HL Deb 25 June 1998 vol 591 cc40-1WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their analysis of the situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea; and what action they favour as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. [HL2189]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We are gravely concerned by the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which undermines the stability of a region already prone to conflict. We have deplored the escalation of hostilities and the loss of innocent civilian lives on both sides. We have urged both parties to implement an immediate ceasefire, and to solve this dispute by peaceful negotiations. In this respect, we and our partners on the United Nations Security Council support the US/Rwandan facilitation efforts, together with those of the OAU.