Ethiopia orders Norway to withdraw 6 diplomats

OSLO, Aug 27 (Reuters) Ethiopia has asked Norway to withdraw six diplomats from Addis Ababa because of ''dissatisfaction'' with Norway's conduct in the Horn of Africa, the Norwegian foreign ministry said today.

''We are surprised and regret the Ethiopian authorities' unilateral decision,'' Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.

He did not say whether Ethiopia had explained the background to its demand.

''We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in Addis Ababa (by Sept 15),'' Stoere said.

The ''sharp reduction in staffing'' meant Norway might not be able to maintain development cooperation with Ethiopia at current levels, he said. Oil-rich Norway is one of the world's biggest aid donors in per capita terms.

''This does not imply a break in Norway's diplomatic relations with Ethiopia,'' the foreign ministry said, adding that its embassy in Ethiopia was also responsible for Oslo's relations with the African Union.

Reuters RKM VP0228