WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Friday urged “maximum restraint” by Ethiopia and Eritrea amid concern over a new border war between the two east African foes.
“We are concerned about the military build-up and tension on the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
“We call on the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that might further heighten tension or reignite conflict,” he said.
Ethiopia, which Washington sees as one of its closest allies in the region, said on Friday it had no plans to invade Eritrea, even as Asmara claimed for the fourth time in two weeks that Addis Ababa was preparing to launch an assault.
The United States has difficult relations with Eritrea, which it accuses of backing Somali Islamists. Eritrea, for its part, accuses the United States of fueling conflicts in the Horn of Africa region.
A 1998-2000 war on the border between the two neighbors killed 70,000 people and both sides accuse the other of preparing for a new war by moving troops closer to their disputed frontier area.
“We urge both governments to disengage militarily from the most critical locations along the border and to cooperate with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea,” said McCormack.
McCormack said both governments must respect commitments made in a 2000 cease-fire deal, adding that they must embrace efforts by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to resolve their boundary impasse and normalize relations.
The United Nations has a peacekeeping force of 1,700 people charged with monitoring a security buffer zone on Eritrea’s side of the 1,000-km (620-mile) frontier. Under the terms of a June 2000 cease-fire, the zone is meant to be demilitarized.
(Reporting by Sue Pleming; editing by Todd Eastham)
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FORUM | 7 Comments
The Bush administration is calling for restraint by both parties so it looks even-handed.
But all indications are that the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia is being coordinated with the U.S. and its Africa command. Bush’s failed Horn of Africa policy is on a path of disaster for the poor people of the region.
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November 9th, 2007 at 6:06 PM
Bemegadel yemymen zer.yasaferal.alemetadel new
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November 9th, 2007 at 7:19 PM
“Kaldeferese ayteram,” alech ayate sit’terit
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November 9th, 2007 at 8:15 PM
Well the statement made by the US government today confirms my suspicion that they are going to be deeply involved in the Weyane-Shabiya war on the side of the Weyanes.
This is what they always say before they do their job. They have to do the propaganda work as if they are the neutral party before they deliver their blows in favor of one side. They have always done that. And recently they did it against the ICU of Somalia on the side of the Weyanes toppling the ICU.
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November 9th, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Since the two lawless fugitives, Isayas Afework and Meles Zinawi have already made their mind to engage in the most decisive battle to come, no matter how they are told don’t do it, they would do it anyway.
Meles Zinawi and Isayas Afework had deligently been serving their respective destructive anti-Ethiopia criminal organizations by fully collaborating with foreign historical enemies of Ethiopoa and Ethiopians.
The active participation of these two criminal fugitives in a varieties of anti-Ethiopia organizations would automatically fall them into the most wanted criminal fugitives in the history of Africa.
Both criminals complained against the other for the past many years; one saying, Meles Zinawi is ready to unsit me from my legitimate sit; on the other hand, Meles Zinawi is telling Ethiopians by saying Isayas is enemy of has been spending countless sleepless nights to destroy my leadership.
Who is telling the truth? Well, both are telling the truth;but, that is not what matters to Ethiopians. The truth of the matter is and the universal truth is that both lawless fugitives have been the number one enemies of Ethiopians and ethiopia since the inception of the criminal organizations.
The specially fed and well trained elitie army of Meles the criminal are ready to be dispatched at any time. Meles the fugitive clearly and loudely told his elite army by saying this:- My dear members of this unique battalion, listen carefully; I say to you, My success is your success, and your success is my success. I live for you and you live for me.
but on the contrary what Isayas told his followers has remained unchanged; he is saying this:- Ladies and gentlemen, please be ready for all eventualities. You lose me, you lose everything.
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November 9th, 2007 at 9:01 PM
Tizibt says
“Kaldeferese ayteram,” alech ayate sit’terit.”
I hope and pray that Woyanne rule will be the one that will be cleansed from Ethiopia after this medefres.
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November 9th, 2007 at 9:41 PM
Born in war, christined in war, and to pass away in war. What cursed creatures are these Semenegnoch?
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November 10th, 2007 at 5:40 AM