Please see the attached 3 December 1994 Indian Ocean Newsletter report that refers to "increased military operations by the Oromo Liberation Front against government units" in the Dire Dawa area, (2).

Amnesty International reports that "fighting continued in Oromo populated areas between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), throughout 1994" (1995, 128).

Country Reports 1994 reports that throughout 1994, the "military continued low-level operations to counter the actions of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) ... especially in the Oromo and Somali regions where periodic clashes with insurgent and bandit groups occured" (1995, 79). The same report adds that "... rebel groups occasionally clashed with government forces resulting in deaths on both sides. Militants of the Oromo Liberation Front engaged TGE forces sporadically during the year," (ibid., 83). However, the source does specifically refer to Dire Dawa.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information request.

Amnesty International. 1995. Amnesty International Report 1995. New York: Amnesty International USA.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 3 December 1996. No. 649. "Ethiopia: Insecurity in the east."

Amnesty International. 1995. Amnesty International Report 1995. New York: Amnesty International USA.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, p. 79, 83.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 3 December 1996. No. 649. "Ethiopia: Insecurity in the east," p. 2.

Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Washington, DC. 9 April 1996. Telephone interview with a representative.
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