US congressmen call for border demarcation

Ethiopia came under fire from US congressmen on Thursday pressing for economic aid to be suspended because of delays in implementation of the border ruling with Eritrea. Democrat congressman Donald Payne accused Ethiopia of continuing to “obstruct, delay, and frustrate” the demarcation of the joint frontier with neighbouring Eritrea. “This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and could once again plunge these countries into a bloody conflict,” added Payne during the congressmen’s meeting in Washington. His comments came as congressmen took the first step in the legislative process aimed at suspending aid to both Ethiopia and Eritrea because of delays in demarcation. But although the US is one of the biggest donors to the two countries, analysts in Ethiopia were quick to point out that the bill has “little real teeth”. It pledges not to suspend food aid, medical help, peacekeeping funding, counter-terrorism initiatives, and human rights or HIV/AIDS assistance to either country. And Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is adamant that his country will not go to war over the border wrangling. The US congressmen’s bill, called the “Resolution of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Border Dispute Act of 2003”, was first lodged in mid-July by Democrat Tom Lantos. While the congressmen said that the bill “did not take sides” they argued that Ethiopia was “largely to blame” for delays in demarcation – scheduled to take place this month. “I want to be clear...that this legislation is not anti-Ethiopia,” said republican and chairman of the Africa sub committee Ed Royce. “And it's not pro-Eritrea,” he added. “It creates an incentive for both parties to abide by the decision. This legislation is crafted to be pro-Boundary Commission, pro-rule of law, and ultimately, I believe, it is pro-peace.” The bill also comes as attention turns to the visit of US African Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Don Yamamoto to both countries next week on a “fact-finding” mission. The legislation now goes to the full House International Relations Committee, before the 435 members of the House of Representatives consider its passage.