afrol News, 12 December - Eritrean authorities have responded strongly to US officials statements labelling the country as a state sponsor of terrorism.

A statement from Asmara yesterday denounced what it called 'efforts exerted by some US official in the outgoing administration' to declare Eritrea as state sponsor of terrorism.

The Eritrean foreign ministry accused some US officials of "making a last-ditch attempt to tie beforehand the hands of the incoming administration in the strategic Horn of Africa region," further saying such efforts had failed in the past, and further hoping the new administration of President-elect Barrack Obama would see the need to restore US-Eritrea relations.

US officials had in the past accused Eritrea of supporting al-Qaeda activities in Somalia, further saying there was enough evidence to prove such.

On the other hand, Eritrea had accused the Bush administration of supporting and favouring neighbours Ethiopia on their protracted border conflicts.

Last month Eritrea blamed Washington's policy for being the root cause behind piracy off the Somali coast, adding that breakaway Somaliland and Puntland must return to Somalia to create a forceful unit.

Asmara further alleged it was the US government that stands behind the political split currently experienced in Somalia. "The main cause of this problem is the vacuum that has been created for the last 17 years in Somalia," the government statement said. "Sadly, an enduring solution is not conceivable until the reckless acts of the US and its surrogates aimed at balkanising Somalia, dividing its people along ethnic and clan lines ... cease," it added.

However in a recent message to congratulate newly elected US president, Eritrean president conveyed "ardent hope that US policy in our region will indeed change under your Excellency’s presidency to pursue a constructive path to advance the causes of regional peace, justice and legality."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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