THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

2 July 1999

Excellency,

I read your letter of 26 June with concern. It is clear that both sides continue to suffer heavy human losses despite their acceptance of the OAU Framework Agreement

Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, who saw you a few days ago in Asmara, has reported to me that the OAU High-Level Delegation is in the process of preparing its proposal to bridge the gap between the two parties so .that we can move to the implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement as soon as possible. I sincerely hope that progress will be made in this regard at the next meeting of the High-Level Delegation, which, I understand, is being planned for either 3 July in Ouagadougou or during the forthcoming OAU summit in Algiers. I will be attending the OAU summit myself, and hope that I will have an opportunity to discuss these matters further with you, as well as with President Isaias Afwerki.

Meanwhile, I would like to reassure you that the will remain committed to making every effort to assist in the search for peace in this tragic conflict.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Kofi A. Annan

His Excellency Mr. Haile Weldensae Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Asmara UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES

POSTAL ADDRESS - ADflESSE POSTAGE: UNITED NATIONS. N.T. IOO17 CABLE ADDRESS- ADRE«»E TELEGRAPHIQUE: UNATIONS NEWYORK

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL

REFERENCE: st July 1999-

Dear Mr. Ambassador, v """v The Secretary-General would be grateful if you could kindly forward the enclosed letter to His Excellency Mr. Haile Weldensde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea.

A copy of the letter is attached for your information.

Please accept, Mr. Ambassador, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Iqbal Chefdi

His Excellency Mr. Haile Menkerios P^iiuanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations • New York UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNBES

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL OUTGOING FACSIMILE

DATE: 6 July 1999

TO: Office of the Permanent FROM:/ RolfG. Knutsson yU- ^^MMte. Representative of Eritrea ^r Director and Deputy tothe r ^ to the United Nations \ ffchet f de Cabinet New York *'i

FAX NO: 687-3138 FAX NO: (212)963-2155

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Attached letter is for your urgent attention. The original will follow by local transportation.

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MESSAGE:

Please find attached, for the approval and signature of the Secretary-General, a proposed reply to H.E. Mr. Haile Weldensae, Minister o/foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea. Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations

28 June 1999 ' ^

Excellency,

I have the honour to forward the enclosed letter of 26 June 1999 from H.E. Haile Weldensae, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea, addressed to Your Excellency.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Menkerios Ambassador Permanent Representative

H.E. Mr. Secretary General United Nations New York, NY 10017

800 Second Avenue, 18th Floor • New York, NY 10017 • Telephone (212) 687-3390 • Telefax (212) 687-3138 • e-mail:eriun(&undp.org The State of Eritrea Ministry of Foreign Affairs

.•if If I Asmara, 26 June 1999

Excellency,

As You will have known, the regime in Addis Abeba has today carried out a senseless air raid on Assab. Fortunately, the high altitude bombing did not inflict any human loss or damage to property. Nonetheless, it is clear that the target of today's air bombing was the civilian airport in Assab. This is a dangerous escalation of the conflict and unacceptable by any standard.

The timing of the air raid itself illustrates the contempt of the Addis Abeba regime to repeated calls by the international community for restraint and for reason to prevail. Indeed, only on Wednesday this week, the UN Security Council had issued a statement demanding that both sides observe an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

Addis Abeba's provocative acts have occurred against the backdrop of repeated defeats in the offensives that it has launched in the past four weeks. The Addis Abeba regime had launched two successive offensives in the Mereb-Setit front from May 22-26th and June 10-16* respectively. Especially in the latter offensive, the TPLF regime has not only suffered heavy human losses (around 18,000 soldiers put out of action), but it has been dislodged from a number of strategic positions in that area. Today's senseless bombing thus appears to have been prompted by a pretentious desire to look strong on the eve of the forthcoming OAU Summit in Algiers.

Eritrea remains committed to the OAU Framework Agreement which it has accepted in good faith and that has been widely endorsed by the international community.

But Eritrea will not accept 's incessant acts of provocation and war that are obviously intended to frustrate the Framework Agreement or altei new preconditions. Indeed, Eritrea has no option now but to revi: ethe and unlimited restraint that it has been observing in the hope of a( vancing the peace process. Rec'd

H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan Secretary General Log# United Nations New York, NY 10017 '^/•s -2-

I am sure that Your ExcellenjpyOT ^legitimate acts of self-defence that Eritrea may have to take in theJlyJfp,: "bued acts of provocation and belligerence. . Accept, Excellency, the assurances OT my-nigh $ji? consideration.

Haile W-eldensae Foreign Minister The State of Eritrea