Press Release
Eritrea Reaffirms Its Commitment and Readiness=20
to the Implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement

President Isaias Afwerki met this afternoon with Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General. Ambassador Sahnoun delivered a message from the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan, to President Isaias.

Earlier in the day, Ambassador Sahnoun met with Foreign Minister Haile Woldensae who leads the Eritrean delegation that is mandated to deal with the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In the course of both discussions, Eritrea reaffirmed its strict adherence to the OAU Framework Agreement that was endorsed by the Summit of the Central Organ and expressed its commitment and readiness for its full implementation. In this context, the Eritrean Government further reiterated its readiness for redeployment as clearly stipulated by, and in the letter and spirit of, the Framework Agreement.

Eritrea also informed Ambassador Sahnoun--indeed, as it had done so when the OAU delegation visited Asmara last month--that it has already designated a committee and that the Eritrean Government stands ready to play its role within the Follow-Up Committee to be established under the auspices of the OAU High Level Delegation, with the active participation and assistance of the United Nations.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 26 April 1999