War was always Ethiopia's intention
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asmara 7 February, 1999
4:35 p.m. local time

1. From the outset of this conflict, Ethiopia has been constantly and consistently threatening to go to war if it did not have
its way.

2. Ethiopian officials recently declared that " the peace process is as good as dead", and announced that the only option
remaining for them was to force Eritrea out of "disputed areas" which happen to fall, invariably, inside Eritrea=92s
borders.

3. For months, Ethiopia has been making public its war preparations. Frequent declarations of readiness to " route the
enemy" and the now fabled proclamation that it would " teach Eritrea a lesson" are only a few examples of Ethiopia=92s
willingness to speak sorecklessly about war.

4. The Ethiopian allegation that Eritrean planes bombed Adigrat on Friday, February 5th has been internationally
recognized as a complete fabrication and thus belies an inherent intent to attack and abrogate the air moratorium.

5. This fabrication was preceded by Ethiopia's "sealing off" of Tigray to media and journalists last week, cutting of any
road or telecommunication access so as to curb the flow of information about their offensive plans against Eritrea.

6. Twenty four hours prior to their February 6th attack, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed all its missions
abroad to be on alert and to await " very important news within the next 24 hours." Ethiopian Forces attacked Eritrean
positions at 06:00 hours on Saturday morning, February 6, 1999.

7. The Ethiopian army, as part of their attack plan came out of their trenches and attempted to charge Eritrean positions.
Eritrea's defensive stance meant that the Ethiopian forces were killed and fell as they approached. Anyone who wishes to
independently verify this assertion is invited to go and see the thousands of Ethiopian corpses lying outside their trenches.

8. Ethiopia is now poised to launch an air attack having declared its abrogation of the air moratorium based on its
fallacious claim that Eritrea attacked Adigrat.

9. International silence in the face of Ethiopia's intent to dictate its will, blaming Eritrea for its own crimes as it does,
evident from the outset has encouraged it to persist in this reckless path. The international community must assume some
responsibility for the very grave situation which Ethiopia's objectives and irresponsible measure have created.

10. Now, with these unfortunate turn of events, one needs to think back. Which government has consistently called for a
cessation of hostilities and asked for direct negotiations to avoid such hostilities? Which has refused to accept unless its
ultimatum was met? The answer is very obvious.

Proving that War is not an option

11. This border dispute can not be resolved by force. War is not only an impossible means by which to solve this
dilemma, but is also, strategically and tactically, a terrible mistake.

12. It must be recognized that unjust external pressure on Eritrea to acquiesce to Ethiopian ultimatums and threats only
encourages Ethiopia to try and use force. It also postpones a solution to a very simple border dispute.

13. Ethiopia must affirm its irreversible commitment to a peaceful solution by rescinding its declaration of war, formally
accepting an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and engaging in the peace process to reach a mutually accepted
agreement for a peaceful solution of the border dispute.

14. It is imperative to remember that this is a border dispute. The ability to resolve this dispute through technical
demarcation and with the participation of neutral third parties has been the fact that Ethiopia has worked so hard to avoid.
It cannot be forgotten in the light of these recent and tragic developments.



Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara
7 February, 1999