Press Release
Ethiopian Troops Demolish Key Buildings in Barentu

The Ethiopian army has detonated the main hotel and other key commercial and private homes in Barentu. The petrol station, the town's municipality buildings and other commercial centers were razed to the ground.

The Ethiopian army has also looted private homes before being chased out of the town.

Ethiopia has falsely claimed last Tuesday that its army has "completed its withdrawals" from western Eritrea. In reality, the Ethiopian army is staying put in various areas in western Eritrea and burning and looting them when retreating under military pressure.

Reports reaching us at press time today indicate that the village of Mai Dima in southwestern Eritrea was totally dismantled and looted by the retreating Ethiopian army.

Ethiopian MiG fighter planes also bombed the city water depot in Assab yesterday morning.

Ethiopia's declaration that it has stopped fighting is thus hollow and designed to deceive public opinion. The OAU peace plan requires Ethiopia to withdraw its troops unconditionally to the May 6 positions.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 2 June 2000