Eritrean Denies Attempting To Kill Mengistu

[Stephen B. Kennedy-IV]

01 Oct 96

Eritrean Denies Attempting To Kill Mengistu

HARARE, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Eritrean businessman Solomon Haile Ghebre
Michael denied a charge in Court Tuesday that he had tried to kill
former Ethiopian leader Mengistu Haile Mariam, under the orders of
the government in Asmara.

"I have no concern, no relationship whatsoever, with the government
of Eritrea," he said. "My only relation with the state of Eritrea is
that I am a citizen."

But Abel Gotora of the attorney general's office said: "I believe I
am within my limits to allege that he (Solomon) was sponsored by the
government to come and kill."

Solomon, represented by senior counsel advocate Chris Andersen, is
facing a count under the Law and Order Maintenance Act, which
relates to illegal possession of arms of war. He has pleaded not
guilty to charges of terrorism.

He is also charged with attempting to kill the former Ethiopian
leader. It is alleged that he and other persons, including Abraham
Josf Knife who has already been convicted, conspired to enter
Zimbabwe to assassinate Mengistu.

On Nov. 3, 1995 Solomon and others went to Mengistu's Gunhill villas
in Harare. A policeman guarding Mengistu in the area saw him and
concluded that he was acting suspiciously.

Then Solomon, using a Chinese sub-machine gun fitted with a
silencer, allegedly shot at the policeman but missed.

At that time Mengistu was taking a walk in the vicinity with his
family.

The policeman subsequently shot Solomon on the right arm and
disarmed him. Solomon was then found in possession of the machine
gun and 28 rounds of ammunition, a pistol fitted with a silencer and
nine rounds of ammunition.

Solomon said the Eritrean government had helped him get a visa to
travel to Zimbabwe, since he and some officials now in government
had been involved in the country's war of independence against
Ethiopia.

He said he had come to Zimbabwe to buy good for re-sale in Eritrea.
In addition to doing business in South Africa and Zambia, he said,
he had come to watch the All Africa Games that were taking place at
that time in Harare.

The trial continues.