U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
Press Statement


Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
August 6, 1998

Ethiopia: Expulsions of Eritreans

The United States Government is greatly concerned about the growing impact on civilian populations of the
continuing conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The United States views with deep concern the detention and expulsion of ethnic Eritreans in and from Ethiopia.
The Government of Ethiopia has a legitimate right to guarantee the safety and security of its people against
potential threats. However, there are fundamental humanitarian and human rights concerns raised by the forcible
separation of families, the undue hardships of those detained or expelled to Eritrea, and the financial losses caused
by sudden expulsions. We urge the Government of Ethiopia to respect international human rights norms and
standards and follow appropriate due process in handling its security concerns. We further urge the Government of
Ethiopia to allow all those who were wrongfully expelled to return and to establish a compensation commission to
investigate and recommend compensation for the claims resulting from undue financial loss and hardship as a result
of rapid, forced expulsions.

We call on the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea to ensure full access to all detainees and POWs to exchange
POWs, to allow all students to repatriate, and to facilitate the return of nationals who wish to repatriate voluntarily.
We welcome the decision by both governments to grant the ICRC access and urge full cooperation with the ICRC
in accordance with its standard procedures. We call on both parties to receive missions from appropriate United
Nations agencies. History has shown that deportations and detentions and the massive displacement of innocent
civilians, wherever and whenever they occur, create hardships and bitterness fueling misunderstandings and lasting
mistrust.

Ultimately, a durable peace is the best guarantee of the rights of each other's nationals in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The
United States urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to redouble their efforts in seeking a peaceful resolution to the current
border conflict, and we pledge our continued commitment to support such efforts.

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