June 5, 1998 No. 148

CANADA URGES ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA

TO RESOLVE BORDER DISPUTE PEACEFULLY

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today deplored the mounting conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and urged both sides to exercise restraint, to accept international mediation and to resolve the issue peacefully. Fighting has escalated with bombing attacks on June 5 on Mekele in Ethiopia and on Asmara, the Eritrean capital.

"Canada hopes that there will be a peaceful resolution of the border issue without further bloodshed," said Mr. Axworthy. He called on both sides to refrain from further fighting and to

co-operate with mediation efforts.

Canadian concerns about mounting tensions were earlier conveyed to the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Ottawa and through the Canadian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which is accredited to both countries.

"We are concerned for the security of Canadians," said Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour. "The Canadian Embassy in Ethiopia and our Honorary Consul in Eritrea are following the situation closely."

DFAIT issued a travel advisory today advising Canadians to defer travel to Eritrea or, if in the country, to depart immediately. There are approximately 125 Canadians in Eritrea registered with the Canadian Embassy in Addis Ababa and the Consulate in Asmara. Arrangements have been made to help Canadians leave Eritrea.

Mr. Axworthy noted that both President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia have significant leadership roles in subduing conflict in the region.

Eritrea and Ethiopia are members of a regional mediation committee seeking to restore peace in Sudan, and Ethiopia has the Organization of African Unity mandate to mediate the conflict in Somalia.

Following a United Nations-sponsored referendum in 1993, in which 99.8 percent of the valid votes cast were in favour of separation from Ethiopia, Eritrea became an independent state. The current fighting between the two countries was precipitated by a border skirmish on May 6, 1998.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Sara Mohsin

Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

(613) 992-9404

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca