ERINA Update
(Eritrean News Agency,
Tel: ++291-1-117627, Fax: 127385)
Tuesday, January 5, 1999
The Eritrean Ministerial Cabinet concluded a three day meeting on
development and economic growth yesterday. The cabinet evaluated development
programs completed in 1998 and set down future plans. After a review, the
cabinet concluded that the current border crisis with Ethiopia had not
substantively hindered development programs. The Eritrean economy has shown
strong growth over the past year.
The cabinet stated that public participation had risen and encouraged the
general public to continue its efforts. The cabinet applauded Eritreans in
exile for their valuable contributions to the causes of national security,
integrity and economic growth. The cabinet concluded the meeting with a
reminder to the public to enhance participation on national issues in 1999.
One thousand three hundred sixty seven Eritreans expelled from various
places in Ethiopia arrived in Assab yesterday. The Eritreans who had been
detained in prisons for up to three months were taken away from their homes
and streets in Addis Ababa and surrounding towns. The deportees included
infants and very elderly Eritreans with health problems. Deportees say that
the Ethiopian government has set up specialized search units to track down
Eritreans in order to expedite their deportation policy. Many of the
deportees said that all their valuables were taken by government officials.
An average of 1,000 deportees per week have been expelled from Ethiopia
through hostile border points since June. Over 47,000 Eritreans have been
deported from Ethiopia so far.
Veronica Rentmeesters, Information Officer
Embassy of Eritrea to the US
1708 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC 20009, USA
TEL: 202 319 1991 FAX: 202 319 1304
E-M: veronica@embassyeritrea.org
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