BRATISLAVA, November 10, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovakia has recalled for consultations its ambassador to Ethiopia Milan Dubcek, Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (SDKU) has announced at a news conference on Thursday morning. He told journalists that the Slovak diplomacy has been waiting for three days for an official response from Ethiopia, which has received a diplomatic note from Slovakia demanding not only an explanation but also an apology for keeping Ambassador Dubcek in custody for three days, against all diplomatic rules. Dzurinda said that the detention of a diplomat is an unprecedented move. The minister contacted the ambassador as soon as possible after his release. Dubcek informed the minister that he was taking a walk at a location ten minutes drive from the Embassy when he was detained and he was now aware of any transgression. “Mr. Dubcek had his usual Saturday program,” stated Dzurinda. Dubcek will remain in Slovakia “until Ethiopia does what is has to do.”
Slovakia and Ethiopia have been in a diplomatic dispute after local authorities detained Slovak Ambassador Milan Dubcek on Saturday. They held him in custody for two days while they did not allow him to inform his family or Slovak authorities of his imprisonment. According to first reports, the youngest son of the legendary Slovak politician Alexander Dubcek entered an area with restricted access without his diplomatic passport guaranteeing him immunity. The Slovak authorities learned about this unprecedented step of Ethiopia just on Monday. Dubcek who served as ambassador to Greece and Israel and held further diplomatic posts was freed only on Monday evening. According to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic services, a diplomatic representative is untouchable and has immunity.
SITA