Bombs: Ethiopia blames Eritrea

2006-04-27 22:49

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the material in explosive devices - responsible for a string of mystery blasts in the country - is from arch-rival Eritrea.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Meles stopped short of directly blaming Eritrea for more than a dozen explosions that have hit Addis Ababa and provincial towns.

The blasts have killed at least seven people since January.

Meles said: "There is no question in my mind that the material for the bombs is coming from Eritrea.

"There are many factors that substantiate it but that is as far as I'm prepared to go."

Ethiopia and Eritrea waged war over a common border between 1998 and 2000, and regularly make allegations of fomenting unrest on the other's soil.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Ethiopian officials have hinted at Eritrea's involvement in the explosions but have also suggested that indigenous separatist groups might be responsible.

Meles says blasts are not a threat

Meles said: "I assure you it's only a matter of time until the terrorists are caught and brought to the justice."

He declined to comment any further, saying investigations are ongoing.

He stressed he did not believe the blasts, or the fact that no one has yet been arrested in connection with them, posed a major threat to Ethiopia's national security.

Meles said: "The fact that we haven't apprehended the perpetrators is a matter of concern, but I don't think it will challenge the whole security in the country."

Six people were killed earlier this month, when grenades exploded in bars and a market in towns in eastern and western Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa has been hit by at least 11 explosions since January. Some have been attributed to grenades and others to landmines.

One day in March, a series of five bomb explosions killed one person and wounded 15.

- AFP