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Eritrea denies role in Ethiopia kidnapping |
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Written by Reuters
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Thursday, 15 March 2007 |
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NAIROBI (Reuters) - Eritrea denied on Thursday Ethiopian charges that it had "masterminded and executed" the kidnapping of five Europeans and eight Ethiopians in a case that has stoked tensions between the Horn of Africa rivals.
The Europeans were freed on Tuesday in Eritrea 12 days after they were seized by gunmen in Ethiopia's remote north. The fate of the eight Ethiopians remained unknown. "This statement was made by Ethiopia because they think these kinds of statements will give them political mileage," Information Minister Ali Abdu told Reuters by telephone. "We not only deny this, but I think this is just a public relations stunt and if there is anyone who is wishing to indulge in public relations bluffing then let them enjoy it." Tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara have simmered since the once-close neighbours fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed more than 70,000 people. The freed Europeans were reunited with relatives on Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital, and asked to be left in peace by the media to come to terms with their experience. source:Reuters |
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