(9 Jun 1998) English/Nat
After a week of clashes and cross border shelling, the East African country of Eritrea is preparing for full scale war with its Ethiopian neighbours.
Disputed territory on the border of the two countries has sparked the latest round of fighting.
The Ethiopian government has warned it will step up its military action if Eritrea does not pull out of Ethiopian territory, but the President of Eritrea has vowed it will fight on.
Eritrea is now on red alert.
While the country's government considers negotiating peace with its Ethiopian neighbours over a border dispute, the small East African country is also preparing for full scale war.
On Monday, Eritrean soldiers distributed much needed food to people displaced by the recent fighting - among the crowds were many Ethiopians who have fled from their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Over the past week recent fighting and shelling over disputed territory on the Ethiopian - Eritrean border has already killed more than 50 people, but an exact figure is unknown.
The fighting is becoming more intense - this Ethiopian soldier had his head blown off by a shell - his body has been left to rot on an open road.
More Eritrean tanks and other military vehicles crossed the border into Ethiopia on Monday.
Eritrea, a forcer Italian colony, claims its forces are within internationally recognized borders drawn by Italy in the late 19th century.
Eritrea helped rebel Ethiopians, known as Tigreans, to help topple the Ethiopian government in 1991 after a 30 year civil war.
As a reward the new Tigrean led government, granted Eritrea its independence in 1993.
And since then, an estimated 100-thousand Ethiopians live in Eritrea.
Eritrea's President Isayas Afewerki said Ethiopia had effectively declared war on Eritrea and was using the threat of renewed air strikes to blockade air and seaports.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If we can find a lasting, sustainable solution, then we will have to think of reversing the process, building confidence again and trying to work together but it will take time and it will take a lot of effort, in my opinion."
SUPER CAPTION: Isayas Afewerki, President of Eritrea
While the disputed land is all but worthless, Eritrea still claims it as their own with pride.
They are angry that new Ethiopian maps and coins include what they consider Eritrean territory.
They say the fighting is about pride and respect.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We might be more concerned about pride, integrity, respect and all that kind of thing - trust, confidence. When you lose that it becomes a big problem for us in this region - it's not always money and resources."
SUPER CAPTION: Isayas Afewerki, President of Eritrea
The mood in this country is mixed.
The people want peace but not if it means surrendering land they believe is theirs.
Everyone here are conscripts.
If war breaks out women will go to the front line to cook for the troops, the elderly will help with various repairs and maintainance and veterans are even prepared to fight again.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Everybody wants to defend this country. Since our country demands so many things, this is just one of the things we want - we want to fight and defend our country. It's our willingness."
SUPER CAPTION: Negash Gerezghiher, Vox Pop
The United States and Rwanda have put forward a four-point peace plan which includes a recommendation that Eritrea withdraw to positions it occupied prior to May 6, when
border skirmishes first broke out.
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