DATE=5/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS/ETHIOPIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262530
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: International aid officials have told the U-S
Congress that fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea is
hampering efforts to help drought victims in the Horn
of Africa. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports some
members of Congress fear both sides are more
interested in waging war, than feeding the hungry.
TEXT: The Chairman of the House Africa Subcommittee
puts the situation in blunt terms.
///Royce act///
This is the largest war in the world, at the
moment. And millions are starving.
///end act///
California Congressman Ed Royce says the Ethiopian and
Eritrean governments are pouring millions into the war
effort, and diverting resources needed to deliver aid.
///Royce act///
Every day that goes by a half million dollars is
spent by Ethiopia alone on paying their troops.
When we talk about the lack of vehicles for
transport, the infrastructure problems, I think
it is important for us to realize those vehicles
have been commandeered. They are at the front.
///end act///
International aid officials acknowledge there is a
problem, though they describe it in more diplomatic
terms.
Catherine Bertini heads the U-N's World Food Program
and oversees United Nations aid efforts in the Horn of
Africa.
///Bertini act///
Does it provide a bit of relief to the
government that we are sending this additional
food because of the drought? Perhaps. But the
people who are drought affected, I believe, need
mass amounts of food from us no matter what. Do
we have an alternative? I don't think so.
///end act///
Under questioning from members of the House
International Relations Committee, Ms. Bertini
acknowledged her office is investigating reports aid
supplies for the hungry are being diverted by the
Ethiopian government.
///Bertini act///
The government sent about one-thousand one-hundred
thirty-two metric tons of food to displaced people.
And because we learned this after the fact, we
were not able to monitor this food and we must be
able to review it.
///end act///
Ms. Bertini said the United Nations is now reassessing
conditions in the region and will soon issue a new
appeal to donors. She said the top priority at this
time is improving roads that service main ports so aid
can be transported, and increasing shipments of
medicine and other non-food assistance. (Signed)
NEB/PW/KBK
18-May-2000 13:59 PM EDT (18-May-2000 1759 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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