The Ethiopian regime has launched an offensive on the right and left flanks of the Mereb-Setit front today, 12 May 2000. The attack began shortly after midnight.

Earlier this week, Ethiopia's Prime Minister declared to the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa as well as the visiting UN Security Council mission that Ethiopia is "going to war and it will resolve the conflict soon."

In preparation for its impending war of aggression, the TPLF regime did not only obstruct the OAU peace process for the last nine months, but it also made progress impossible at the proximity talks in Algiers by refusing to respect key provisions of the OAU peace plan; including signature of the documents and cease-fire agreement.

The TPLF regime further frustrated efforts by the UN Security Council whose mission visited both capitals in the middle of this week.

The TPLF regime has launched this new wave of offensives against Eritrea at a time of grave humanitarian crisis in the region and when the international community is engaged in a huge rescue operation to save millions in Ethiopia from death by starvation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asmara, 12 May 2000