Annan: Ethiopia's unequivocal acceptance of border ruling essential
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Saturday, July 24, 2004 (EDN) - In the closing remarks (Observations) of his latest report to the Security Council on the UN Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE), UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told Council Members "it is essential that Ethiopia unequivocally restate its acceptance of the Boundary Commission's decision, appoint field liaison officers, and pay its dues to and otherwise cooperate fully and expeditiously with the Commission, as called for by Security council in its resolution 1531(2004) of 12 March 2004".
"it is a source of deep concern that Ethiopia continues to express its opposition to the demarcation process in conformity with the final and binding decision of the Boundary Commission" noted Annan to reflect his frustration with Ethiopia's adamant defiance of the Boundary Commission's ultimate and irrevocable ruling that determined the exact location of the Eritro-Ethio international border.
Confronted with Ethiopia's recalcitrance, Annan found it necessary to repeat the obvious:
"It is worth reminding the parties, and in particular Ethiopia, that the two Governments themselves entrusted the Boundary Commission with the entire demarcation process, drew up its mandate and selected its Commissioners" said Annan in an attempt to remind the international community about Ethiopia's solemn commitment to the nature and fate of the Boundary Commission's decision vis à vis it's current defiant stance.
Faced with, in light and within the context of all of the above remarks, Annan then closed the issue of the fate of the Boundary Commission's ruling by saying that " It is hoped that the two Governments will realize, and perhaps explain to their peoples, that sober choices will have to be made in order to end the current stalemate". Indeed.
Eritrea has met all what has been called for by Security Council's resolution 1531(2004) as cited by Annan. It is now up to Ethiopia to follow suite for there is no "sober choice" other than unconditional acceptance of the border ruling and then adapting and building every thing else around that. In that sense, Annan's call for "sober choice" pertains to Ethiopia only.
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