan Hadgu, housewife, Dekemare
28. Mr. Teklemariam Abreha, TDA chairman, Dekemare
29. Mr. Gebremeskel Mahamed, day laborer, Ginda
30. Mr. Fisaye G/libanos, farmer, Asmara
31. Mr. G/tsadik Kidane, tea house owner, Asmara
32. Mr. Haregot Desta, welder, Asmara

Annex 2 - Claimed Detainees

1. Mr. Anania G/egzibr, merchant, Asmara

2. Mr. Iyob G/medhin, artist, Asmara
3. Mr. Hailesilassie Haile, TDA vice chairman, Asmara
4. Mr. G/meskel Girmay, cashier, Asmara
5. Mr. Gebaerhiwot Nigussie, driver, Mendefera
6. Ms. Yalem Zerhun, waitress, Ginda
7. Mr. Hagos G/tinsay, student, Ala
8. Mr. Tesfay Mehari, student, Ala
9. Mr. Tekeste Tesfaye, merchant, Asmara
10. Ms. Tieba Abera, waitress, Ginda
11. Mr. Kiros Hadish, student, Asmara
12. Mr. Akelom Berhe, merchant, Ginda
13. Ms. Mamit Mesfin, bar owner, Massawa
14. Ms. Brutukan Assefa, waitress, Ginda
15. Mr. Kahsai Beyene, day laborer, Ginda
16. Ms. Legessie Gebru, day laborer, Ginda
17. Mr. Tesfalem Giday, receptionist, Ginda
18. Mr. Kidane G/silassie, driver, Massawa
19. Mr. Gebregzher Tamirat, day laborer, Massawa
20. Mr. Solomon G/egziebher, day laborer, Massawa
21. Mr. Kidane Hidru, cashier, Ginda
22. Mr. Berhane Aregawi, laborer, Ginda

Annex 3 - Detainees

1. Mr. Tedros Tamyalew, Ethcom, Asmara

2. Mr. Amanuel Yohannes, receptionist, Asmara
3. Ms. Goai Tesfu, hotel owner, Asmara
4. Mr. Beyene Berhane, goldsmith, Asmara
5. Mr. Wolday Amare, day laborer, Asmara
6. Mr. Wolday G/hiwet, day laborer, Asmara
7. Mr. Peteros Fishaye, counsul guard, Asmara
8. Mr. Ghebremeskel Girmay, butcher, Asmara
9. Mr. Kiflom G/hiwot, restaurant owner, Asmara
10. Mr. Woldu hagos, merchant, Dekemare
11. Mr. Haile G/zgiher, merchant, Dekemare
12. Mr. Zemichael G/sadik, Asmara

Annex 4 - Tried and Sentenced to Prison

1. Mr. Amanuel Haile, student, Asmara

2. Mr. Alebachew Zenebe, day laborer, Massawa
3. Mr. Berhane Girmay, goldsmith, Asmara
4. Mr. Selomen Gh/slasie, merchant, Keren
5. Mr. Selemun Girmay, merchant, Ginda
6. Mr. Gebremedhin G/hiwot, cashier, Ginda

Veronica Rentmeesters, Information Officer

Embassy of Eritrea to the US
1708 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC 20009, USA TEL: 202 588 7587 FAX: 202 319 1304
E-M: veronicX@embassyeritrea.org

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