President of the Security Council

Mr. Meles Zenawi

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

03/10/2003

Excellency,

I am writing in reply to your letter to the President of the Security Council of 19 September 2003. This letter has been brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council, who have taken note of it. The members welcome the Government of Ethiopia’s declared intent to remain committed to the Algiers Agreements, which includes an explicit rejection of the use of force as a means of resolving disputes.

Let me assure you that the members of the Security Council steadfastly support the completion of the peace process and the full and expeditious implementation of the Algiers Agreement. The Security Council is clear that the framework for establishing a lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea was agreed by both parties in Algiers in 2000. Only the full implementation of the Algiers Agreements will lead to sustainable peace.

The members of the Security Council therefore wish to convey to you their deep regret at the intention of the Government of Ethiopia not to accept the entirety of the delimitation and demarcation decision as decided by the Boundary Commission. They note, in particular, that Ethiopia has committed itself under the Algiers Agreements to accept the Boundary Decision as final and binding.

The members of the Security Council, therefore, call upon the Government of Ethiopia to provide its full and prompt cooperation to the Boundary Commission and its field offices in order that demarcation can proceed in all sectors as directed by the Boundary Commission.

The members of the Security Council consider the continued delays in the demarcation process to be contrary to the spirit of the Algiers Agreements. In their last resolution (S/RES/1507) they therefore called on both parties to ensure the expeditious implementation of the Boundary Commission’s decisions and to create the necessary conditions for the demarcation to proceed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their serious concern at the continuous and abnormal absence of political dialogue between the two parties. They believe that dialogue is essential for the normalization of relations and crucial for the success of the peace process.

Finally, I have been asked by the members of the Security Council to remind Ethiopia of the obligations of both parties under the Algiers Agreement as well as of the efforts invested by the international community, in particular the Secretary General’s Special Representative, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, and UNMEE, to bring the peace process to a successful conclusion.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Emyr Jones Parry

President of the Security Council

His Excellency

Mr. Meles Zenawi

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia