SECRETARY-GENERAL DISCUSSES WITH REPRESENTATIVE OF YEMEN PREPARATIONS FOR VISIT
Press Release
SG/SM/5858
SECRETARY-GENERAL DISCUSSES WITH REPRESENTATIVE OF YEMEN PREPARATIONS FOR VISIT
19951220 Is Briefed on Latest Developments in Yemen-Eritrea Conflict Over Hanish IslandThe following statement was issued today by the Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali:
The Secretary-General today met with the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Abdallah Saleh Al-Ashtal. They discussed preparations for the Secretary-General's forthcoming visit to Yemen which was planned some time ago.
Mr. Al-Ashtal briefed the Secretary-General on the latest developments in the conflict between Yemen and Eritrea over Hanish Island. He informed the Secretary-General that the Council of Ministers in Sana'a had just issued a communique which made three demands: the release of all Yemeni prisoners of war; the total withdrawal of Eritrean forces from the island; and that Eritrea engage in negotiations to delineate the maritime borders between Eritrea and Yemen.
The Permanent Representative of Yemen stated that his Government would welcome any good offices initiative by the Secretary-General, aimed at settling this conflict peacefully.
The Secretary-General continues to follow the situation very closely and welcomes the cease-fire. He calls upon the parties to exercise restraint and reiterates his willingness to offer his good offices, with a view to finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute between the two countries.
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