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Eritrean president wants Ethiopia out of undisputed land

president
President Isaias Afeworki says Eritrea wants to resolve its border dispute with Ethiopia  

June 4, 2000
Web posted at: 6:01 p.m. EDT (2201 GMT)


In this story:

Attack near seaport ebbs

Peace process frustrating

RELATED STORIES, SITES icon



ASMARA, Eritrea -- Amid reports that his country had repulsed an Ethiopian advance, Eritrea's president said Sunday he is locked in a "war for peace" with his Horn of Africa neighbor.

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VideoCarol Pineau reports for CNN with an interview with Eritrean President Isaias. (June 4)
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VideoCNN's Catherine Bond observes the growth of what once was a small dispute into all-out fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea. (June 3)
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VideoReporter Carol Pineau looks at the attacks that are causing many Eritreans to flee their homes.
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 MESSAGE BOARD
  Horn of Africa
 

President Isaias Afeworki said Eritrea wants to resolve its two-year border dispute with Ethiopia. But, Isaias said, Ethiopia continues to attack its former ally and occupy sovereign land.

"We wish to live in peace with our neighbors, if we're allowed to do that," Isaias said in an interview with journalist Carol Pineau for CNN. "So far, we see that we are not allowed to live in peace and we have to struggle to make peace a reality."

Attack near seaport ebbs

Eritrea claimed Sunday it had pushed back Ethiopian forces after a weekend of fighting near its Red Sea port of Assab, a city of about 28,000 in the southeastern corner of Eritrea. Shelling broke out Saturday, with soldiers clashing in the broiling desert heat.

Eritrean presidential adviser Yemane Gebremeskel said more than 3,700 Ethiopian soldiers had been "killed, wounded or captured" in the battle. A lot of medium or small arms also have been seized, he said.

Each side accuses the other of starting the assault near Assab, a key port for Eritrea.

Eritrea's casualty claims could not be independently confirmed, and Ethiopia had no immediate comment.

The two sides have routinely played up the others' losses while refusing to disclose their own casualties.

Military analysts, however, estimate at least 120,000 people on both sides have died in the course of the war. Fighting broke out in May 1998 over who is entitled to what land along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) border.

Advances by Ethiopia also have prompted tens of thousands of Eritreans to flee to the capital of Asmara or seek shelter in Sudan. International aid agencies are delivering food and supplies to feed the crowds, many of whom are on the brink of starvation.

Peace process frustrating

Talks aimed at ending the war began last week in Algiers, the capital of Algeria. The Organization of African Unity is mediating the talks.

Ethiopia has offered a cease-fire, declaring it has defeated Eritrea and reclaimed the land it is due. Eritrea, however, says there can be no truce until the Ethiopian army pulls back from all undisputed territory it now occupies.

President Isaias said Sunday the OAU and the international community should be doing more to stop Ethiopian aggression.

"It's happening in front of the OAU, under the auspices of the OAU and the international community, and one finds it difficult to understand why ... the international community doesn't say 'enough is enough,'" he said.

Still, Isaias said he recognizes that Eritrea must trust the OAU and the international community to guide peace talks.

"We have no other choice," Isaias said. "Even when we are disappointed, we have to fight this war for peace and we have no other choice of brokers. The brokers are there, whether we like them or not. Whether we are happy or disappointed with what they are doing, we have to live with that to finally give peace a chance."

Journalist Carol Pineau andReuters contributed to this report.



RELATED STORIES:
Ethiopia seeks 'international guarantees' before withdrawal from Eritrea
June 1, 2000
Ethiopia bombs Eritrean capital as peace talks open
May 29, 2000
Eritrea leaves prized border town in ruins for Ethiopia
May 26, 2000
Eritrea announces withdrawal in Horn of Africa war
May 25, 2000
Ethiopian, Eritrean armies in crucial border fight
May 23, 2000

RELATED SITES:
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
Government of Eritrea
Eritrean Network Information Center
Welcome To Ethiopia Online
United Front of Ethiopians - Ethiopian National Congress
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

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