Outgoing US ambassador blasts Eritrean government

ASMARA, June 4 (Reuters) The outgoing US ambassador for Eritrea has lashed out at Asmara over human rights abuses in a sign of deteriorating relations between Washington and the Red Sea state.

Ties between the United States and Eritrea have become increasingly frayed as Washington accuses Asmara of aiding rebel groups trying to destabilise Ethiopia, the main US counterterrorism ally in the region.

Washington has also accused Eritrea of backing insurgents fighting Ethiopian and government troops in Somalia.

US Ambassador Scott Delisi criticised Asmara for ''increasing government violations of human rights, civil liberties, economic freedom, and democratic principles.'' ''The Government of the United States remains hopeful that one day the Eritrean people will enjoy the rewards of their heroic struggle for independence,'' Delisi said in a statement over the weekend.

Eritrean presidential advisor Yemane Ghebremeskel said many problems in the Horn of Africa were a result of US policy.

''I don't know if I can comment about small-minded diplomats,'' Yemane told Reuters.

''We paid 60,000 lives for our independence partly because of the US policy. It's never recognised Eritrea's right to sovereignty ...

most of the problems are that the Americans are supporting Ethiopia,'' he said.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki blamed Washington last week for a five-year border stalemate, saying any ''negative consequences that may unfold in the period ahead'' rests with the United States.

Addis Ababa and Asmara fought a two-year border war that killed some 70,000 people, and tensions between the once-close neighbours remain high.

Eritrea has increasingly blamed the United States for the border deadlock as the cold war between Asmara and Addis Ababa heated up over the conflict in Somalia and recent attacks in Ethiopia.

In February, the US embassy in Asmara closed its visa services after Asmara stopped diplomatic pouches to the embassy.

REUTERS AM KN2209