Eritrean, Nigerian, Yemeni foreign ministers discuss border demarcation
Source: BBC Monitoring Africa
Publication date: 2003-09-30


Text of report by Eritrean radio on 30 September

Foreign Minister Ali Sayyid Abdallah met and held talks in New York, USA, with the deputy foreign minister of the Russian Federation, Mr Giorgi Mamedov.

During the meeting held on 26 September, the two sides discussed demarcation of the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Mr Ali gave Mr Mamedov a detailed account of the consequences of the weyane's [Ethiopia government] official rejection of the decision by the [Eritrea-Ethiopia] Boundary Commission, and measures the international community should take and roles Russia should play as a member of the UN Security Council.

Noting that the UN should play its role in solving the impasse, Mr Giorgi Mamedov affirmed that Russia supported the border ruling and would do whatever it could for its implementation. Saying that it was unacceptable [for Ethiopia] to ask for an alternative mechanism, Mr Mamedov stressed that the decision by the boundary commission was final and binding.

Similarly, Mr Ali Sayyid also met the Nigerian and Yemeni foreign ministers, Mr Oluyemi Adeniji and Mr Abu-Bakar al-Qirbi, respectively, and discussed bilateral relations and the border demarcation. Indicating that his country was one of the guarantors of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, Nigerian Foreign Minister Oluyemi Adeniji said he would talk with UN peacekeeping officials in New York about the issue. He said Nigeria wished an end to the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu-Bakar al-Qirbi said he would meet all relevant officials to discuss the negative developments in the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia, adding that he had already held talks on the issue with his Algerian counterpart. He also affirmed that his country believed the decision by the boundary commission was final and binding.

Publication date: 2003-09-30