Gov't lashes out at CUDP, OFDM, UEDF joint statement
Addis
Ababa, May 06, 2007 - Failures on the part of some
opposition political parties to make their stand known
on the Abule massacre of 174 innocent civilians and to
condemn the perpetrators has its cause, one way or
another, in their reluctance to fall out with the forces
of destruction led by the government in Asmara, Minister
of Information said. In a response to the statement given on Friday by CUDP, OFDM and UEDF, the minister Berhan Hailu, also said the government’s measure to have broken the backbone of the extremist force and to have come to the aid of the transitional federal government of Somalia was a well-directed and correct intervention that brought about satisfactory results in view of ensuring Ethiopia’s national interest and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
The minister, thus, lashes out at the joint statement three opposition political parties gave yesterday (Friday) calling for the government to supply information concerning the Abule massacre in Degehabur zone of the Somali Regional State in Eastern Ethiopia.
He said the call made by the oppositions was a sham for it had happened that the self-styled Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) came out and claimed responsibility.
The Minister said, in addition to the open statement ONLF issued claiming that it had perpetrated the massacre; there cannot be doubt as to who the victims are – Ethiopian and Chinese innocent civilians.
These situations on the ground can never be the kinds on which to claim lack of information to comprehend. Further, he said, survivors of the massacre have given their accounts and concerned bodies have provided explanations on the matter.
“Unless they wanted to further their hidden agenda, the oppositions cannot be said to be oblivious on this much talked about tragedy,” he said.
“The opposition’s failures to respond in time to the horrendous massacre and to call by name the perpetrators can but be said a taking of sides,” he said.
Citing the oppositions’ statement, he said, there is no ground for the government to negotiate with such forces, who have engaged in activities to dismantle the constitutional system through the use of force.
He said it is not democratic and constructive on the part of some opposition with seats in parliament to flinch on matters that have bearing upon national interest.
On the issue of Somalia, the Minister said, in addition to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s intervention in Somalia has been paying off in helping the TFG get rid of fundamentalist forces and insurgents including from Eritrea.
Currently, there were remnants of a group of youth hardliners called al-Shabbab, who the TFG is dealing with, he said.
ENA
