UN forfeits Horn responsibility, hopes for miracle to prevent war
15 July 2004 –
The United Nations Security Council today expressed the hope that the
meetings between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Isaias Afwerki of
Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia in their capitals earlier
this month would bring new commitment from both to meet his Special Envoy for
constructive negotiations over their problems.
After a closed briefing by peacekeeping chief Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the 15
Council members "called on the parties to speedily implement the decision
of the Boundary Commission and to step up their cooperation with the Special
Envoy in order to overcome the impasse in the peace process.
"They also called on the
parties to enhance efforts to reach an effective and mutually acceptable
political solution to the remaining problems."
Mr. Annan has said Special Envoy Lloyd Axworthy, Special Representative
Legwaila Joseph Legwaila and the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), whose
current mandate ends on 30 September, are ready to work with both governments
to clarify issues, resolve differences and prevent incidents in the border area
peacefully.
Some restrictions on UNMEE's freedom of movement were recently lifted, but
the Council stressed that several other open questions, including direct
flights between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Asmara, Eritrea, remained unresolved
and have resulted in considerable additional costs.
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Unlimited, high
