DATE=5/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ETHIOPIA / ERITREA (L)
NUMBER=2-262180
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=ADDIS ABABA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N ambassadors are continuing their efforts
to end the border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
As Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, it has been
another round of shuttle diplomacy between the two
capitals - with little sign of progress.
TEXT: U-N ambassadors returned to Eritrea for talks
with President Isayas Afeworki after another meeting
late Tuesday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles
Zenwai. They are trying to get both sides to recommit
to a peace plan drawn up by the Organization of
African Unity.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have spent millions of dollars on
the war, while many of their citizens are facing
hunger because of drought. The U-N is providing
assistance to feed those in need while at the same
time pushing for a speedy resolution of the larger
conflict. U-S Ambassador Richard Holbrooke says
diplomacy is the only chance to avert more fighting.
/// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
The Security Council mission is here on an
emergency effort to try and prevent a senseless
war. The differences between the two sides are
real, but they are small, and they can be
resolved by diplomatic means. And the
alternative is a senseless war which will kill
tens-of-thousands of people, and hundreds-of-
thousands will die of famine because of the
diversion of resources to the war effort. None
of this is necessary.
/// END ACT ///
The latest peace talks in Algeria broke down last
week. Both sides accuse the other of starting the war
and delaying its resolution.
Ethiopia says Eritrea has - in its words - killed off
negotiations. Eritrea says Ethiopia is rejecting a
cease-fire, and in refusing to sign a framework
agreement, has breached the Organization of African
Unity (O-A-U) peace plan.
After two-days of talks back and forth between Addis
Ababa and Asmara, U-N officials say they see little
room for compromise from either side.
Because Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of invading its
territory, it wants local Ethiopian administration
restored in disputed areas - a return to the status
quo - before talk of a cease-fire. Eritrea says the
land in question is rightfully Eritrean, so there can
be no question of restoring any local authority until
the issue of ownership is decided by an international
border commission.
That commission is provided for under the O-A-U plan,
along with the deployment of neutral foreign observers
to monitor disputed areas during a simultaneous
withdrawal of troops. But the O-A-U plan has never
gotten off the ground, and there are increasing calls,
especially from Eritrea, for the United Nations to
take a more active role.
For now, U-N officials say they are here to support
the O-A-U plan. The Security Council says it wants
both sides to commit to the deal - immediately,
seriously, and without preconditions.
Diplomats clearly feel they need to act fast to avoid
more fighting. In another month, the front could be
under heavy rains. So militarily, the time to fight
is now. (SIGNED)
NEB/SS/GE/RAE
10-May-2000 08:29 AM EDT (10-May-2000 1229 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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