January 4, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – Eritrean president, Isaias Afeworki said that intelligence agencies of the United States were the main instigators of the 1998-2000 Ethiopia-Eritrea border war which claimed the lives of 70,000 people.

In an interview with the state-run TV the President on Sunday said that CIA mainly aimed at creating a crisis situation in Africa and exposes its people to animosity among one another, and thus plunders the resources of the continent, besides imposing one’s narrow interests.

"The policy of the hegemony (US) in the Horn of Africa unfolded by end of the Cold War at the time Eritrea achieved independence, Somalia was engulfed in turmoil, Sudan entered into a new political stage and Ethiopia in particular experienced new situation," Isaias said

"In this respect, the US intelligence agencies were the main instigators of the Eritrean- Ethiopian conflict," he added.

Recently, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo against Eritrea for arming, supporting and training Somalia insurgent group. However the Eritrean president once again blasted the resolution as "illegal" and "misguided".

“Sanctions resolution against Eritrea is a manifestation of failed adventurous policies designed to victimize the nation. The allegation has no substance at all” he said adding “Eritrea has the right to extend arms political or moral support to other forces” he said.

The President accused the US intelligence agency (CIA) being the "mastermind" of the imposed sanction which he said was aimed to isolate Eritrean nationals from their people and leadership through various ploys.

"Although Ethiopia may perhaps have something to do with the sanctions, the whole affair is not basically its handwork."

He further stressed that the sanctions resolution has "undoubtedly been masterminded by the CIA". The imposed UN sanctions include travel ban to top military officials and also freezes their assets.

(ST)