Eritrea: Commentary details Ethiopia's hindrance to impede border demarcation

• Published in: BBC Monitoring Africa - Political p. 1
• Format: Newsletter
• Language: English
• Published: London BBC Worldwide Limited 15.07.2003
• Subjects: ERITREA

These clear signs of rejection accompanied by the regime's premier's belittling and belligerent statements directed to the role and capacity of the United Nations and the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission is a clear indication of the Ethiopian government's utter rejection of the implementation of the boundary commission's decision on demarcation. Despite persistent and clear-cut calls for the regime to quit its reluctance, the regime in Ethiopia went to jeopardize not only the April decision but also the Algiers comprehensive peace agreement. Not only has the Ethiopian government been insinuating on the possibilities of the regime's violation of the declaration, but its blatant rejection of the peace process as expressed in its July 4, 2003 report to its so-called 'highest judicial body' also read out, "Ethiopia has understood that this (border) line would be subject to refinement during the demarcation process when the effective administration of the parties would be determined in the field and it was our conviction that Badme would be included within our side of the border. It was on this basis that the government accepted the April decision and it is on this basis only that the government continues to do so. Any failure to refine the borderline during the demarcation will endanger the prospects of peace and security in the region." Intoxicated with covetousness and using the border issue as a pretext, the regime's decision to unleash a war of aggression was unjustifiable, which is why the Ethiopian side had to forcibly accept the Algiers comprehensive peace agreement like a bitter pill. Consequently, it was neither the regime's wish to abide by the rule of law and bow down to peace nor anybody else's expectation to see the regime respect the decision because it had never accepted the decision of the boundary commission in good faith in the first place. It remains to be a mere fact that no invader has ever bowed down to the rule of law before and this regime will be no exception.