Official blames UN’s “deaf ears” for failed Ethiopia-Eritrea peace mission
By Tesfa-alem Tekle
October 13, 2008 (MEKELLE) — The northern Tigray regional president blames the United Nation Security Council (UNSEC) for failing to carry out its responsibility to halt Eritrea’s repeated disruptions that crippled the Ethiopia-Eritrea UN peace keeping mission (UNMEE)
In an official closure of the 8-year long UN mission, Two UN planes on Sunday have picked up the last UNMEE Indian battalion from the regional capital’s Airport, a battalion which has been deployed along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border.
In a fare-well ceremony bid at Alula Aba Nega international airport, Tigray regional president Tsegay Berhe said “The federal government of Ethiopia has repeatedly addressed grave concerns from day one to the UN security council as the Eritrean government continued to undermine and threaten the peace process; however “deaf ears” were given by the UN security council to all the concerns Ethiopia has been addressing”
The official says the council’s “deaf ears” than swiftly acting against Eritrea’s unlawful acts were the reasons which helped Asmara to a further continued and official disruption over the mission.
“This could be taken as one of the bad lessons that the international community have learnt and it shows the UN Security Council didn’t keep the integrity of the Algiers agreement and the security and comfort of its UNMEE battalions,” he said.
“The consequences will be complete eradication and withdrawal of the Algiers agreement and from its implications,” he added.
During the occasion acting secretary representative to UN Security Council General Azouz Ennifar said “The goals of UNMEE were not to demarcate the borders but to assure both parties respect the cease fire” adding “our goal is to create best grounds for border demarcation”
The officials which included Indian ambassador to Ethiopia have honored the peace force for their dedication in the perspective of the endeavors they made during their stay under UNMEE umbrella and de mining, social supports, their sympathy and association they had won with national, regional government and with the community at large which was said to be more important than the military work.
The regional government president Tsegay Berehe reaffirmed that despite the shutdown of the mission, his country, Ethiopia is ready to resolve border crises with Arch-foe Eritrea peacefully.
“Still the doors for peace are always open through dialogue that can lead us towards lasting peace,” he stressed.
(ST)