Yemen, Eritrea overcome past grievances, discuss Horn peace

AP Worldstream; Dec 10, 2004

In a rare and strategic visit, the Yemeni and Eritrean leaders concluded talks Friday on cooperation in fighting terrorism in the Horn of Africa and settling conflicts between countries in the region.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the three-day talks helped in "removing a lot of misunderstanding," according to the official Saba news agency.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki said he received a pledge from Yemen to mediate between his country and rivals Sudan and Ethiopia. Eritrea had earlier accused the three countries of forming an alliance against it.

Moving past their conflicts, Eritrea and Yemen will be signing a number of treaties of cooperation in the fields of security, investments and commerce, and culture, the official Saba news agency reported Friday.

The two nations discussed counterterrorism and coordinated stances on serving security and stability in the region, Saba added.

A landmark agreement on fishing in the southern part of the Red Sea _ a thorny issue that has plagued the two countries' relations _ was signed. The agreement envisages the establishment of an independent investment company with equally shared capital between Eritrea and Yemen to organize fishing in the region.

Eight more various agreements will be inked in Asmara on Dec. 24, Saleh said.

"What happened was in the past and we should not be pulled toward it," Saleh said of relations with Eritrea. "It has to go away with its negative issues and we have to start anew the relations that we consider excellent."

Saleh added that in a meeting with Sudan and Ethiopia next month he will "carry a message as a mediator."

"I tell the brothers in Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea that everyone should accept the other," he said.

Khartoum accuses Eritrea of backing southern Sudanese rebels who have been fighting a civil war against the Sudanese army since 1983 _ a charge Eritrea denies. Eritrea also fought a border war with Ethiopia between 1998 and 2000 that killed tens of thousands.

Afwerki was quoted as saying he is not sensitive to Yemen's alliance with the two countries _ a significant change of heart _ and thanked Saleh for his mediation.

The Horn of Africa traditionally includes Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia; to the north, Yemen is separated from the region by the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The region has been plagued with civil wars, interstate conflicts, and is considered a hotbed for Islamic militancy.