Ethiopia, Eritrea begin 'proximity dialogue'

ALGIERS, MAY 30. Horn of Africa neighbours Ethiopia and Eritrea began indirect talks in Algiers today in a bid to end their two- year border war, hours after Addis Ababa announced a partial pullout from Eritrea, officials said.

``Algerian Justice Minister Ahmed Ouyahia kicked off the talks with a closed-door meeting with the Ethiopian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin,'' an Algerian official said. The official said Mr. Ouyahia would shuttle between the two delegations in the hope of finding common ground. The Foreign Minister of Eritrea, Mr. Haile Woldensae is heading his country's delegation. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), chaired by the President of Algeria, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is sponsoring the mediation.

Earlier in the day, Ethiopia announced in Addis Ababa that it had withdrawn its army from western Eritrea after accomplishing its military objectives. ``After successfully achieving their mission, the heroic Ethiopian defence forces that had been controlling western Eritrea since May 12 have now withdrawn,'' a Government spokeswoman said in a statement.

Ethiopia launched anoffensive against Eritrea two weeks ago to recapture territory.

- Reuters, AFP

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Section  : International
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