AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - War between Ethiopia and Eritrea still a possibility. Ethiopian Prime Minister says to Eritrea: “Let’s talk”. So far Asmara refuses invitation to dialogue

Monday, 12 July 2004

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Addis Ababa (Fides Service)- “The African Union Summit of heads of state and government last week in Addis Ababa, achieved some important results. Unfortunately no progress was made with regard the contention between Ethiopia and Eritrea” a qualified observer of African situations in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia told Fides. The African Union has its offices in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody border war from 1998 to 2000 in which at least 100,000 people were killed. With a peace agreement signed in Algiers in 2000, these neighbour countries agreed that an international commission should solve the border question. The solution proposed met with objections particularly from Ethiopia and the dispute seems far from settled. “On July 9 immediately after the closing of the African Union meeting, addressing parliament Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that the border line traced by the international commission was an obstacle to peace. For this reason it is unacceptable for Ethiopia ” the local source told Fides. “However the Ethiopian Premier did say that his country would not be the first to start hostilities and that Ethiopia wants peace. In view of this he asked Eritrea to resume negotiations on the border dispute and other important bilateral problems which he did not explain. Eritrea however at least for the time being has refused Zenawi ‘s invitation to dialogue”. The Prime Minister voiced fears of a new conflict unless the situation of impasse is overcome.
“The possibility of a fresh outbreak of hostilities is prevented at the moment by the presence of UN peacekeepers along the border line. While he was in Addis Ababa United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan warned the two countries that the UN mission cannot stay for ever because of the high costs. It has been agreed that the mission, which should leave at the end of this year, will be extended but in smaller numbers ” the source told Fides. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2004 righe 31 parole 403)