Legwaila v. Axworthy
Legwaila: I am
the boss! The Daily News 5 Feb o4 Kofi
Annan’s Special Rep. Legwaila J. Legwaila is not known for holding frequent
or regular press briefings. As a matter of fact, he held a total of only 4
press briefings ever since his appointment in September of 2000, out of which
the most recent one on 3 Feb 04 was the first of its kind in New York,
although he has been much more frequently in New York. So, why did Mr.
Legwaila choose to hold his latest briefing at a time, place, and juncture
only 3 days later after Axworthy’s appointment as SR/envoy (SR or Envoy is
really a matter of semantics because it is all about running diplomatic
errands) to an area where Legwaila is also a SR? Well, well-informed
observers say that Mr. Legwaila wanted to take the opportunity of a press
briefing to make his presence felt and to emphasize his relevance in light of
the media frenzy about Axworthy’s appointment. That could not be necessarily
far from the truth and with it the stage is set for a foreseeable battle of
competence and authority between Axworthy et Legwaila- God forbid! The
first taste of this came when Legwaila told reporters that “ demarcation is the sole responsibility of the
EEBC working
out of the Hague”, a fact that is in the
books of the int’l community now being forwarded to the new kid on the block, L. Axworty, as a humble pointer and a
petit lecture not to mess with it. The second taste of Legwaila v. Axworthy showdown
came when a correspondent asked Legwaila “what would be your advice to Lloyd
Axworthy?” and Legwaila “replied that he had not yet made up his mind, but he
would certainly have some advice when he saw him in person, for he (Legwaila)
had been there for more than three years”. Translation: Legwaila to Axworthy:
I have been there before you, I have over three years of experience in there,
and you will have to listen to my advice: I am the boss! Redundancy leads to duplicity of responsibility
that not only creates friction but is also the reason why things don’t get
done. Axworthy’s appointment is redundant; and if it is
not coupled with an ultimatum, brace your selves for more competence and
authority wrangling and the resulting perpetuation of the status quo. The UNSC has laid out exactly what Axworthy’s
assignment, not a mandate, is: Plain and simple Facilitator not Negotiator.
His main job/assignment is to make it easier, if at all, for Ethiopia rulers
to accept, comply with, and abide by the Boundary decision without
qualification? And without ultimatum, that cannot be taken serious either. |