Ethiopian New Agency
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Addis Ababa, April 2, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - The U.S. government supports the measure Ethiopia has taken to avert the danger that had been posed on it by extremists in Somalia, says Senator James M. Inhofe.
Sen. James Inhofe with Ethiopian PM Zenawi
After talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here on Monday, Senator Inhofe told journalists that Ethiopia's measure of defence against the danger posed on it by the extremist force in Somalia was commendable.
Ethiopia's measure made possible the deployment of the Ugandan peacekeeping mission, in the framework of AMISOM, where there are expectations that Nigeria and Ghana will follow suit, Senator Inhofe said.
He called on need for African nations and governments to provide the necessary support towards the realization of peace in Somalia and the diffusion of problems in the horn of Africa country.
He called for enhancement of such cooperation in various fields.
During talks, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said remnants of the fundamentalist force have begun activities of attack on the Uganda peacekeeping force.
He said Ethiopia and Somalia governments hold that a political solution should be found to settle the problem in Somalia sustainably.
As part of efforts to bring about sustainable peace, a Somali national reconciliation conference will soon be held, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Meles as saying.
About 3,000 Somalis are expected to attend the conference, 500 of whom will be Diasporic Somalis.
Source: ENA, April 03, 2007