Top US general visits Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, July 23, 2005 (Xinhua) — The military ties between Ethiopia and the United States would be further enhanced, said a US general on Saturday.

After talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the prevention of terrorism and regional security, John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command, told journalists that there is an excellent cooperation between Ethiopia and the United States in the fight against terrorism in the whole of Africa.

He said the United States and Ethiopia have been engaged in undertaking joint military training aimed at fighting terrorism. This cooperation would further be strengthened, he added.

During his current visit to the Horn of Africa, Abizaid will hold similar talks with various leaders in the region, according to the US embassy.

Ethiopia has been central to US anti-terrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa on both the security and fiscal fronts. Ethiopia has stepped up its border control efforts and helped the US freeze financial assets of suspected terrorists.