Ethiopian opposition warns “removing Eritrean govt” not valid option

March 24, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian opposition parties have asked the Ethiopian government to continue with its ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped Ethiopian. They further said that removing Eritrean government is not the responsibility of the government.

In a press conference held on Tuesday March 20, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), United Ethiopia Democratic Party-Medhin (UEDP-Medhin) and the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) expressed their concern over the safety of the abductees. The opposition parties, who said that they do not have enough information about the kidnapping, however, said the international community should condemn the act no matter who committed it.

Following the release of a group of Europeans linked to the British embassy in Ethiopia, tensions were growing between Ethiopia and Eritrea as the remaining eight Ethiopian captives are still believed to be in Eritrea.

The chairman of the UEDF, Prof Beyene Petros, having urged the abductors, no matter who they are, to release them immediately. He also said that he supports the statement issued by the government regarding the issue. He said although he does not have any information whether Eritrea had a hand or not in the issue.

He said that Ethiopia should not go to war with Eritrea based on this issue. It should only appeal to the international community according to the international law."

He said the Somalia and Eritrea issues are quite different. Ethiopia went to Somalia and removed the extremist group from Somalia at the invitation of the legal government and since the Eritrean issue is different from that Somalia, the Ethiopian government should not opt for fighting.

While the chairman of the OFDM, Bulucha Demeksa, said that it is difficult to rule out Eritrea’s involvement on the issue. However, he said the whole thing might have a mission to destabilize Ethiopia. He said if he is to believe that the rebel Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front was behind the abduction, then why does it set free the foreigners alone. He said he agrees with the Ethiopian government’s statement on the issue.

Bulucha said his information on the issue is so limited and hence he said it is difficult to speak with certainty. However, he said since the government has the information on the issue, he does not oppose the government blaming the Eritreans.

He urged the Ethiopian government to further continue with its diplomatic efforts according to the international laws of the UN and AU and said it is not right to ignite war in a bid to release the abducted citizens. He said he does not think fighting to be a solution to the problem.

However, he said: no matter how seriously we hate the Eritrean regime, the issue of removing the regime is the responsibility of the people and not ours." Bulucha said the government’s policy of neighboring countries should be based on peace.

The chairman of the UEDP-Medhin, Lidetu Ayalew, said that the whole issue is so saddening and said that he does not have enough information on who carried out the abduction. He said even if the government blames Eritrea of having a hand in the issue, the information given by the government is not sufficient and convincing. He said we should not take any action before officially knowing the culprits.

(ST)