Ethiopia: Eritrea Behind Kidnapping
March 3, 2007
An Ethiopian official blamed the kidnapping of five British diplomats and family members on Eritrean forces.
Ismael Ali Sero, the president of the Northern Afar region, told the BBC that the five, who were on a trek in the desert area near the Eritrean border, were attacked Thursday. He said they were marched to Waime in Eritrea.
Thirteen Ethiopian drivers and interpreters were also abducted. ENA, the Ethiopian news agency, reported that five of the 13 had turned up, walking three to four hours over the desert to bases of Ethiopian security forces.
The British government has sent a crisis team to Ethiopia.
Parts of Afar are disputed by Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Five French tourists who were also thought to be missing have been found safe.