Press Release
President Isaias Winds Up Visit to US

President Isaias Afwerki confirmed that Eritrea will submit its detailed views on the implementation of the OAU peace package in the coming few days. This is in accordance with the OAU decision to open the Technical Arrangements, originally presented to both sides as a "take it or leave it" document last August, for amendment by both sides. Eritrea expects the OAU to subsequently call for proximity talks in which Eritrea will participate, the president underlined.

Eritrea's offer of the use of the port of Assab to enable delivery of humanitarian assistance to famine victims in Ethiopia was reiterated by President Isaias. Ethiopia discontinued use of the ports and began bombing them following their initiation of the border conflict.

President Isaias was in Washington DC, New York City and Princeton NJ on a private visit from 5-11 April. He came to the country at the invitation of Princeton University and the Council on Foreign Relations. While in the US, Pres. Isaias met with Secretary of State Madelaine Albright, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger and other US administration officials. He also met with members of the House International Relations Committee and the Congressional Black Caucus, former Peace Corps members who are friends of Eritrea, Institutional Investor and members of the business community

The Eritrean community in the US was able to discuss the current situation in Eritrea with the president at a meeting in Washington DC. The meeting was presented interactively via internet and, according to Visafric, the provider, was monitored by over 100,000 people around the world.

Washington Post on Line also organized an interactive discussion with Eritrea's president for the general public on 7 April. President Isaias spoke at a press conference on 7 April in Washington DC, and with individual media from the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, CNN, Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Evening Exchange Weekly News Analysis, MBC's Capitol View, and the Voice of America.

Embassy of Eritrea
Washington DC, 12 April 2000