US urges restraint after Ethiopia riot deaths
The White House has urged all sides to show restraint in Ethiopia, where deadly riots have followed last month’s legislative elections.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said US officials have discussed the violence with Ethiopian officials and opposition leaders. He said President George Bush also discussed the situation in a phone call with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
“The violence is unacceptable, the threat of violence is unacceptable,” McClellan said.
“We urge students and civil society leaders and opposition supporters, members of the government and political leaders to refrain from violence and maintain a peaceful atmosphere in Ethiopia.”
Ethiopian security forces fired on stone-throwing demonstrators in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people, the government said.
EU observers said some opposition leaders have been placed under house arrest.
McClellan said “any concerns related to electoral irregularities need to be addressed through the electoral commission, the legal progress”.
“It’s also important for the federal security forces to respond in a like manner, and exercise restraint and act in way that’s in accordance with international standards on human rights,” he said.
“It’s important that there be due process.”
