Ethiopia is defying not rejecting the Hague verdict


Editorial: Team EritreaDaily.net

Nov 17 2003

 

Both Eritrea and Ethiopia have accepted the verdict of the EEBC a priori by virtue of signing the Algiers Agreement. Consequently, once the Hague verdict has been pronounced, there is no other option but to only abide by it because it is guaranteed to be implemented forcefully, if necessary: Meaning that Ethiopia or any body else cannot stop the realization of the Hague verdict (demarcation) by rejecting it because the entire world has vouched for it to happen and is going to happen, yes, by all the means under Chapter VII of UN Charter, when called for. Rejection cannot stop or prevent the physical realization/implementation/consequences of the verdict of a court of law, let alone the one like the Hague verdict. That is why Ethiopia today is openly challenging the commitment of the international community (The enforcers of The Hague verdict) to exercise its power, might, and authority to implement the EEBC ruling by daring it to come and get them in Badme. In other words, Ethiopia rulers are swearing that the Hague verdict can be implemented only over “their dead bodies”, so to speak. To that effect, Ethiopia rulers ignored the order of the international community, issued in the form of UNSC resolution, to abide by the border ruling and emphasized it by subsequently voiding and annulling the ruling and dismantling the EEBC unilaterally. And that is, ladies and gentlemen, nothing but outright defiance by any definition and notion of the term.

 

The Hague verdict is not cognizant of the word “rejection”, either, not only because neither country has that option but also because it is guaranteed to be implemented? Ethiopia rulers’ and the media usage of the word “rejection” to describe Ethiopia’s action vis à vis the border ruling is another futile attempt to shield Ethiopia from the consequences of its clear defiance of The Hague verdict and certainly and most importantly to keep the continuous foreign handouts intact.

 

The word “rejection” begs for the question why? And that in turn begs for talks, negotiation, “dialogue” etc., which the Hague verdict is not cognizant of. On the other hand, defiance, the only thing other than abiding by, that the Hague verdict is cognizant of, calls for action. Isn’t action what Eritrea is today calling for to realize The Hague verdict?

 

The Hague verdict cannot be rejected; it can only be defied or abided by.

 

Team EritreaDaily.net