UN tells Ethiopia to implement border ruling

The UN Security Council has rejected calls by Ethiopia for a new body to rule on contested areas of the border with neighbouring Eritrea. In a one-page response, the UN body expressed “deep regret” at the move by Ethiopia and urged it to implement the controversial April 2002 border ruling. “The members of the Security Council therefore wish to convey to you their deep regret at the intention of the government of Ethiopia not to accept the entirety of the delimitation and demarcation decision as decided by the boundary commission,” the letter said. “They note in particular, that Ethiopia has committed itself under the Algiers Agreements to accept the boundary decision as final and binding.” The letter also stated the Council's “serious concern at the continuous and abnormal absence of political dialogue” between both countries. The 15-member Security Council welcomed Ethiopia’s “intent” to remain committed to the Algiers peace agreement that was signed between both countries in December 2000. And they also commended Ethiopia for reiterating it will not resort to force and its commitment to resolving the issue through peaceful means. But, the letter, said: “Only the full implementation of the Algiers Agreement will lead to sustainable peace.” Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody border war from 1998-2000. An independent boundary commission was then set up to settle the 1,000 km border which was not clearly demarcated when Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. But key territories, in particular the town of Badme where the war flared up, were placed in Eritrea by The Hague-based commission, sparking outrage in Ethiopia. Demarcation of the contested 1,000-kilometre border, which has been delayed twice, is due to start this month. Observers now say the new date is “extremely unlikely”. The Security Council letter is in response to a letter from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi warning that the boundary commission was in “terminal crisis” and calling for a new body. Meles also said Badme was “symbolically important”, adding that it was the “casus belli” for the war between the two countries which claimed some 70,000 lives. “The decision is thus a recipe for continued instability, and even recurring wars,” the prime minister warned in his letter dated 22 September. In its reply, the Security Council "reminded Ethiopia of the obligations of both parties under the Algiers Agreements...to bring the peace process to a successful conclusion.” The Council called for the “expeditious” implementation of the Algiers agreement. “Therefore we call upon the government of Ethiopia to provide its full and prompt cooperation to the Boundary Commission and its field officers,” the Security Council stated. A spokesman for the Ethiopian government declined to comment on the letter.