peaceful solution to the problem in Eritrea. As she had informed the E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/SR.22 page 5 forty-first session of the Sub-Commission, the Ethiopian Parliament had undertaken a new peace initiative to solve the problem in a peaceful way, to end the civil war, to ensure the prevalence of peace and in that process to start negotiations with any opposition group desiring to create a peaceful atmosphere in which the task of national construction would be possible. 20. That latest peace initiative had been acclaimed by the international community as a great step forward, promising a negotiated settlement to the conflict. Former President Carter had taken the initiative of mediating, and under his chairmanship the first round of negotiations on procedural matters had been held in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 1989. In November 1989 the preliminary talks had continued in Nairobi, at the end of which agreement had been reached on all procedural issues. While preparations were being made for the opening of the substantive talks, however, the secessionist forces had launched an unprovoked armed offensive on several fronts including the port of Massawa on 8 February 1990, thus shattering all hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement. 21. Last June the EPLF separatist group had announced publicly that it had decided to withdraw from the peace talks and pursue a military option. That had immediately followed the Ethiopian Government's agreement that the United Nations should be invited to participate as an observer in the talks, although it was not required to do so under the Nairobi Agreement. The United Nations had earlier declined to accept the invitation on the grounds that it rarely involved itself in internal conflicts. It was important to recall that that had been the only pretext of the secessionists for not starting substantive talks. Her Government had consequently gone out of its 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a political conflict and peace initiatives in Eritrea, involving international organizations and leaders. The language used suggests a focus on diplomacy, negotiations, and conflict resolution. Given the context, it seems likely that the text is related to international relations, politics, or humanitarian efforts.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations