Eritrea: President Afewerki holds talks with visiting US Jewish delegation
Source: BBC Monitoring Africa
Publication date: 2003-12-11


Excerpt from report by Eritrean radio on 11 December

President Isayas Afewerki yesterday at Denden Lounge, Asmara, met and held talks with a delegation from the US [Jews] Institute for National Security Affairs, JINSA.

During the meeting, President Isayas gave an extensive briefing to the JINSA delegation on the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace process, the weyane [Ethiopian] regime's rejection [of the Boundary Commission's final and binding decision on border] and also the situation in the Horn of Africa. The two sides also discussed the existing relations between Eritrea and the USA.

The JINSA delegation on its part said that Ethiopia's defiance to international laws and its rejection of the Boundary Commission's final and binding ruling could destabilize the region as whole. The delegation also urged the weyane regime to abide to the rule of law and work for lasting peace.

Regarding bilateral relations between Eritrea and USA, the delegation reaffirmed that they would work strongly to further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries.

During its four-day visit to Eritrea, the JINSA delegation held talks with various government officials and toured different parts of the country.

The eight-man JINSA delegation included Adm Leon [second name indistinct], R-Adm [first name indistinct] Nickson, Gen Patterson, all who were commanders of the US naval and airforce. [Passage omitted: More details of the institute].

Publication date: 2003-12-11