Nation does not face any form of national disaster if defense force pullout any time from Somalia: Premier
Addis Ababa, May 21 (WIC) - Ethiopia would not face any form of national disaster if our defense force withdraw at any moment from Somalia, Premier underscored.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi made the remark today in a response he gave to questions forwarded from members of the House of Peoples Representatives regarding the countries relations with the neighboring countries, the rising cost of living, and newly inaugurated City Administrative Council, among others.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the country would not experience any danger if our troops withdraw from Somalia at any time we felt that the sacrifices we are paying there are unbearable.
Meles emphasized that Ethiopia has reversed the aggressions of the Somali Jihadists in a couple of weeks time after the defense force entered Somalia.
However, our defense force remained in Somalia afterwards not because we were unable to pullout from there but to ensure durable peace in the region as well as provide assistance to the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the Premier stated.
Regarding the Ethio-Sudan relations, Meles said that there is no border conflict between the two nations presently. There is no a single farmer displaced from his home due to the so called border problem and would not also be in the future.
Meles who indicated he was bewildered by the reports disseminated by some media as if border conflict has been created between the two countries said that preparations are underway to redemarcate the border.
As to the destructive acts of Eritrea around Djibouti border, Meles said that Ethiopia strongly deplore the act as it further disrupt peace in the region.
Regarding the terrorist group ONLF, he said that presently over 95 percent of its leadership and members have been murdered and surrendered.
With regard to the rising cost of living, he stated that a decline in the prices of commodities such has sugar, edible oil, soap among others has been witnessed following measures taken by the government.
However, activities are launched to distribute 1.5 million quintals of wheat to residents at fair price as there is a tendency of price hike on food crops, Meles added.
As to the newly inaugurated Addis Ababa City Administrative Council, he said that the federal government would extend the necessary assistance in its endeavor towards addressing the complicated problems of the city piled for years.
