DATE=6/7/98
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-40621
TITLE=Ethiopia/Eritrea
BYLINE=Scott Stearns
DATELINE=Cairo
07-Jun-98 7:08 AM EDT (1108 UTC)

INTRO:   Fighting between ethiopia and eritrea has shattered what was once east africa's closest friendship. As VOA's Scott Stearns reports, the leaders of the two countries were long-time rebel allies.

TEXT:   Meles Zenawi and Isayas Afeworki fought together for years against dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. When they eventually drove him from power in 1991, Mr. Meles became Ethiopia's new leader, allowing Mr. Isayas and Eritrea to declare their independence two years later.

Although they are separate countries, the economies of Ethiopia and Eritrea were closely linked. Both used the same currency. Imports and exports moved duty free.

Now the two countries are at war -- bombing each other's territory and shelling villages across their dry, rocky border.

Pediatrician Teklehaimanot Asefaw says, after 17 years of war against Mr. Mengistu, no one in northern Ethiopia expected more fighting to come from Eritrea.

"No one has dreamed to see a second war after passing 17 years. No one believed that a war would come from Eritrea. This was a surprising thing. We are one -- culturally, economically. We are one, so we don't expect them to come and do some such very difficult thing to us."

There was no clear boundary between the countries at Eritrea's independence in 1993. Eritrean president Isayas says what they are doing now is simply reclaiming territory that is rightfully theirs.

Prime minister Meles says Ethiopia has been invaded. From a friendship forged in the battlefield, Mr. Meles was a vocal defender of Eritrea's right to be its own country. Chamber of Commerce president Kebour Ghenna says that has not always been a popular view among all Ethiopians.

"There is a segment of the population in Ethiopia that did not really support the independence of Eritrea, and this government, in many circles, has been accused of being very much weak toward the eritreans. "

Eritreans play a big part in Ethiopia's economy. Before the fighting, Mr. Kebour says they were free to open businesses in Ethiopia -- working in government offices and renting government houses -- privileges he says were not enjoyed by Ethiopians in Eritrea.

Relations soured when Eritrea introduced its own money. Ethiopia responded by demanding hard currency for major cross-border trade. Eritrea refused to issue letters of credit for Ethiopian exporters -- essentially cutting them off from its Red Sea ports.

Then Eritrean troops crossed the border May 12th, occupying the town of Badame. Prime minister Meles says as far as relations between the two governments are concerned, it will never be the same.

"Whatever trust there was between us and the Eritrean government was lost on may 12th, and it is going to be very, very difficult to put humpty dumpty back [together] again. As to the long-term prospects of relations between the Eritrean and Ethiopian people, I am still optimistic that, ultimately, reason will prevail and that the two brotherly peoples will continue to be friends and brothers."

Mr. Meles says he supports US and Rwandan efforts to end the fighting. But he mistrusts what he calls Eritrea's "insanity," Saying Ethiopia can no longer look the other way even when the trouble is coming from its brothers. (signed)

NEB / SKS / DW / WD

Source: Voice of America