Also see: Memory Hole: U.S.-Approved
Ethiopian Atrocities in Somalia
"Human Rights Watch accuses Ethiopia of war crimes" by Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Associated Press | June 12, 2008
NAIROBI, Kenya - Ethiopia's government is committing war crimes in its military campaign against rebels in the Ogaden region, a rights group charged today in a report that complained the United States and other Western governments have remained silent about abuses.
That's 'cause they our FRIENDS!!!
New York-based Human Rights Watch said Ethiopian troops are beating and strangling civilians, staging public executions, and burning villages in Ogaden. It said the allegations were based on more than 100 eyewitness accounts.
An Ethiopian official denied the charges.
Washington looks to Ethiopia for help in the fight against Islamic extremists in East Africa, where Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 225 people. Ethiopia is helping the UN-backed government in neighboring Somalia against Muslim insurgents.
That's why the WAR CRIMES go NOWHERE! Think ISRAEL, readers.
And you always gotta work that "Al-CIA-Duh" and "terrorists" angle, doncha, agenda-pushing, Zionist press?
Ethnic Somalis have been fighting for more than a decade seeking greater autonomy in the desolate Ogaden, which is being explored for oil and gas. Ethiopian forces stepped up operations after rebels attacked a Chinese-run oil exploration field in April 2007, killing 74 people.
"The Ethiopian Army's answer to the rebels has been to viciously attack civilians in the Ogaden," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director for Human Rights Watch.
The group also said the rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front has violated humanitarian law by conducting the oil attack and by setting land mines along roads. Ethiopia accuses the rebels of being financed by its enemy, Eritrea.
Bereket Simon, special adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, denied all allegations in the report.
Asked whether an internal investigation was planned, he said: "How can we investigate lies and innuendoes?"
Yeah, we are finding out how hard that is here in AmeriKa -- what with a DO-NOTHING, COMPLIANT and COMPLICIT Congress!!!!
Gagnon chided Ethiopia's leading donors, including the United States, Britain, and the European Union, accusing them of ignoring what is happening in Ogaden."
Well, when they are an ally who helps achieve the goals, well, no comment needed!
Oh, and how about ISRAEL and THEIR WAR CRIMES, HRW?!
