Ethiopia claims the Technical Arrangements are

"the final and most crucial step in ensuring that the tremendous efforts exerted by the OAU and others to resolve the conflict can be both swiftly attained and sustained."

In July 22, 1999 the Foreign Ministry stated,

"Ethiopia accepts the recently proposed modalities for the implementation of the OAU agreement."

After requesting "clarification", Ethiopia stated that

"when these answers are forthcoming, the Ethiopian government will make known its position."

Here is the Ethiopian position according to their Foreign Ministry:

"It is equally false to suggest that Ethiopia has rejected any aspect of the OAU Framework Agreement for peace, including its modalities and technical arrangements. In fact, Ethiopia has accepted all peace proposals with which it has been presented."

If Sam Donaldson of ABC News was given the above answer, he would have asked, "Sir, Is that a yes or a no?" Did Ethiopia accept or reject the proposal? As stated above, if they have accepted "all peace proposals", why don't they formally sign the proposal, as Eritrea did, and proceed with its implementation?

Many experts may believe Ethiopia is hindering the peace process until the end of the rain season to initiate another round of war. This writer is convinced that Ethiopia is continuing with the prevarication for a different reason. The Ethiopian election is supposed to take place in May of 2000. If they accept the peace proposal now, the decision on the sovereignty may come around March of 2000. Theoretically, that will greatly influence the election and will surely destroy the TPLF power. For that to happen, there are two big assumptions - there will be an election and that the election will not be rigged.

If they wait to make their decision few more months, or go to war as anticipated by many, they can extend the decision post election and assure their power or indefinitely postpone the election "due to emergency" and keep their power alive. The vultures in Washington are eagerly waiting their turn to the throne and care less about the status or outcome of the proposal unless it influences the probability of their return to power.

The mediators can only get satisfactory answers from Ethiopia if their questions are in the format of multiple choice. Here are some examples:

1. Do you accept the latest peace proposal? A-Yes B-No
2. Will you sign a cease-fire, immediately, per the proposal? A-Yes B-No
3. Will you forward a map of your claim by 9/30/99 A-Yes No

The OAU has clearly indicated that there will be no further amendments to the proposal. Clarification or not, the proposal shall remain the same. Per Ethiopia's advice, "all concerned mediators must make clear to it that prevarication, "ifs and buts," and all other strategies aimed at hindering peace will not be tolerated."

The only remaining option for Ethiopia is to unambiguously accept or reject the proposal.