Date=6/3/98
Type=correspondent report
Number=2-233257
Title=ethiopia / eritrea conflict (l)
Byline=scott stearns
Dateline=Adigrat, ethiopia
Content=
Voiced at:
Correspondent Scott Stearns, in the northern Ethiopian town of Adigrat, reports weeks of international efforts have failed to resolve the country's border dispute.
Text: Trucks full of soldiers pass horse-drawn taxi carts in the dusty streets of Adigrat. Here -- 35-kilometers from the border-- Ethiopia's army is deploying thousands of troops throughout Northern Tigray region.
Eritrean forces attacked two villages near here Sunday, weeks after taking the towns of Badame and Shiraro farther west. Military officials say one border town, Zela Anbesa, is deserted, with many of its 10-thousand residents now living with family and friends in Adigrat.
Although the military build-up continues, Ethiopian officials are trying to play down the conflict, restricting access to border areas and calling again for a negotiated settlement.
The speaker of Ethiopia's parliament, Dawit Yohannes, says his Government does not want war with Eritrea. It just wants Eritrean troops to leave northern Ethiopia.
/// Dawit act ///
We are trying to impress upon them that we are not war mongerers, that we are not interested in solving the problem by force. So we are giving them ample opportunity to solve the problem, to correct their mistakes.
/// end act ///
/// opt /// There was no clear border when eritrea declared its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Now, Eritrea says it is reclaiming territory. Ethiopia says it is being invaded. ///
End opt ///
US officials are shuttling between the two countries in a Diplomatic initiative joined by Rwanda, Djibouti, and the Organization of African Unity, trying to find common ground between the former allies.
Those efforts have so far failed to bring the two countries much closer. The border is still closed. Trade is cut. Ethiopia's largest pharmaceutical factory here in Adigrat is slowing production because it no longer receives raw materials through the Eritrean port of Massawa.
Eritrean president Isayas Afeworki says the two countries can solve the problem on their own, without outside mediation.
/// Isayas act - fade under ///
President Isayas says any border problem can be solved peacefully and legally between the two neighbors. He says it is not a new thing, this argument about borders. President Isayas says it is part of their common history and should not lead to conflict.
Ethiopian deputy foreign minister Tekeda Alemu says the lack of progress in peace talks so far is the result of Eritrea's refusal to withdraw its troops.
/// Tekeda act ///
Until and unless there is a full withdrawal by the Eritrean forces, it will be very difficult to talk about progress having been made.
/// end act ///
/// opt /// Eritrea wants both sides to pull back and put the border dispute to international mediation. Speaker of parliament Dawit Yohannes says no one can tell Ethiopia what to do with its own troops in its own country.
/// opt // dawit act ///
We will control our own territory. Whether we move our military into that area or not is not for negotiation with any other government.
/// end act ///
/// opt /// Both countries have told international mediators they want to avoid armed conflict, but both are continuing to send reinforcements. /// end opt ///
Eritrea and Ethiopia have built up popular support, with testimonials from labor unions and public speeches denouncing foreign aggression. Regional diplomats say the biggest problem now is giving the two sides a way to climb down from the rhetoric before it carries them into more conflict. (signed)
Neb/sks/jwh/rae
03-jun-98 7:24 am edt (1124 utc)
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Source: voice of america