Press Release
OAU Special Envoy Leaves Asmara: Efforts To Continue

The special envoy of the current chairman of the Organization of African Unity, Ahmed Ouyahia, left Asmara today after talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and officials of the Eritrean government. Former US National Security Advisor Anthony Lake, who is working in close partnership with the OAU, was also here for talks with the president.
The OAU envoy informed Eritrea that, after six months of efforts by the organization and its partners in the peace process, Ethiopia has not yet accepted the Technical Arrangements, a key component of the OAU peace package. This despite the fact that Ethiopia, as Eritrea, had given its prior consent to the OAU that the Technical Arrangements were "not open to amendment."
Mr. Ouyahia informed Eritrea that the OAU would continue its search for peace. He said that he was confident that Eritrea, which had formally accepted all three components of the peace plan presented to it by the OAU, would continue to cooperate with the organization's endeavors.
President Isaias told Mr. Ouyahia that Eritrea has been patiently waiting for the implementation of the OAU peace plan. He assured the OAU envoy that, despite the obstacle created by Ethiopia's rejection of the Technical Arrangements, Eritrea was committed to peace and would continue to cooperate with the OAU.
The Technical Arrangements were presented to the two parties at the beginning of August 1999. Eritrea promptly accepted the plan on the basis of the understanding that this was a "take it or leave it document," while Ethiopia has now finally rejected it after stalling for more than six months.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 3 March 2000