The World - News from June 1, 1988

Ethiopian President Mengistu Haile Mariam denied that his Marxist government is using food as a weapon against secessionists in the north, where guerrilla war and a government drive have jeopardized Western-financed famine relief. Mengistu, at a six-hour press conference with foreign reporters, said the rebels are using the food deficit to elicit sympathy. He charged they are fighting a proxy war to consolidate Arab control of the Red Sea.