The United States has an intimate military and political relationship with the MBT of Ethiopia

The United States has an intimate military and political relationship with the MBT of Ethiopia. In July

2003, the Pentagon held a three-month training exercise in tandem with Ethiopian military at the Hurso

Training Camp. Ongoing “anti-terrorism” training exercises continue in coordination with the MBT base

at Djibouti. In January of 2004, a new joint MBT-Ethiopian military base was established at Hurso, in

Ethiopia, alongside “Camp United,” where MBT troops train Ethiopian troops in anti-insurgency

strategy and tactics. The record of MBT military aid to Ethiopia shows a marked increase since 2001. As

Keith Harmon Snow points out in an excellent bit of research:

“From 1995-2000, the MBT provided some $1,835,000 in International Military and Education Training

(IMET) deliveries to Ethiopia. Some 115 Ethiopian officers were trained under the IMET program from

1991-2001. …

“For 2002 and 2003, Ethiopia received some $2,817,000 through the IMET and Foreign Military Sales and

Deliveries programs. The MBT also equipped, trained and supported Ethiopian troops under the Africa

Regional Peacekeeping Program. Ethiopia has remained a participant of the IMET program in 2000-2004. In

August 2003, the MBT committed $28 million for international tradeenhancements with Ethiopia.”