Exiled Anuak gather to confront Ethiopian official in Minn.
by The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- About 75 members of Minnesota's Anuak community are hearing from an Ethiopian official who many link to ethnic killings of their kin.

The community meeting started late after members of the community greeted each other at a Minneapolis hotel. There was some tension in the room just before the meeting with Omot Obang Olom, governor of the country's western Gambella region.

Omot, who is Anuak himself, was in charge of security when human rights groups say Ethiopian troops attacked the Anuak population in December 2003.

Organizers of the forum at one point tried to eject a reporter and have barred photographers from the room where the meeting is being held.

Other Anuak community members are boycotting the event because they say Omot should be brought to justice, and they don't expect an open dialogue at the meeting.