SOO MAAL Posted June 3, 2005 Somali Port for import of nerve gas against Eritrea, Eritrea Daily.net,31 May 2005= Secret reports we have obtained say that the Ethiopian ministers who recently visited Hargeysa, the capital of Somaliland administration, have signed an agreement with the Somaliland authorities allowing the Ethiopian Government to use Berbera Port to ship in never gas for use against Eritrea. The reports said that the Ethiopian ministers presented the Riyale administration with two proposals, one of which it accepted. One proposal sought the use of Berbera Port to import the dangerous chemical; the other sought permission for Ethiopia to develop a new natural harbour near Berbera Port, which would allow the neighbouring country to import anything it wants – arms or chemicals. The Riyale administration is said undecided about the latter proposal. Somaliland ministers have left for Ethiopia, accompanying the visiting Ethiopian ministers. There were no details about their trip to Ethiopia. The Somaliland ministers will deliver a message from President Dahir Riyale Kahin to Ethiopian Prime Minister Zenawi, as well as hold talks with senior Ethiopian Government officials on the [port development] issue. Nerve gas is extremely toxic. If a tiny hole is punctured in a barrel containing the gas, the chemical can escape putting people in the area at risk. Saddam Husayn was reported to have used the chemical against Kurds. The Ethiopian government is said to have bought the chemical from mercenaries. If Ethiopia, a long-time enemy of Somalia, lays its hands on nerve gas, it may use against the Somali people. Source: Awdalnews website via BBC Monitoring Service. 30 May 05. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
