Ministry describes statement of Israeli ambassador to Eritrea as irresponsible

Addis Ababa, Feb. 01 (ENA)-- A spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has characterized a statement attributed to the Ambassador of Israel to Eritrea at a press briefing by UNMEE on 18 January 2002 as inexcusable and deeply saddening.

The spokesperson of the Ministry cited an edited transcript of the press conference issued by UNMEE's Public Information Office in which the Israel Ambassador appears to cast doubt on Ethiopia's commitment to the peace process.

The Ambassador has attempted to support his views by what he claims to have transpired at the recently convened IGAD Summit in Khartoum. The Ambassador refers to a document on a protocol agreement on peaceful dialogue, which only Ethiopia refused signing in Khartoum.

The spokesperson told ENA that there was no document that Ethiopia failed signing in Khartoum, adding that "what the Israeli Ambassador is cited to have said is totally erroneous and based on a fictitious story".

What the Ambassador said was "inexcusable and that such an irresponsible utterance which had no basis made the Ambassador at the press briefing look like an ordinary public relations officer of the Government of Eritrea", the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said, "a quick glance at the transcript shows how the Ambassador's remarks were quickly seized by the Eritrean side in a self-serving manner."

"The Ambassador must be one of the very few who have failed to recognize that Ethiopia is, and will continue to be, a pillar for peace in our sub-region."

In reply to whether any steps have been taken by the Ministry to seek clarification on the incident at the formal level from the Ambassador's Government, the spokesperson said that the Foreign Ministry had in fact sought explanation, and is awaiting a response from the Israeli Government.

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