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From: Tsegai Emmanuel (emmanuelt40@gmail.com)
Date: Thu Nov 18 2010 - 09:14:40 EST
Three Statements Concerning Eritrea
Statements on Eritrea
The US Embassy in Asmara released three statements today concerning the
Eritrea – Djibouti Agreement, the recently released Trafficking in Persons
(TIP) Report, and a reiteration of US policy regarding the Eritrean
Ethiopian Boundary Commission.
*Eritrea – Djibouti Agreement*
The Embassy of the United States of America welcomes the signing of the June
6, 2010 agreement between President Isaias of Eritrea and President Guelleh
of Djibouti allowing the State of Qatar to mediate the border dispute
between the two countries. The Embassy views this agreement as an important
first step toward achieving renewed peace and stability in the region. It is
encouraging that the two countries have shown willingness to resolve this
dispute peacefully. The Embassy urges Eritrea and Djibouti to work together
for a rapid, peaceful settlement.
Click here to read the text of the Eritrea – Djibouti
agreement.<http://photos.state.gov/libraries/eritrea/30767/ghezaif/Text%20of%20Eritrea%20Djibouti%20Agreement.pdf>(PDF,
818KB)
*TIP Report*
On June 14, 2010 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the 2010
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP report classifies each country
into one of three tiers, largely based on each government’s efforts to
combat human trafficking within its borders. Eritrea was rated a Tier 3
country, the lowest possible classification. According to the report, acts
of forced labor (a kind of Trafficking in Persons) occurred in Eritrea,
particularly in connection with the implementation of the country’s National
Service program. National Service conscripts are obliged by Eritrean law to
serve for only 18 months, but some are forced to serve in their positions
for over 10 years under the threat of inhuman treatment, torture, or
punishment of their families, the report states.
Human trafficking exists in the United States, and, for the first time, the
United States was ranked in the report. It was classified as Tier 1 because
it is meeting the standards for enforcement and victim assistance as
required by the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act, a law passed by the U.S.
Congress. The United States is making significant efforts to address
trafficking, and the Tier 1 rating is not a reprieve from further positive
action.
You can read the entire report here. (
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/)
*Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission*
The Embassy would like to reiterate long-standing United States Government
policy regarding the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s decision.
The Algiers Peace Accord, ending the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, must be
respected without qualification. Both Ethiopia and Eritrea agreed to accept
unequivocally the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) decision as
final and binding. The United States expects each government to uphold its
commitment to abide by this agreement. The United State urges both parties
to implement the EEBC decision peacefully, fully, and without delay. As the
process moves forward, communication directly between the two countries will
be imperative.
The United States values its relationships with Eritrea and Ethiopia. We are
committed to helping the two nations realize the political freedoms and
economic prosperity that their people deserve. Peace is the prerequisite
for achieving these goals.
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