Press Update (10:30 a.m. LT)
Ethiopia's Offensive on the Assab Front Totally Foiled;
Eritrean Forces Capture Strategic Positions on the Senafe Front

The Ethiopian large scale offensive on the Assab front, involving more than three divisions, has been totally foiled after more than 48 hours of intensive fighting. Ethiopian forces have been forced to retreat, with staggering losses, to their original positions. Fighting has subsided this morning apart from the odd shelling. Full details of Ethiopian losses were not available at press time.

On the Senafe front, Eritrean forces were able to dislodge Ethiopian forces from strategic and commanding heights on the left side of the town after a daylong battle yesterday. Ethiopian losses on this front were also high.

The fighting in the western part of the country between Om Hajer and Guluj continued all day yesterday without any change in the relative positions of both sides. Eritrean forces had liberated Tessenei, Barentu, Haikota, Tokombia, Awgaro and Guluj earlier in the week.

In the meantime, Ethiopia has missed the OAU deadline to pronounce unequivocally its acceptance or rejection of the OAU proposal on the cessation of hostilities. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister went back to Addis Abeba "for consultation with the leadership." This is Addis Abeba's characteristic tactic of obstructing the peace process. Ethiopia's agenda of war is determined by the closely-knit seven-member TPLF Politbureau, many members of which do not have any formal position in the government.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 11 June 2000