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China condemns Ethiopia oil raid China condemns Ethiopia oil raid
(about 2 hours later)
China has strongly condemned a separatist rebel attack against its interests in Ethiopia, in which nine Chinese and 65 Ethiopian workers died.China has strongly condemned a separatist rebel attack against its interests in Ethiopia, in which nine Chinese and 65 Ethiopian workers died.
Several Chinese were also abducted when the Ogaden National Liberation Front attacked a Chinese-owned oil field in Ethiopia's remote Somali region.Several Chinese were also abducted when the Ogaden National Liberation Front attacked a Chinese-owned oil field in Ethiopia's remote Somali region.
Beijing urged the government in Addis Ababa to ensure the safety of Chinese expatriates after the "atrocious" act.Beijing urged the government in Addis Ababa to ensure the safety of Chinese expatriates after the "atrocious" act.
The Ethiopian leader denounced what he called a terrorist attack.The Ethiopian leader denounced what he called a terrorist attack.
The clashes took place at an oil field in Abole, a small town about 120km (75 miles) from the regional capital, Jijiga.The clashes took place at an oil field in Abole, a small town about 120km (75 miles) from the regional capital, Jijiga.
"It is an outrage," Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi said at a news conference."It is an outrage," Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi said at a news conference.
"I can assure you that those responsible for this act will pay in full for what they did.""I can assure you that those responsible for this act will pay in full for what they did."
FirefightFirefight
The ONLF has been waging a low-level insurgency with the aim of breaking away from Ethiopia.The ONLF has been waging a low-level insurgency with the aim of breaking away from Ethiopia.
An ONLF spokesman in London, Abdirahman Mahdihe, insisted in a BBC interview that the raid had been a justified reaction to Ethiopian oppression.An ONLF spokesman in London, Abdirahman Mahdihe, insisted in a BBC interview that the raid had been a justified reaction to Ethiopian oppression.
Unfortunately nobody heeds our warning and we have to defend our territorial integrity Abdirahman MahdiheRebel spokesman "We have warned the Chinese government and the Ethiopian government that... they don't have a right to drill there," Mr Mahdihe told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.Unfortunately nobody heeds our warning and we have to defend our territorial integrity Abdirahman MahdiheRebel spokesman "We have warned the Chinese government and the Ethiopian government that... they don't have a right to drill there," Mr Mahdihe told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
"Unfortunately nobody heeds our warning and we have to defend our territorial integrity," he said."Unfortunately nobody heeds our warning and we have to defend our territorial integrity," he said.
The ONLF has in the past made threats against foreign companies working with the Ethiopian government to exploit the region's natural resources.The ONLF has in the past made threats against foreign companies working with the Ethiopian government to exploit the region's natural resources.
A Chinese oil worker said about 200 gunmen attacked the field, where the Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau is searching for oil.A Chinese oil worker said about 200 gunmen attacked the field, where the Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau is searching for oil.
Gunmen briefly took control of the field after a 50-minute fire fight with soldiers protecting it, Xu Shuang, a manager for the oil group, told the agency. Gunmen briefly took control of the field after a 50-minute fire fight with soldiers protecting it, Xu Shuang, a manager for the oil group, said.
China has been working to increase its influence and investment in Africa in recent years as it looks to secure energy supplies for the future.China has been working to increase its influence and investment in Africa in recent years as it looks to secure energy supplies for the future.