Network of Eritreans for Constitutional Governance (NECG)

Djibouti, Eritrea: Dialogue Not An Option, Tyrant Afewerki

17 June 2008, NAIROBI-- Eritrea tyrant Afewerki categorically ruled out dialogue as an option to settle last week's bloody border row with Djibouti that left nine soldiers dead and dozens more wounded, an official statement posted on state-run website, shabait.com, said Tuesday.

In a telephone call with Yemeni President President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Monday, Afeworki said Eritrea would "by no means engage" in any diplomatic activity with its neighbour.

"It has no desire whatsoever to be dragged into the current diplomatic and media tit-for-tat designed to further aggravate the fabricated problem," the statement said.

Saleh reportedly spoke to Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Assaias on Monday and urged both to show restraint after border clashes killed nine Djibouti soldiers.

Saleh urged both leaders to settle their differences "through dialogue and understanding, and to avoid any escalation... harmful to stability, security and peace in the region," the official Saba news agency said.

The long-running border row between Djibouti and Eritrea over the disputed Ras Doumeira promontory on the shores of the Red Sea flared up last week after previous clashes in 1996 and 1999.

France and the United States both have military bases in Djibouti. AFP.

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