ONLF denies talks with the Ethiopian government
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Press Release
ONLF Response to Prime Minister Melez Zenawi’s Statements before Parliament
October 20, 2006 — Recent statements by Ethiopian Prime Minister Melez Zenawi before parliament stating that his regime had been engaged in dialogue with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) represent a gross misrepresentation of facts.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to engage in direct dialogue with the ONLF in a neutral country before an independant third party mediator with no preconditions as the ONLF has proposed numerous times.
It is EPRDF regime not the ONLF that is Determined to achieve political aims through brutal force instead of pursuing a path of constructive and direct dialogue with the aim of reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Ogaden issue.
This destructive policy of pursuing a futile military solution while placing preconditions on dialogue has led to the death of countless civilians in Ogaden with many others still lingering in Ethiopian prisons after being arbitrarily arrested. The Zenawi policy of choosing force over dialogue has also contributed to the destabilization of the entire region.
Melez Zenawi’s statements before parliament clearly indicate a desire by his regime to escalate military confrontation in Ogaden. While this is unfortunate, the ONLF stands ready to defend the people of Ogaden without reservation.