Embassy of Ethiopia
July 30, 1998
Washington, DC - Eritrean Foreign Minister Haile Weldensae recently made false public statements claiming that he would hold direct talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin in Burking Faso following a meeting with OAU mediators on Sunday, August 2.
These claims are completely fabricated. Such lies, designed to mislead and misinform the international community have been the main thrust of recent Eritrean diplomacy.
The Ethiopian position has remained the same throughout the facilitation process. In accordance with peace resolutions proposed by the governments of United States and Rwanda, endorsed by the OAU and the UN Security Council, Ethiopia will resume negotiations with Eritrea after it has withdrawn its troops from the Ethiopian territory it has occupied since May 6, 1998. International law and the peace proposals of the international community both indicate that in the case of territorial dispute, both parties should return to the status quo in order for fair negotiations to take place. Yet again the Eritrean government is deliberately frustrating the peace process by avoiding the real issue of troop withdrawal through these false claims.
Ethiopia, as a country committed to the peace process and facilitation efforts, urges the international community to encourage Eritrea to accept the four-point peace plan drafted by mutual friends and endorsed by the OAU and the UN. The government of Ethiopia is anxiously awaiting Eritrea to choose to join it on the path to a peaceful resolution.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT SPOKES PERSON, Wednesday, July 29, 1998 Contact: Press Office; 202-234-2281 [Washington, DC]