the natives are revolting
 

Anyone got any accurate info on the state of play in Addis Abeba at the moment, the Japanese Embassy has just created mayhem here in Bahir Dar by telling their guys to get the hell out of the country whilst the British Embassy is being it's usual non commital unhelpful self. Still the beer here is cold and the nights are cool so it's a better place to get stuck than other places on this trip. Ride safe, Mike

BBC 2/11/05

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he is very concerned about reports that Ethiopia and Eritrea have moved troops closer to their common border.

Mr Annan called on both sides to exercise maximum restraint.

Last month, Eritrea banned UN peacekeeping helicopters from its air space and restricted troop movements.

UN peacekeepers patrol the border under the terms of a 2000 peace agreement that followed a two-year border war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

'Grave situation'

Mr Annan called on both sides to immediately stop any action that could be misinterpreted or could jeopardise security arrangements agreed in their peace plan.

Since Eritrea banned UN helicopter flights, the activities of UN peacekeepers have been severely constrained, and they have been forced to abandon many of their posts.