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Eritrean leader sends message to
South Africa's Mbeki on dispute with Ethiopia An Eritrean government delegation headed by
Agriculture Minister Arefaine Berhe yesterday, 1 December, delivered a
message from President Isayas Afewerki to President Thabo Mbeki of the
Republic of South Africa. Mr Arefaine told President Mbeki the Eritrean government had made
efforts to resolve the border dispute [with Ethiopia] in a peaceful and legal
manner, but the weyane [Ethiopia] regime rejected dialogue and resorted to
war. He added that continuous efforts to resolve the conflict also failed
because of the weyane regime's policy of war. Mr Arefaine made it clear that
the only basis for bringing about a lasting peace would now be a swift
implementation of the final and binding decision by the [Eritrea-Ethiopia]
Boundary Commission [EEBC]. However, Mr Arefaine said, the weyane regime was
creating obstacles to reverse the ruling with the aim of destabilizing our
region. Stressing that the ruling by the EEBC was final and binding, President
Mbeki called for its implementation, and promised to do whatever he could to
avert an emergence of unfavourable situation. He said any situation that
would reverse the ruling and disrupt peace and stability was unacceptable,
and urged efforts for a sustainable peace. Finally, President Mbeki asked the Eritrean delegation to convey his
warm greeting to President Isayas Afewerki. South African Foreign Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma also attended the meeting. Publication date: 2003-12-02 |