Ethiopia, US hold talks on anti-terrorism

Oct 11, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — A US senior military official held talks here on anti-terrorism cooperation between Addis Ababa and Washington, saying there has been a strong military cooperation between Ethiopia and U.S.A.

Theresa Whelan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African on Tuesday met Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and discussed military cooperation, anti-terrorism activities and regional peace particularly in the Horn of Africa.

The two sides discussed issues in Somalia, said a senior official who attended the meeting, the official ENA reported.

Briefing Whelan, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia’s agenda on Somalia has been none other than implementing relevant decisions passed by the African Union and the Inter-governmental Authority on Development.

In her statement after talks with Prime Minister Meles, the U.S. official said the Ethiopian army is working closely with the U.S. military force in Djibouti. She said a joint rehabilitative support was made in support of the victims of the Dire Dawa flooding.

She said, the purpose of her delegation’s visit was to exchange views on the existing cooperation in the fields of the military and security.

(ST)