ADDIS
ABABA (AFP) — Ethiopia said Monday it has the means
to secure its vital trade corridor with the Gulf of
Aden in the event of conflict between Djibouti and
Eritrea.
Tensions have grown between the two Horn of Africa
nations since Djibouti accused Eritrean military
forces of trench-digging along their common border
and infiltrating Djiboutian territory by several
hundred metres (yards).
Djibouti denies the allegation.
"They do act silly sometimes, but I don't think they
would go totally insane," said Ethiopian Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi at a meeting with trade
officials, referring to the Eritrean government.
"Even so, Ethiopia has a capacity of protecting the
safety of the Ethio-Djibouti trade corridor," added
Zenawi, who was quoted by Ethiopia's state-run news
agency ENA.
Eritrea -- which has twice clashed with Djibouti
over their common border -- broke away from Ethiopia
and won independence in 1993 after three decades of
conflict. A second, two-year war broke out in 1993.
Ethiopia depends on Djibouti's seaport for its
international trade.
