Indirect talks in Algeria

A delegation led by the foreign ministry will be going to Algeria for indirect talks with Ethiopia on the border conflict scheduled for 29 April, Eritrean presidential adviser Yemane GebreMeskal said on Thursday. He told IRIN that Eritrea "has accepted all talks aimed at ending the conflict" and blamed Ethiopia for failing to reach an agreement based on the OAU peace process. Ethiopia also confirmed it would take part, according to a foreign ministry statement. Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin will head the Ethiopian delegation at the invitation of the current OAU chairman, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. "Ethiopia has always been committed to the OAU peace process, and it has decided to participate in the rescheduled talks now planned to start on 29 April," the statement said. The OAU has drawn up a framework agreement under which both countries would withdraw from occupied areas and halt hostilities, with the possible stationing of peacekeepers in contested areas. Both sides have variously accused the other of disregarding the terms and conditions of the plan, but are now under re-newed pressure by the international community to resolve the conflict because of the humanitarian crisis in the region.