Ethiopia not waiting for OK

2006-11-26 18:50

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says his country will not wait for foreign approval before attacking powerful Islamists in neighbouring Somaliain a move that many fear could lead to a regional war.

As the powerful Islamist movement poured troops into frontline positions outside the Ethiopian-backed weak Somali government's seat, Meles called for understanding of the threat, but said he needed no "green light" to attack.

"We don't expect any light from anybody: either green, red or amber," he told reporters in Addis Ababa after announcing to parliament that Ethiopia had completed preparations for war.

"I want to emphasise again that we are not saying we might be attacked, we already have been attacked," said Meles of the Islamists.

Deny troop deployments

The Islamists have declared holy war on Ethiopian troops in Somalia deployed to protect the Somali government.

Many in the international community fear that all-out conflict in Somalia could engulf the Horn of Africa, drawing in Ethiopia and its arch-foe neighbour, Eritrea, which is accused of supporting the Islamists.

Meles agreed that some countries had urged restraint on the part of Ethiopia that admitted to sending military advisers and trainers to Somalia, but denied reports of deploying thousands of combat troops.

"Dialogue, they think, is the best way forward," he said. "We respect their views but because it is our country being attacked, we don't see it the same way."

Even as the Islamists braced for conflict and accused Ethiopia of sending airpower to strike them, the prime minister said he had not yet made a decision on whether or not to engage in direct military action.

Minor incidents

"We do not yet feel the need to respond," he said, maintaining that no Ethiopian troops had been involved yet in combat with the Islamists who claimed to have attacked several Ethiopian military convoys this week.

Meles said: "There have been some clashes between elements of the (government) and (the Islamists), minor incidents here and there, but our troops have not been involved."

- AFP