This column, which compiles news about the region, mostly from the BBC, and tries to add a little color to make them readable, had its first attack from Herui Tedla Bairou, the Secretary General of the Eritrean National Alliance. Apparently, Herui Tedla Bairou did not like a report that was written by Addis Zemen on September 23 (and reappeared in this column with some attempt at humor) stating that Herui and Meles were fighting because Meles is holding back a few million dollars that belongs to the Alliance and Herui is protesting by moving out of Addis. In an interview with TV Rahwa, HTB responded to this allegation the way most Eritrean politicians do: he saw a conspiracy engineered by his political enemies, in this case, Isaias Afwerki. Which brings us full circle: in the report, Addis Zemen was arguing that the story about Meles not helping Herui proves that Meles wants to help Isaias; in response, Herui is saying that publication of this report shows that we want to help Isaias. We are part of a big conspiracy, but he is on to us... Meanwhile, Isaias is sure we are shells for Weyane.
WELCOME TO THE HOOD
Scoping the hood this week, we begin our trip in Ethiopia. PMMZ had written a letter to the UNSC seeking an alternative to the Boundary Commission because he was not pleased with its decision regarding Badme village. Not Badme, not Badme Plains-- but Badme village. The Commission had said that they couldnt make alterations without the expressed change in mandate from the UN and the will of the two parties. The Commission made a mistake; Eritrea wont agree to the changes, so now it is your turn to make them, argued Meles. Well, that is what his Foreign Minister argued because the PMMZ was in Japan where hewas receiving an honorary PhD from Kokushikan Japanese University for his outstanding contribution made to the prevalence of peace and stability in Ethiopia, Horn of Africa, Grate Lakes Region and Africa as a whole, according to Radio Ethiopia. We are not making this up. The British ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Myles Wickstead, offered his own outstanding contribution to peace: he made a generous offer (on behalf of Her Majestys government) to build a second Badme village, this one in Ethiopia. According to The Reporter: "We should never look for an alternative to the decision by the [Ethiopia-Eritrea] Boundary Commission." He said: We are not ready to accept and do anything that will jeopardize the decision by the boundary commission. He indicated that the commission's decision could only be amended if the two parties agreed to do so. The UN did what it was expected to do: it rejected Ethiopias request to institute a new boundary commission. Then Ethiopia did what it was expected to do: it rejected UNs rejection of its rejection. So now, will this mean that the UNSC will take punitive measures, including sanctions, against Ethiopia? Not at all, says Dagmawi, one of the best polemic (and coherent) writers Ethiopia has. Heres his argument: The Hague Decision is an arbitration decision. It is not a UN Security Council decision. Although the Security Council has expressed its support for the Hague Decision and called on Ethiopia to cooperate fully with the commission, the Algiers Agreement does not establish the UN Security Council as the guarantor of the Hague Decision. The UN is simply the guarantor of the cessation of hostilities agreement. It is dj vu, all over again: the Ethiopian government recently announced that it will strive to maintain its national defense budget at no more than 2% of GDP, down from the 13% it was during the Eritrea-Ethiopia wars. What dj vu? Refer to one of the agendas of the Ethiopian Council of Ministers in May 10, 1998, just before the outbreak of the conflict A bomb was hidden in a Damera torch in Weldiya, Wolo and when the torch was lit to commemorate Meskel (the True Cross) on September 23, it exploded killing one youth and injuring 26, reports Addis Zemen. Nobody has taken credit and nobody has been accused.yet. In the Sudan, the honeymoon between the government and the opposition continues. The president, Omar Al Bashir, was full of praise for SPLM leader, John Garang who he said had been responsible for the success of the last round of the talks, according to TV Omdurman. Al Bashir also thanked the Kenyan president. Then he praised the leader of ChadComprehensive peace is in the air, he said. At this rate, he might even thank Isaias...well, maybe not. In Somalia, there is no honeymoon, but at least they are dating. They are still discussing about changing the venue of the meeting from the frontline states (Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia) to a more neutral place (maybe Uganda.) But, at least they are talking And finally, heres a horrific story. If you are of a squeamish nature, you may want to skip this...It is the kind of news that women secretly cheer Somewhere in Welega, Oromo region of Ethiopia, a man was being more than brutish: he tried to stangle his wife because his dinner was not ready and she..slept alone. Well, he is dead now. And how did he die? Heres how the Ethiopian News Agency website put it: Infuriated by his attempt, the woman suddenly twisted and squeezed her husband's private part that led him to death after one day, the corporal said. Ouch! Talk about twist and shout And now, you are up to date on The Nations In The Hood.
Ethiopia: British ambassador hints possibility of building another Badme BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 06, 2003 The UN Security Council has rejected Ethiopia's call, through Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, pertaining to the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. [Passage omitted] Meanwhile, regarding Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's call on the UN Security Council for an alternative mechanism [to rule on the border dispute], the British ambassador to Ethiopia, Myles Wickstead, has stated his government's position by saying: "We should never look for an alternative to the decision by the [Ethiopia-Eritrea] Boundary Commission." He said: We are not ready to accept and do anything that will jeopardize the decision by the boundary commission. He indicated that the commission's decision could only be amended if the two parties agreed to do so. In an interview with our newspaper, Ambassador Myles Wickstead said what made the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea unique was the absence of dialogue between the two sides. He said it was possible to find alternative solutions when two countries experiencing the same problem talked directly or through mediators, and "we believe this kind of talks should immediately start" between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said the two sides would benefit if they resorted to political dialogue, and that would contribute to a durable peace and stability in the region. He said "we also want to encourage the chairman of the African Union, [Alpha Oumar] Konare, to intervene". "We know Badme is symbolically important, but it should be more important for Ethiopia to be determined for peace and stability." Saying there was no reason there should not be Ethiopian Badme and Eritrean Badme on both sides of the border, the ambassador affirmed that his government and the international community would provide aid if residents of the current Badme opted to go to Ethiopia. He noted that the international community was ready to construct a new Badme, and if that was the solution, "we will start the work next week". He added that he was happy to announce that. It was evident from the ambassador's explanation that the two countries have been informed of this idea. He said the people residing on both sides of the border thought the border demarcation would worsen their situation, the ambassador said "I would like to affirm that will never happen". He reiterated that since there was an international willingness, there would be no financial problem to solve problems that may be caused by the demarcation of the border. He said it was sometimes a must to lose something small in order to get something big, adding that boundary decisions had never satisfied two countries in a dispute. He said the Ethiopian government should acknowledge that it had gained additional land in the boundary ruling. The ambassador said Ethiopia was a country under a democratic process and it was a must to listen to what the people and the opposition said about the issue, and the fact that Prime Minister Meles, unlike [Eritrean] President Isayas Afewerki, was unable to decide alone differentiated him from the later. Regarding acceptance or rejection of the decision by the boundary commission, the ambassador said sometimes governments should take measures the people did not support, giving the example of similar measures taken by the US and British government. He noted that such measures were taken in the interest of sustainable peace in the country. [Passage omitted] Asked about acceptance of the commission's decision and securing of foreign aid, he replied that "we have not said Ethiopia will get aid if it accepts the commission's decision". "What we say is that development aid works only in a peaceful and stable country". [Passage omitted] Source: The Reporter web site, Addis Ababa, in Amharic 6 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Ethiopia: Premier Meles receives honorary degree from Kokushikan University BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 02, 2003 Kokushikan Japanese University in Tokyo awards Honorary Doctorate Degree to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at a ceremony held within the compound of the university. The Doctor of law Honorary Degree was presented to Prime Minister Meles by Executive Board Chairman of the university Prof Harowuow [Phonetic] Nishihara. Prof Nishihara said on the occasion that the university awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree to Meles for his outstanding contribution made to the prevalence of peace and stability in Ethiopia, Horn of Africa, Grate Lakes Region and Africa as a whole. He said Meles was awarded the degree for his unstinted efforts made to resolve the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict peacefully and matured political leadership that enabled the country to embark on sustainable development. The chairman said the university which was established in 1970 is one of the largest universities existing in Japan. The executive board of the university will pay a visit to Ethiopia in the near future, according to Nishihara. Source: Radio Ethiopia external service, Addis Ababa, in English 1630 gmt 2 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring
Somali official says plan under way to change peace venue from Kenya BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 05, 2003 The international community has in the last few days proposed that Somali faction leaders be brought together in a place outside the front-line states [Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti], who are currently managing the Somali peace talks in Kenya. The interim Somali government minister of communities and refugee affairs, Ali Bashi Mahmud, confirmed to HornAfrik about the plan, saying that either Uganda or Tanzania could be next [peace talks] venue. Mr Bashi said the UK government has promised to fund the expected talks, adding that it would be an opportunity for the Somali faction leaders to meet, especially when the IGAD [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] member countries, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, amongst which exist sharp differences, are not involved in the talks. Some diplomats hold the view that if the plan succeeds, Somalis could reach an agreement. [Passage omitted]. Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 5 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Ethiopia pledges to limit its defence spending to just two per cent of its GDP. BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 03, 2003 site on 2 October Addis Ababa, 2 October: Ethiopia has pledged to limit its defence spending to just two per cent of its GDP. In its recently released Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy, the country says defence spending must be curbed so economic growth is not hampered. It acknowledges that the spending levels must be "flexible" in the face of a national threat to the nation. The 156-page policy document argues that a lean professional army with a reserve force would be more cost-effective. "If we stockpile weapons and boast of an invincible army of hundreds of thousands of troops without financial means our economy would collapse," it said. "It is possible to create an army which is determined, committed, militarily and theoretically skilled, modern, efficient and organized. This should be done without undue burden on the population." "It is essential that we balance our economic development with our defence requirements, and in this way, ensure that everything spent on defence is spent prudently," it added. "We need to train a sufficient number of qualified soldiers backed by a reserve force in time of emergency, using the very limited resources we have," the document said. According to IMF figures, Ethiopia's military spending was cut dramatically after the fall of former Marxist leader Mengistu Hailemariam. But it spiralled again in May 1998 during the bloody two-year war with neighbouring Eritrea, when about 13 per cents of GDP was spent on arms. The government believes it can bolster its intelligence and diplomatic services as a reliable way to obtain information on threats to the country. Source: Ethiomedia web site in English 0001 gmt 2 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Ethiopia: One killed 26 injured in bomb blast in north BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 03, 2003 Weldiya: One person was killed and 26 others injured in a bomb blast that had been hidden under a Demera Torch [Ethiopians celebrate the founding of the true cross by lighting a large bonfire out in the open on 27 September every year] in Bugna District of Northern Welo Zone [Amhara Regional State], the district police said. According to the Bugna District police boss, Lt Sileshi Gugsa, the bomb exploded at Mezena Teklehaimanot area in neighbourhood 0-33 when residents lit the torch for the celebrations. During the incident an 18 year-old youth was killed instantly while 26 others including a lady sustained minor and serious injuries. Out of the 26 injured one has been taken to Weldiya Hospital for specialized treatment while the remaining 25 are receiving treatment at the nearby Lalibela Hospital. Source: Addis Zemen, Addis Ababa, in Amharic 3 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Somalia: More twists in peace process BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 03, 2003 October Nairobi, 2 October: Members of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG) attending peace talks in Kenya have called on the conference organisers not to accept "obstruction and delaying tactics". Prime Minister Hasan Abshir Farah, Speaker Abdallah Derow Isaq and other delegation members said they welcomed attempts to heal the rift in the talks by bringing back key leaders who had walked out. But, they said, in a letter to conference chairman Ambassador Bethwel Kiplagat of Kenya, if the leaders refused to return "we should not accept obstruction and delaying tactics intended to derail the conference". The TNG is effectively split into two factions after President Abdiqassim Salad Hasan returned to Mogadishu, unhappy over the adoption of a transitional charter which will serve as a blueprint for future Somali institutions. In August, he sacked Abshir and Derow, and said the interim government would continue until new institutions were formed through free and fair elections. The TNG's mandate was due to end that same month, in accordance with the provisions of the Arta charter which established it. A source close to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediation team acknowledged there was some confusion over the TNG's status. But, the source told IRIN, the TNG delegation in Nairobi had been endorsed by the Transitional National Assembly (TNA) which, he said, was the only authority mandated to change the composition of that delegation. According to him, most of the TNA members were in Kenya. He said there was now a possibility of "slowing down the process" to try and persuade leaders who had walked out to return, and to bring Djibouti back on board. Djibouti, a member of the IGAD technical committee which is steering the talks, pulled out last week complaining of a lack of neutrality in the proceedings. The source said the mediators were also considering reducing the number of delegates to the talks and organising a retreat for delegation leaders. In addition to Abdiqassim, three other key faction leaders - Muse Sudi Yalahow, Osman Hasan Ali Ato and Bare Hiirale - have left the peace talks, angry over the transitional charter and what they see as attempts by Ethiopia to dominate the proceedings. Ethiopia has denied trying to interfere in the talks. The issue was further complicated on Thursday [2 October] after these three announced the formation of a rival grouping in Somalia, known as the Somali National Salvation, and said they would organise a national reconciliation conference of their own. IGAD mediators downplayed the move. "This opposition alliance is not all-inclusive," one official told IRIN. "It is a tug of war - they are trying to persuade people who are here to go there, and we are trying to persuade them to come here. But most of the key leaders are here." Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network, Nairobi, in English 2 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Sudan: Vice-President Taha, Garang to join peace talks on 14 October BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 06, 2003 The government delegation [for peace talks] and that of the people's movement [Sudan People's Liberation Movement SPLM] will tomorrow Monday morning [6 October] begin preliminary round of talks as a preparatory for a second decisive meeting between first Vice-President Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha, and Col John Garang. The meeting between the two leaders has been scheduled to take place on 14th of this month in Naivasha [Kenya], so that they take political decisions on the issue of power and wealth sharing. The two sides had earlier agreed on security and military arrangement during which they announced a framework agreement on the basis of joint military between the government and the SPLM in all disputed areas, except eastern Sudan. [Passage omitted] Source: Sudanile web site, Khartoum, in Arabic 5 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring Sudanese president praises rebel leader, sees "comprehensive peace" at hand
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 06, 2003
Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir has spoken warmly of all those who had helped to make a success of his government's current peace talks with the rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), including SPLM leader John Garang, who he said had been responsible for the success of the last round of the talks. Addressing parliament, Al-Bashir spoke optimistically and enthusiastically of the prospects for completing the peace process in the coming round of talks. The following is an excerpt from Al-Bashir's speech at the opening of a parliamentary session in Khartoum on 6 October; broadcast live by Sudanese TV: [Passage omitted] Brother chairman, distinguished brothers and sisters: As you are aware, we made peace, in our opinion, a strategic objective from which we should not be deflected. You are aware of the road which we adopted and you know what is contained in this kind of blessed move in terms of obstacles, and thorny and sceptical issues. However, God Almighty guided us with His graces after we equipped ourselves with honest trust and relied on God, adopted sincerity and armed ourselves with the weapon of patience. In this respect, your negotiating delegation moved in the domain of IGAD [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] initiatives with difficult rounds of talks, characterized by an unsteady and fluctuating atmosphere, until the enemy become close to the friend and the ambushed one became close to the comrade. Despite all that we crossed most of the roads by signing a framework agreement on security issues which is seen as the main key to the gate of a comprehensive and just peace, through which our country will pass into welcoming development, peace, security and unity. These efforts are still going on, as shown by the two sides of the negotiations in Naivasha [Kenya], which removed the barrier of partition, strengthened confidence in both sides, completed what our delegations started in the past rounds - which achieved the key Machakos [also in Kenya] agreement and resulted in the cease-fire accord - which then ended up being completed in two months, recently in Naivasha. This is the agreement which is considered as the greatest, with the most important positive indications. Its fruits will be tasted by the citizens in all parts affected by the wars. We hail the response of the people's movement [Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM] and its leader John Garang, who was responsible for the success of the last round of talks and [hopefully] the completion of peace in the forthcoming round. Similarly we hail neighbouring Kenya, its president, government and its peace envoy [Lazarus Sumbeiywo] for the great efforts they put into supervising and making a success of the talks. We commend the follow-up and great importance shown by the mediators - particularly the USA, the UK, Norway and the EU - and their commitment and constant efforts in supporting Sudan in the peace process. The Naivasha peace accord was preceded by the [separate] Abache [Chad] agreement [with the Sudan Liberation Movement, SLM], which has put limits to [word indistinct] and killings in Darfur [western Sudan] and put our country in a progressive stage, distancing us from war and bloodshed, and taking us close to development and stability. This parliamentary sitting will be the principal agent in establishing and planting a comprehensive peace, constitutionally, politically, economically and socially. [Passage omitted]. Source: Sudan TV, Omdurman, in Arabic 0815 gmt 6 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring President Al-Bashir hails Kenyan leadership over Sudanese peace process BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 06, 2003 President of the Republic [Staff Lt-Gen] Umar al-Bashir addressed the Sudanese nation through the opening session of the National Assembly's sixth round. The president declared that the state is committed and determined to reach peace and national reconciliation in order to provide wide participation for all political forces. Al-Bashir also reviewed efforts being exerted in peace negotiations which have been culminated by the framework agreement security arrangements. He described Naivasha agreement as major key in the process of reaching final peace, commending, in the meantime, the response of the people's movement [Sudanese People's Liberation Movement] and its leader John Garang who showed a real keenness to approach peace. On the other hand, the president of the republic praised the Kenyan leadership and its efforts in sponsoring peace negotiation, adding that the mediators have exerted their utmost approximate point of view. President Al-Bashir also thanked the Chadian president, Idriss Deby, who supported in achieving the Abeche [Chadian border town] agreements, affirming that the process will go on to endorse a national programme that would push toward the peace endeavours. Source: Sudan TV, Omdurman, in English 1500 gmt 6 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring ERITREA ASKS FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST ITSELFBy Dagmawi http://www.geocities.com/~dagmawi/Zebenya/02/Eritrea_asks_for_sanctions.html Note the following observations: 1. The Algiers Agreement does not refer to an enforcement mechanism for the Hague decision. 2. The Cessation of Hostilities agreement specifies that Ethiopian troops must not advance beyond positions they held as of May 6, 1998, while Eritrean troops are required to keep 25 kilometer's (artillery range) away from the border. 3. The commitments of Ethiopia and Eritrea with regard to the military positions and termination of hostilities are guaranteed by the UN Security Council and the OAU 4. The Hague Boundary Commission decision is guaranteed by no one - it depends on acceptance and validation by the sovereign entities involved (Eritrea and Ethiopia) The conclusion therefore follows:With Ethiopia's reaffirmation of its commitments under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, and Ethiopia's control of the disputed territories, the possibility of renewed conflict instigated by Ethiopia is nil. There is no possibility of even an artillery exchange, let alone close combat between the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies. In fact, only a limited number of Eritrean militia are allowed to enter the 25-km demilitarized zone, located entirely within Eritrea. Therefore, there is no immediate threat to peace and security along the Eritrean border that would require invoking Chapter 7 of the UN Charter against Ethiopia. The most serious long-term threat is Eritrea's refusal to demobilize its army and its pointed refusal to recommit itself to peaceful resolution of the Ethio-Eritrea conflict. Eritrea may undertake a series of desperate measures to incite conflict and thereby force the UN Security Council to take some action, but this would likely result in sanctions against the Eritrean fuehrer's regime in Asmara. ArbitrationThe Hague Decision is an arbitration decision. It is not a UN Security Council decision. Although the Security Council has expressed its support for the Hague Decision and called on Ethiopia to cooperate fully with the commission, the Algiers Agreement does not establish the UN Security Council as the guarantor of the Hague Decision. The UN is simply the guarantor of the cessation of hostilities agreement. The UN Security Council has no mandate to require Ethiopia to accept this arbitration decision. Sanctions under Chapter 7 of the UN charter are unlikely as long as Ethiopia does not violate its commitments listed in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, and continues to work for peaceful delimitation and demarcation of the border. Chapter 7 of the UN charter is reserved for the really serious issues - those that meet the test of immediate threats to peace and security. Such is not the case along the Ethiopia Eritrea border. On the other hand, we should not minimize the difficult position that has resulted thanks to the poor performance of the Ethiopian foreign ministry and the exceedingly poor leadership of PM Meles Zenawi. Verbal pressure from the UN Security Council and from other sources is likely to intensify. Individual measures may be taken by Europe and the USA to restrict aid. Navigation of this period will require using skillful diplomacy that is beyond the capability of the current Ethiopian Foreign Ministry. New, intelligent, worldwise, confident, and capable Ethiopian diplomats are badly needed. SovereigntySovereignty means the power to make laws for oneself. The Ethiopian people make laws to govern themselves. The UN does not govern Ethiopia. The Hague commission was empowered by Ethiopia and Eritrea, not the UN. Ethiopia and Eritrea, as sovereign nations, are the only ones who can take the action to implement the Hague decision. For example, to make the issue clear, suppose the Hague Commission made a mistake and awarded Adigrat to Eritrea. Would Ethiopia then be expected to meekly accept this mistake simply because of the 'final and binding clause' ? No. Ethiopia would reject the decision on the grounds that it was not compatible with the Algiers Agreement. It would not be the Security Council's job to verify this. It would solely be Ethiopia's responsibilty to make this evaluation. Now if we examine the actual Decision, the Commission made the mistake of awarding villages in the Zalambessa area to Eritrea when Eritrea presented zero evidence of administration. Ethiopia rejects this decision unless it is corrected. Similarily, the commission claimed that Eritrea had presented evidence of administration of Badumma when in fact Eritrea offered no (zero) evidence of administration regarding Badumma (aka Badime/Badme). This is a mistake, therefore Ethiopia is justified in requesting a correction of this flagrant error. As the commission refuses to correct its error, Ethiopia is obligated to reject the decision. No other entity can take this right and responsibility away from Ethiopia, and the UN will not either. Why not? Because the UN member nations would never allow this to happen to themselves. The USA, China, Russia, Great Britain, and France all do not want to establish precedents whereby the UN assumes responsibility for state functions that by right belong to a sovereign member of the UN. Arbitration would be a means to solve the various problems of the Falklands (British), Corsica (French), Chechnya (Russia), Taiwan (China), but none of these countries wants the UN to assume power over their sovereignty. Even if they accept arbitration at some point, they will reserve final judgement for themselves and not allow the UN to have this power. The US is even more fanatical in this regard. SummaryUN Sanctions are unlikely to be applied to Ethiopia because: 1) They are not called for as part of the Algiers Agreement
2) Commitments specified under the Cessation of Hostilities continue to be observed
3) The five permanent members of the Security Council do not like to establish precedents widening the UN's power's and limiting state sovereignty because this could apply to them one day. Additional reasons:
4) UN Security council members don't want to sacrifice their interests for crazy fuehrer Isaias
5) Ethiopians are united in rejecting the Hague decision; Meles could not impose it despite his best efforts
6) Eritreans are desperately fleeing to Ethiopia which indicates to the UN that capturing Badumma and Irob is the last thing on their minds now. (The latest uproar came just last week with a dozen or so Eritrean stowaways using Ethiopia: Woman kills husband by twisting his private part BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Oct 03, 2003 Addis Ababa, 2 October: Police apprehended a woman whom they have accused of killing her husband by twisting his private part in Wayu Tuka Woreda [District] of East Welega Zone, Oromiya State. The zonal police public relations section head, Cpl Benti Regasa told Ethiopian News Agency on Wednesday [1 October] that the woman killed her husband after he attempted to strangle her for not serving his dinner and sleeping the night alone. Infuriated by his attempt, the woman suddenly twisted and squeezed her husband's private part that led him to death after one day, the corporal said. The woman confessed to police that her late husband used to disturb her peace for he was alcoholic. The body of the deceased was taken to a local hospital for further investigation, the police said. Source: ENA web site, Addis Ababa, in English 3 Oct 03 BBC Monitoring |
