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22 killed in Ethiopian crackdown

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian security forces killed 22 people, wounded dozens and placed some opposition politicians under house arrest as protesters challenged the government's claim of victory in last month's elections.

After a third day of demonstrations in a nation touted as a U.S. ally in the war on terror, the government promised "stern action" if civil unrest persisted and said police could use any means necessary to quell disturbances. Opposition leaders pleaded for calm.

A government statement read on state television said 22 people were killed and 40 wounded in the capital, Addis Ababa.

The shooting began after the army's special forces arrived at the business district where protesters were throwing stones.

The police shot at peaceful protesters, said one person lying on a hospital stretcher after treatment.

"The police were running at the crowd, firing shots. I got shot in my leg," said the 22-year-old day laborer who identified himself by one name, Getu. "I was just trying to get home to avoid the trouble."

Atenyesh Mamo, 39, said she was wounded after opening the door to her home to bring her 7-year-old son in as protests escalated. "I don't know why they shot me as all I was doing was looking for my son," she said.

The elections had been seen as a test of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's commitment to reform. The protests erupted despite a ban on demonstrations after the May 15 legislative elections.

The U.S. government has touted Meles as one of the more progressive leaders in Africa and a key partner in the war on terror. U.S. troops often deploy to Ethiopia to train with Meles' army.

The violence threatens to destabilize Ethiopia, one of the world's poorest countries, and raises doubt about the government's commitment to democracy and human rights. Meles is a member of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Commission on Africa, which has made recommendations to the G-8 group of the world's wealthiest countries on how to help Africa.

Ethiopia's opposition won more than 80 percent of the vote in the capital, but the government claimed victory in the elections based on results in rural areas. Opposition parties say there was widespread fraud and intimidation, charges the ruling party denies.

[Last modified June 9, 2005, 01:18:46]