Update on the Peace Process

The OAU Special Envoy, H.E. Ahmed Ouyahia, is currently undertaking a shuttle between the two capitals to secure Ethiopia's acceptance of the peace package. He had talks with the Addis Abeba authorities on Monday and visited Asmara on Wednesday, October 27, 1999. He has gone back to Addis Abeba and is scheduled to return to Asmara on Saturday of this week.

During the talks in Asmara with the Eritrean president:
* The OAU Special Envoy commended Eritrea for its acceptance of the OAU peace package in its entirety while expressing concern on Ethiopia's stalling stance.
* Informed Eritrea that the Ethiopian authorities have again raised what they term "fundamental inconsistency" between the Framework Agreement and the Modalities of Implementation on the one hand and the Technical Arrangements on the other. In this regard, the OAU Special Envoy has once again stressed the fact that interpretation of the documents is the sole prerogative of the OAU. Ethiopia's arguments are accordingly untenable.
* Ethiopia continues to object to the placement of a peace-keeping mission. The OAU finds this objection incomprehensible and has informed Ethiopia that the provisions in this regard will not change; as indeed any part in the peace package.
* The Ethiopian authorities have raised what they call the "psychological factor" to ask prior verification of the areas of redeployment. In this regard, the parameters, detailed mechanism and time-frame for determining the areas of redeployment of the forces of both countries in the interim period, which shall not prejudice the final status of the territories concerned, are clearly spelled out in the peace package. The binding decision on the matter will in fact be taken by the Neutral Commission "which shall be established by the Current Chairman of the OAU, in consultation with the Secretaries General of the United Nations and the OAU." Ethiopia's request is therefore unjustified and without substance. Indeed, Ethiopia's sole purpose seems to be to derail and scuttle the peace process by creating "controversy" on the areas of temporary redeployment by both sides. But, as stated earlier, this is a non-issue. The determination of these areas in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs two and five of the Modalities of Implementation is the sole mandate of the Neutral Commission. And it is up to the OAU to establish and verify through investigation if necessary the respective areas in question with precise geographic locations.
* In this spirit, and as a last ditch effort to test Ethiopia's commitment to peace, the OAU Chairman has proposed that the OAU determine the areas of redeployment. Eritrea has expressed non-objection to the suggestion.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 28 October 1999