The Ethiopian Herald reported from Addis Ababa on Oct. 11 that U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Theresa Whelan met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Oct. 10.
The pair discussed bilateral American-Ethiopian military cooperation and regional anti-terrorism activities in the Horn of Africa.
A senior Ethiopian official who attended the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Zenawi and Whelan also discussed the situation in neighboring Somalia, where the militant Union of Islamic Courts has seized control of most of the country.
Zenawi told Whelan that Ethiopia's agenda in Somalia has been to assist implementing relevant African Union and the Inter-governmental Authority on Development decisions.
Zenawi and Whelan also discussed the two countries' joint efforts against terrorism.
In a press statement released following the discussions, Whelan said that the Ethiopian army is working closely with the U.S. military force in Djibouti, stating that the purpose of her delegation's visit was to exchange views on current American-Ethiopian bilateral military and security cooperation.
Source: UPI, Oct. 13, 2006