According to information obtained from European Union (EU) sources in
Brussels, Belgium, the following report on Ethiopian allegations of detention, mistreatment and expulsion of Ethiopian
residents in Eritrea was submitted by European ambassadors in Asmara, Eritrea, to the EU on July 29, 1998.

"During the last weeks heads of mission in Asmara intensely looked into the matter of Ethiopian allegations of
mistreatment, harassment and deportation of Ethiopians residing in Eritrea and as well treatment of Eritreans in Ethiopia.

Heads of mission can confirm that allegations of mistreatment of
Ethiopians in Eritrea have not come to their knowledge. Neither true is information of parading of prisoners of war in
Asmara, except briefly for Ethiopian Air Force officer Bezabih Petros after the downing of his plane. Through intensive
interviews with Ethiopian citizens in Asmara and elsewhere it can be confirmed that they are treated mostly in no way
other then before the conflict between the two states. Eritreans have even been warned by the government not to harass
Ethiopians and to treat them in a respectful manner.

To the best knowledge of the heads of mission there have not been mass deportations, arbitrary arrests or anything else
regarding the Ethiopians. Those who wanted to leave Eritrea were not hindered with the exception of 177 Ethiopians who
were sent back for no obvious reasons to their embassy in Asmara a few days ago. The Eritrean government has openly
declared that these people are free to leave. The ICRC is allowed to look into this matter.

The heads of mission are not aware of detentions of Ethiopians for the only reason of being Ethiopians. There might have
been arrests of few Ethiopians but--as the government declares--for reasons of criminal acts, etc. The ICRC will also look
into this matter next week.

All in all heads of mission in Asmara can confirm that to their
knowledge nearly all the allegations and accusations of the Ethiopian government are either grossly exaggerated or untrue.

Heads of mission visited several times deportees from Ethiopia (e.g.,
in Asmara, Mendefera, Badime, Zala Anbessa). They interviewed these people without any official interference of the
Eritrean side.

Heads of mission are of the unanimous opinion that the statements made by the deported Eritreans that they have been
harassed, mistreated, sometimes arrested, separated from their dependents and forced to forfeit their property for no
other reason than being Eritreans or, albeit Ethiopian citizens, of Eritrean descent, are true and proved. A great number of
the deportees do not understand until now the reasons for being treated in such manner by the Ethiopian authorities. This is
especially true of the nomadic people living in border areas, where the concept of nationality has always been somewhat
indefinite. The number of deportees has reached nearly 12,000.

Due to historical reasons which date back to the liberation struggle,
the Eritrean authorities were/are very reluctant to let ICRC or other humanitarian organization examine the situation in
Eritrea.

As a result of the propaganda of the Ethiopians, Eritrea is now
willing to let ICRC and others look into this matter. ICRC will be allowed to open an office in Asmara: new staff will
arrive soon. However, the ICRC has at yet not been allowed to meet the prisoners of war. Also four members of the
Humanitarian Commission in Geneva will be allowed to visit the so-called "detainees," deportees and others. Thus, Eritrea
hopes to set the record straight with respect to a world opinion misinformed by the Ethiopian propaganda.

Heads of mission will follow events as closely as possible and will
report again when new evidence asks for it.

In the meantime it can be clearly stated that Ethiopian propaganda
will allegations of deporting Ethiopians, arresting and keeping detainees, mistreating Ethiopians and so forth is to the
moment unfounded.

The heads of mission consider that it would be justified for the EU to publicly state the facts, mentioning the arbitrary
treatment of Eritrean residents by the Ethiopian authorities and the absence of retaliation by the Eritrean government on
Ethiopian citizens. The EU could also appeal to both sides for allowing visits by the ICRC to all prisoners of war.

Any delay in so doing would strengthen the Eritrean feeling of a bias
against Eritrea in the international community. This may in turn nurture isolationist policies, dangerous in themselves and
detrimental to the peace process."

Veronica Rentmeesters, Information Officer

Embassy of Eritrea to the US
1708 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC 20009, USA TEL: 202 588 7587 FAX: 202 319 1304