THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 - Number 21, Part 1

A publication of Ethiopia & Eritrea RPCVs , an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association

The Hera ld #2 1 is in two parts. #1 focuses on topics relating to Eritrea, Ethiopia and Africa. #2, which will arrive separately, has all other topics ususally covered in A REPORT The Herald- news of friends, the Peace Corps, our group, books of interest, etc. Peace Initiative efforts by Leo Cecchini (Asmara 62-64)

lniicle HIS ARTICLE COVERS TWO (PL 480 and Section 41 6 programs for recent activities involving E&E those versed in US Government jargon). Letter to the T RPCV's peace initiative and the pros­ However, this would only be available UN Secretary-General , ...... 3 pects for peace. after clearing up the "problem" with The response ...... J USAID. Russom took advantage of the Afollow:up on the grain issue ... 4 Food Politics meeting to state that th~re are 63 ,000 News from the Horn ...... 6 Eritreans evicted from Ethiopia and over After receiving an appea l from Eritrean 400,000 Eritreans displaced by the war ·· AinbassadorShinncorrimentsr .. 17' UN Ambassador Haile Menkerios, I all of whom are in dire need of food. East Coast Regional Summit approached the State Department to see on Africa.: a report 19 why the US government had told Eritrea After the meeting I asked Russom about that the US had no gra in available for it the "problem" with USAID. He said that Report on assessment trip to now. I had told Menkerios that the US the outbreak of the war last year left camps f§rwar disp.laced in has plenty of grain and that there must some 50,000 tons of grain for Ethiopia Gash-Sarka ...... : ...... 20 be some policy snag. State told me that I at the port of Assab. Rather than let it go should talk to the US Department of to waste, Eritrea appropriated the grain ...... JO Agriculture. I then arranged a briefing at and distributed it in the Assab area. Agriculture for Eritrean Ambassador to USAID had demanded an accounting of the US Semere Russom and his staff. the disposal of this grain. The Ag people told Russom that they I then called Ambassador Menkerios in like working with Eritrea because it gets New York who informed me that the grain distributed quickly and subsequent to our last meeting he had efficiently. It also confirmed th at it was been made aware of the problem and planning to include Eritrea in the had given a written reply to the UN in coming yea r's allocations of grant food which Eritrea accepted all responsibility for the appropriated grain and gave an I noted th at Ambassador Menkerios has I described E&E RPCV's work over the accounting of its use. He said that the gone out on a limb by getting his last yea r. I sa id that we are still prepared UN accepted Eritrea's report as fu lfi 11 i ng government to accept the OAU formula to help administer the d isputed area its demands. I asked him to send me a and agree to withdraw from al I area s while the UN settles the border. Jeff said copy of the UN rep ly to pass on to claimed by the Ethiopians. I sa id that that after a cease-fire is in place the Agriculture. further delay weakens his position and if OAU will send in about 50 military he should be removed from the scene people to supervise the cease-fire. The [NOTE: For more about this topic, see there is little chance of any peaceful UN will later send some 100 people to "A follow-up on the grai n shipment resolution of the conflict. help the Ethiopians and Eritrea ns issue" on page 4.] administer the disputed areas. (S ubse­ I raised the point that the Ethiopians will quently, Dane sent a letter to UN not yield unti I the US and other donors Meeting at State Department Secretary General Kofi Annan once cut off all aid and ass istance to them. more offering E&E RPCV's services as an I went with National Peace Co rps Jeff said that the Ethiopians know that ad ministrator in th e disputed areas.) Association president Dane Smith the "full weight of the US and interna­ [Note: See letter on page 3, plus (Asmara 63-65)* to cal l on the new tional organizations will fall on them if respo nse.] Director of the Office of East African they renew hostilities." Dane asked Affa irs at the State Department on what actions the US and others would I raised the matter of no US grai n for October 13th. The Director, Jeff take shou ld that happen. Jeff responded Eritrea say ing it posed two problems, M illington, is an old colleague of mine that we would make our displeasure first, Eritreans wil I suffer if they do not from the days of bringing an end to the clear and unambiguous. It would appear rece ive any food aid, and second, since war in Mozambique. We reviewed the from these comments that the US we continue to supply grain to the state of play in negotiat ing an end to the Government will not cut off aid and Ethiopians, our refusal to do so for war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. ass istance unless th e Ethiopians attack Eritrea suggests that the US is biased in Eritrea again, thus allowing the Ethiopi­ its dealings with the two countries. Jeff Millington repeated what we know from ans to continue to stall and bleed the sa id that USAID sti ll demands a full other sources: The Eritreans have Eritreans slowly while negotiations accounting from Eritrea of the appropri­ accepted the OAU cease-fire proposal proceed. However, most observers ated grain. I said that since the UN while Ethiopia is still insisting on expect renewed heavy fi ghting if no accepts Eritrea's mea culpa and apolo­ clarifications and assurances. I said it cease-fi re is achieved. All know that gies with explanations about the grain, appeared as though the Ethiopians want they are working against the clock. why are we sti ll demanding our pound a precooked deal that will allow them to of fl es h. I added that the USA I D opera­ stay in the territories they regain under Dane as ked Jeff about the proposal tion in Eritrea has been a disaster since the cease-fire no matter how the border made during the Uohn] Garamendi its inception and this action proves my is demarcated. Jeff said the Ethiopians (Metu 66-68) visit and by others to hold point. Jeff said that the US Government are delaying because they question the peace negotiations in the US ala the is negotiating a resolution to the abi lity of the intern ational community to Camp David Accord s for the Middle problem and he expects grai n will be deliver an honest, unbiased so lution, East or the Dayton Accord for Bosnia. ava il ab le w hen needed. i. e. something acceptable to the Jeff said that they are 90% of the way to Ethiopians. Nevertheless the US Gov­ getting the OAU plan accepted and thus Jeff asked me why I had go ne to the ernment is working fu ll-tilt to get the the US sees no reaso n to launch another Department of Agricu Itu re w ith this Ethi opians to sign the OAU plan before formula for peace at this time. My problem si nce it is not blocking the a hot war begins again now that the dry susp icion is that if the OAU plan fails, grain shipments. I said that his office season has begun . He said a resolution the US will simply defer to the UN for a told me to go there and when Agricul­ w ill be achieved within th e next few next step, most likely a Security Council ture told me to go to USAID I realized weeks. reso lution to force both parties to a that I was on the o ld Washington Merry­ adopt a cease-fire, rather than try to Go-Round. I reiterated that, with the UN resolve it itself. abso lving Eritrea for the grain appropria­ *See article about Dane's appointment ti on, it is time for the US to follow su it. in the " Friends" section of The Herald, Part 2.

2 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 Whither the War? in several countries in w hich they have to bringing an end to this very destruc­ served. For example, when I was U.S. tive conflict. Th e US Government continues to lean Ambassador to Guinea, and subse­ more toward Ethiopia in this contest As the two sides hopefu lly enter the quently, as Pres ident Clinton's Spec ial than Eritrea. Th e rationale behind this final stages of adopting the 0.A.U.­ Envoy to Liberia (a role in which I met tilt is that our government be li eves it proposed cease-fire and fi nal reso lution w ith you as Under Secretary for Peace - mu st sustain what it perceives to be a of the dispute, I ask that you consider Keeping), I worked close ly with the frag ile reg ime in Ethiopia to prevent taking advantage of th e E&E RPCV s' FRIENDS OF LIBERIA, Returned Peace Corps chaos in the Horn of Africa. My repl y is proposal to deploy certain of its mem­ Volunteers who had se rved in that th at with no government and a lawless bers as administrators of the disp uted country and an NPCA affiliate, to soci ety in Somal ia and a brutal war areas, during the peace-keeping phase mobilize Ameri ca n public support for a between Eth iopia and Eritrea, how until th e border question is reso lved. peace settlement. FRIENDS OF LIBERIA much more chaos could there be? contributed a number of monitors to the However, if the Ethiopians should attack We will be happy to provide additional Liberian election of 1996. aga in, the US will ca ll them to task. My information on th e group and its plan for administering th e areas, if you are fea r is that Ethiopia will eventual ly Another of our member groups, ET HIOPIA interested. We would be pleased to prevai l in armed conflict by sheer force ANO ERITREA RETURNED PEACE CORPS arrange a briefing for you and your staff of numbers. Again, keep your fingers VOLUNTEERS (E&E RPCVs ), has been on their qua lifications and how they crossed and hope the Ethiopians accept engaged in the search for a peaceful plan to do the job. th e cease-fire. resolution to the border war between those two countries. Over the past year I look forward to hearin g from you. this group has met the leaders of both countries in th e United States and in Sincerely, their respective capitals, as well as with Dane F. Smith, Jr. other concerned parties such as the Letter to the UN Secretary­ President (a nd Ambassador retd) Ceneral U. N. and representati ves of several African states, keeping th e U.S. State c. Dr. Susan Rice, Asst Secretary of State O ctober 15, 1999 Department informed. As a resu lt the for African Affairs E&E RPCVs have developed and put H. E. Kofi Annan forward proposals to ass ist the efforts of Secretary-General the peace efforts of the U.N. and the Th e United Nations 0.A.U. The response New York NY 1001 7 28 October 1999 One particularly creative and useful Dea r Mr. Sec retary-General: proposal has been that E&E RPCVs serve Dear Mr. Smith, My organization, the National Peace temporarily as neutral administrators of Corps Association, represents more than th e disputed areas, alongs ide U.N. or On behalf of the Secretary-General, I 1 00,000 Ameri ca ns who have served as 0 .A.U. peace-keepers, during the wish to acknowledge receipt of your Volunteers of the U.S. Peace Corps, period between the w ithdrawa l of the letter of 1 5 October on the possible doing development work a th e loca l contending armed forces and the final contribution of the ETHI OP IA AND ERITREA level in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the demarcation of the border between RETU RNED PEACE COR PS VOLUNTEERS to the Pa cific Islands and Eastern Europe. Ethiopia and Eritrea. This proposal is searc h for peace in the tragi c conflict based on the evident acceptance by between Eritrea and Ethiopi a. Our members continue to have a strong both sides of the absolute neutrality of Following the acceptance by both sides interest in the welfare and well-being of th e RPCV administrators, their proven of the OAU Framework Agreement and the peoples of th e developing world. ability to fu nction effectively in both the Modalities for its Implementation, Over the past few yea rs a number of our countri es, the respect in which they are the Tec hnica l Arrangements for the members - Returned Peace Corps held by populations on both sides of the Implementation of the framework Voluntee rs - have played an active role border, and their singular commitment in trying to reso !ve peacefully confl icts Agreement were prepared through a

Winter 1999- 2000 THE HERALD 3 joint effort of OAU/ UN/US and have been presented to the two parties. Eritrea accepted the Technical Arrange­ A follow-up on the grain ments on 8 August whereas Ethiopia has reserved its position and requested shipment issue clarifications, which were given on 23 by Marian Haley Beil August.

With Ethiopia reaffirming its intention to pursue further consultations with OAU in order to resolve the conflict peace­ fully, efforts are under way, spear­ headed by the Special Envoy of the ON NOVEMBER 4 THE FOLLOW­ sion (ERREC) to account for the OAU Current Chairman, to overcome ing email was sent to all those for whom grain. USAID, which is also the remaining difficulties. The OAU we have email addresses in our data­ demanding an accounting for th e Special Envoy enjoys the full confidence base. It was also posted at our web site. missing gra in, is not satisfied w ith and support of the United Nations. the arrangement made by the UN Steering Committee member and and demands a better reply from We are at present very concerned about chairman of our group's Peace Eritrea before any additional grain a possible resumption of hostilities as Initiative project, -Leo Cecchini, can be shipped from the USA to we witness the almost daily exchange of has se nt this plea for help in a Eritrea . hostile propaganda between the two vital matter: parties, and the Secretary-General has I am told that the US admin istra­ been appealing for maximum restraint Eritrea needs your help. Following tion, except for USA ID, is willing on the military front as well as in their a comment made by Eritrean to accept the Eritrean reply to the public statements. However, let me Ambassador to the UN Haile UN and move on, especially to be assure you that we will keep in mind the Menkarios to me in New York, I ready to supply emergency grain offer of the National Peace Corps have taken several steps to clear to Eritrea if required. However, the Association in the context of ass isting in an impediment to continued rest of the ad ministration has been the implementation of a peace agree­ supp ly of US food ass istance to unable to get USAI D to cha nge its ment that hopefu lly will be reach ed Eritrea. position. soon . The problem, in quick terms: It would be helpful if you would lbrahima Fall send email letters to USAID's When the war broke out, a Administrator, J. Brady Anderson Assistant Secretary-General considerable amount of grain at [email protected] urging for Political Affairs supp li ed by the US and other him to clear this obstacle to US countries, under the World Food grain shipments to Eritrea. You Program (WFP) of the UN, for should make the fo llowing points: Ethiopia was trapped in the port of Assab, Eritrea [prior to the war, 1. At this time the war is relatively Assab was the primary port used quiet but now that the rainy by Ethiopia]. The grain was seas on is at an end it cou ld subsequently used by the Eritre­ erupt at any time into full­ ans . Following inquiries by the fledged battle. O n the peace­ UN as to the grain's whereabouts, see king front, Eritrea has Eritrea told the UN that it is accepted the peace formula responsible for any lost gra in . The prese nted by the Organization UN subsequently instructed the of Africa n Unity (OAU). WFP to work with the Eritrean Ethiopia has not. Relief and Rehabilitation Commis-

4 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 In sp ite of this fact, the US erroneously quoted me as saying impartial beginning for finding a refuses to supply vital food "robbery is not a crime" and heaven peaceful end to this terrible war. assistance to Eritrea but knows w hat els e. Most of the messages 7. People who served as Peace Corps continues to supp ly it to from Ethiopians have voiced strong Volunteers or staff in Ethi opia and Ethiopia without interruption. condemnation of our ema il - so me in Eritrea don't want to see anyone ni cer terms than oth ers. Those from 2. The US refusal to supply food suffering, much less starving - Eritrea ns support our message. ass istance to Eritrea demon­ neither Ethiopians nor Eritreans. strates a clea r US Government Should you find yourself in a discussion 8. ETHIOPIA & ERITREA RETURNED PEACE bias toward Ethiopia thus on this topic, let me add a few points CORPS VOLUNTEERS, as an organiza­ seve rely diminishing any from Leo and Steering Committee tion concerned about the welfare of chance that it can play a role in member Jim Solomon: people of both countries, was bringing a peaceful end to this 1. The lost grain was replaced by the presented with an opportunity to war. US and other donors so Ethiopian help alleviate suffering in Eritrea . 3. The UN has accepted the children did not suffer. Ethiopia has We have in the past, and we stand Eritrea n rep ly on the lost grain received full allocations of all grain ready now and in the future, to do matter. It would make sense for aid earmarked for it. whatever we can to ease suffering the US to follow its lead. in Ethiopia and bring the conflict 2. Eritrea has given the UN a satisfac­ between Ethiopia and Eritrea to an 4. In the interests of promoting the tory accounting of the grain and has end. We welcome any suggestions peace process and ensuring pledged to compensate for the loss. along these lines. that no Eritreans suffer food 3. If the grain had not been utilized by shortages, we ask th at USAID the Eritreans it would have rotted reso lves the lost grain issue on the docks for lack of transport to using the WFP/ERREC format Ethi opi a. and res ume the supply of grain to Eritrea . 4. In spite of Ethiopia now rejecting the OAU peace formula, the US has I believe that if we ca n get thi s sti ll not cut off aid to Ethiopia food assista nce issue resolved, the including food aid- unlike other peace process may get some new donor countries. The US still denies life. At present the Eritrea ns say aid to Eritrea. that the rest of the world has abandoned them and they are 5. Th ere is a large body of opinion preparing to go it alone. arguing that all aid be cut off to both Ethiopia and Eritrea until they accept the OAU peace formula. Eritrea has accepted. Ethiopia has BEGINNING IN EARLY DECEMBER, not. It would appear that Ethiopia E&E RPCVs began receiving emails from needs to be pressed to accept the Ethiopians and Eritreans - eight in peace proposal. all - who had seen the above notice at our website, and some who appear to 6. The OAU formula for peace is an have seen my emai l address posted at African response to an African an Ethiopian web site th at evidently had problem. It is not being imposed by those outside Africa. It is a fair and

Winter 1999-2000 THE HERALD 5 And now for the news -

~ December 24, 1998 Professor Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini recently ~ January 21 The Eritrean Ministry Asrat Woldeyes, renowned surgeon and reaffirmed Italy's intention to return the of Foreign Affairs condemned the human rights activist, was released from obelisk. ERev 1-3/99 issuance of a travel warning to Eritrea an Ethiopian prison due to health ~ January 9, 1999 The Commercial by the US State Department: "The reasons. He had been in prison since Bank of Ethiopia has confiscated the Government of Eritrea therefore finds 1994, accused with inciting a rebellion property of more than 200 Eritreans who th e travel warning issued by the US as the President of the AAPO [All­ were departed. An auction will be held Government on account of the threat of Amhara People's Org.]. He then in an effort to recover outstanding loans. war ema nating from the TPLF regime underwent medical treatment in ERev 1-3/99 both unjustified and unfair. The letter and spirit of the warning is not accept­ Houston, Texas for a heart condition, ~ January 9-16 Repres entatives of diabetes and loss of vision. Congress­ students and youth of African countries ab le as it ca n only exacerbate the woman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and the Diaspora, meeting in current tension . In our view, the right visited him at the hospital. His release Johannesburg, South Africa, issued a course of action ... should have been was only for medical treatment abroad peace proposal statement which they to employ its diplomatic leverage to as a result of long standing protests by will send to the two governments exert the necessary pressure to avert war Amnesty International and other human involved in the border conflict, the UN rather than giving in ... to the threats rights organizations. Further charges and and the government of the United and ultimatums that are being issued by a return to prison would follow upon his States. It called on the South African the TPLF regime ... " Er Prof return to Ethiopi a. (Note: Dr. Asrat Students' Congress to endorse the peace ~ January 2 1 Ethiopia ordered the Woldeyes died in Philadelphia in late plan. ErProf closing of primary and secondary May. His legacy for a patriotic and schools and the college of agriculture in ~ January 12 Eritrea's Ministry of unifying national leadership will be Foreign Affairs accused Ethiopia of the Tigray Region which were along the sorely missed.) ERev 1-3/99 planning attacks against Eritrea. The border with Eritrea. A diplomatic source ~ The case of Dr. Taye Ethiopian government was reported to also told the Al-Hayat news of Addis Woldesemayat, president of the Ethio­ have declared "the peace process has Ababa that many Ethiopians are emi­ pian Teachers Association, was post­ come to an end," despite continued grating toward the center of the country poned until April 11. Dr. Taye has been efforts by the OAU to resolve the away from the Eritrean border. ErProf in prison since 1996 on charges of conflict. Er Prof ~ January 22 The Daily Nation, armed conspiracy against the govern­ Nairobi, Kenya, reported that Kenya has ~ January 15 The Oromo Liberation ment. His ri ghts as a political prisoner expa nded its security on its border with Army cla imed that it had overrun two have been denied wh il e in prison . ERev military garrisons of "Tigrean occupa­ Ethiopia after the Oromo Liberation 1-3/99 tion forces" in the Borana region and Army attacked two military garrisons in ~ Ethiopia's bid to get back the one- had wiped them out. Civilians were southern Ethiopia. More than 60 Ethiopian forces were reported killed thousand year old Obelisk of Axum has warned to keep away from the area. and hundreds of others were wounded. been delayed by the border war and Er Prof because of the closeness of Axum to the ERev 1-3/99 ~ January 1 8 Anthony Lake, who is front. The great statue was taken to January A second peace heading U.S. efforts to bring a peaceful ~ 23-24 Rome in 193 7 by Mussolini. It is the conference for religious leaders of resolution to the border dispute, met only obelisk carved on all four sides. It Ethiopia and Eritrea was held in Frank­ with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is now on display outside the U.N. Food after having earlier met with Ethiopian furt, Germany. ErProf and Agricultural Organization in Rome. officials. ErProf

6 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 .,. Janu ary 24 President Daniel Moi .,. February 5 The Ethiopian Embassy and the OAU cal led for an immediate of Ken ya met Eritrean President Is aias in Washington reported that two halt to the fighting. " I urge both parties Afwerki to discuss the border confl ict. Eritrean planes dropped bombs on to halt the fighting immediate ly. If the Er Prof Adigrat. Eritrea has denied the report. confl ict continues, its human and .,. Amnesty International representa- EForum economic cost will be incalculable for tives visited Ethiopia in October, 1998, .,. February 5 Reuters News Agency the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea. A and Eritrea in January, 1999, to examine reported that an Eritrean official said the peaceful solution ca n and must be allegations from both sides of human Adigrat bombing was a lie. EForum found without delay, " Clinton's state­ rights ab uses by interviewing returnees .,. February 5 The Ministry of ment said. He also called on both sides from both countries. At least 22,000 Foreign Affairs accused Ethiopia of to honor a June, 1998 moratorium on Ethiopians have returned to Ethiopia opening a new front in Tsorona, central ai r strikes. The opposition Eritrean from Eritrea si nee May, 1998, most after Eritrea with a deployment of 55,000 Liberation Front called on all nations to losing their jobs and becoming destitute men. Ethiopia's stated reason was to pressure Eritrea to accept the peace and some in fea r of reprisals. No combat an imminent attack by Eritrea plan. Ethiopia reportedly accepted the evidence was found to support on industrial cities in northern Tigrai OAU proposals but Eritrea asked for Ethiopia's allegations that 40,000 of its and the obelisk in Axum. ErProf clarification on two key points. ERev 1- citizens had been forcibly deported 3/99 .,. February 6 Eritrea claims to have from Eritrea since May, 1998. Amnesty defeated two Ethiopian brigades on two .,. February 10 The Joint Task Force Int' I appealed to Ethiopia to stop the fronts (Badme and Zala Ambessa), of Ethiopian Political and Civic Organi­ deportati ons and the i 11 treatment of taking more than 100 soldiers prisoner zations organized worldwide prayer deportees. ErProf with thousands more wounded or killed. services at Ethiopian Orthodox churches .,. Febru ary 5 Agence France Presse Ethiopia is accused of bombing raids in on the occasion of Ethiopian Christmas . reported statistics of the Ethiopian and Adi Quala (south of Mendefera) and International human rights groups Eritrean militaries as a result of the Lailai Deda. estimated that there are 13,000 prison­ border dispute buildup: ers of conscience in Ethiopia. ERev 1-3/ Each side accused the other of renewing 99 Ethiopia is reported to have 320,000 the fighting which took place at the so ldiers versus 2 70,000 Eritrea n troops Badme-Sheraro and Mereb-Setit fronts. .,. February 11 Ethiopia declares facing off along the 600 mile long ErProf EForum Eritrean ambassador to Ethiopia persona border. Ethiopia has purchased Sukhoi- non grata and gives him 24 hours to .,. February 6 Ethiopian Airlines 27 fighter-bombers and Ml•8 and Ml-24 leave the country. Other embassy staff changed its hub of operations to Nairobi helicopters from Russia. It also has 30 had been previously expelled. EForum due to the threats of border conflict. reconditioned MiG-2 1 sand MiG-23s in .,. Feburary 11 US advises Ameri- ERev 1-3/99 its Air Force. One hundred Soviet ca ns to leave both Ethi opia and Eritrea . .,. Febru ary 7 Heavy fighting technicians are training the military at NY Times continued on various fronts along the Debre Zeit. Ethiopia also has two US .,. Febru ary 1 2 The Associated Press border. Hercu les C-130 transport planes. It also reported on th e growing number of .,. Febru ary 8 Fighting expands to received approximate ly 100 T- 55 tanks misplaced perso ns due to the war. the Ts oron a front, strategi c in it position in late 1998 from Bulgaria. China has 12,000 are displaced in the area around controlling access to Dekemahare. supplied fi eld artillery. It is estimated Tsorona. Three ca mps are located near EForum th at Ethiopia has spent more than $300. the battlefield, and, on occasion, .,. February 8 Th e White House million. Officially, 12 % of Ethiopia's civilians there have been killed or issues a statement of concern regarding annual budget of $1 .6 bill ion (o r $192 wounded by shelling. million goes for the armed forces. the outbreak of heavy fighting. .,. February 12 Residents of Massawa .,. Both countries claim victory in the Eritrea has re ceived MiG-29s and marked the 9th anniversary of its current fighting. PanAfrican News Italian-he! icopters. liberation from Ethiopian forces back in Al so reported by th e Ethiopian govern­ Agency 1990. ErProf .,. February 1O Fighting raged with ment: Eritrea bombarded Ethiopian .,. February 1 3 Eritreans deny artil lery attacks by both sides as Presi­ positions in the Bad me region on Feb . 4. Ethiopia's claims of 7,000 Eritreans dent Clinton, the UN Security Council EForum killed or wounded. Eritrea says it killed

Winter 1998-99 THE HER A LD 7 1,500, wounded 3,000in fighting in the ~ February 10 Ethiopia says it wi II abouts were unknown. Eritrea filed a last week. accept no truce without the pullback of protest with the International Court of ~ February 14 Ethiopia bombs near Eritrea forces from contested lands. Justi ce at the H ague. ErProf

Assab, troops from both countries mass ~ February 10 Ethiopia says heavy ~ Representative Tom Car1pbell of at Bure on the border southeast of fighting continues, Eritrea says it is quiet California is reported by Th e Washing­ Assab. Eritrea orders residents of Zala along the border. ton Post Foreign Service to have Ambessa to evacutate. AP, Reuters ~ Eritrea says that thousands have advocated a one-to-one meeting ~ February 15 According to a report been displaced from their homes by the between the two leaders of Eritrea and by Patrick Gilkes of The BBC World border fighting. Ethiopia. ErProf

Service, Ethiopia took delivery of eight ~ February 11 Ethiopia apologizes ~ March Eritrea rejected an Ethio- Sukhoi 27 fighter aircraft, and Eritrea for 5 civilian deaths in deportee camps pian demand that "Eritrea withdraw acquired eight to ten Mig-29s. These are near Badme. completely, unilateral, and uncondition­ much improved from the MiG-21 sand ~ February 19 Regional expert, Mr. ally from remaining Ethiopian territory." MiG-23 from the Marxist regime of Patrick Gilkes, wrote for the BBC: "It The OAU plan requests that Eritrean Mengistu Haile Mariam. Libya, Bulgaria, has been estimated that each side is troops redeploy from Badme and its Italy, and Qatar reportedly helped fund spending a million dollars a day. But environs. This is asked of Eritrea as a weapons for Eritrea. Russia and China this is likely to be a considerable under­ sign of goodwill. "This shall not pre­ have helped fund Ethiopian planes and estimate." judge the final status of this area." ErProf attack helicopters. The aircraft received ~ February 21 Ethiopia bombs ~ March 5 Eritrean Minister of reportedly cost Eritrea $150 million and Assab airport. Foreign Affairs, Haile Weldensae held Ethiopia $160 million. Ethiopia is ~ February 23 Ethiopia says it has talks with an OAU high level delega­ raising money from Ethiopians abroad inflicted heavy los ses on Eritrea in tion . He reaffirmed Eritrea's acceptance and asking for "voluntary donations" fighting at the Badme and Tsorona fronts of the OAU Framework Agreement locally to provide food and medical during the last two days . AfNews which was communicated to the supplies for the troops. ERev 1-3/99 chairman of the OAU on February 27. ~ February 26 Eritrea says Ethiopia ~ February 20 Alexander Last of He stated that Eritrea is committed to an broke through the line at Badme. Reuters reported that a European Union immed iate cease fire and cessation of Ethiopia claims victory. AfNews delegation could not mediate a cease­ hostilities, and that a high-level body is ~ February 2 7 Eritrea pulls out of fire agreement based on the OAU estab lished to implement the provisions Badme after 4 days of fierce fighting. framework agreement calling for Eritrea of the Framework Agreement. ErProf to withdraw to territory it held before ~ February 28 Paul Lewis of Th e ~ Eritrean President Is aias Afwerki in the border conflict started on May 6, New York Times reported that Eritrea a National Television interview accused 1998. Eritrea has repeatedly demanded had accepted the OAU plan calling for Ethiopia of refusing the same framework the withdrawal of both armies from the the withdraw of Eritrean forces from agreement it had accepted before. He disputed territory and the introduction Badme and a red efi nition of the dis­ stated three preconditions Ethiopia has of a monitoring force into the area. puted border by neutral experts after demanded: 1. Eritrea must pull out of all Ethiopian forces apparently smashed Ethiopia launched a major infantry areas "occupied" before May 6, 1998. through its defenses and appeared to be attack after intensive artillery attacks on These disputed areas have not been pushing deep in the direction of the Red the Badme Front. James Foley of the US defined. 2. Ethiopia would reestablish Sea . ERev 1-3/99 State Department issued a statement administration aga in after Eritrea pulls saying "The US government deeply ~ Thirty-n ine university exchange out of the "disputed" area. 3. Eritrea regrets the use of air power by Ethiopia students from Asmara were released must pay for the destruction it caused - in th e current conflict, in particular after being in detention for eight months after expelling 54,000 Eritreans from against economic targets and near in an Ethiopian camp. ErProf Ethiopia and confiscating their property. civilian population centers." ERev 1-3/ ~ The residence of the former Eritrean He stated that " It seems that the TPLF 99 ambassador to Ethiopia was raided, and regime is intent on continuing the war ~ February 26 After fo ur days of his luggage was taken before he was until either we or itself is finally de­ fierce fighting Ethiopian forces broke expelled from Ethiopia. Embassy staff stroyed. A kind of suicidal through the Badme line and recaptured were also arrested and their where- war ... . trying to drive a wedge the town. ERev 1-3/99

8 THE HERALD Winter 1998-99 between the people and the government 90% of the revenue generated from to 60 to join in military training. EReg 5/ of Eritrea is futile and the TPLF know it. Assab. Eritrea's foreign exchange has 99 dropped to a level lasting for three Th e idea is to humiliate the otherwi se ... March 13-1 6 Eritrea says Ethiopia months from seven months. Inflation indomitable and unyielding Eritrean has launched a major offensive on the has ri se n to 9% from 2%. According to people." ErProf Tsorona front. Eritrea n counteroffensives Ato Habte Abraha of the Eritrea n ... A two million year o ld foss il was to recapture Badme were unsuccessful. Refugee and Rehab. Commission, over discovered in Dander, Eritrea. The fossil Ethiopia claimed ai r superiority in the 500,000 Eritreans were exposed to has not been definitely identified but is destruction of a convoy of 30 military fa mine and needed immediate relief one meter long and weighs 55 kilos. It is trucks full of soldiers heading for the supplies. Eritrea has appealed to 15 guessed that it is either a warthog or a front on M arch 18. EReg 5/99 international aid agencies for cash hi ppopotamus. ErProf ... M arch 20 Th e Associated Press w hi ch would purchase food and to ... March 9 The Oromo Liberat ion reported hundreds of bodies of Ethio­ contribute blankets, medicine, tents and Front (OLF) and the Ogaden National pian so ldiers lay on the battlefield at the ve hicles . Attempts to buy teff through Li beration Front (ON LF) in a joint Tso rona front following three days of th ird parties and sorg hum from Sudan statement cal led on their respective battle which ended on 3/16. Eritrea have been turned back. EReg 5/99 peopl es not to take part in the border claims to have killed 10,000 Ethi opian ... Reports persist th at the Ethiopian war stating "this border conflict ca n be so ldiers in th at fight, Ethiopia acc used government is forcing yo ung men and reso lved peacefu 1l y and there is no need Eritrea of lying. Fi ghting was also women aged 18 to 25 to join the arm y to go to war ... This trend of events reported on two other fronts: along th e as regular so ldiers in Addis Ababa and must come to an end. Oppressed Mereb Ri ver and at Zalambessa. Oromia in th e South. Farmers are being peoples shou Id not fight wars that do ... M arch 22 Ethiopia expelled Ato coerced into rural militias. Th e Eritrea not concern them. There we renew ou r Girma Asmerom, Eritrea's Ambassador Youths National Assoc iati on has ca l I to our peoples not to take part in to Ethiopia and the OAU, charging that reported gathered 25,000 from ages 18 thi s border war." ErProf Ato Girma was involved in a network to ... March 18-19 The Econom ist destabilize the country. ER eg 5/99 reported that in the four days of fightin g ... March 26 Eritrea ns in 35 major in late February at the battle for Badme citi es in the world took part in a peace up to 40,000 so ldiers were kil led or march to bring about an immediate end injured. After its initial attacks were INTERESTED to the border war. turned back, Ethiopia laun ched a ... March 29 Eritrea accuses Ethiopia barrage of air strikes from bombers IN SOME of an ai r strike aga inst civilian targets at fi ghters and helicopter guns hips fo i'­ Adi Keshi and th e Koferenko area. lowed by attacks by division after BACKGROUND? Er Prof division to drive Eritrea out. Eritrea There was an excellent arti cle in ... March 29 Th e Africa n Caribbean acknowledged defeat by announcing it The New York Times, Sunday, Pacific European Union (ACP-EU), would accept the OAU peace proposal. March 14, 1999, page 16 of the meet ing in Strasbourg, France, adopted Other bitter issues to be sett led include "Week in Review" section a resolution ca lling for an immediate demands for reparations and the cruel entitled "Wherever That Town Is, cease-fire in th e bord er conflict and the legacy from the mass deportation of tens Someone Will Die for It" by Ian implementation of the OAU Framework of thousands of Eritreans as well as Fisher. It includes a summary of Agreement. ErProf thousands of Ethiopians who have the major treaties that have been returned from Eritrea claiming abusive ... March 31 Twenty-one codefen- referenced in the the sett in g of treatment. ER ev 1-3/99 da nts 0f Professor Asrat Woldeyes were the boundary between Ethi opia sentenced from three up to 20 yea rs ... It was reported by Ato Wolday and Eritrea and discussion of how after witnesses testified th at th e codefen­ Fittur, Advisor to th e Eritrean Ministry of eac h side interprets th em. Th e dants were victims of torture and were Finan ce that Eritrea's growth rate has arti cle is ava i Ia ble from our fo rced to sign false confess ions. Th e been cut in half from 8% to 4% follow­ librari an. court did not add ress the claims of ing the severa nce of trade through th e torture. Dr. Asrat was allowed to go to port of Assab. Th e resu lt was a loss of Houston, Texas for hea lth reaso ns but is

Winter 1998 99 THE HERALD 9 to return for trial. EReg 5/99 .- April 15 Ethiopia lau nched ai r ca lling for a cease-fi re in the conflict .- Students of Awassa Agricultural attacks against Sawa - Eritrea's main between Ethiopia and Eritrea . College and Alemaya Agricultural military training ca mp where all youth Th e Eritrea n Ministry of Foreign Affairs University held protests over various must train, north of Tesseney, as well as issu ed a sta tement saying, "The regim e issues. Students took their president Adi Keih and Mendefera. The deaths of in Addis Ababa is sat isfied that it has hostage for one day following the 2 chi ldren were reported. Thi s after a successfully thwarted any chance for suspension of their represe·ntative and lull in the fighting since late March. peace through the introduction of 11th his detainment by police. Classes .- April 15 U.S. Ambassador to hour preconditions and seeks to resumed following the release of the Ethiopia calls for Eritrea to withdraw conti nu e a war of aggression against student. EReg 5/99 from a contested areas. Eritrea. ErProf 6/12/99 .- Students of grades 11 and 12 from .- April 16 The US State Department .- April 28 Two Ethiopian fighter Medhane Alem and Harar Secondary iss ued a statement that "the US does not pl anes bombed grazi ng areas in western Schools accused loca l officials of the support any preconditions for an Eritrean on the day of a visit by UN Harari Kil Iii of discriminating in the immediate cease-fire." ErProf Special Envoy Ambassador Mohammed recruitment of students for the war .- Eritreans in California have raised Sahnoun. On April 26, Mr. Sahnoun effort. They asked that Harari students US $3 .2 million on the way to a goal of had praised Eritrea's readiness to put be recruited as were students from other US $9 million. into effect the OAU Framework Agree­ ethnic groups. EReg 5/99 .- Lions in eastern Harerge have killed ment. The Ethiopian regime cla ims that .- April 8 Somali warlords Hussein 30 hyenas in the worst war between Eritrea " has accepted the cease-fire Aideed and Ali Mohammed complain ed lions and hye nas in years . Six lions were alone without agreeing to the full to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan reportedly killed. Local residents dared package." Eritrea ca lls this a false that Ethiopia had taken control of the not intervene and were kept awake by statement, and claims Ethiopia is using administration of the towns of the intense noise. EReg 5/99 its own preconditions to stall the peace process. ErProf Buluhawo and Dolo and that the .- April 19 Fatuma Roba won her government was sending arm s to third straight Boston Marathon with her .- May 1 Meeting in Doha, Quatar, destabilize Somalia. UN intervention fourth best time ever of 2 hours, 23 President Isai as Afwerki and Sudan 's was requested . EReg 5/99 minutes and 25 seconds, She said "Th e General Omar Al-Beshir agreed to .- April 14 Ethiopian Prime Minister fl ag they (her countrymen) gave me in restore and normalize relations between Meles Zen aw i told journalist Richard the hilly area gave me a boost, and I the two countries. Quatar and Eritrea Dawson that Ethiopia was ready to started running. also agreed to promote close coopera­ tion in trade and investment. ErProf agree to a cease-fire if Eritrea first .- April 26 State Dept. spokesma n agreed to pull out of all occupied James Rubin stated that the U.S. is again .- May 3 Eritrea and Sudan restore Ethiopian territory by a certain deadline. diplomati c ties. This was a step forward from a previous .. May 8 The first plant in Ethiopia policy of only offering to stop fighting if to produce televisions sets opened in Eritrea first withdrew from all occupied Kaliti . The parent company is Turkish. territories including Badme (prior to any Asmara .- Th e OAU ca ll ed for an immediate a cease-fire agreement). EReg 5/99 ressernev . '''};.;:iefe ~ .. • oe kerna ~ cease-fire in the fighting and agreed to Badm_ ff' · if; • J..~--'.' Ambessa ._ Apri I 14-1 5 Eritrean President h1 rar • U

10 THE HERALD Winter 1998-99 ~ In many staged demonstrations in CHIC DAMBACH (Co lombia 67-69) the ones that will be available six days, Washington DC, members of the [former persident of the N PCAJ, met six months, six years, or thousands more Solidarity of Ethiopian Political Prison­ with Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea dead from today. The issues separating ers Committee have denounced the and Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the leaders are no longer i nsurmount­ government for recruiting children as Ethiopia, as well as other government able. We believe face-to-face meetings, so ldiers, human rights violations, and and religions leaders in both countries . facilitated by a third party, between exposing tens of thousands of Ethiopians ~ In his meeting with the group of representatives of the leaders and then to warfare and death. ErProf returned Peace Corps volunteers between the leaders wi II produce a ~ May 1 0 Th e Ministry of Foreign President Isaias Afwerki told the group reasonable, fair and lasting peace. It is Affairs reported that two full divisions of of Eritrea's acceptance of the OAU the time for leaders on both sides to Ethiopian troops invaded the Burie framework and re ad iness to implement become heroes for peace, not for front, 70 kilo meters west of Asseb. An it in good faith. President Isaias stated war ... The team will do all it can to Ethiopian offensive on the Mereb Setit that "the restoration of the status quo encourage President Clinton to invite

front was repulsed. The next day an all­ that existed before May 61 1998 is not the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea to a day assault was made by Ethiopia, along tenable. The status quo constitutes and peace conference in America." ErProf the Burie and Alitena-Mereb fronts. cannot be other than the respect of ~ June 16 The Humanitarian Times colonial treaties and associated bound­ ~ May 13 President Isaias met with reports that there were more than aries." He stated that "administration of Libya's President Moammar Khadafi of 20,000 casualties from heavy fighting the disputed areas cannot be a problem Libya to try to peacefully resolve the during the previous week. crisis in the Africa n Great Lakes region. as adm inistration in the legal sense Er Prof cannot be divorced from sovereignty. ~ June 22 A new airlift of Ethiopian The framework agreement has provi­ ~ May 15 Ethiopia announces air Jews to Israel began. A total of 3,800 sions for these issues .... Eritrea attack on Zalambessa causing heavy expect to emigrate by the end of the welcomes direct talks at any level." The damage. year. team then took its peace mission to ~ May 16 Ethiopia bombs sites in ~ A new secondary school has been Addis Ababa. ErProf 6/12/99 Massawa. inaugurated at Adi Tekelezan, Zoba ~ John Garamendi's report about the Anseba, Eritrea, at a cost of 2.2 million ~ May 1 7 Ethiopia has raised peace efforts of the team of Returned nakfa. Local residents raised ten percent question of " interpretation " regarding Peace Corps Volunteers appeared in the of the cost. the OAU peace proposal. Eritrean Profile. Quoting a part of his ~ June 26 Eritrea reports Ethiopian ~ May 25 Eritrea reports new report's conclusion: "S ince the team planes bombed the Assab airport area fighting on border initiated by Ethiopia does not have adequate resources to with no loss of life. It also reported that which sustained over 2,000 casualties. investigate the actual events and 18,000 Ethiopian soldiers were killed or ~ The Ethiopian Human Rights boundaries that are in question, it did wounded in intense fighting June 9-16. Council has been registered as a not attempt to assess responsibility for Ethiopia claimed 32,000 Eritrean nongovernmenta l, nonpolitical, nonpar­ the cause of the war ... The team's casualties. Both denied the other's tisan, civic organization by the govern­ message was consistent in both capi­ claims. Additional fighting was said to ment following an application for same tals - the war must end now! The war have taken place June 25. in 1991. has become a stalemate with neither ~ June 9-16 A team lead by JOHN side capable of ac hi ev ing a military ~ June 28 Kenya closed its border GARAMENDI (Metu 66-68) travelled to victory. Too many lives have already with Somalia after more than 400 Asmara and Addis Ababa in an effort to been lost, econom ic and social progress Somali militia-pursued by the Eritrean­ find a peacefu I solution to the border has been arrested and set back, and backed Oromo Liberation Front of conflict. The team, including MELVIN chaos and conflict threaten to engulf the Ethiopia crossed into Kenya, surrounded FOOTE (73-75) [Executive Director of entire region . Ultimately Ethiopia and a Kenyan army unit, took its vehicles the Constituency for Africa], BILL Eritrea must I ive together and get along and fled back to Somalia. The items CANBY (staff 62-64) [U.S. Federal peacefully because they are locked into were returned after Kenyan jets flew Appellate Court Judge in Phoenix], a symbiotic relationship that is dictated missions over Somalia. EReg 8/99 MIKE MCCASKEY (F iche 65-67) by geography and culture. The solutions [Chairman of the Chicago Bears] and to end the conflict are the same today as

Winter 1998-99 THE HERALD 11 ... Ethiopia sent more than 2,000 billion. Already in mid-June, 1 billion African Unity (OAU) framework troops eq uipped w ith heavy artillery and birr was transferred from the capital agreement accepted by the warring armored personnel carriers into Somalia budget to be used for the military . So parties. crossing the border at Dolo. Th eir the total military budget is 3.5 billion ... Julys Er itreareportedthatl,410 mission was to pursue rebels from th e birr. Th ere is a 3 billion birr budget Eritrean civilians deported from Addis Oromo Liberat ion Front, the Ogadeni deficit fo r next year, according to the Ababa arrived at the port city of Assab. National Liberation Front and Al-lttihad Minister of Finance of th e OPDO. This .,.. July 10-14 At the OAU Peace A ll slamiyya which Ethiopia believes are is to be covered with the sa le of bonds Summit in Algeri a, a peace proposal all getting support from Eritrea through and treasury bills and possibly borrow­ in vo lving the Framework Agreement Hussen Aideed. Mr. Aideed condemned ing from banks. The budget for the and implementation was adopted. The the Ethiopian military intervention, Disaster Prevention and Preparedness U.S. representatives were Dr. Susa n accusing Ethiopia of trying to divide Com mission is 15.3 million birr. It is Rice and Anthony Lake. Mr. Kofi Anan, Soma lia into six clan-based regions. The est imated that over 5 million people are and the IMF Africa Director met with government of Libya is trying to medi­ nea r starvation due to drought and the Ambassadors of the two cou ntri es ate. Ethiopia suspects that Libya and displacement. Besides drought, govern­ along with Eritrean President Isaias Egypt are backing Hussein Aideed and mental policies regarding high interest Afwerki. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles also Eritrea. Eritrea is believed to have rates charged for ferti I izers, ethnic Zenawi of Eth iopia had attended a pre­ been sending arms shipments to the dislocations, and the curta ilment of conference meeting in Tripoli on Jul y 10 clan of Hussein Aideed. Ethiopia is fe rtili zer subs idi es have contributed to with Moammar Ghaddafi. EReg 8/99 reported to want to intervene to break the food shortages. The number of ... July 13 U.S. envoy Anthony Lake Hussen Aideed's dominance in southern displaced people was 384,697 si nce predicted an end to the conflict between Somalia and also to prop up the factions May 25, 1999. EReg 8/99 Ethiopia and Er itrea shortly. opposed to Aideed. ... July 2 Th e Egyptian ambassador to ... July 14 Eritrea formally accepts On July 13 Colonel Abdullahi Ira, a Ethi opia, Mr. Marwan Baddir, violently the Modalities for the Implementation of leader of the A l-ltti had party, was attacked the Ethiopian independent the OAU Framework Agreement at the assass inated in Mogadishu. He was press, ca lling the ·papers "organs of end of the Algeri an meetings. suspected of being a leader of the opposition and Amharas who had lost ONLF, a Somali group wa nting to th eir power." He characteri zed the free ... July 14 An age ncy ca ll ed Action secede the Ogaden Region of Ethiopi a press as "rumor mongers, filled with by Churches Together (ACT) made an from Ethiopia . EReg 8/99 hatred and bent on inciting confl ict." appea l for humanitarian aid for 500,000 ... The Eritrean governm ent claimed The ambassador also denied that Egypt war-affected people in need and 61,500 that a new group of approximate ly was supporting Eritrea in the border Eritreans who were expell ed from 15,000 Eritreans are awaiting deporta­ war. He did ac know ledge that some Ethi opia. ErProf tion at the Bure front, bringing the total retired Egyptian mi I itary officers may ... Jul y 15 In a statement printed in an to 60,000. Th e Ethiopian government have been hired individually to join the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF ) maga­ says th is latest group are those who Eritrean forces, and that Egyptian zine, former pres ident of the Oromia want to leave the country, some to compan ies may have sold weapons to Reg ion, Ato Hassen Al i, claimed that rejoin their fam ilies who were deported the Eritrean government. He vowed not government so ld iers tried to ki 11 him at ea rli er. Ethiopia accused Eritrea of to give any interview to the free press his home but he escaped. His guard was indirectly forcing more that 41 ,000 until they changed their methods. EReg killed. The assass ins were captured and Ethiopians to leave Eritrea because of a 8/99 taken to the local pol ice station but loss of their jobs and property. EReg 8/ ... Jul y Hundreds of Ethi opians were were released. His followers were then 99 strea ming into Dessie trying to escape expell ed from the Oromo Peoples ... June 30 Th e Ethi opian House of the fami ne in the northern part of the Democratic Organization (OPDO). Ato People's Representatives approved a country. Hassen has applied for political asy lum budget of 14 billion birr for the 1999/ ... July 3 Libya News Agency in the United States. He believes this 2000 fiscal yea r. It was an increase of 2 reported that Ethi opia and Eritrea agreed attack was because he had opposed the billio n birr over the previous yea r. The to stop fighting under a Libyan initiat ive interference of the federal government budget for military expenditures is 2.5 complementing the Orga ni zation of in the affairs of the Oromia reg ional administration. EReg 8/99

12 THE HERALD Winter 1998-99 ..,. July 27 Pres ident Bill Clinton "'" July 31 Th e Ministry of Health has and the July, 1999 Implementation welcomed the acceptance by Eritrea made malari a erad ica tion a main Modalities. Eritrea had accepted the and Ethiopia of the OAU Framework priority in a conference at Mendefera. draft document. M any UN age ncies participated along Agreement and the implementation Ato Haile Wolde Tinsae, Eritrea's w ith USAID and the World Bank. ErProf modalities, saying "this is a sign ifica nt Foreign Minister, said that the technical step toward peace" He also stated that "'" Eritrea accepted the OAU Frame­ plan dealt with three main points: When "We have worked intensive ly with the work Agreement and th e implementa­ th e implementation would commence, OAU in recent weeks to help bring an tion principles. Th e TPLF governm ent who would monitor it, and when it end to this devastating conflict. ... Th e accused Eritrea of accepting th e plan would be completed. He said that a United States wi ll continue to support with the precondition of compensating proposa l would deploy an OAU the efforts of the OAU under th e the people displaced by th e war or had observer force and th e UN would be Ch airmanship of Algerian President property confiscated from them . The deployed along the border to ove rs ee Bouteflika to bring this tragic conflict to Ethiopian governm ent was reported to the troop pullback and redeployment as a speedy conclusion." [Yet to be have I ifted its demand to be paid a war well as the setting up of a provisional settled - the Technical Arangements .] indemnity. EReg 8/99 civilian administration in th e contested Er Prof areas. This process is expected to last "'" Farmers in the districts of Eastern six months to be fo ll owed by th e .... July 27-Aug 9 Textile workers at Shoa reg ion were taken to jail because delimitation and demarcation of th e the Awassa Textile Factory went on they were not ab le to pay for th e border during the fo llowing six months. str ike to demand a wage increase. fertilizer they had brought on credit. However he asked for compensa tion for So ldiers took control after fighting took EReg 8/99 Eritreans w ho had lost property through pl ace between workers and a group "'" August 4 Ethiopia asked for more deportation and displacement. Th is from the Confederation of Ethiopian clarification rega rding the tec hni ca l precondition has been rejected by the Trade Unions. EReg 8/99 pl an for implementation of both th e Ethiopian government. It may be the November, 1998 Framework Agreement ..,. A BBC report from Mogad ishu cl arification Ethiopia had asked about. which quoted eyewit- EReg 8/99 nesses, sa id that more than "'" The Swiss government has given 2,000 armed Ethiopian Eritrea a grant and collaboration since troops were pushing so uth 1995 in the preserva tion of archival past th e Somali town of In read in g the materials. ErProf Louk, and that another NOTE: "News from the Horn," keep in mind 3, 000 so ldiers w ith heavy "'" Ethiopia set in motion a new that the Organization of African States arti I lery and arm or were program to register Eritreans which may peace proposa l that w as drafted at their stationed deep inside be a response to th e issu ance of a new meetings held July 10-14, 1999 in Soma lia. Th e objective identity paper for Eth iopians res iding in Algeri a provided for three sepa rate was to se ize the airport at Eritrea. EReg 8/99 aspects of the agreem ent: Baledogle. ErProf "'" August 5 Eritrea n President Isa ias Th e Framework Agreement Afwerki rece ived the President of th e .... Jul y 29 Experts from Int' ! Committee of the Red Cross. Algeri a, the US, th e UN The Modal ities for its Implementa­ Violations of human rights aga in st and the OAU met in tion Eritrea ns who re sided in Ethiopia were Algi ers to work out the explained. Th e lea ders agreed to Technical Arrangements of The Tec hni ca l Arrangements for the strengthen ties. ErProf th e cease-fire. ErProf implementation of the moda lities "'" August 5 The Intern ational .... Jul y 30 Ethi opia Ethiopia and Eritrea must accept each of Committee of the Red Cross, in a vis it to entered Somalia and the three aspects in order for th e peace Ethiopi a, heard al legations charging that captures Baidoa in ce ntral proposa l to be adopted. (Currently, abusive treatment was being given to Somalia. The Humanitar­ Eritrea has accepted all three, Ethiopia Ethiopian prisoners in Eritrea, which is ian Times has rejected th e Technical Arrange­ ments.) alleged to have denied access to th e ICRC. ER eg 8/99

Winter 1998 99 THE HERALD 13 ,.. August 6 A memorandum of which were see n as a delaying tacti c to ,.. Aug. 26 Foreign Minister Hai le understa nding was signed between th e resolving the peace plan. ErProf Woldensae declared that Eritrea has US and Eritrea for cooperat ion in accepted the Fra mework Agreement o n establ is hi ng a national Intern et gateway ,.. August 11 , 18 Radi o Ethiopia February 27, the Modalities of Imple­ in Eritrea. The goal is to use the Internet reported that Oromo Liberation Front mentation on Ju ly 14, and the Technical as an global information tool and to (OLF) terrorist groups, w ho tried to cross Arrangements on August 7, 1999. He explore ways to ass ist in the national the Ethiopian border from their base in stated that "The OAU has stated that the education development and electronic Somalia, were annihilated by Ethiopian three documents must by taken as a commerce within Eritrea . ErProf forces. Th e government clai ms the OLF package and the Technical Arrange­ is supported by Eritrea. Th e OLF, w hi ch ments are not open to any amendment ,.. Disaster aid is being se nt by th e US has been fi ghting for a sepa rate state or interpretation." ErProf Government to Ethiopia in the amount since 1995, reported heavy losses by the of an additional 90,000 metri c tons of Ethi opians. Th ere was also fighting ,.. August 27 Nearly a week ago food aid, in additio n to donations of reported between the two in north east Ethiopia received "clarifi cations" to the 42 ,000 metric tons. Japan has give n US Kenya. Tec hnical Arrangements from th e $500,000 for the displaced people of ,.. August 12 Ethiopi a iss ued a press Organization for African Unity, but they Ti gray region. UNICEF has provided US release claiming several successes have not responded. Eritrea has already $ 1.8 million worth of assistance to the aga inst the Oromo Liberation Front, Al­ agreed to sign and withdraw from displaced people of Tigray in 1999. A lttihad, and the UOPLO who had contested areas. reported 28,000 ch ildren are reported to reportedly invaded Ethiopia from May ,.. Sept. The former Prime Minister of be in need of urgent shelter and hea lth 26 to August 10, 1999. EReg 8/99 Algeria and special envoy delivered a care from unhea lthy living conditions. ,.. August 14 Sudanese Airlines document detai ling the Modalities for EReg 8/99 resumed flights to and from Ethiopi a. th e Implementation of the Framework ,.. In Ethiopi a, a one-day prison EReg 8/99 Agreement to Pres ident Isa ias Afwerki. hunger strike to protest their prison ,.. August 17 Eritrea n President Isa ias He then proceeded to Addis Ababa with conditions reported ly brought promises Afwerki held talks in Washington w ith a simi lar miss ion. ErProf for improvement. Among those w ho officials of the US State Department and protested was Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat, ,.. Sept. Approximate ly 30,000 Madeline Albright. Th e pres ident former president of the Ethiopian secondary school students as wel I as ass ured Mrs. Albright that by sig ning th e Teachers Assn, who is serving a 15-year 800 teachers and university students are cease-fire agree ment, it will fully sentence, and Ato Tamrat Layne, form er involved in the Students Summer Work cooperate with the implementation of Deputy Prime Minister. EReg 8/99 Campaign Program in 166 centers the peace plan to resolve the border across Eritrea. The projects involve ,.. Fa ctions of the All Amhara Peoples dispute. Others attending were Mr. environmental work and census tak ing. Organization (AAPO) have been at odds Pickering and M s. Susan Ri ce, Head of Er Prof with each other following th e death of African Affairs at the State Department. Professor Asrat Woldeyes in their President Afwerki also met with Na­ ,.. September 2 The Ethiopian attempts to invigorate th e AAPO. EReg tional Security Adviser Sandy Burger. government accused Eritrea's First 8/99 He also attended the Eritrean Festival. Battalion of the Third Division of ,.. From February through June, Er Prof launching an attack on Ethiopian approximately 15,000 Eritreans ac­ pos itions at the Za lanbesa front. quired basic literacy at 350 centers in ,.. Aug 26 Eritrea received an OAU However, the Eritrean Presidential seve n nat ional languages. ErProf delegation which informed its leaders of Advisor, Ato Yemane Gebre Mesqel, the clarifications of the Tec hnical den ied that there had been any fighting. ,.. La nd in Ethiopia has gone from Arrangements that the OAU delivered to He said this accusation by Ethiopia was 40% forested to 3%. the Ethiopian authorities. ErProf to divert attention from Ethiopia's ,.. August 1 0 Th e Ministry of Foreign opposition to the placement of observ­ ,.. August 26 It was reported that Affairs accused Ethiopia of refusing to ers and to the cessation of hostilities. He Ethiopian troops entered Somal ia. Th e accept the Techn ical Arrangements. conceded, however, that there have Ethiopian government denied the report. Ethiopia has sought "clarifications"

14 THE HERAL D Winter 1998-99 been occasional shellings along the Minister and Defense Minister, Tamrat ~ October 31 In a statement from border. A group of foreign correspon­ Layne, told the Supreme Cou rt that he th e Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ethiopia dents have confirmed that there has has been in danger of being poisoned to said it will need dialogue with the OAU been fresh fighting. death while in prison. He claimed he over its misgivings concern ing the has been denied access to proper technical arrangements in the peace ~ September Ethiopia registers accord . reservations about the Technica l medical treatment. He shares the same Arrangements for the Implementation of prison ce ll with Dr. Taye ~ October 31 In an interview with the OAU peace proposal. Woldesemayat, former pres ident of the Reuters, Eritrean President Isa ias Ethiopian Teacher 's Association. Afwerki said he wou ld be prepared to ~ September 3 US envoys seek pull Eritrean troops back from the approval of OAU peace agreement in ~ October 14 The documentary disp uted areas. visit to Ethi opian and OAU officials in filmmaker Yvan Patry, died at age 51 of Addis. a heart attack while on a trip to New ~ October Th e Walaita people York. He was a great friend of Eritrea. (formerly Wollamo) have rejected the ~ September 3 Ethiopia reports it His first film was "E ri trea, Th e Longest regimes attempt to force them to adopt repulsed an attack in the Zalambessa War." He then directed a series of Wogagoda, a new language which local area. Eritrea denies the attack. three films: "Th e Forgotten War," "A authorities have molded from the ~ September 4 Ethiopia says it Time to Heal," and "Songs of the Next languages spoken by the Walaita, ca nnot be held responsible for the Garno, Gofa, and Dawro people. Learjet aircraft owned by a South Harvest." Th e film "Night and Sil ence" Students and teachers were forced to African company that was shot down in was filmed in Massawa during the Derg use new textbooks but they refused. a no-fly zone over its territory close to reg im e's bombing raids in 1991. ErProf Local officials addressed a petition to the Eritrea n border on 29 August. ~ October 1 5 The new US ambassa- the Prime Minister on May 30, 1999 dor to Ethiopia signed an agreement to ~ September 15 Ethiopia and Cuba about the imposition of a language they provide $51 to Ethiopia for food signed an agreement to promote .BM did not speak nor understand and sec urity and for education. econom ic, scientific and technica l appea led for the government's interven­ cooperation. ~ October 21 Eritrea 's Ministry of tion. Much pressure was put on the ~ September 23 USAID reports that Foreign Affairs accused Ethiopia of local people to adopt th e language more tha n 5 million people in Ethiopia rounding up 1,3 00 Eritreans for trans­ including th e offer of re li ef aid if they are affected by food shortages due to port on busses for the purpose of would accept. Several meet ings were prolonged and severe drought caused deportation through the Burie war zone called and the Wolaita representatives by a diminished "big rains" and the front in defiance of ln 'tl Committee demanded that the seven districts of border conflict with Eritrea. of the Red Cross regu lat ions. ErProf Walaita be brought together under one ~ September 2 7 Eritrea reports that administration and one language. Th e ~ October 25 Ethiopia's Prime resistance is spreading. EReg Germany and Russia have ca lled for Minister Meles Zenawi told the OAU acceptance of the OAU peace plan. that clar ification on"technical arra nge­ ~ October Th e General Election for ~ October 1 The Ethiopian election ments" on the modalities for implement­ the Year 2000 is scheduled for Ginbot 6 board invited all parties to register for ing the OAU peace proposal were (m id-May), with th e results to be national and region al elections sc hed­ requested. He also said th at Ethiopia is announced on Ginbot 30 by (ear ly June) uled for May 20 , 2000 committed to working with the OAU to the National Electora l Board. The representatives of two opposition ~ October 2 The new US ambassa­ reach a peace agreement. parties, SEPDC (Southern Ethiopian dor to Ethiopi a, Tibor Nagy, Jr., arrived ~ October 23-24 Ethiopia claimed People's Democrati c Coa lition) and in cou ntry. He was ambassador in it repulsed two Eritrean attacks in the AAPO (The All Amhara Political Guinea from 1996 to '99. Previously, he Badme region . had been an adm ini strati ve officer in Organ ization), ca ll ed on the govern­ ~ October 27 Eritrea denied that it ment to create an environment for the Addis Ababa from '84 to '86. had launched an assau lt the past conduct of a free and fa ir election. ~ October 4 Eritrea claimed weekend. However Ato Dawit Yohannes, the Zal lambessa to be in its territory. Later, ~ Heavy floods in the Ogaden area of Speaker of the House, stated that there Ethiopia strongly objected. eastern Ethiopia claimed 34 li ves and ~ October 8 Former Deputy Prim e left over 79 ,000 homeless.

Winter 1998-99 THE HERALD 15 can be no such dialogue or " negotia­ .,. November 2 Ethiopia described Ethiopia's misgivings towards technicali­ tion" under a constitutional system of Tuesday as "a ll talk, no action" th e ties provided for implementing a plan for resolving its border conflict with Eritrea. governance. He said, "at this juncture, offer made by Eritrea n President lssaias the EPRDF does not have the mandate Afeworki to pull out hi s troops .,. December 24 In a bid to counter to relinquish its political power through from contested areas. international pressure for harbouring such negotiation." He sa id that th ese .,. November 4-6 A conference on Mengistu Haile Mariam, Zimbabwean ca lls were "constitutionally out of AIDS in Ethiopia was held in Addis President Robert Mugabe disclosed that place." Ababa. It included efforts to make the th e American and Canadian govern­ There are 58 national and regional genera l public aware of the ep idemic. It ments had offered to help his govern­ parties currently operating in the is estimated that between 3 and 3 .5 ment look after Mengistu. Th e U.S. coun try. Ato Dawit, in a response to a million people are infected with HIV in embassy in Harare, today, confi rmed th e plea for externa l observers, said that the Ethiopia. information. The U.S. also was actively OAU and IGAD are not considered by .,. November 12 Ethiopia says 17 involved in finding a safe-h aven for Ethi opia as "external observers" as they were killed in attacks across the border Mengistu. are already present in Ethiopia. No other by Eritrean forces. observers will be invited. .,. December 25 According to a .,. The Ethiopian Telecommunications .,. October Th e tria ls aga inst former report from the Embassy of Eritrea, Corporation internet man ger said th at Derg members have proceeded at a very Ethi opia deported 1,500 additional Ethiopia's number of internet subscrib­ slow rate during the pas t three yea rs . ethnic Eri treans . ers has grown to 2,560. This is because there are o nly 12 judges .,. December 28 In an intervi ew in to process 6,400 files. Only 600 of the .,. November 22 The President of th e th e Johannesburg Star, Mengistu Hail e 6,000 prosecutor's witnesses have Sudan held meetings in Addis Ababa as part of on-going efforts to normalize Mariam denied having ever ki lled testified. There have been many relations betwee n Ethiopia and th e anyone - including Haile Se lass ie, adjournments in order to make a ruling Sudan. refused to be judged for war crim es on a give n case. Th e Special committed during his rul e and blamed .,. December 6 Ethiopian Prime Prosecutor's Office has a case load of 90 hi s downfall on the Soviet Union's Minister Meles Zenawi announces th at files, but has not heard witnesses in 23 withdrawal of support. of the files. ER eg he rejects the "tec hnical arra ngemen ts " fo r th e OAU peace proposal - " Ethio­ .,. October The International .,. December 31 Ethi opia and the pia will not sign any document that fa ils Monetary Fund and the World Bank Sudan agree to open a road linking the to ensure its sovereignty." have refused to release loans and two countries. foreign assistance to Ethiopia and Th e arrangements had been worked out .,. January 1 5,000 welcomed the Eritrea. Mr. Callisto Modavo, World by the OAU, the UN, th e governments Millennium at the Sheraton Addis. Bank Vice-President for Africa, stated of Algeria and the United States in Jul y. .,. January 3, 2000 In an OpEd piece th at "th e onl y battles these two coun­ At that time Ethiopi a sought clarification in the Washington Post, Congress man tries ought to be in volved in are battles of some of the technica l arrangements. Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY) sa id, "Th e against poverty, battles to reverse poor time has come for the United States and living conditions of these people. Th ese Meles now contends th at on ly African the internationa l community to condem n are the asp irati o ns of ordinary Ethiopi­ heads of state and government have the the Ethiopian's intransigence and urge ans and Eritreans. W e have told th e two mandate to "change the peace propos­ them not to launch an attack. " als." countries that there cannot be new To read the fu ll article go to: http:// lending before th ey reve rt to these Eritrea has accepted all th ree OAU www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/ important battles." Exi sting projects will peace documents - the Framework for WPlate/2000-01/03/0111-010300- continue to be funded and will not be Agreement, th e Modalities for its idx.html affected. Uganda reportedly received Implementation and th e Tec hnica l .,. Janu ary 4 A Sudanese delegation funding by Germany for development Arrangements. Ethiopia has rejected the completed meetings in Asmara on the work which was originally mea nt for Tec hnica l Arrangements. normalization of relations between the Ethi opi a and Eritrea. two countries . .,. Dece mber 1 6 An OAU tea m is meeting in Algiers to prepa re rep li es to

16 THE HERALD Winter 1998-99 Print media sources of material compiled by John Barnes FROM AMBASSADOR SHINN'S (Addis Ababa 66-68) COMMENTS EthRev= Ethiopian Review (1 yr/$29) PO Box 98499, Atlanta GA 30359 WHEN HE DEPARTED ETHIOPIA EthReg= Ethiopian Register (1 yr/$35) PO Box 580St. Joseph MN 56374 From various press sources EthN ews = News from Ethiopia (free) excerpted by John Barnes Embassy of Ethiopia, 2134 Ka lorama Rd NW, Washington DC 20008 (free) EBir =Ethiopian BIR (1 yr/$ 15) PO Box Outgoing US Ambassador to Ethiopia, because they are not wi lling to 2334Westfield NJ 07090 Dr. David Shinn completed his tenure in adapt to that, as so me of the Er Prof= Eritrea Profile newspaperPO Ethiopia on August 14th and he will opposition groups are not. Then Box 247 Asm ara EritreaPhone: l 1-41-14 teach at UCLA for one year as a "diplo­ quite frankly, I don't have much or 12-77 48x92Fax 291-l-12-48- mat in residence" with the State Depart­ interest in them beca use you just 47Published weekly by the Ministry of ment. Dr. Shinn had visited 59 of the 63 can't function that way. So change Information and distributed by the adm inistrative zones in Ethiopia. He has to come on both sides and there Eritrean Emb assy. was the most widely traveled American is a lot more room for change on Internet sources from internet sources of diplomat to serve there. both sides. I thi nk that it is neces­ material forwarded by Richard Crepeau sa ry in order to have a society that (Dessie 63-65) and compiled by Marian The following is an interview he gave to works the way that most people in Beil. Any notes having no attribution are the Addis Tribune, on August 6, 1999. Ethiopia would like it to be. from the internet: EthForum = News from Q . Looking back in retrospect, do yo u EthioForum @Ethiolist.com with a web wish you had done anything site at http://www.ethiol ist. com/ differently? Commenting on the need for compro­ mise between the government and the AfNews = Panafrican News Agency. A. I th ink there have been occas ions opposition parties in regard to the Distri buted via Africa News Online where I have been perhaps too genera l election of 2000, he stated: www .africanews .org outspoken on some elements of the EriNA= Eritrea n News Agency democratization process and other This is a classic situation. Both sides EriEm=Eritrean Embassy elements th at I am no outspoken need to approach the issu e in a way that AddTrib=Addis Tribune enough. You have to rea ch that will work fo r them and the country. And happy medium and th at is how you that means on the one hand that the become effective . .. If you are too government has to make eve ry effort to outspoken ... all you do is make assure equitable treatment for th e yourself basically perso na non­ opposition parties, that is those that are grata. On the other hand, if yo u legally registered in the country. If you take it easy, you can do nothing refuse to renounce violence and if you and obviously you are not going to refuse to reg ister under the constitutions be effective or have any impact on of Ethiopia then, as I said, I don't have change. much sympathy for any such group. Any group who does take the initiative to Change has to come in all elements becoming a legal ly regi stered party must of the soc iety; it is not only the be treated equitably and must have government that has to change, but access, for example, to those kinds of civil society has to change too. media outlets th at the government party Opposition parties have to adapt to has outlets to. Th ere must be a system in the government's constitution. They place so that they ca n fee l they have an can't just dismiss a const itution honest chance of ach ieving some

W i nter 1999-2000 THE HER ALD 17 electoral victories. It really does work can just get by the immediate conflict the Ethiopian-Eritrean war, the UN will both ways and both sides have to yield which I mentioned earlier, I believe work out a compromise on the Frame­ something in this process. There will there are good prospects for it." work Agreement and Implementation never be a totally level playing field and Modalities. If the sides should fail to no political system or process is totally implement the peace proposal after level, but if the slant is too steep then In an interview with the weekly signing the documents, massive interna­ the system won't work. It isn't simply a Amharic newspaper, Tobia, Ambassador tional pressure would be applied to both question of the party in power winning Shinn noted that one of the great countries. elections because there isn't enough difficulties he faced was his attempt to opportunity for opposition parties to From an article in the Ethiopian Regis­ bring about a more harmonious rela­ contest. This also means that the ter, September, 7999, pages 8-7 0 which tionship between the government and opposition must operate within the quoted from interviews Ambassador the free press and his call for the system; it must take some political risk. Shinn gave in Addis. independent press to act in a more You can't expect to have everything professional manner. Another problem handed to you on a silver platter. If you was in the area of respect for human are not willing to take some of those rights. Of course there was also a risks one should not be in politics government critical of American policy because politics is by definition some­ towards the resolution of the border thing of a risky business. It is a question conflict. He is reported to have said that of both sides compromising. he would not have a good attitude toward the OLF until it abandoned violence and accepted the constitution. In reply to a question about current U.S He declared that the OLF's attempt to relations with Ethiopia, Dr. Shinn stated form an alliance with some military that relations were "very much on the factions in Somalia in order to make war upswing", and hoped that once the against the Ethiopian government was a OAU Framework Agreement is imple­ "big tactical mistake" . He said that mented, relations will improve further. many Oromos also shared this view. He stated: "that (the border conflict) Another subject was that there were changed the entire nature of my day to some improvements in its relationship day activiti es. I was engaged full time in with NGO's, the free press and in developing and strengthening a relation­ respect for human rights, although much ship with the government and people of more time is needed to approach the Ethiopia. Since the outbreak of the liberal democratic practices of the West. conflict with Eritrea, like most, perhaps He believed that the "Kill ii (regional) all of the Western nations in Ethiopia, it self-rule is a good option" because of has been largel y damage limitation, the many nationalities living in Ethiopia. trying to prevent the relat ionship from The objective is to establish "unity slipping backwards. I think the Ameri­ based on the principle of self-rule". He can Embassy has done that with a also stated that he did not want to see considerable amount of success because Ethiopia disintegrate into several small th e government and the people of states. He suggested that the govern­ Ethiopia will never know the degree to ment should speed up the privatization which they could have slipped back­ process as wel I as to convert state banks wards in the official relationship ... to international ownership that would But I think that this relationship has allow free competition. This would aid been preserved and I think that if we Ethiopia's position when dealing with the World Bank and IMF. Concerning

18 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 EAST COAST REGIONAL SUMMIT ON AFRICA

A report by Ray Donaldson (Ambo, Debre Berhan 62-62)

O n Sept. 9th through 11th. 1999, I It was characterized as a "bottom-up" South Afri ca is by far the highest use r of attended the East Coast Regional bill that funneled funding through the the internet among African countries, Summit on Africa in Baltimore. This was Overseas Private Investment Corpora­ followed by Ethiopia, Egypt, and Kenya . one of a series of reg ional sum mits tion (OPIC), an independent govern­ leadi ng to Th e National Summit on ment corporation that promotes U.S. One current effort to bring internet Africa, February 16-20, 2000, at the private investment in developing access to Africa is the Leland Initiative, Washi ngton Convention Center, countries and emerging markets. OPIC a five-year, US government effort to Wash ington, D.C. USA. This five-day will provide funds to US businesses, extend internet connectivity to 21 or event will combine the drafting of a private voluntary organizations, and more African countries including fina l Po licy Plan of Action, a series of non-governmental organizations that Ethiopia and Eritrea. Information is educational workshops, seminars, and have a track record in Afri ca. The bill is ava il ab le about this program on the web round-table disc ussions on U.S.-Africa based on the premise that "if African at: www.info.usaid.gov/ leland. relations and development, and many agri cu lture doesn't prosper, Africans Dr. Ali B. Ali-Dinar of the University of special events and performances. wi ll not." It provides fu nds to reinvigo­ Pennsylvania sa id that Africa is receiv­ rate U.S. engagement with African Here are some of my observations from ing more informat ion than it is provid­ agriculture, sma llholder farmers, and the sessions I attended at the Ba ltimore ing. Not much content information is rural community development. summ it. This may give you a fee ling for being put on webs ites in Africa. Th e the summit and help you decide Th e Africa Growth and Opportunity Act University of Pennsylvania is willing to whether you want to attend the National was a more "top-down" trade bill that host African inform ati on on its comput­ Summit in Washington. Information focuses on establishing requi rements on ers until African orga nizations are able about the National Summit is avai lab le African countri es that wi II allow private, to maintain it themselves. Dr. A li-Dinar by phone at 800 934-3418 or on the multinational corporations to develop ca n be contacted by phone at 21 5 898- web at: www.africasummit.org. Africa. For more information about 66 10 or by Em ai l at these bills from Bread for the Worl d's aad inar@ma il .sas.upenn .edu. Day 1, Session 1 perspective, contact Ray A lmeida by phone at 301 608-2400 or by Em ai l at Day 1 The first day of the conference was a ra [email protected]. se ries of para I lei programs presented by Most of the second day was spent in many different organizations w ith a working groups modelled on a U nited wide variety of interests in Africa. The Day 1, Session 2 Nations-style debate setti ng. Each first sess ion I attended: "Grassroots Another sess ion I attended: " In ternet participant chose one of five thematic Africa Advocacy in the Faith-Based Connectivity, Emerging Technologies, del ibe rative sess ions: 1. Democracy an d Community," was presented by Bread and the Exchange of Global Informa­ Human Rights, 2. Susta inab le Develop­ fo r the World. Th ere was discuss ion tion," discussed a variety of ways that ment, Qua I ity of Li fe, and the Environ­ about how the U .S. can have an impact information technologies are being ment, 3. Education and Culture, 4. on Africa. Two complementary bills in introduced into Africa. By connecting Peace and Security, and 5. Economic Co ngress were discussed: 1. Africa Africa to the in ternet, Africans wi ll have Development, Trade & In vestment, and Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), access to all the information avai lable to Job Creation. At each of th e five and 2. Africa: Seeds of Hope Act the rest of the worl d. Th ey ca n decide sess ions, participants reviewed, up­ (ASOH). themse lves which of this information is dated, and made additions to a "Draft most useful to them. Policy Plan of Action" (which was the The Africa: Seeds of Hope Act was the same for each of the regional summits); onl y Africa-spec ific legis lation to be and created a unique regional plan of enacted into law in the 105th Congress. action.

Winter 1999-2000 THE HERALD 19 I found this process to be extremely REPORT ON ASSESSMENT TRIP TO tedious. I hope it works at the United Nations where they have an extended CAMPS FOR WAR DISPLACED IN amount of time to deliberate. It does not work well where time is limited. Each GASH·BARKA draft plan of action was created by a by Jeff Shannon (Adi Tekelesan, Eritrea 95-98) different Expert Group whose members came primarily from academia. The drafts were lengthy at the start. The deliberative process made them even longer as words were added to existing sections and entirely new sections were August 10, 1999 - I've just returned good quality acrylic blankets from Egypt added. Very rarely was a section from a visit of several camps for those in cooperation with Africare at a cost of deleted. Some sections were redundant; displaced by the fighting in the Gash­ US$5 .50 each (including shipping costs, some were contradictory. When I asked Barka region. Briefly here are the but not including insurance). who was focusing on synthesizing and findings: Sleeping mats were cited as a major prioritizing the wealth of data from all The people are doing okay considering need by the displaced themselves. One of these regional summits, I was told the circumstances under which they' re woman pointed to the ground and said, that the National Summit would do that. living. "This is our bed. This is where we sleep, The five sections of the Draft Pol icy and we're so tired." Mats can be Plan can be reviewed on the National Shelter purchased locally at low cost and easily Summit website: distributed. www.africasummit.org. The biggest need is still shelter. There simply aren't enough tents and the rainy Food Day 3 season is wreaking havoc in many cases. Also, in Gash-Barka the winds are Food, both staple and supplementary, is On the last (third) day, participants met especially harsh and what shelters are in very short supply. The two main in state delegations whose primary available are often blown down or away camps we visited (Adi Keshi and purpose was to elect state delegates to during the night (rains and wind usually Ketobia - both 20,000 inhabitants the National Summit, to elect officers start around 9:00 pm every night). The each) were down to low-grade sorghum from among the delegates, and to lucky few have tents of varying quality, and DMK. Most of the people still had determine how the state delegations while a great number are using blue small amounts of lenti Is, but that was it. would prepare for the National Summit. plastic tarp held up with sticks, which No cooking oil, no suga r, no berbere, At the closing session, participants are completely inadequate and totally no vegetables or fruits, no flour, nothing adopted the overall East Coast Regional inappropriate to the conditions and else. Plan of Action, incorporating the needs of the people. With the onset of I noticed a few children with rust­ products of the five thematic working the rainy season, the camps are quickly colored hair, marking them as malnour­ group sessions. becoming a morass. Tents cannot be ished and protein-deficient. Several purchased locally and will need to be NOTE: The National Summit on Africa babies were quite literally skin and imported. will take place in W as hington DC, bones. These are still in the minority, February 16-20. For more information Blankets are in very short supply in but it's on the increase. on how to register and participate, write these camps, despite the cold of the Pavoni Social Centre (PSC) is currently National Summit on Africa, 1819 H St rainy season making them a pressing working on a proposal to develop a NW, Ste 810, Washington DC 20006. need. We have located a local supplier high-protein biscuit factory in Asmara to Phone and fax: 202/861-8644; fax 202/ in Asmara which can produce 40 wool supply at-risk populations -- children 861-8645. For more info: blankets per day of high quality at an under 5, pregnant and lactating women www.africasummit.org. approximate cost of US$13 each. For and the sick -- with vital protein US$1 ,35 0, we can supply 100 blankets. There are also possibilities to import supplements. The factory has already

20 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 produced its first test batch and the risin g now and to be fairly bad by Contact . .. biscuits are now being analyzed in Italy September. Another education cam­ with very positive initial results. Please paign against malaria was underway -­ Should you have any further questions, see the attached proposal. also at a national level. pl ea se feel free to c ont~ ct us at:

Water In conclusion Jeffrey L. Shannon or Wayne Kessler Pavoni Soci al Centre, Water is still a problem. There are wells In general, the camps are doing much Office of Special Projects and pumps in most ca mps, but they are better than one would expect, especia ll y Asmara, Eritrea inadequate to the population being considering that practically no aid is se rved. Most pumps are broken and the coming into the country and not many tel/fax 291 1 12 51 45 people are getting water from open NGO's have stepped in yet to pick up e-mai I puddles left by the rain or from nearby the slack. The Eritrean government, rivers now fl owing due to the rainy through its coordinating agency, the Also, for more information, please visit season . Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission the fol lowing websites: www.wvi.com/ (ERREC), are doing an admirable job in Naturally, water borne diseases are on - johnr/eritrea/ and the Eritrean Devel­ keeping the people going and ens uring the upswing and people report that most opment Fund site at www.eridf.org that they don't become aid-dependent. children and many adults are suffering Th e people have been encouraged to You can read "Emergency Appea l for from diarrhea. They haven't connected open shops and try to get on with life as Blankets" and "Emergency Appeal for it with drinking river water yet, but the well as possible, which is what they 're High Protein Biscuits" sent by Jeff at the adm inistration in both places have said doing. You don't see people sta rving, E&E RPCVs web site at they will be launching education although there is a problem with www.geocities.com/-eerpcvl campaigns to deal both with that and malnutrition, protein- and Vitamin A­ with general sanitation problems deficiency and so on. It could develop (digging latrines, instructing people in into a ca tastrophe, but it hasn 't due to their use and upkeep, their necessity, the government's fine work thus far. etc.) However, these are still people who Medical have been thrust out of their homes by shelling, mortars and aeria l bombard­ Medicines are in adequate supply for ments. They have no homes, their fields adults in Gash-Barka, but sorely lacking are go in g untended, their livestock have for the children in several camps. They been devastated and they are subsisting need pediatric protein supplements, on the bare minimum. antidiarrhea l, malaria prophylaxis and about everything else you ca n imagine. A humanitaria n disaster has thus far Medical equipment su pplies were been avoided, but it 's not over yet. reported to be sufficient at present in the That's where things stand now. Yo u ca n Gash-Barka regi on, although camps in get more information from my report Zoba Debub reported severe shortages. once it's been submitted and cleared through PS C. Mosquito netting seems to be fine with every family getting seve ral according to I hope th is has been of some help to you the number of people in th e household. and th e organizations w ith whom you' re We visited the hea lth ce nters and saw in contact. Thanks for all your excell ent plenty of nets and saw them being work on th at side and I hope we' ll be handed out. Th e doctors said th ere were able to cooperate in th e nea r future to very few cases of malaria in the ca mps, get something done for th e displaced but they expected the numbers to start people here.

Winter 1999-2000 THE HERALD 2 1 OTHER CONTACTS ETHIOPIA & ERITREA RPCVs Steering Committee and support officers .,.. Emb assy of Eritrea 1 708 New Hampshire Ave NW Marian Haley Beil Gloria Gieseke Cu rtis Washington DC 20009 (Debre Berhan 62-64) (Asmara 63-65) 202/319-1991 Chair, Newsletter Editor, Steering Committee, Gifts & Grants .,.. Embass y of Ethiopia Database manager, Treasurer 15670 W 64th Place 21 34 Kalorama Road NW 4 Lodge Pole Road Arvada CO 80007-6937 Washington DC 20008 Pittsford NY 14534-4550 h & w: 303/422-3742 202/234-2281 716/223-1155, fax 716/223-1158 [email protected] fax: 202/483-8407 mhbei [email protected] e-mail : [email protected] Dennis Ekberg (Ghion 62-64) www.nicom.com/-ethiopia Susan Hundt Bergan Web master (Ba har Dar 66-68) 3130 NW Nyssa Court .,.. National Peace Corps Association Steering Committee Beaverton OR 97006 1900 L St, NW, Suite 205 Washington DC 20036 7144 Parman Terrace 503/690-0447 fax : 503/690-2495 202/293-7728 Madison WI 53711 [email protected] fax: 202/293-7S54 608/264-6032 emai l: rp cvmem@aol. com Dave Gurr (Addis Ababa 62-64) Bergas @d nr.state. w i .us www.rpcv.org Steering Committee, enCORPS C.J. Smith Castagnaro 4311 Loyola Ave .,.. Peace Corps (Harar; Debre Zeit; Addis Ababa Alexandria VA 22304 1111 20th St NW 65-66, 67-69) 703/370-2553 fax: 70313 70-1861 W as hington DC 20526 Steering Committee, [email protected] 800/424-8580 Fund Raising Projects www.peacecorps.gov 3642 North Garey #1 Wayne Kessler Returned Volunteer Services: Pomona CA 91767-1100 (Adi Tec lesan 64-66) 202/692-1 430 909/392-9734 enCORPS Eritrea representative Fellows/USA Program w ith cjsmithc@ea rthlink.net PO Box 2967 programs at 26 universities: Asmara, Eritrea 202/692-1440 Leo Cecchini (As mara 62-64) phone & fax: 291 1 125 145 [email protected] Steering Committee, wayne@nfetn .gem el .com .er Crisi s Corps: 202/692-2250 Peace Initiati ve Chair Post-service M ed ica l Benefits: Jim Solomon GIA 202/692-1540 (Massawa, Jimma 63-65) PO Box 3274 Inspector General: 202/692-2900 Mclean VA 22 103-3274 Steering Committee, 718/871-4248 Reconnect coordinator, .,.. Ethiopia & Eritrea RPCVs leoc@ hotmai I .com Membership Development c/o Marian Haley Bei l 28484 Mission Blvd #304 4 Lodge Poie Road Joe Ciuffini (Harar 64-66) Hayward CA 94544-4922 Pittsford NY 14534-4550 Librarian 510/538-9889 716/223- 1155 188 Cabot St lsj63@ix. netcom.com email: mhbeil @se rvtech.com Newton MA 02 158 www.geocities.com/-eerp cv Joe Tenn (Addis Ababa 62-64) 617/244-0463 .,.. Peace Corps Collection Books Project jmciuffini @a ol.com John F. Kenndey Library 1625 Hillview Terrace attn: Stephen Plotkin Jo hn Coyne (Addis Ababa 62-64) Santa Rosa CA 95405 Columbia Point Steering Committee 707/ 544-6021 Boston MA 021 25 Book Locker Project [email protected] 617/929-4524 99 Reed Avenue email : stephen.plotkin @ Pelham M anor NY 10803 ken nedy. na ra .gov 914/ 738-8212, fax 9 14/738-8211 .,.. Books for Africa jcoyne2 @ix. netcom.com 5233 Silver M ap le Ci rcle Minneapolis MN 553 43 email: bfa @mtn.org www.booksforafri ca .org

22 THE HERALD Winter 1999-2000 THE HERA LD Editing, design & production - Marian Haley Beil (Debre Berhan 62-64)

Contributing editors - John Barnes (66- 68), Richard Crepeau (Dessie 63- 65).

SeJtd M fOUY eut.Ai£ adtfrus. Those who have shared articles, ideas and efforts for this issue - Donald jtMt ~ tJu, yecel1J: f-Mt we)ve, Beil (Somalia 64-66), CJ Smith Castagnaro (Harar; Debre Zeit; Addis Ababa 65-66, 67-69), John Coyne (Addis Ababa 62-64), Joe Ciuffini recolUUd:ul oldfriuu4 seltt out a,, (Harar 64-66), Patricia Crepeau (Dessie 63-65), Ray Donaldson (Ambo, Debre Berhan 62-64), Dennis Ekberg (Ghion 62-64), Laurie Kessler (Adi IW~ ojtJu, fYeuUere, of an,, Teclesan 64-66), Wayne Kessler (Adi Teclesan 64-66), Phil Lilienthal £thi£;~ movie, aJUi fYOvided (Addis Ababa 65-67), Kathleen M. Moore (1964-66), Michael Santarelli newr updat:u. Don/t mMS out! (Gura 70-73), Jeff Shannon (Adi Tekelesan, Eritrea 95-98), Clare Shea (Debre Marcos 65-67). smdto: m/Weil@servtedt,.Cb/M/ THE HERALD wishes to thank them all. They are greatly appreciated.

If you would like to submit an article for publication, it would be appreci­ ated if it is submitted digitally- via email or on disk (labeled as to software and computer used and with a hard copy). Any articles of interest to RPCVs who served in Ethiopia and Eritrea are most welcomed.

Photo submissions are also welcomed. They should be clear, w ith images large enough to be easi ly discerned. All photos will be returned>.

~------ETHIOPIA & ERITREA RPCVs membership $40 Annua l Dues (wh ich include $25 National Peace Corps Assoc iat ion

Nam e membership dues)

$15 If you are currently a paying Address member of the National Peace Corps Association

1 year free membership to newly Ci ty, state, zip, country E-mail ad dress returned RPCVs

Name when in th e Pea ce Corps if di fferent from above Make your check payable to: Et hiopia & Eritrea RPCVs

Home phone Work phone Please send to:

Home fax W ork fa x Ethiopia & Eritrea RPCVs c/o Marian Ha ley Beil Dates of Peace Corps-Ethi opia o r Eritrea se rvice City/town of service 4 Lodge Po le Road Pittsford NY 14534-4550 Group# Training site Type of program

Oth er Peace Corps service - as staff or Volunteer - and dates

W i nter 1999- 2000 THE H ERALD 23 DATES: Decoding the mailing I label The date on the upper right-hand corn er of your mailing label indicates when you r membership March 7 - Peace Corps D ay. in ETHIOPIA & ERITREA RPCVs (E&E Go into a sc hool in your RPCVs) expires. community and share your Recently returned PCVs receive Peace Corps experience by one yea r free membership and spea king to students about the thei r label will have a date culture, customs and history of followed by "New RPCV " - the Et hiopia and Eritrea. To receive date be ing when the free membership expires. a presentation kit and more in format io n, contact the Peace If it says "Expired,"your member­ Corps at pcd ay@ peacecorps.gov ship has expired since th e publica tion of the previous issue or ca ll (800) 424-8580, press 2 of The H erald. We hope that you then ext. 1 961. will reup . A membership fo rm can be found on the next-to-the­ At o ur web site you ca n find a last page. listing of children's boo ks about Ethiopia th at might be good to If it says "Your name .. ." that means your name can be found read to a class. A lso ouu library somewhere in this newsletter. If contents are listed at the site as you are an RPCV or were PC/staff w ell - borrow a resource from we hope you will cons ider there to help develop a presen­ joining E&E RPCVs. tation. If it says "Trial #20" we thought you might be interested in seeing August 1 3-1 5 - ETHIOPIA what E&E RPCVs does and in & ERI TREA RPCVs w ill have a seeing our newsletter. Perhaps social get-together at The you'd like to join us ? Sh awnee Inn and Golf Resort. •••••••• •••••••••• There w ill be numerous activites Married couples - I have to choose from, a spea ker or two arbitrarily selected one of you to and plenty of time to catch up receive the newsletter to save w ith old fr iends and meet new duplication. Please don't feel left out if you name isn 't on the ones . label.

Ethiopia & Eritrea RPCVs FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE c/o M ari an Haley Be il PAID 4 Lodge Po le Road Leesburg, FL Pi ttsford N Y 14534-4550 Permit No. 1040

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