EEBC ruling must be implemented, No room for other mechanism or body: President Isaias

EEBC ruling must be implemented, No room for other mechanism or body: President Isaias
By: Shabait Staff
February 24, 2004

President Isaias Afwerki underlined that the decision of the Eritrea -Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) on border delimitation must be implemented in letter and spirit, and as such there can be no room for other mechanism or body.

The President made these remarks while receiving the credentials of the Ambassadors of five countries today. He brought to the attention of the Ambassadors that the rule of law needs to be respected and international decisions should equally be implemented. President Isaias recalled that the Algiers Peace Agreement, which both Eritrea and Ethiopia signed was formulated in 2000 with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the then US Secretary of State Madeline Albright, the European Union and the then OAU Secretary General as guarantors of the agreement. He further underscored that the EEBC ruling is final and binding.

Stating that the EEBC ruling was to be implemented on the ground in line with the detailed procedures that were finalized by the EEBC in November 2003, President Isaias pointed out that its implementation is being undermined due to the obstacles the TPLF regime is posing.

President Isaias asked the Ambassadors to convey to their respective capitals the fact that the EEBC ruling is final and binding, and that there is no party that is legally entitled to erase or abrogate this ruling, and that there can be no justification whatsoever to look for other mechanism or body.

The President assured that the Eritrean Government would provide the Ambassadors with the necessary support so as to facilitate their mission during their tour of duty. The Ambassadors expressed their desire of their respective countries to strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations with Eritrea.

The Ambassadors who presented their credentials are: Mr. Ibrahim Kehalil Abdella of Egypt, Mr. Surundra Kumar of India, Mr. Faulk Lofgren of Sweden, Mr. Annibal Gimenez Abasakal of Spain and Ms. Mary Donde Odinga of Kenya.