Press Release
Ethiopia Bombs Asmara Airport

Ethiopian aircraft today bombed the airport in Asmara. Four Ethiopian bomber planes were used in the attack which occurred around 11:20 a.m. Two flew overhead while the other two bombed the airport and a soap factory nearby.

The bombing of the airport did not cause damage to the installation although a guard outpost on the periphery of the runway was demolished. The soap factory was narrowly missed but the cluster and demolition bombs dropped cut big craters in the main road and caused injuries to two civilians. Details on further casualties were not available at press time.

Ethiopia's bombing of the capital coincides with the opening of the proximity talks in Algiers today. Ethiopia's senseless act of terror is in defiance of the OAU and the Security Council which have demanded an immediate ceasefire.

Ethiopia's air raids in Hirgigo yesterday and Asmara airport today underscore its malevolent intentions of wanton destruction. As the international community feeds Ethiopia's hungry, the regime in Addis Abeba is waging a war of invasion against a sovereign country and causing damage to infrastructure and developmental projects.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 29 May 2000