US urges restraint to avert new Eritrea-Ethiopia war

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States on Friday urged Eritrea and Ethiopia to pull back troops from key border areas and use "maximum restraint" to avert a new war.

"We are concerned about the military build up and tension on the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.

Tension has been growing between the two countries which have been at odds since a 1998-2000 bloody border conflict in which some 70,000 died, many in brutal First World War-style trench warfare.

"We call on the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that might further heighten tension or reignite conflict," the spokesman warned.

"Both governments should respect their...