The Reporter
Namrud Berhane
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Responding to inquiries by members of parliament Meles said that after considering the two options, the benefits of staying in Somalia far outweighed the benefits of withdrawing at the present stage.
"This however does not mean that there are no sacrifices to be made and that we will not want to withdraw as soon as possible. The problems in Somalia can only be solved by the people of Somalia," Meles said.
Some members of parliament questioned whether the war in Somalia had not turned out to be between the Islamic Courts and Ethiopia.
In response, Meles said that Ethiopian troops had to stay in Somalia until the Somali people and government established a capable security force that would allow for the smooth conduct of the peace conference which is expected to be held soon. Ethiopia's presence was also necessary until such time that the African Union sends enough peacekeepers, according to Meles.
Meles, who said that the initial plan had been to immobilize the military capabilities of the Islamic Courts and then withdraw within weeks, added that clan elders had also promised to intervene for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and that Ethiopia was on the process of withdrawing two thirds of its troops.
"There was however a military miscalculation on the part of these groups. First, they thought since a large number of the Ethiopians were withdrawn the remaining will be incapable to do much. They were of the view that since the African Union troops were not fully accustomed to the conditions and environment in Somalia, they would be easy prey for successive attacks that will force them out. Second, they thought since others had failed in their previous attempts in Mogadishu the same would be the fate of Ethiopian troops too," Meles said.
Meles conceded that his government had politically miscalculated that the situation could be resolved peacefully because "the clan elders repeatedly promised to help."
"Gradually, however, we realized that we had politically miscalculated and they have realized they have militarily miscalculated, and we have both corrected our respective views," he said.
Meles also spoke on the government's strategy with regards to the tense relations with neighboring Eritrea.
"Our priority is eliminating poverty. And for the sake of that aim we will pay whatever sacrifices are required...There is a tendency in Eritrea of attempting to be the neighborhood bully. Our agenda is defeating poverty, not defeating neighborhood bullies. As long as these bullies do not hamper our development activities, they can act in any way they prefer to."
Meles said the Ethiopian government was willing to resolve the border issue with Eritrea in a peaceful manner.
To that end, he said that while Ethiopia fully accepted the decision of the boundary commission, the implementation however should be negotiated in order to ensure a long lasting peace.
However if such attempts of negotiation proved unsuccessful, Meles also told the parliament that the necessary military preparations had also been put in place to repulse a possible attack launched from the Eritrean side.
Source: The Reporter, July 03, 2007