Five Americans beaten up in Ogaden Ethiopia - report

Five Americans were arrested and beaten up in Ethiopia trying to contact the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) military leaders in the region, the ION reported this week.

The Americans illegally and secretly entered eastern Ethiopia thru Djibouti and they pretended to work for an NGO as a cover but the Ethiopian government immediately picked them up and one of them still remains in prison, according to the report.

The ONLF and the Ethiopian government have been engaged in a low-level conflict that intensified in 2007 after the rebels killed 74 Ethiopian and Chinese Oil field workers. The report said the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnie Carson is trying to persuade Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government to release the remaining American.

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Added: September 16, 2009. 09:13 PM GMT

ONLF on ION

A member of the Central Committe of the ONLF asked about the claims of the ION declined to express any comments about the allegation directly.

He, nonetheless, stated: "Ethiopian regime led by Zenawi will do anything and everything to maintain and perpetuate its genocide in Ogaden and yet have the world be blacked-out about the heinous crimes. If Ethiopia has nothing to hide, let it permit the international human rights organizations, media and a non-governmental humanitarian agencies come in Ogaden and explore, research and witness for themselves the current situation of Ogaden."

The official was quoted when he addressing a private function held by and for friends of the Ogaden cause for self-determination.

Anonymous

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Added: September 16, 2009. 02:29 PM GMT

It is time for American action.

I have watched the (Hard talk ) programme of the BBC when melles Zinawi was
Asked if he was concerned about him being taken to international court of justice
for the crimes he committed in Ogaden. At that time I could feel the fear in his eyes he
seemed so insignificant and frightened although he tried to spell otherwise. Zenawi is a
typical African dictator he has no respect for his own and he treats them as subhuman,
While he looks insignificant and acts as typical beggar in front of the donor countries.
It is time the world stop this man.

Anonymous

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Added: September 16, 2009. 07:31 AM GMT

spies

To enter one's country is illegal and insulting sovereignty let alone steering domestic politics and touching sensitive issues. All of them should rot in prison for spying. Just because they are Americans they don't have the right!!!

Anonymous

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