GLENN VAN ZUTPHEN, WORLD NEWS: Eritreans are returning to their homes along the disputed border with Ethiopia. They fled after Ethiopian forces ran Eritrean soldiers out of the area. The fighting has stopped, but as journalist Carol Pineau explains, the residents are returning to a town left in ruins.</s>CAROL PINEAU, JOURNALIST (voice-over): The shops along main street in Barentu are completely empty. Ethiopian soldiers looted the goods during their brief occupation of the key town in southwestern Eritrea. The army has finished de-mining the main road. They are now moving on to the residential areas so people can return to their homes. The Gasheti (ph) Hotel, a modest hotel, but the most modern in the region - destroyed by a bomb. Eritrea is now firmly in control of Barentu, though the army says Ethiopia is still occupying land close to the border. Ethiopia says it pulled its troops out of the southwest as the army had reached its military objective. Eritrean commanders say Ethiopia was driven out during two days of heavy fighting in the nearby mountains.</s>TEKLE LIBSU, CMDR. OF BARENTU REGION: If you look to solve it peacefully, then another</s>PINEAU: Two weeks ago, Ethiopia swept through the plains of southwest Eritrea, advancing with lightning speed. Eritrea withdrew, concentrating its troops on the more easily defended highlands. So far, the army has held its new position. On Tuesday, as indirect talks in Algiers got under way, Ethiopia announced it was now ready for peace. But the Eritrean government says Ethiopia must obey the provisions of the peace process.</s>YEMANE GEBREMESKEL, ERITREAN GOVT. SPOKESMAN: Because for the war to be over, all Ethiopian troops inside Eritrea must</s>PINEAU: Meanwhile, in Barentu, Eritrean tanks stand ready as the once-thriving town lies in ruins. Carol Pineau, for CNN, Eritrea.
Eritreans Return To Town Of Barentu, Left In Ruins By Ethiopian  Troops