From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Feb 02 2010 - 15:07:35 EST
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/854548/-/123rlblz/-/ Eritrea
accuses Ethiopia over participation at event
The Eritrean government has circulated a letter to African heads of state
accusing Ethiopia of blocking its right to participate in African Union
summits and meetings. PPS
By ARGAW ASHINE, NATION CorrespondentPosted Tuesday, February
2 2010 at 20:04
ADDIS ABABA, Tuesday
The Eritrean government has circulated a letter to African heads of state
accusing Ethiopia of blocking its right to participate in African Union
summits and meetings.
According to a letter by Eritrean, for the last 10 years Eritrea has been
denied its right to participate in African Union summits and other meetings
in Addis Ababa by Ethiopian refusal to extend proper diplomatic and security
guarantee.
Ethiopia continues to obstruct Eritrea’s right to participate in AU Summits
and other AU meetings in Addis Ababa by its refusal to observe the basic
diplomatic provisions spelled out in the HQ Agreement and that are extended
to all Member States,” the Eritrean government said.
Eritrea expressed its concern and asked issues related with Eritrea should
not be discussed in the absence of Eritrea in Addis Ababa.
*Imposed sanctions*
Eritrea calls comes after an AU ministerial level meeting in Addis Ababa
once again voiced support to UN imposed sanction and condemned Asmara to its
negative roles in regional stability.
Eritrea also called on the African Union to stop holding its summits and
other meetings in Addis Ababa.
African Union chief Jean Ping said Eritrea’s complaint was distributed to
all member states and he assured Eritrea could participate in the AU
activities and he informed that Ethiopian government assured AU to deliver
all necessary security and diplomatic needs. Mr Ping said he told Ethiopian
authorities Eritrea was free to establish a mission to AU headquarters in
Addis Ababa.
Mr Jean Ping urged Eritrean administration to resume its attendance and
mission at AU.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a bloody war between1998-2000 which killed
70,000 people.
*Leaders gathered*
In another development, African leaders gathered at the summit disputed the
outcome of Copenhagen climate change accord which was issued last December
2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark .
As part of AU summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who was head the
Africa delegation in the Copenhagen summit briefed leaders on the agreement
but some African leaders expressed their disappointment on the final deal.
Mr Meles said the perception of Africa among rich nations was a major
challenge and they [the rich] perceive Africa’s justice request as a
“begging”.
During the Copenhagen summit Mr Meles proposed $50 billion per year funding
for Africa by 2015 and $100 billion by 2020. Senegalese president Abdulaye
Wade said the Copenhagen deal did not really represent the interests of
Africa.
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