Pledges of loyalty in Ethiopia

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 13

Pledges of loyalty in Ethiopia

f.V.Z Press Association—Copyright) ADDIS ABABA. April 28. The Ethiopian Government led by Mr Endalkachexx Makonnen has been given a new lease of life; the country’s armed forces and police have pledged their total support, and have promised no further arrests of former Ministers and officials.

A deputation from the forces called on Emperor Haile Selassie at the Jubilee Palace to pledge their loyalty to the Crown and their total support for the Government. Mr Makonnen and members of his Cabinet, and the commanders of various units of the Armed Forces and the police were present.

The deputation told the

Emperor that 20 former Ministers and senior officials were rounded up on Friday night and yesterday, “to be kept in one place until the ■ commission of inquiry decides if they should be brought to trial on charges varying from abuse of power and illegally enriching themselves to squandering public funds or property.” The deputation alleged that because their captives had been allowed to roam freely, they had tried to “sow discord among the Ethiopian people, and to further plunge the country into

trouble on account of their

I disgrace from power through sinister machinations.” j The 20 detainees were ■transferred yesterday from the Fourth Army Division headquarters to an army barracks at Gofa Sefer, in

south-eastern Addis Ababa. Emperor Haile Selassie told members of the deputation that he was pleased with the frank manner in which their views had been expressed, and he commended them for their appeal to the general public to assist in maintaining law and order.

The pledges of loyalty to the Emperor and the Government, broadcast over radio and television, have removed doubts and rumours about a military take-over of Ethiopia, and brought relief to the one million citizens of Addis Ababa.