Press Release
Eritrea Formally Accepts OAU Peace Formula

Eritrea has yesterday formally accepted the "Modalities for the Implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement" that was proposed by the High Level Delegation to both parties and endorsed by the 35th Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Algiers from 12-14 July 1999.

At the closing session of the Summit, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki announced Eritrea's official acceptance of the Modalities for Implementation. President Isaias underlined that this was done "in the interests of peace, which we owe not only to the people of Eritrea but also, if I may add, to the people of Ethiopia, and our continent as a whole, and as a mark of goodwill to the OAU." Eritrea further deposited its formal acceptance of the peace formula through a letter to the Current Chairman of the OAU.

The Modalities of Implementation calls for the two parties to reaffirm:
* "their commitment to the principle of the non-use of force to settle disputes"
* their acceptance of the Framework Agreement and commit themselves to implement it in good faith.

It further provides for "a return to positions held prior to 6 May 1998." In this spirit, Eritrea shall redeploy its forces from positions taken after 6 May 1998 while Ethiopia will do likewise from positions taken after 6 February 1999. "This redeployment shall not in any way prejudice the final status of the territories concerned, it being understood that the status will be determined at the end of the border delimitation and demarcation ... The modalities for the re-establishment of the civilian administration and population in the concerned territories shall be worked out after the cessation of hostilities."

In accepting the Modalities for Implementation, Eritrea observed that:
1) "The principle of non-acquisition of territory by force applies equally to both sides and to all territories seized since the conflict started;
2) Redeployment and interim arrangements do not prejudge the status the territories concerned;
3) Undoing the damage done by the conflict does not only require redeployment but, more importantly, addressing the humanitarian dimensions of the conflict. In this regard, it is imperative to fully compensate the deportees, if not for the irreparable harm done to them, at least for expropriated property; and,
4) Demarcation will be carried out expeditiously in order to bring the dispute to a quick end."

Ethiopia did not make its position clear to the Summit while indulging, in characteristic fashion, in strident and invective language against Eritrea.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 15 July 1999