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DATE=2/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245413
TITLE=U-S/ETHIOPIA-ERITREA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=NELSON BROWN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  TWO KEY LAWMAKERS OVERSEEING U-S POLICY IN AFRICA ARE 
CALLING FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN 
RESOLVING THE BORDER CONFLICT BETWEEN ERITREA AND ETHIOPIA.  
FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TWO HORN-OF-AFRICA NATIONS RECENTLY 
INTENSIFIED, PROMPTING NEW INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE 
END TO THE WAR.  FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A'S NELSON BROWN HAS THE 
STORY. 
TEXT:  ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAWI AND ERITREAN 
PRESIDENT ISSAIS AFEWORKI BLAME EACH OTHER FOR THE FIGHTING.  AND
THERE IS GROWING SENTIMENT IN CONGRESS FOR BRINGING THE TWO 
LEADERS TOGETHER AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE. 
ONE DAY AFTER THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE, 
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TOM CAMPBELL ASKED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO 
GIVE THE SAME IMPORTANCE TO ENDING THE ETHIOPIA-ERITREA DISPUTE 
AS HE AND OTHER U-S LEADERS HAVE GIVEN TO THE MIDDLE EAST.
                       // CAMPBELL ACT //
         WHEN THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE PRESIDENT 
         OF THE UNITED STATES SUMMONS THE LEADERS OF THE 
         COUNTRIES OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO CAMP DAVID OR TO WYE 
         PLANTATION.  COULD THIS PRESIDENT SUMMON PRIME MINISTER 
         MELES AND PRESIDENT ISSAIS; SHOW EQUAL CONCERN, AND 
         EXERT THAT HIGHEST LEVEL OF DIPLOMACY?
                          // END ACT //
CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL'S QUESTION CAME AT THE END OF AN AFRICA 
SUBCOMMITEE HEARING ON TRADE. 
THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S RANKING DEMOCRAT, CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE, 
SAID HE RECENTLY MET WITH THE AMBASSADORS FROM ETHIOPIA AND 
ERITREA.  MR. PAYNE SAID HE BELIEVES THE TWO COUNTRIES ARE 
LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT, AND HE CALLED FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO 
MAKE A BOLD MOVE IN THIS REGARD.
IN RESPONSE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICA SUSAN RICE 
SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEEN PERSONALLY ENGAGED IN THIS ISSUE 
FROM THE BEGINNING.
                         // RICE ACT //
         HE HAS, AT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, 
         SINCE THE CONFLICT BROKE OUT, BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BOTH 
         OF THOSE LEADERS AND HE STANDS READY TO DO EVERYTHING 
         THAT WE FEEL WE REASONABLY CAN TO BRING THIS TO A 
         PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.  AT PRESENT THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH 
         COUNTRIES ARE MORE FOCUSED ON THE BATTLEFRONT, 
         UNFORTUNATELY, THAN THEY ARE ON THE DIPLOMATIC TABLE. 
                          // END ACT //
ASSISTANT SECRETARY RICE SAID THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WILL 
CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE PEACE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. 
 (SIGNED)
NEB/NCB/RAE
11-Feb-99 1:13 PM EST (1813 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.