Ethiopia rejects border plan

A PEACE plan aimed at resolving a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains stalled.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi yesterday reasserted Ethiopia’s rejection of a new border drawn up by an independent boundary commission, calling it “unjust and illegal” and suggested it could not be implemented without destabilising the country.

Eritrea has called for sanctions to force Ethiopia to accept the decision, which was supposed to be “final and binding” under the terms of a peace deal that ended a 1998-2000 border conflict that killed about 70,000 people.

“The agreement also states that should there be any difference of opinion during the peace process, the only alternative is for the two sides to settle their differences through dialogue,” said Meles.

Britain, the US and others have urged Ethiopia to accept the ruling, but analysts say Meles would face major internal opposition if he conceded.

Meles has repeatedly said it was up to Eritrea to accept its offer of dialogue to break the impasse over the 600-mile frontier, and to agree to meet with a special UN envoy.