Eritrean leader, US general discuss regional peace, terrorism

ASMARA, Eritrea, July 22, 2005 (Shabait.com) — President Isaias Afwerki said today that the US government’s non-fulfillment of its responsibility to promote the implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) ruling is posing an obstacle to Eritrean-American cooperation.

The President drew this salient point to the attention of the Commander of the US Central Command, Gen. John Abizaid, when he received and held talks with him today.

In the meeting, President Isaias and the senior US army officer held in-depth discussions on Eritrean-American relations and the security issue in this region.

The President noted that cooperation between the US and Eritrea in the fight against terrorism is vital to the two countries and the region. He noted, however, that as far as Eritrea is concerned the resolution of the Eritrea-Ethiopia border issue is of paramount importance.

During the meeting, Gen. John Abizaid conveyed greetings from the US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld to President Isaias.

It is to be noted that the USA is one of the guarantors of the Algiers Peace Agreement.

Present on the occasion were the Eritrean Defense Minister, Gen. Sebhat Ephrem, and Maj. General Timothy Gormlay, Commander of the Joint Integrated Task Force in the Horn of Africa.