[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[December 7, 2000]
[Page 2651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Ethiopia-Eritrea Final Peace Agreement
December 7, 2000

    Ethiopia and Eritrea have accepted the invitation of Algerian 
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to sign 
a final peace agreement in Algiers on December 12, building on a 
Cessation of Hostilities Agreement brokered by the United States and the 
Organization of African Unity last June.
    Last week I was able to inform both Prime Minister Meles and President Isaias that 
each leader had confirmed to me his acceptance of the text of a final 
peace agreement. All who have worked for this peace, and all who were 
moved by the costs of the war, congratulate the Ethiopian and Eritrean 
leadership and people for achieving this breakthrough.
    This agreement ends the biggest conventional war in the world in 
recent years, in what may be the world's poorest region. It should 
permit these two countries to realize their potential in peace, instead 
of squandering it in war. It should free both countries to concentrate 
on meeting their people's aspirations for democracy and development, as 
their leaders have pledged to do. The United States stands ready to work 
with both countries to consolidate the peace and accelerate their return 
to the urgent task of economic development.
    More than 2 years of effort by the United States and the 
Organization of African Unity went into reaching this final agreement. I 
want to thank my Special Envoy, former National Security Adviser Anthony 
Lake, Gayle Smith of 
the National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary Susan Rice for their untiring commitment and selfless 
dedication to the task. I also wish to extend my personal gratitude and 
congratulations to President Bouteflika 
of Algeria and his entire mediation team.