Asmara defiant over border row

2004-02-20 20:12

Asmara - As global concern mounts over the stalled peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the wake of a border war, Asmara is defiantly standing its ground, insisting that international law fully justifies its refusal even to meet the man Kofi Annan appointed to sort out the mess.

"Internationally speaking, they have the law on their side," a western diplomat in Eritrea said on Friday, a day after Asmara said it was "out of the question" that it host Annan's envoy, former Candadian foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy.

"But the whole of the international community is behind Axworthy and supports Kofi Annan's initiative," the diplomat added.

The peace process between the Horn of Africa neighbours has come unstuck over the ruling handed down in 2002 by a special commission charged with precisely defining their shared 1 000km border.

When they signed a peace accord in 2000 after two years of war, both countries pledged to accept the Boundary Commission's ruling as "final and binding".

But in September, Ethiopia rejected the commission's decision as "unjust", chiefly because it attributed the border town of Badme, the flashpoint of the war, to Eritrea, even though it had long been admistered by Addis Ababa.

The deadlock has indefinitely delayed plans to physically mark out the border, which remains closed to all except a contingent of UN peacekeeping troops.

The only direct dialogue occurs at six-weekly meetings between top military brass from both sides.

Inflammatory and accusing communiques from Asmara and Addis Ababa prompted worried western states to try to break the stalemate by, one the one hand, urging Ethiopia to accept the commission's ruling at least in principle, and on the other, calling on Eritrea to agree to some form of dialogue.

Both overtures were rebuffed.

Hence Annan's decision in late January to put Axworthy on the case.

Regret

"This idea of an envoy is not acceptable because the decision (of the boundary commission) is final and binding and cannot be subject to diplomatic discussions," Eritrean presidential chief of staff Yemane Gebremeskel declared on Thursday.

Several observers in Asmara expressed regret at this position, saying the government had nothing to lose by meeting the envoy, especially if he came to Eritrea to listen.

Eritrea, whose 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia was fought without much outside help - and won in 1991 - has never been one to kow-tow to the international community.

One UN official in Asmara, who also asked not to be named, said Axworthy should tread very carefully and "must stay in Ethiopia at the moment. He should not come here with his hands empty. It could jeopardise the whole (UN peacekeeping) mission."

As for the man himself, Axworthy hardly seems put off by Asmara's snub.

"The Eritrean president is showing reservation to my mission, but I am used to doors being slammed on my face," he said in Ethiopia on Thursday.

- SAPA