Press Release (8:00 a.m. local time)
Ethiopia's War of Aggression Continues for the Second Day

Ethiopia's war of aggression against Eritrea continued with intensity today. Fierce fighting is raging on the Mereb-Setit front.
Ethiopia resumed its war of aggression in the early morning hours yesterday, May 12. Ethiopia's repeated assaults along the Mereb-Setit front were repulsed with Ethiopian forces suffering heavy casualties. The Ethiopian regime also carried out intensive shelling on the Alitiena-Mereb front. But the frontline was quiet at press time this morning.

Eritrea yesterday requested the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia. In a letter sent to the President of the Security Council, Eritrea underlined that "Ethiopia's renewed resort to force is in flagrant violation of the OAU Framework Agreement and Modalities which commit both parties to refrain from the use of force. It is also a violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations." Recalling that the Security Council has repeatedly "resolved that the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia constitutes a threat to international peace and security," Eritrea called on the Security Council to:
1. "strongly condemn Ethiopia's resumption of its war of aggression against Eritrea; and
2. support Eritrea's legitimate right of self-defense."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 13 May 2000