In meetings with the OAU Special Envoy last week, Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, emphasised that Eritrea's withdrawal from Ethiopian territory occupied since May 1998 and the unequivocal restoration of the status quo ante is an issue of fundamental principle to Ethiopia which the Technical Arrangements, in their present form, fail to guarantee.

Statement by the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry

Monday, November 1st, 1999

The Special Envoy of H.E. Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria and current Chairman of the OAU, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Ouyahia, leading an OAU delegation, had two meetings on 26th and 28th of October 1999 with H.E Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

The purpose of this latest visit by the Special Envoy to Addis Ababa - along with the one which the Envoy also made to Asmara - was to push forward the OAU peace process on the Ethio-Eritrean crisis. At both meetings with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi the Special Envoy had extensive and comprehensive discussions and exchange of views which were useful and constructive.

On both occasions, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has underlined to the Special Envoy that the Technical Arrangements contain numerous points which were inconsistent with the OAU Framework Agreement and the Modalities and undermine the principle of return to the status quo ante. It was emphasised by the Prime Minister that Eritrea's withdrawal from Ethiopian territory occupied since May 1998 and the unequivocal restoration of the status quo ante is an issue of fundamental principle to Ethiopia which the Technical Arrangements, in their present form, fail to guarantee.

The Special Envoy took note of these concerns raised by the Prime Minister. A number of measures - both substantive and procedural - were discussed to address Ethiopia's concern. The talks were concluded with the understanding that the dialogue between Ethiopia and the OAU will continue in the very near future.

On the other hand, Ethiopia is not privy to what is discussed between the Special Envoy and the Eritrean authorities. Nonetheless, the contents of the Statement issued on the 28th of October, 1999, by the Eritrean Foreign Ministry is contrary, both in letter and spirit, to the thrust and content of the discussion between Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Special Envoy of the OAU Chairman.