January 19, 1999
AFRICA'S CONFLICTS: SIERRA LEONE, DROC, ANGOLA, ETHIOPIA-ERITREA
Alarmed at the conflicts raging in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC), Angola and the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, editorialists in Africa deplored the increasing hostilities on the continent. Many also lamented that the continent is again portrayed in a negative light "at a time when all of Europe is looking forward to splendid economic times in the new millennium with the launch of a unified currency, the euro...and the United States is enjoying unprecedented economic growth." Paper after paper called on African leaders to check trends that reverse democracy, to be responsive to the needs of the African people, and to heed the growing call for "authentic" African leadership--read leadership that appears not to be manipulated by Western interests. These were editorial highlights:
SIERRA LEONE: Noting the recent escalation in fighting between the government and rebels, pundits deemed that Sierra Leone had undergone a "reversal" of its progress toward national reconciliation and broad-based government following the restoration of its democratically elected government last year. Most writers judged that the crisis had underscored the absence of an effective peace-keeping mechanism for the continent. A Kenyan paper regretted that the idea of a permanent rapid deployment intervention force modeled along the lines of ECOMOG has garnered only a "lukewarm response" from African leaders so far. Journalists in Sierra Leone and Nigeria stressed the need for better training and materiel for the Nigerian-led intervention force defending the Sierra Leone government. Nigerian papers portrayed the crisis as a quagmire that is becoming "a major foreign policy disaster for Nigeria."
DROC: Democratic Republic of Congo papers were heartened by progress toward face-to-face talks between President Kabila and rebel leader Wamba dia Wamba, and many noted the recent diplomatic missions of Assistant Secretary Susan Rice and former Assistant Secretary Herman Cohen. There was, however, an undercurrent of skepticism regarding U.S. motives. Pro-government papers criticized both Ms. Rice and Mr. Cohen for not condemning "the presence of Ugandan and Rwandan troops on the Congolese territory" and complained about President Kabila's negative image in the United States. An opposition journal questioned the sincerity of Mr. Cohen who, it alleged, had supported the former President Mobutu. Journalists in Zimbabwe and Zambia urged all of DROC's "stake holders" to agree to a cease-fire.
ANGOLA: South Africa's independent, black Sowetan criticized the UN decision to withdraw troops from strife-torn Angola, lamenting that the decision will relegate the crisis even "further down on the world agenda." A Botswanan publication charged that diamond companies whose mining interests are in rebel-held territories have been the beneficiaries of Jonas Savimbi's "fratricidal war against the ruling MPLA." A South African publication appealed to the world community to ensure that the arms embargo on Savimbi's UNITA is "effective."
ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Papers in both countries proclaimed their governments' desire to create a durable peace. An independent Ethiopian weekly called for an international trade embargo against Eritrea. Government papers in Eritrea reported on President Isaias's televised address in which he lambasted Ethiopia's "futile attempts to hoodwink world public opinion" and its "gross violation of the fundamental human rights of Eritreans."
This survey is based on 29 reports from 12 countries, December 29-January 19.
EDITOR: Gail Hamer Burke
SIERRA LEONE
SIERRA LEONE: "ECOMOG In Control Of Most Of Freetown"
The Sierra Leone News reported (1/13): "ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States cease-fire monitoring group) Commander Major-General Timothy Shelpidi said Wednesday [13 January] that his troops were in control of most of Freetown and that the greater part of the rebel forces had retreated to the hills surrounding the capital.... Shelpidi said the rebels had caused 'colossal' damage to parts of Freetown.... Shelpidi has blamed rebel successes on a shortage of military equipment. He said Wednesday that ECOMOG needed assistance from friendly countries, and deplored a cut in U.S. financial assistance for the ECOMOG force. 'What we need is hardware, military hardware. If only we could have helicopter gunships, MI24s, then we would have ended this thing a long time ago. Right now we're relying on one single helicopter and that is slowing down operations,' he said."
NIGERIA: "No Basis For Nigeria's Involvement"
Duro Onabule, former Chief Press Secretary to ex-President Babangida, who is now an editorial consultant to the independent daily National Concord, commented in an article carried by the daily (1/15), saying: "From the beginning of the whole disaster, there was no basis for Nigeria's involvement in the Sierra Leonean crisis which last week took a dramatic turn.... Our concern is Nigeria's involvement in this fiasco. Perhaps it is unfortunate but it is inevitable to blame this military humiliation on the late General Sani Abacha..... For the moment, Nigeria's path of honor is clear. No army, for the sake of some nebulous dignity, will allow its men walk into certain death, which is what our continued participation in the Sierra Leonean crisis guarantees."
"Sierra Leone Needs Constructive Dialogue"
The Lagos-based independent daily Diet opined (1/15): "What we see in Sierra Leone today is a true reflection of the African condition; a continent where the pursuit of power and blind viciousness by its leaders have trammelled progress and brought untold hardship to its people.... Had Kabbah embraced national reconciliation and the formation of a broad based government, the gains made last year through the restoration of his democratically elected government couldn't have been subjected to the present reversal threats. It is hoped that the dismal scenario in Sierra Leone would afford Kabbah once more the opportunity to have a deeper reflection on how to extricate his country from the mire.... What the present situation demands from the belligerents is constructive dialogue and the subordination of personal whims to national interest."
"Our Peacekeeping Role Requires Teeth To Be Effective"
Chidi Amuta, managing director of the Lagos-based independent daily Post Express wrote (1/12): "The virtual fall of Freetown to rebels of the RUF and its allies is a major foreign policy disaster for Nigeria.... It is not enough to pride ourselves on our peace keeping roles abroad. We need to prepare our military for that role. I am not aware that we have spent any time and effort in raising a special elite rapid deployment force specifically for our peace keeping or peace enforcement efforts abroad. The time to do so is now that we are about to institute democratic governance. A democratic government in Nigeria will still need to play a leadership role in West Africa. And that role will require teeth to be effective."
"Clueless In Sierra Leone"
Frank Igwebueze, Associate Editor of Lagos's independent daily National Concord, commented (1/11): "Khobe (ECOMOG commander) and his men did not lose because of the superiority of
the guerrilla's tactics, but due to the absence of a plan, which has characterized the Nigerian military's handling of both its domestic and international affairs.... The unmitigated disaster, especially in the number of casualties that Nigeria has suffered in the one-sided battle for Freetown, perhaps serves as a lesson in how not to meddle in other countries' internal affairs.... (These) amount to enough indicators that Nigeria should, like the Americans did in Vietnam, declare victory in the face of a crushing defeat and come home to lick its wounds."
GHANA: "Peace In Sierra Leone"
The anti-government biweekly Free Press of (1/13-19) said: "We hope by now President Kabbah had realized that the military solution to his country's security problem is not the best option. The Free Press wishes to advise him and his allies in the ECOMOG fraternity to pursue dialogue as the main weapon for resolving the conflict. Fortunately for him, the rebels have extended a hand of reconciliation to the Freetown administration. We see no reason why President Kabbah should not reciprocate this gesture to talk with the rebels for an amicable solution, after they (the rebels) have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. This would be the only way to serve the interest of Sierra Leone and bring about the much-needed peace."
"Time To Talk Peace"
The government-owned Ghanaian Times observed (1/8): "ECOWAS sent ECOMOG to Sierra Leone not simply to remove the military government and restore Tejan Kabbah to power. The larger ECOMOG mission was to create a situation of power balance.... That line was not pursued. On the contrary, ECOMOG...ensured an atmosphere in which political retribution took hold, leading to the conflict which has engulfed the country. The safest course now is to press hard for a cease-fire. Military reinforcements will neither invalidate nor settle the issues that underlie the crisis."
KENYA: "Africa Should Be Ashamed Of Sierra Leone Savagery"
The independent Standard (1/9) held: "At a time when all of Europe is looking forward to splendid economic times in the new millennium with the launch of a unified currency, the euro...and the United States is enjoying unprecedented economic growth, Africa continues to buy and plant landmines, rape helpless women and kill little children under the guise of fighting for a grievous nonsense called 'national security.' This is diabolical. The United States and South Africa have been floating for a while now the idea of a permanent rapid deployment intervention force modeled along the lines of ECOMOG and composed entirely of African troops who would nip latent conflicts in the bud. The force would receive training, intelligence and other military backing from NATO. Yet the idea seems to have received only a lukewarm response.... The sad truth is that as long as we wear blinders and follow leaders who spit out war ideology as justification for us to pick up AK-47s and shoot down each other, we will remain steeped in grim poverty, famine and war well into the next century. Africa deserves much better than this demonic fate."
"Africa Should Not Allow Rebels To Retake Sierra Leone"
The government party-owned Kenya Times held (1/8): "African governments need to act fast.... Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was democratically elected by the people of Sierra Leone in internationally supervised and endorsed elections. Africa must stop the rebels and their backers for the sake of democracy. The emerging trend of some neighboring states walking into other nations and reversing democracy must be immediately stopped."
"Sierra Leone Must Be Spared Anarchy"
The centrist Daily Nation opined (1/7): "It was...a big setback for democracy and the people of Sierra Leone when President Kabbah was driven out of office. The ECOMOG force won praise on the continent and beyond for turning the tables on the military junta that had replaced President Kabbah. But for Sierra Leoneans, especially those in the territory to which the rebels fled, the nightmare has continued. The rebel forces have brutalized villagers they suspect of not backing their cause. Many are the villagers who have had their hands or other parts of their bodies severed. Will the ECOMOG force save Sierra Leone from sinking back into civil war? We think the crisis in this West African state may be too complex to be left to the intervention force. The United Nations should bolster their mission. There could very well be a need for the UN to stay on to help reinforce the rule of law and order. Sierra Leone must be saved from sliding back into anarchy and bloodshed."
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: "Kabila A Hostage Of His Entourage"
Pro-government L'Eveil commented (1/14): "Of sad memory, the well-known Washington Post of 1 April 1998 as well as the Washington Times...note unfairly that President Kabila's career is a constant disdain of fundamental norms of international law. The writers evoke several facts which suggest that President Kabila does not abide by his word.... This story of a trial against DROC by Mr. John Edward Aycoth, president of the U.S. lobby 'EAW Group, Inc.', is a bombshell. In fact...the president of the republic was the victim of ignorance of the men who surround him.... In fact, [they] hastily [signed a lobbying contract] without carrying out sufficient research on this lobby group for obscure reasons of their own, surprising the supreme authority by the signature of a lobbying contract between Mr. John Edward Aycoth and Ms. Mitifu Faida, DROC's charge d'affaires, in Washington on 18 November 1998. Everybody is upset by the fact that when the Congolese authorities noticed the weakness of EAW group, they got in touch with another group, which seems to be efficient and more experienced, Cohen and Woods International, Inc.[...] The first contract [with this new group] has already been registered with the U.S. government, and Mr. Aycoth, who feels insulted, has gone to court against DROC in order to be compensated for millions of U.S. dollars."
"Influence Groups Destroy Kabila"
Pro-government L'Eveil held (1/14): "The pressure groups around the president of the republic are destroying him. Yesterday, the Tutsis imposed their will and ran the show. Today, the Katangans on the one side, and the 'Ameriloques' [Congolese who live(d) in the United States] on the other."
The War In Congo"
Pro-government Forum (1/14) carried comments regarding a (1/7) Africa Journal article: "Without clearly condemning the aggressors, Herman Cohen and Susan Rice tally up the bill for war in Democratic Republic of the Congo.... Neither Cohen nor Rice condemns the presence of Ugandan and Rwandan troops on the Congolese territory. Yet the United States and Great Britain are in Kuwait by request of a government known to have been the victim of aggression. Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Chad...are in Congo at the invitation of the Congolese authorities. As an influential power within the UN Security Council, the United States would better help the bruised people of Congo by first denouncing the aggression of which this country is the victim of."
"Toward A Face-To-Face Meeting Of Kabila And Wamba Dia Wamba"
Pro-government Forum Des As maintained (1/9) under the headline above: "Cohen is known for his theories on the partitioning of Congo and his anti-Kabila statements to the media. His presence at the [presidential] palace is a sign that Washington is softening its stance against Kinshasa."
"The Americans Want To Drown Kabila"
Pro-opposition Le Potentiel remarked (1/5): "I am tempted to say that the Congolese crisis has ended by softening Laurent-Desire Kabila's nationalism. Has the Congolese chief of state finally understood that in today's world, we cannot make it without taking into account the great powers which dictate the march of humanity? That is at least the impression I have from the visit of the former U.S. Undersecretary (sic) for African Affairs to Kinshasa. Herman Cohen said his presence at the [presidential] palace was purely private.... But I am not convinced. Further, I remember the role played by Washington, through Cohen, regarding the late Marshal Mobutu and the former Prime Minister Kengo wa Dondo. I seriously fear that President Kabila would get himself into a canoe that is going to ineluctably drown him. The U.S. policy in the Zaire of Mobutu has resulted in a stalled democratic process and in an economic and financial spiral that we deplore today. The worst advice Americans could give Kabila would be to follow the Ugandan and Rwandan model [of stable institutions in a state headed by a 'strong man'...without political pluralism or free and transparent elections]."
ZAMBIA: "Africa's Victims"
The government-owned Times of Zambia held (1/15): "Although the Cold War is over, its pervasive influence is still very much evident. There are still some hidden forces stocking up the fires now raging in Africa, and the losers are innocent people whose only sin is to have been born in Africa. It is about time African leaders woke up to the fact that nobody but themselves can stop the shameful and brazen display of violence which has so dented the continent's image.... It is our fervent hope that the Congo peace process now in motion will gain momentum at the heads of state meeting in Lusaka which has since been re-scheduled.... For the first time ever, the chief protagonists...President Laurent Desire Kabila and Prof. Wamba dia Wamba--will lead their respective delegations for face-to-face talks..... There is only one thing which the people who have borne the brunt of the war are looking forward to--an immediate cease-fire. None of the parties involved has anything to gain from a prolonged and costly war."
ZIMBABWE: "Looking Beyond Lusaka"
An editorial in the independent weekly Financial Gazette held (1/14): "After months of bickering and posturing, the belligerents in the Congo's civil war are due to meet in Zambia's capital Lusaka this weekend in talks which must succeed to end the bloody conflict.... That the opposing sides have finally agreed to meet face-to-face at all--an about-turn on the part of countries such as Zimbabwe which have long favored the exclusion of rebels from the negotiating table--is itself an encouraging sign.... Let's hope all who go to Lusaka will do so...knowing that failure to grasp this window of opportunity to seek true peace...will weigh heavily upon them for years to come."
"Lusaka Meeting Litmus Test"
An editorial in the government-controlled Daily Chronicle held (1/12), "The civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo will end at the negotiating table whether or not some people think so and whether or not they like it. Conflicts are 'predestined' to be resolved by face-to-face, no-holds-barred talks.... The peace summit scheduled for Lusaka this week will
therefore be a litmus test of the willingness and honesty of the rebels to agree to a cease-fire and with that presage an end to a war that should have been avoided in the first place."
UGANDA: "All Roads Seem To Be Leading To Tripoli"
The independent Monitor commented (12/29), "All roads seem to be leading to Tripoli, Libya. President Yoweri Museveni is there to talk about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Uganda has intervened on the side of the rebels fighting to overthrow President Laurent Kabila. The embattled Congolese leader was also in Libya to discuss the rebellion. The Congo rebels' political chief, Wamba Dia Wamba, also met Qadhafi recently.... With the exception of Nelson Mandela's ANC government, which maintained a more principled stand, many African countries, like Uganda, which had been close to Qadhafi seem to have distanced themselves from Tripoli in order to remain in favour with Western governments, which revile the Libyan leader. Many leaders on the continent came to be seen as puppets of some foreign Western government or the other, and were therefore not authentic representatives of the African people. In the Congo war, for example, some of the countries are seen as merely serving Western and other international interests, not those of Africa. As the pressure to find 'an African' solution to the conflict increases, leaders like Qadhafi are the ones who seem to have the crucial local links to warring parties in the Great Lakes. Qadhafi, however, remains too controversial and erratic a figure to assume moral leadership in Africa. But his example should teach other leaders to listen to their people and the cries of the continent. Those with more serious credentials should seize the initiative and provide Africa with leadership especially since Mandela, who has tried to do so with mixed results, is stepping down in a few months."
ANGOLA
BOTSWANA: "World Is Indifferent To Suffering In Angola"
The independent Midweek Sun opined (1/6), "The world is indifferent to the decades-long suffering (in Angola) brought about by internecine strife bequeathed by Cold War-era rivalry. Angola has appealed to the UN, which responded by slapping UNITA with sanctions, but these have been of no use.... The Organization of African Unity has been as useless as the [UN] in drumming peace into Savimbi.... The Southern African community whose Lusaka Accord Savimbi transgressed is sleeping while Angola burns. The malcontent Savimbi is waging a fratricidal war against the ruling MPLA, which constitutes the official and recognized Angolan government, against the expressed interests of the region and its peoples. Yet SADC would not do anything to stop Savimbi save issuing threats against him. We had thought a precedent had been set when Botswana and South Africa sent soldiers to intervene in Lesotho.... Where are the SADC armies now?... We now know that Angola's sin is having diamonds, and that some imperialist companies whose diamond mining interests are in rebel-held territories would like the war situation to continue until Savimbi assumes power for the perpetuation of their blood-stained self-aggrandizement schemes at the expense of the region's economic and political stability. We call on the 'heroic' armies of SADC to do in Angola what they did in Lesotho. Invade Angola now and teach Savimbi a lesson.... SADC might as well disband instead of hiding behind escapist excuses such as seeking political settlements to military crises."
SOUTH AFRICA: "Annan's Recommended Shutdown Is Rather Imprudent"
The black, independent Sowetan held (1/19), "The attacks on two United Nations aircraft in Angola are without a doubt outrageous crimes.... Kofi Annan believes the planes were shot down in an attempt to intimidate the world body. He says this was intended to force it to withdraw from Angola and so remove any restraint to full-scale civil war.... However Annan's recommended shutdown...is rather imprudent. It is also uncharacteristic of the UN. When confronted by a defiant Iraq, it did not recoil in fear.... Instead, it tightened economic sanctions
and followed through with hundreds of missiles to enforce UN resolutions.... And when Albanian separatists were massacred in Kosovo, UN war planes were readied to strike.... In Angola, however, the UN allowed UNITA to violate international peace agreements with impunity.... The truth of the matter is that the UN must accept partial responsibility for the current round of conflict in Angola. Rather than contemplate disengaging...Annan must ask himself why the accord...fell apart. Withdrawing from the country will only help secure UN personnel. It will do nothing for the Angolan people..... The war will intensify because a UN withdrawal will simply relegate the Angolan crisis even further down the world agenda."
"The Agony Of Angola--And Africa--Continues"
The conservative Citizen held (1/5), "The agony of Angola--and Africa--continues. The UN's decision to withdraw observers from war zones and suspend flights over
conflict territory is deeply disappointing. But it was inevitable.... A total withdrawal from the country makes a return to the outright civil war of the early 1990s a near certainty and brings the threat of mass starvation and widespread disease much closer. That's tragic for the Angolans, and not much better for the rest of the sub-continent.... It is hard to show much optimism about Africa when so much of the news is dominated by stories of disaster, war, starvation, poverty and pestilence. But there are bright spots in the gloom if we look hard enough for them. Tiny Botswana...shows how a developing economy should be managed. Mozambique is showing signs of economic and industrial revival.... Perhaps this time next year there will be more."
"The Congo And Angola Now Threaten Massive Dislocations"
The independent Business Day opined (1/5), "The shooting down of a second...plane...in central Angola illustrates the bitterness and disregard for international humanitarian norms shown by the long-standing adversaries in the country's civil war. The combatants' message to those who would be peace makers in Southern and Central Africa is simple and brutally direct: Keep out, this will be resolved by military force alone.... Without a dialogue between all sides, without an accommodation which guarantees space for all within a future political dispensation, there can only be an eternal round of coups, counter-coups, rebellions and civil wars. That said, the world and the region are facing two increasingly volatile situations at the heart of sub-Saharan Africa.... The Congo and Angola conflicts now threaten massive human dislocation, with refugees flooding the region.... First the private sector worldwide has to ask itself whether it is doing enough to ensure that the international embargo on UNITA is effective.... Second, and most important, the international community must move quickly to overcome what has become a crisis for the UN's worldwide peacekeeping efforts.... Unless the Security Council finds the funding, personnel, equipment and political will to guarantee the UN a meaningful role, the organization will find itself increasingly irrelevant as Africa burns."
ETHIOPIA-ERITREA
ETHIOPIA: "Anthony Lake--Hope For Peace"
The independent weekly Addis Tribune declared (1/15): "Hardly a day goes by without some development in the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. Almost all are negative. The current development suggests that all peace avenues have been exhausted except one. This is the effort being carried out by the American Special Envoy Anthony Lake. Mr. Lake arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday. He is the only remaining hope to avert the feared war. Mr. Lake's background and experience cannot be underestimated in the effort to bring about a positive, peaceful end to the conflict. With the stalemate having lasted for eight months, many feel that the peace process has been so drawn out that it has allowed for an increase in tension between the two countries. Some are fatalistic and believe that, should the American special envoy fail to resolve the issue, there is little chance that war will be avoided....
"If there is anyone capable of convincing and persuading Ethiopia and Eritrea to opt for peace, it is the Americans."
"The Eleventh Hour"
The independent weekly Addis Tribune ran this front-page article (1/15) by Tumtu Lencho, who opined: "Many are now convinced that the quest for peace in the Ethio-Eritrean conflict is drawing to a close. The prevailing mood is that a war that can and should be avoided will soon overtake us. This is surely a sad state of affairs. Firstly, it is clear that military engagement is a perilous course for the protagonists, for Africa, and for the world. Secondly, all it would take to avoid war would be for the Eritrean government to remove its troops from the territories it now occupies. Thirdly, vigorous insistence by the international community, particularly by the United States, could compel Eritrea to leave the territories that it illegally holds onto--the single crucial step towards a peaceful settlement proposed by all peacemakers and refused by Eritrea alone. These considerations must be plain to Mr. Anthony Lake, who will be here this week on yet another peace mission. Mr. Lake has worked very hard to persuade the two parties to reach an accord. So far, Eritrean obstructionism has defeated his laudable aims. In order to avoid the manifest failure of past attempts, Mr. Lake needs to launch bold initiatives this time around.... This is Mr. Lake's final opportunity to confront the Eritrean government on the injustices it has done and the agonies it will bring by being a die-hard transgressor of Ethiopian sovereignty."
"Impose Sanctions On Eritrea"
In the words of the independent, Amharic-language weekly Reporter (1/11), "Following the failure of peace efforts, Ethiopia and Eritrea find themselves at the last hour before the war. The international community, including the OAU, the United States, etc., have failed to denounce clearly and unequivocally in written form Eritrea's act of aggression. Instead, they have chosen to adopt a policy of appeasement towards the invaders. If the international community is committed to peace and justice, it must impose an all-round trade embargo on Eritrea, and assist Ethiopia's efforts to restore its sovereignty."
"Enough Is Enough"
Independent Amharic-language weekly Zegabi opined (12/31), "It is becoming difficult to believe Ethiopian officials when they say that their patience with the Eritrean government has run out and state that 'enough is enough'. All they can claim is that they have taken the diplomatic upper hand. However, at this critical moment, it is not the international community but Ethiopia itself that should tell the Eritrean aggressors that the game is up. Certainly, we should be able to say we have had enough humiliation and can no longer put up with aggression. It is time to say enough."
"The World Community Must Act Speedily"
Government Amharic-language Addis Zemen maintained (1/7), "Now that the Eritrean regime has openly rejected a peaceful settlement of the crisis, it is time the international community told the Eritrean authorities to implement the decision of the OAU which has established that Eritrea is the aggressor. Indifference to acts of lawlessness will only encourage terrorists to continue disturbing the public peace. The Eritrean regime should be told in unambiguous language that the law of the jungle has no place in the civilized world. Besides, the international community must realize that Ethiopia has taken the sword out of its sheath. Unless the international community acts speedily to put wrongs right, Ethiopia, which has exhausted its patience, is compelled to defend its sovereignty by force. And it has all the right and the capability to do so."
ERITREA: "President Isaias Reaffirms Eritrea's Commitment To Peace"
The government weekly Eritrea Profile and thrice weekly Hadas Eritrea both reported (1/2), "In a televised address to the nation on New Year's Eve, President Isaias Afwerki has again reaffirmed Eritrea's unflinching commitment to peace and mutual understanding among peoples. He called for border demarcation without resorting to excuses and creating hurdles. President Isaias also expressed the Eritrean government's support for conducting all necessary investigations and once again called for the signing of an agreement on cessation of hostilities. Giving an elaborate explanation of the acts of betrayal, duplicity and intrigues the TPLF leadership has manifested on numerous occasions, President Isaias stated that these acts of conspiracy were designed to undermine and dismantle the government of Eritrea, and thereby create a situation conducive to the realization of the hegemonistic ambitions of the present Ethiopian regime.
"The president noted, however, that the misguided policy pursued by the Ethiopian authorities and their futile attempts to hoodwink world public opinion through the dissemination of blatant lies and empty propaganda could not help them achieve their wicked objectives. President Isaias elucidated that in the final analysis truth and justice prevail over falsehood and mischief. He strongly criticized those parties, governments and organizations that keep silent in the face of the Ethiopian government's gross violation of the fundamental human rights of Eritreans residing in Ethiopia, notably the massive deportation of children, mothers and elderly people."
For more information, please contact:
U.S. Information Agency
Office of Public Liaison
Telephone: (202) 619-4355
1/19/99
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