FICTION:
TPLF claimed that it has "destroyed 60% of the Eritrean Defense Forces," and caused the destruction of the much-vaunted enemy force.

FACT:
The might EDF is fully intact and as strong as ever. Even FM Seyoum Mesfin can admit privately to that. In Algiers he said "what we are calling for is that the international community gives us guarantees that Eritrea will not repeat its madness of invading neighbours."

FICTION:
On May 27, VOA told its listeners that Ethiopian Defense Forces have said they had captured the town of Adi Keyih, 80 kilometers south of Asmara, the Eritrean capital.

FACT:
Ethiopian Forces never captured the town of Adi Keyih.

FICTION:
The private thrice-weekly weekly Monitor (May 23) reported that Ethiopian forces fighting inside Eritrea occupied the strategic town of Om Hajer, on the borders of both Ethiopia and Sudan, Government Spokeswoman Selome Tadesse said in Addis Ababa on May 21.

FACT:
The invading Ethiopian force that came to capture Om Hajer was defeated and forced to retreat to Humera. In the engagements at Om Hajer and Bure, Ethiopia losses totaled over 1,120 soldiers.

FICTION:
Radio Ethiopia reported on May 25 that the entire population of Ethiopia was celebrating the liberation of Zalambessa town by the Ethiopian Defense Forces from the Eritrean army. Air and Ground Forces liberated Zalambessa after annihilating the Eritrean army that, it said, was on the verge of collapse.

FACT:
Eritrea withdrew its troops only in response to a call by the OAU on both countries to withdraw to pre-May 1998 positions. The Eritrean army is still intact.

FICTION:
Ethiopian radio on Sunday evening May 28 announced that there was no battle in Senafe front.

FACT:
In the battles from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28 Eritrea Defense forces decimated two of Ethiopia's elite divisions on the left flank of Senafe in the Ambassoira Mountains.

FICTION:
Ethiopia declared victory

FACT:
Ethiopia's objectives has failed miserably. They fell far shorter of the promises. On the contrary, the determination of the Eritrean people to ensure respect of their sovereignty has triumphed.

REALITY:

The mission was a total failure. The human wave attacks cost Ethiopia over 60,000 losses and nothing to show for. The government of Eritrea is in full control. The invading army was kept at about 135 km away from Asmara.

DREAM:
The Reporter on May 24 said that it wasn't clear just what Ethiopia had planned to do. "We just don't know quite what the Ethiopians have planned next. Asmara would be an option but a very difficult one," said a military analyst in Addis Ababa. A successful attack on Asmara would almost certainly lead to the overthrow of the Eritrean president, Issayas Afeworki.

REALITY:
The president of Eritrea H.E. Isaias Afeworki is leading the EDF and will lead Eritrea way after Meles has gone.

DREAM:

VOA (May 23) reported that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi declared that Ethiopia, which is achieving resounding military victories in the central front, would complete all operations within the next 24 hours.

REALITY:
Ethiopia faced intense military pressure in Senafe and begun to retreat. This also proves right to the statement by the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 30 which said "The TPLF sought ... to reach and occupy Asmara on May 24 (to coincide with Eritrea's ninth independence anniversary)."

Ghezae