Eritrean News Agency (ERINA)

(Tel: ++291-1-117627, Fax: 127385)
ERINA Update

Thursday, November 5, 1998

1. Eritrean Foreign Minister Haile Woldentsae gave a press conference today on last weekend's meeting of the High Level Committee of the OAU in Ouagadougou regarding the on-going border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Woldentsae highlighted "new and positive elements" in the talking points presented by the OAU at the meeting and, in particular, the OAU call for an investigation of events in Adi Murug and Badme in July of 1997 as central to understanding the origins of the conflict. Woldentsae expressed satisfaction with the OAU assertion that the dispute was a border conflict which can only be resolved through technical demarcation.

The Foreign Minister underlined the need for "clear and concise language" in the peace document regarding Eritrea's colonial borders and the location of Badme. "Ethiopia's pre-conditions remain a major stumbling block to a peaceful resolution," he said. Woldentsae reiterated that the OAU initiative was an on-going process and that no final decision had been reached. The minister said that Eritrea was firmly committed to a peaceful resolution underlining the need for Eritrea's submissions to be incorporated at the next meeting for a viable framework of a peaceful solution.

Veronica Rentmeesters, Information Officer
Embassy of Eritrea to the US
1708 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC 20009, USA
TEL: 202 588 7587 FAX: 202 319 1304
E-M: veronica@embassyeritrea.org

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