Ethiopia wants return to pre-fighting situation with Eritrea
Ethiopia-Eritrea, Politics, 9/21/1999

Ethiopia insisted on a return to the situation that existed before fighting began with Eritrea in 1998 as a necessity for peace.

"Ethiopia's objective is, and always has been, the complete reversal of
Eritrea's aggression. Anything less sends the message that borders can be
changed by force and international law (particularly the inviolability of a
country's sovereign territory) does not have to be respected," the office of the Ethiopian government's spokesperson said yesterday in a statement.

It added, "Being the victim of aggression, Ethiopia deserves a guarantee, by
means of advance verification, of which areas will be covered by
redeployment before any other steps in the peace process--including a
cessation of hostilities-- can be taken."

It said Eritrea is continuing with its "aggressions," including "attacking Ethiopian positions at the Zalambessa front in early September; launching a new round of military conscription and drafting the elderly and children; arming and supporting extremist rebel groups that operate out of Somalia
and perpetrate terrorism in Ethiopia; Dismantling towns and villages that its troops have occupied in an attempt to transform the Ethiopian identity of these areas; and abducting, imprisoning, torturing and abusing Ethiopian citizens residing in Eritrea."

Previous Stories:
  Ethiopia denies refusing OAU peace plan details   (9/8/1999)
  Eritrea: Ethiopan rejection of peace deal arrangements "tantamount to a declaration of war"   (9/6/1999)
  Ethiopia forces repel Eriterean attack   (9/3/1999)

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