- guardian.co.uk, Thursday June 1 2000 02.45 BST
Eritrea has protested that the war can end only when Ethiopia returns all undisputed Eritrean soil seized in the offensive. But with Ethiopia having pledged to do that, an end to the war between two of the world's poorest countries is in sight.
"Ethiopia has liberated all its territory, and considers the war over," said Selome Taddesse, the government spokeswoman.
The announcement came on the second day of peace talks in Algiers - based on a deal that both countries agreed to but have not reached accord on implementing. A key sticking point was the timing of withdrawals from occupied land. With Ethiopia satisfied that it has retrieved all its territory, that point was overtaken.
But the Eritrean presidential spokesman, Yemane Gebremeskel said: "They can't say the war is over when they still occupy Eritrean territory. Ethiopia has to withdraw to all pre-May 6 1998 [the date the war began] positions." AP
