Britain says it will review its aid package to Ethiopia afterdiscovering malnourished children had been hidden from a visitingBritish official during a recent visit to the country.
Britishofficials say International Development Minister Douglas Alexandertoured a hospital in Ethiopia's war-torn Somali region during a two-dayvisit to the country this week.
Alexander learned that many ofthe malnourished children he expected to find at the hospital had beenremoved before his arrival.
The minister told British mediathat he confronted Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and told himthat it was unconscionable if severely malnourished children had beenmoved.
Alexander says he refused to make a commitment for futureaid to the Ethiopia. Britain gives about $225 million in aid each yearto Ethiopia, making it the largest recipient of British aid in Africa.
British officials say they believe the incident is a sign Ethiopia is downplaying the effects of a drought in the Somali region.