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Sir Emyr Jones Parry President of the Security Council Mr. Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia 03/10/2003 Excellency, I am writing in reply to your letter to the
President of the Security Council of 19 September 2003. This letter has been
brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council, who have
taken note of it. The members welcome the Government of Ethiopia’s declared
intent to remain committed to the Algiers Agreements, which includes an
explicit rejection of the use of force as a means of resolving disputes. Let me assure you that the members of the
Security Council steadfastly support the completion of the peace process and
the full and expeditious implementation of the Algiers Agreement. The
Security Council is clear that the framework for establishing a lasting peace
between Ethiopia and Eritrea was agreed by both parties in Algiers in 2000.
Only the full implementation of the Algiers Agreements will lead to
sustainable peace. 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. They note, in
particular, that Ethiopia has committed itself under the Algiers Agreements
to accept the Boundary Decision as final and binding. The members of the Security Council,
therefore, call upon the Government of Ethiopia to provide its full and
prompt cooperation to the Boundary Commission and its field offices in order
that demarcation can proceed in all sectors as directed by the Boundary
Commission. The members of the Security Council
consider the continued delays in the demarcation process to be contrary to
the spirit of the Algiers Agreements. In their last resolution (S/RES/1507)
they therefore called on both parties to ensure the expeditious
implementation of the Boundary Commission’s decisions and to create the necessary
conditions for the demarcation to proceed. The members of the Security Council
reaffirm their serious concern at the continuous and abnormal absence of
political dialogue between the two parties. They
believe that dialogue is essential for the normalization of relations and
crucial for the success of the peace process.[red emphasis editorial!] Finally, I have been asked by the members
of the Security Council to remind Ethiopia of the obligations of both parties
under the Algiers Agreement as well as of the efforts invested by the
international community, in particular the Secretary General’s Special
Representative, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, and UNMEE, to bring the peace
process to a successful conclusion. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances
of my highest consideration. Emyr Jones Parry President of the Security Council His Excellency Mr. Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia |