    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [January 22, 1999]
    [Page 89]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Conflict
    January 22, 1999

        The United States remains deeply concerned about the risk of armed
    conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and strongly committed to help
    find a peaceful resolution to their border dispute.
        As part of this effort, I asked former National Security Adviser
    Anthony Lake to return to Eritrea and Ethiopia
    during the last week. This was his fourth visit since October. During
    his visit, Mr. Lake met with Organization of African Unity (OAU)
    Secretary Salim Ahmed Salim, Eritrean
    President Isaias Afworki, and Ethiopian Prime
    Minister Meles Zenawi.
        In their meetings with Mr. Lake, the
    leaders of Eritrea and Ethiopia reaffirmed their engagement with the OAU's peace
    process, which the United States strongly supports. In this context, the
    United States urges both parties to accept the OAU's Framework Agreement
    and its agreed implementation in order to achieve a peaceful resolution
    of the dispute. Ethiopia has accepted the OAU Framework, and Eritrea
    awaits certain clarifications from the OAU.
        The United States remains deeply concerned, however, about the
    continuing military buildup along the common border between Ethiopia and
    Eritrea, and about the implications of this buildup for renewed
    hostilities. We call on both parties to exercise reason and restraint
    and to maintain their commitment to the peaceful solution that we are
    convinced is within reach.
        Ethiopia and Eritrea have made remarkable strides in the last few
    years in overcoming a past of repression, famine, and war. Both nations
    have promising futures. Both are good friends of the United States. We
    ask them not to risk what they have gained in a conflict that cannot
    possibly benefit the people of either side. We pledge our own best
    efforts, in partnership with Ethiopia and Eritrea, to avert a tragedy
    and to advance the interests that continue to unite the people of both
    nations.