SECRETARY-GENERAL, DEPLORING WAR'S IMPACT ON CIVILIANS, ENDORSES OAU APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE END TO FIGHTING

Press Release
SG/SM/7407
AFR/230

SECRETARY-GENERAL, DEPLORING WAR'S IMPACT ON CIVILIANS, ENDORSES OAU APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE END TO FIGHTING

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed over the impact of renewed hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea on the already critical humanitarian situation of hundred of thousands of innocent people. In recent days, reports indicate that large numbers of civilians in Eritrea have fled away from fighting. This new caseload of people requiring immediate humanitarian assistance is in addition to the estimated 350,000 in Eritrea alone impacted by the drought. In Ethiopia, some 8 million people require drought-related assistance.

The Secretary-General finds it tragic that, under such circumstances, a large-scale military operations continue. He endorses the appeal of Organization of African Unity (OAU) for an immediate and mutual halt in fighting, and a resumption of talks leading to a complete restoration of peace, in response to resolutions 1297 and 1298 of the Security Council.

He also expresses gratitude to donors who have continued to provide generously to the urgent needs of the innocent victims, and hopes that such assistance will remain forthcoming while a durable solution to the crisis is pursued.

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