Deportations “undermining the peace process”

The Ethiopian government accused the Eritrean government of undermining the peace accord reached in Algiers in June. It said that the conditions of deportation of 20,000 Ethiopian citizens from Eritrea were “vengeful”, according to a report posted on the official government website on Thursday. “Acknowledging the negative impact that these cruel and inhuman actions of the Eritrean government will have on the peace process, those with the mandate in this area....have the responsibility to stop Eritrea from repeating such wanton actions”, said the report. Ethiopia and Eritrea have recently engaged in swapping accusations over the deportation process - which was initiated by Ethiopia in 1999, when international human rights organisations condemned the deportation of more than 50,000 Eritreans from Ethiopia. Members of the UN Security Council have called on both countries to treat the other’s citizens in a “humane” fashion, and reach a comprehensive peace agreement. Negotiations brokered by US and Algerian representatives continue between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and remain “indirect”, diplomatic sources told IRIN. Some of the most difficult issues in the present talks revolve around the Red Sea port of Assab, and the boundary issue. Ethiopia lost its Red Sea province when Eritrea officially seceded in 1993. [Click here for IRIN Focus on Assab http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/cea/countrystories/eritrea/20000605.phtml.