DATE=8/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236392
TITLE=ETHIOPIA/ERITREA (S ONLY)
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA MET SEPARATELY
WITH AFRICAN DIPLOMATS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THEIR TWO-MONTH BORDER 
WAR. AS VOA'S SCOTT STEARNS REPORTS, BOTH SIDES APPEAR UNWILLING 
TO MAKE FURTHER CONCESSIONS. 

TEXT:  THE FOREIGN MINISTERS MET SEPARATELY IN BURKINA FASO AS 
PART OF MEDIATION EFFORTS SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION OF 
AFRICAN UNITY. DIPLOMATS FROM BURKINA FASO, ZIMBABWE, AND 
DJIBOUTI ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A HEADS 
OF STATE SUMMIT ON THE BORDER WAR. 

ERITREA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS READY FOR AN 
UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE AND UNCONDITIONAL TALKS ON DISPUTED 
BORDER AREAS.  ETHIOPIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THERE WILL BE NO 
FACE-TO-FACE TALKS UNLESS ERITREAN TROOPS FIRST WITHDRAW FROM THE
BORDER TOWN OF BADAME. 

BADAME HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST STUMBLING BLOCK OVER THE LAST TWO 
MONTHS AND THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE PROGRESS IN GETTING THE TWO 
SIDES TO AGREE ABOUT IT.  ERITREA SAYS IT WILL NOT WITHDRAW UNTIL
TALKS ARE UNDERWAY.  ETHIOPIA SAYS IT WILL NOT NEGOTIATE WHILE 
PARTS OF ITS TERRITORY ARE OCCUPIED. (SIGNED) 

NEB/SS/DW/PLM

02-Aug-98 6:41 AM EDT (1041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America