US appeals to Eritrea, Ethiopia

2006-05-31 15:27

Washington - The State Department urged Ethiopia and Eritrea on Tuesday to resume negotiations toward settling their border dispute.

At a recent meeting of the Ethiopia-Eritrean Boundary Commission, the United States backed an initiative asking the two sides to establish the boundary and resume normal relations.

The United States attended the meeting in its role as a "witness" to the 2000 agreement aimed at settling the conflict between the two neighbors.

"The United States has encouraged the parties to co-operate with the EEBC and resume demarcation," State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said.

"We have urged other governments to support this position and, as necessary, provide resources to support demarcation."

- AP