Ethiopian Govt. Reiterates Peaceful Solution to Border Demarcation

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 02, 2002

Ethiopian Govt. Reiterates Peaceful Solution to Border Demarcation

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Ethiopian government insists that a peaceful and lasting solution to the Ethio-Eritreanborder demarcation is the only option to bring about sustainable economic development in the country, the Herald newspaper Tuesday quoted a government statement as saying.

The idea being spearheaded by some extremist groups to drag thecountry into another round of war is unacceptable by any standard,said the statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ethiopian Information Ministry.

The parties involved in spreading only mendacious propaganda without a political program and vision that could improve the living standard of the people couldn't serve any purpose, it said.

The document said the Ethiopian government has been taking measures against tendencies that could drag the country into war.

The opposition groups have placed the issue of the Ethio-Eritrean border demarcation top on their agenda, it said, adding that Ethiopia could be beneficiary if only the issue is resolved peacefully and based on legal grounds but not by a means of force.

Resolving the border issue through a peaceful means and based on established principles could enable the country to divert its resources and attention to the nation building process, said the department which has issued at least three statements concerning the Ethio-Eritrean border disputes.

Any attempt to solve the border issue by imposing the interestsof the parties devoid of established international norms could lead the country to an endless conflict, the statement warned.

In another development, the opposition Ethiopian Democratic Party held two rallies on Sunday in Bahir Dar and Dessies to strongly oppose the peace agreement the Ethiopian government signed with Eritrea, which the party claimed "overwhelmingly successful".

The border demarcation decision is expected to be made by the Boundary Commission, an international neutral body based in the Hague, on April 13.

The opposition party blamed the government for allowing the UN to demarcate the border, saying that it would make Ethiopia a landlocked country.

According to the agreement, the two countries agreed to let theHague commission settle their territorial dispute which was the main cause of the 1998-2000 border war that had claimed tens of thousands of lives from both sides.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Border Demarcation Good for Settling Ethio-Eritrea Dispute: Ethiopian Pundit

Ethiopian Opposition Groups Protest Against Border Delimitation Decision