Britain to consider developing military ties

Britain is looking at boosting military links with Ethiopia, according to the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).

A team of officials, including Ministry of Defence representatives, is due to travel to Ethiopia early next year to consider strengthening ties.

The details are given in a newly-published draft Country Assistance Plan for Ethiopia, drawn up by the British government’s aid arm.

“The Ethiopian military are keen to strengthen links with the UK,” the development plan said. It added that UK officials wanted to examine the "best way" that support could be provided.

The DFID plan also states that the British government wants to work with Ethiopia in tackling “political governance and human rights problems”. Federal elections in 2005 “will be a key test” for the country, it noted.

The plan says that by improving political governance and human rights, foreign aid to the country will increase. A key element in addressing the human rights violations, the report adds, is through effective training of the police and security forces.

Both have come under criticism recently after separate shootings in Ethiopia in which at least 100 people were killed. The European Union has called for an “open transparent and public” inquiry into the killings in Awasa and Tepi – both in southern Ethiopia.

The police were also criticised after at least 40 people were shot dead during riots in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in April 2001.

“Significant progress has been made in comparison with the recent past, but worrying incidents of abuse of human rights continue to occur including violent handling of political protest,” the DFID report said.

“The Ethiopian government has asked us to provide training for police and security forces to assist them with the democratisation process and respect for human rights," it added.