Proximity talks seek ceasefire

Ethiopian and Eritrean delegations consulted with their governments about proposals focusing on security guarantees for troop withdrawal, before entering a fourth day of proximity peace talks in Algeria, reports AP. Eritrea has already pulled out of disputed territory, and Ethiopia has expressed willingness to withdraw from undisputed land it captured during
a 19-day offensive, if Eritrea agrees to a ceasefire, said AP. "Don't ask me for blind optimism, but I have no reason to doubt that we'll succeed", Algerian Justice Minister Ahmed Ouyahia was quoted. The two delegations have not met face-to-face, and their remarks are mediated by the OAU. US special envoy Anthony Lake and EU envoy Rino Serri have played key roles
in the discussions.

Ethiopia said earlier this week it was withdrawing its forces from the western front in Eritrea and ordered troops on the central front to stand down. Eritrea agreed last week to withdraw from land Ethiopia claimed. Fighting has continued on the central front, though significantly reduced since Wednesday. Journalists who have had access to the central front from
Asmara told IRIN today that apart from the occasional artillery exchange, military positions seemed to be essentially unchanged since Wednesday, and that both sides were "sitting looking at each other" over the disputed border as talks progressed.

Diplomatic sources told IRIN that it looked as if the two countries were edging toward a "short timetable" regarding a ceasefire, a vital preliminary before demarcation of the disputed border.