ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ATO KIFLE WODAJO, TELLS NEWS CONFERENCE GOVERNMENT WILL CO-OPERATE WITH ALL COUNTRIES THAT RESPECT ETHIOPIAN INTEGRITY.

Record ID: 419183

  • Title: ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ATO KIFLE WODAJO, TELLS NEWS CONFERENCE GOVERNMENT WILL CO-OPERATE WITH ALL COUNTRIES THAT RESPECT ETHIOPIAN INTEGRITY.
  • Date: 18th September 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV EXT. Foreign Ministry building. 0.10 2. SV INT. Journalists at news conference given by Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Ato Kifle Wodajo, sitting facing reporters. 0.11 3. CU Ethiopian Foreign Minister speaking. 2.26 WODAJO: "Ethiopia will co-operate with all countries which are prepared to respect the aspirations of the Ethiopian people, those countries which would like to conduct their relations with Ethiopia on the basis of equality, non-interference, respect for the sovereignty and independence of Ethiopia. Ethiopia does not have any ambitions with respect to the interests of anyone of the neighbouring countries and we expect the neighbouring countries would conduct their relations with us on the basis of the recognition of the Ethiopian people and the territorial integrity of Ethiopia. We have chosen to characterise our foreign policy as one of positive and dynamic non-alignment. By that we mean we are prepared to work and co-operate with all countries, with all peoples' of the world -- especially with the progressive peoples' of the world. We feel that non-alignment should not be interpreted to mean a passive posture. Certainly we would like to adopt a very active and constructive attitude to foreign relations. We feel that by non-alignment should be a force dedicated to accelerating the equalisation process in Africa. As a matter of fact it should be a policy of active assistance to all struggling people against colonialism in Africa." Last Sunday (12 September) the Ethiopian Government issued an official statement accusing neighbouring Somalia of taking advantage of Ethiopia's internal difficulties to satisfy its territorial claims. According to the Ethiopian Government the main internal conflict involves the guerrilla war by secessionists in Eritrea. Ethiopia claims that Somalia is not interested in finding a just solution to end the war. In the same statement, Ethiopia also expressed anxiety over the future of the French territory of the Afars and Assas which gains independence next year. The ethiopian head of State, Brigadier-General Teferi Banti, has appealed to Somalia to see the independence of the territory as an opportunity to build a lasting peace in the region. The territory's capital is the port of Djibouti, which has a key role in the Ethiopian economy as its main port. According to Ethiopian Government officials quoted by Reuters they fear Somalia will try and absorb the territory after independence thus posing a potential threat to Ethiopian trade. Initials VS 21.45 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 1976 13:00
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  • Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Reuters ID: LVAAPA76XWM8KFQCQHKP4YZ6YFSI
  • Story Text: The Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Ato Kifle Wodajo, told newsmen this week in Addis Ababa that his government would co-operate with all countries that respect Ethiopian integrity.

    SYNOPSIS: The Foreign Minister expressed doubts as to whether United States Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, will achieve success on his peace mission to southern Africa. However, much of his statement involved Ethiopian concern about neighbouring states. He went on:-
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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