Network of Eritrean Canadians

 

Canada’s Prime Minister says Ethiopia is “in breach of their international obligations”

 

PRESS RELEASE

October 16, 2005

 

Ottawa, Canada – Canada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Paul Martin, acknowledged that Ethiopia is in breach of international law with respect to the Eritrea-Ethiopia border in a letter to Member of Parliament Ms. Alexa McDonough.

 

Prime Minster Paul Martin agreed that “the border situation is very serious and that Canada, in cooperation with the international community, should engage both governments to seek a solution to the dispute”. The Prime Minster went on to highlight that Canada supports the position that “both parties must abide by their commitments to the Algiers Agreements and accept the decision of the Commission.”

 

Eritrea fully accepted the decision of the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission, while Ethiopia refused to implement the decision. 

 

Mr Paul Martin observed that, “with respect to the border issue, we [the Canadian Government] recognize that, as Ethiopia has not implemented the decision of the Boundary Commission, they are in breach of their international obligations.”

 

The Network of Eritrean Canadians would like to express appreciation to Member of Parliament and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT), Ms. Alexa McDonough for raising the Eritrea Ethiopia border issue with the Prime Minster.

 

It should be recalled that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT), “by unanimous consent" had agreed that, "Algiers Agreement, the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) are binding on both parties of the conflict and are final." SCFAIT said that it was "alarmed over Ethiopia’s failure to fully comply with, and accept, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's recommendations, especially with regards to the town of Badme." The Committee added that it "agrees with the EEBC April 13, 2002 ! to grant the disputed town of Badme to Eritrea". 

 

The Committee proposed, "that the Government of Canada forcefully indicate to the Government of Ethiopia that our [Canada] future cooperation would heavily depend on Ethiopia's acquiescence to the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission"

 

The Prime Minster also expressed concern of the humanitarian situation in both Eritrea and Ethiopia.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Network of Eritrean Canadians

networkoferitreans@canada.com