Ethiopia Bars Relief Workers

The Ethiopian government has recently decided to withdraw all foreign relief workers from Eritrea, one of the regions which has been hit most by the famine in Africa (Part I, April 7).

The decision, which comes as no surprise to us Eritreans as we have all along known about the Ethiopian government’s inhumane acts in Eritrea, is in line with Mengistu’s coercive policy which he has adopted since he undemocratically created his government. Mengistu Haile Mariam is the self-appointed president of Ethiopia.

There have been reports which indicate that relief funds, supplies, food, trucks and material slated for supporting relief projects in Eritrea have been misused and directed by the Ethiopian government towards military efforts in Eritrea, where a war for independence has been waged by Eritreans since 1961. CBS recently telecast news about Eritrea attesting to these claims.

I am convinced that the relief agencies which have been ordered out of Eritrea should continue to discharge their noble, humanitarian efforts in the areas controlled by the opponents of the Ethiopian government.

Reports indicate that over 85% of Eritrea is not controlled by Ethiopia and thus the Ethiopian government is in no position to provide security and protection for the relief workers and the population at large. Hence, it is justifiable if the relief workers go into Eritrea through Sudan.

Finally, since there must be peace in the region in order to implement long-term solutions, I think that ways and means of finding a peaceful solution to the Eritrean problem must be sought by all humanitarian and democratic individuals, agencies and governments.

ANBE KIFLEMARIAM

Los Angeles