Tuesday, July 24, 2007

U.N. refutes ONLF accusation

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopia's government is not "blocking" aid to a remote eastern region, but trade restrictions combined with floods could still trigger a humanitarian crisis there, the U.N. World Food Programme said on Tuesday.

A rebel group in the desolate area bordering Somalia demanded a U.N. investigation after The New York Times quoted Western diplomats and aid officials on Sunday accusing Ethiopian authorities of stopping food aid reaching the Ogaden region.

WFP says no Ethiopia aid blockade, but has concerns (Reuters) July 24, 2007