Telephone Conversation with Anthony Lake - Former National Security Advisor to President Clinton

"His (Mr. Lake) discussions with President Isaias and his collaborators hit a snag. The essence of the problem is that the Eritreans want a pull back of their forces as part of the demilitarization. Within this context they are prepared that the withdrawal could start from Badme. They are opposed to the reinstatement of Ethiopian Administration despite the fact that according to the latest U.S. proposal the activities of the Administration will be effectively monitored by the presence of International Observers and the role of the militia will be very much circumscribed. The Eritreans take the view that to agree to redeployment and the reinstatement of the Ethiopian administration would be tantamount to accepting they are wrong." - Dr. Salim, December 8, 1998