Eritrea: US envoy says boundary ruling "final and binding"
Source: BBC Monitoring Newsfile
Publication date: 2003-10-24


Text of report by Eritrean radio on 24 October

President Isayas Afewerki today, 24 October 2003, met and held talks with a US envoy at the Denden Lounge [in Asmara].

During the two-hour talks, the US delegation headed by Assistance Secretary of State for African Affairs Mr Donald Yamamoto held talks on the demarcation of the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

After giving details of developments in the so-called border dispute, President Isayas stressed the importance of the US government's role on the issue.

Having affirmed that the decision by the [Eritrea-Ethiopia] Boundary Commission was final and binding, the delegation pledged that the US government would tirelessly work towards its implementation to ensure the prevalence of peace and stability in the region.

On bilateral relations and cooperation, President Isayas assured the delegation that the Eritrean government was ready to work by giving priorities to major issues.

Noting the existence of several issues of mutual interests [between Eritrea and the US], the US delegation affirmed its readiness [sentence incomplete]. The delegation also delivered a letter from President Bush to President Isayas.

Publication date: 2003-10-24