MM/ March 12, 2003 - BBC

The international Boundary Commission oversees the demarcation of the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of undermining the peace by trying to change its border ruling. The Commission was formed as part of the deal ending the neighbors two and half year war over their border. It gave its ruling last April and the actual physical demarcation expected to begin later this year.

Demine Zein spoke to Ethiopia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu and asked him what he made of the statement.

Dr. Tekeda:-Frankly speaking I was very disappointed. I was saddened by the report. Why it was felt necessary for the Commission to ascribe its motives to Ethiopia, that is a source of disappointment. We are not trying to reopen the substance of the matter.

BBC:- In the Secretary General's report he mentions when Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and the Prime Minister Meles Zenawi met his representative here in Addis, Legwalia, they said they might reject the demarcation if the EEBC doesn't make changes. I mean that does quite a worrying thing.

Dr. Tekeda: -You would find it absolutely difficult to why entertain the possibility of say for example, Badme not being Ethiopian, because that will be totally inconsistent with the April decision.

BBC: -You mention Badme I didn't, I mean, it sounds like this is one of the places you are arguing over at the moment, isn't it?

Dr. Tekeda: -In the April Decision the Commission placed Badme within Ethiopia. Within the context of the April Decision, Badme falls within Ethiopia. [ERITREA - ETHIOPIA BOUNDARY COMMISSION <> DECISION Regarding Delimitation of the Border between The State of Eritrea and The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Clik here for PDF file: 3,197 KB <> Click here for zip file 2,963KB ]

BBC: -Are you saying then if the border post going or even before that when the map is finally drawn up in about six weeks time and it turns out with you mentioned Badme doesn't come into Ethiopia, you are saying, we are not accepting this?

Dr. Tekeda:- I always say I will find it absolutely difficult to believe that any person in his right mind will put Badme inside Eritrea.

BBC: To the outside world the implications if you are saying we do not accept this demarcation is practically returning to a state of war with Eritrea. I mean you are going back on the end part of the very long peace process.

Dr. Tekeda: -What we are saying in April Decision we have told that the maps were indicating that the decisions were provisional that in the course of demarcation that they would be refined. That was the promise even to us. Therefore, what Ethiopia is asking now is consistency.