NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, July 22, 1999

Statement of the Council of Ministers of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Ever since the violation of our sovereignty by the dictatorial Issayas regime, the Ethiopian Government has been making efforts to ensure that Eritrea withdraws from the Ethiopian territories that it holds by force and effect the return of the civilian administration. The Ethiopian Government had, to this effect, accepted the proposals made by the Governments of the United States and Rwanda and later by the Organization of African Unity, and in such manner had confirmed its readiness for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The Eritrean Government, however, has shown no willingness to reach a peaceful solution preferring to pursue the path of war. We were, therefore, forced to go to war to defend our sovereignty which had been violated. We have, up to now, registered important victories along this path.

The Ethiopian Government has been full-heartedly supporting, and co-operating with, the efforts of the Organization of African Unity to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Ethiopia deeply appreciates the attention given to the peaceful resolution of this dispute by the 35th Summit of the OAU recently held in Algiers and once again affirms its readiness to cooperate with the Organization.

The 'Modalities for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement' adopted by the Summit call for the withdrawal of Eritrea from Ethiopian territories that it has held by force, and the return of the civilian administration, with its organs of law enforcement -- the police and the militia -- to the territories. As the proposals reflect the position taken by Ethiopia since the beginning of the conflict, the Ethiopian Government accepts these proposals.

The EPLF is basically a force that is against peace. In view of the fact that the Eritrean regime has deployed all its energies to thwart peace efforts in the past, it cannot be expected to have changed its nature, position and course of action. In reality the regime is putting up various preconditions in order to oppose the peace proposals made in Algiers.

The Ethiopian Government, therefore, does not believe that the EPLF will accept and implement proposals aimed at the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Since it understands that the Issayas regime will not refrain from continuing the war, the Ethiopian Government will not lessen its vigilance. In this regard, the heroic Defense Forces must continue their unyielding effort to ensure that the sovereignty of our country is respected. The entire people of Ethiopia must redouble their efforts to enhance the significant contributions they have already made to ensure the respect of our sovereignty.

With full respect of the position of the Ethiopian Government, if the Eritrean regime fully accepts the peace proposal of the Organization of African Unity and respects the sovereignty of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Government will continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

If the Eritrean regime, however, persists in customary fashion to prosecute the war, the Ethiopian Government affirms that it will take whatever measures that are required to ensure that the country's sovereignty is safeguarded.