    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 27, 1999]
    [Page 1338]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1338]]

    Statement on the Organization of African Unity's Framework Agreement for
    Ethiopia and Eritrea
    July 27, 1999

        I welcome the announcement by the Organization of African Unity
    (OAU) that Ethiopia and Eritrea have accepted the OAU framework
    agreement and the modalities for its implementation, and agreed to steps
    proposed by the OAU to facilitate implementation of the agreement. This
    is a significant step toward peace.
        We have worked intensively with the OAU in recent weeks to help
    bring an end to this devastating conflict. My Special Envoy, Anthony
    Lake, has just returned from the region, where
    he met with the leaders of both governments and the OAU. The United
    States will continue to support the efforts of the OAU under the
    chairmanship of Algerian President Bouteflika to bring this tragic conflict to a speedy
    conclusion.