Furthermore, the APC-EU, after reminding Ethiopia that it has already accepted the framework agreements and the modalities, they point out that, what is left is accepting the Technical Arrangements, which Ethiopia has been presented by the OAU in August 1999.

The disappointment of the ACP-EU over Ethiopia is evident that, the tone of the 14 October 1999 statement is much stronger to than last year. Last year it DEPLORED the continuation of the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, whereas this time it CONDEMNED the continuation of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The ACP-EU could not further disagree with Ethiopia than saying "the cause of the war is the absence of an agreement over the demarcation of the frontier". In contradiction, Ethiopia is propagating in vain, by arguing that, the war is not about border conflict, but it is about "Eritrea's Supremacy", "teaching Eritreans a lesson", "Breaking Eritrea's Spine", "achieving Guarantees over Eritrea's Sovereign Territories" etc. etc.

When Ethiopia argues that the famine, which is threatening over 5 million Ethiopians, is a separate issue to the conflict, the ACP-EU said, "the war between the two countries is definitely worsening the prevailing social conditions of the states". Social conditions being, the population of the countries living in miserable conditions in terms of nutrition, health and educational facilities. It goes with out saying that, the top social priority of responsible needy countries is to feeding their own impoverished people.

Ethiopia argues that, it is looking for GUARANTEES over the disputed territories. Contradicting this line of argument, the ACPE-EU, in line with the rest of the rest of world, replied it firmly supports the OAU peace package (Framework Agreement, Modalities of Implementation and Technical Arrangements), which GUARANTEES the peaceful and legal resolution of the conflict. As a result it URGED Ethiopia to accept the Technical Arrangements, and both States to end all hostilities, proceed to the signature of a cease-fire agreement and fully implement the OAU peace package.

Ethiopia tried to derail the peace process by saying that, it would not allow foreign troops in the disputed territories. However, in sheer contrast, the ACP-EU called on the UN and the OAU to deploy military observers by OAU Member States.

Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Mr Seyoum Mesfin, at the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly, laboriously went behind the curtains of Africa and Developing countries, only to globalise his infamous hate campaign. He produced a list of his defamatory remarks in order to ridicule the international community. The list goes on as: the Security Council did not recognise Eritrea as the aggressor, it chose to characterise the conflict as 'border dispute', it told Ethiopia it's primary responsibility is to feed its' people, and it urged states to end sales of arms to both countries. Furthermore, he claimed that, to make Ethiopia give in to pressure, the UN encouraged the International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Union (EU), other institutions and countries to suspend their co-operation with Ethiopia.

The core resentment of Ethiopia, over the international community, is much to do with, its call for UNCONDITIONAL CEASE-FIRE. Ethiopia felt that accepting any Eritrean proposal, no matter how rational or objective it may be, would be seen as appeasing the "aggressor". Ethiopia's allergy is accepting unconditional cease-fire would mean contradicting its mantra of "Aggressor must not be rewarded", which Mr Mesfin referred as "Ethiopia's one and only one fault".

At a face value, the speech of Mr Mesfin at the 55th UN General Assembly, would give the impression of daring African leader standing out for the unbalanced treatment of Africans by the international organisation. As a result, one could not help but appreciate the inquisitive mind that questioned the ability of the UN to be a guardian of principles of international law-guardianship. But an inquisitive mind would stop there but look at the other side of the coin.

If Mr Mesfin is really such a critic of the international and regional organisations, did he question the integrity of the OAU under the Presidency of Burkina Faso. Of course he did not! The reason being that, Mr Mesfin himself and his Ministry were effectively running the OAU. Under the nose of the OAU he managed to grossly violate the human rights of Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin. He had effectively change our regional organisation into a rubber stamp, "unrepresentative and unresponsive to the interest of the majority".

If it was not for the resoluteness of Eritrea and Ertireans to seek and find peace, we would have indeed declared the Framework agreement null and void, when we were asked to compromise (show good faith to the OAU) on the meaning of "Badme and its environs".

Eventually the international community has given its deliberations. Two weeks latter, after the ACP-EU members have already heard the statements made by the Ethiopia's Foreign Minister at the UN assembly, assessed the arguments and counter arguments, they have passed their resolution. They have Urged Ethiopia to accept the Technical Arrangements, and both States to end all hostilities, proceed to the signature of a cease-fire agreement and fully implement the OAU peace package. They have also "called on the EU Council to take all necessary measures to prevail on Ethiopia to accept and implement the OAU peace package and to prevent the continued violations of the human rights of ethnic Eritreans in Ethiopia".

In conclusion, it is not time to shifting the blame on to the international community, for the bloodshed and destruction that followed, in the reckless adventure of expanding Tigray. But it is high time for the TPLF rulers to join the bandwagon of peace, which the people of Tigray, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the international community at large are calling for. At this Epoch, Ethiopia is not only at a crossroads but it is also skating on thin ice. The patience of the International community is growing thinner and thinner by the hour.

May the 21st century become the new chapter where Peace, Stability and Prosperity reign's in our Continent.

God Bless