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Copyright 2007 BBC Monitoring Service , Source: The Financial Times Limited
BBC Monitoring International Reports
December 16, 2007 Sunday




 TOP UN OFFICIAL'S VISIT TO ETHIOPIA, ERITREA "INDEFINITELY POSTPONED"

Text of statement issued by Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published in English by Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on 16 December

The visit of Mr Lynn Pascoe, the UN under-secretary for political affairs, to the Horn of Africa, expected this week, now appears to be indefinitely postponed. Mr Pascoe was due to launch a new initiative by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, following his letters to Prime Minister Meles and President Isayas [Afewerki] on 29 November underlining his desire to facilitate resolution of the current dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Although nobody will confirm it, it appears the government of Eritrea indicated its unwillingness to receive Mr Pascoe.

Indeed, rather than demonstrate any support for dialogue, Eritrean government websites and others acting as mouthpieces of the regime have been claiming that the boundary question is settled and sealed.

Eritrea, in fact, has continued its violations of the Algiers Agreements [signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea in Algeria in December 2000], and its belligerent rhetoric. Under the agreements, both countries permanently renounced force as a means of settling disputes. They agreed to refrain from the threat or use of force to settle disputes. The security arrangements in the agreements, including the creation of a demilitarized Temporary Security Zone, the undertaking by the parties that Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter would be invoked against the party that violates this zone, and the mandate for UNMEE [UN Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia] to monitor the zone, were meant to provide a conducive environment for the settlement of the disputes, including the boundary question by ensuring that the cessation of hostilities and the separation of forces are respected by both parties.

Eritrea's demolition of these fundamental tenets of the Algiers Agreement has created an insurmountable obstacle for implementation of the demarcation of the boundary and for the peace process itself. Indeed, these violations also forced Ethiopia to put Eritrea on notice that unless it returned to compliance with the agreements, Ethiopia would be forced to consider its legal and peaceful options. The Algiers Agreements laid down the basis for the resolution of the disputes between the two countries in a comprehensive and lasting manner.

Eritrea has to recognize that the only avenue for the permanent resolution of disputes between the two countries is for it to engage in dialogue on the way forward, and in good faith. This must include the demarcation of the boundary. A comprehensive and lasting settlement of all issues through peaceful means in accordance with the Algiers Agreements is the only viable and legal option available. Ethiopia's position in these issues is based on principles, and rooted in its firm desire to put the crises between the two countries behind them. Ethiopia's is a position of looking for a win-win outcome, not a myopic calculation based on a zero-sum game.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Addis Ababa, in English 16 Dec 07

BBC Monitoring