Planned modification of peace document hailed

Ethiopia has welcomed the results of the latest shuttle diplomacy undertaken by Lake and OAU special envoy Ahmed Ouyahia to the two warring countries. “We are very happy that the two envoys understood why we had reservations with the ‘Technical Arrangements’ document,” Counsellor at the Ethiopian embassy in Nairobi Mengistu Ayalew told IRIN on Friday. “It is a positive development and gives a chance for a peaceful resolution of this conflict.” He reiterated Ethiopia’s position that the document as it stands is “full of ambiguities”. “Ethiopia is very happy that after continuous and thorough discussions, the two envoys agreed that the document should be adjusted to address our concerns,” he said, adding it was unfortunate that Eritrea disagreed with this “positive development”.

Eritrea had accepted the original ‘Technical Arrangements’ document, but Ethiopia said it did not “fully guarantee a return to the status quo ante”, as it was “silent” on the specific areas to be evacuated by Eritrea.