Addis Ababa — The United States on Thursday lauded Ethiopia 's role in peacekeeping efforts under the Afican Union and UN missions in Africa .

Briefing local press at his office here in Addis Ababa, US Ambassador spoke of Ethiopia's contribution in peace efforts in Burundi, Liberia and Somalia and described troops there as the "most desciplined" troops in the continent.

Ethiopia sent a 900 troops strong contingent to be deployed under the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) following a decade of massacre, rape and pillage.

The AU force was able to hand over to a U.N. force in 2004 and elections were held in 2005.

"There is no doubt that the success in Burundi is because of the Ethiopian military team scarifying not only men but also equipments and time," Ambassador Yamamoto said.

Ethiopia's first military intervention in recent years was in Rwanda where troops helped the country restore peace after the genocide.

Then Ethiopia sent troops to Burundi and Liberia under AU/UN missions, and Ethiopian troops are fighting Islamic insurgence alongside the Transitional government of Somalia.It has recently pledeged 5000 troops, including combat helicpters to be deployed under the joint African Union-UN force in Darfur.

Yamamoto stressed that Ethiopia must continue to support the international community by contributing to peacekeeping missions despite heavy human and material costs, which the world must repay, in return.

The Ambssador also spoke of the bilteral relations between Ethiopia and the United States and responded to questions from reporters on issues surrounding the trade ties between the two countries, US role in the continent, including the the State Department assessment report on human rights around the world.

Ambassador Yamamoto pointed out that there were many activites scheduled to be healed in the context of the trade relations between the two countries which he said the embassy will make announcements in May concerning the upcoming events.

He said his government would help to create more than 100,000 jobs in the country. One major event, he said was the launch of the first American Chamber of Commerce in Addis Ababa . Yamamoto said the presence of American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia was a crear indication of US commitment in supporting the country's development endevors.

The ambassador accused the international media of reducing US role in Africa as counter terrorism. He said about 90% of his governments' activities were focusing on development issues including health, education and trade accros the continent.

The Ambassador pointed out that behind all US interventions in the country were the interest of the people and government of Ethiopia .

Ethiopia is a key US ally in the Horn of Africa region in the fight against terrorism.

As regards to human rights record, the Ambassador said despite progress in respecting human rights, there were still problems in some aspects.

He said the US government will support Ethiopia 's democratization and would continue to work with the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the opposition, in that regard.

He also urged the stakeholders not to miss the upcoming 2010 general election as they did at the May 2005 election by ensuring a truly open, free and transparent election process.