Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ADDISABABA719
2008-03-13 07:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: WITHOUT TSZ THERE IS NO ALGIERS
how-toVZCZCXRO3480 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHDS #0719 0730708 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 130708Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9931 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 4686 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7294 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000719
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018
TAGS: KPKO PBTS PREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: WITHOUT TSZ THERE IS NO ALGIERS
ACCORD, FORMIN
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000719
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018
TAGS: KPKO PBTS PREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: WITHOUT TSZ THERE IS NO ALGIERS
ACCORD, FORMIN
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told
Ambassador Yamamoto in a March 11 meeting that the actions by
the UN Security Council over the coming days and weeks with
regard to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border conflict will dictate
how Ethiopia responds. Seyoum described the UN Security
Council as divided over the Ethiopia-Eritrea issue with
Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Africa playing
"unhelpful" roles and China being "very sensitive to
sanctions." Seyoum described the South African Mission in
New York as implementing its own policy on the issue, rather
than having its position being directed by Pretoria. Seyoum
praised support from Washington and noted that Russia, the
UK, and France are playing positive roles. Seyoum stated,
however, that "if there is no Temporary Security Zone (TSZ),
there is no Algiers Accord." The Foreign Minister did
concede that Ethiopia sees a withdrawal from the Algiers
Accord as a last option, noting the United States' persistent
advice that Ethiopia not pull out from the agreement. While
Seyoum confirmed that Ethiopia is actively engaging UNSC
members bilaterally, he reiterated that "without respect for
the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and without a TSZ,
there is no Algiers Accord."
2. (C) The Ambassador detailed current discussions among UNSC
members and efforts by the USG to focus the Council on
Eritrea's specific restrictions on the UN Mission in Ethiopia
and Eritrea (UNMEE) within the scope of the broader sanctity
of international peacekeeping operations (PKOs) as a first
step, likely through a Presidential Statement (PRST),before
a second statement or resolution addressing the border
situation. Ambassador noted, however, that significant
elements within the UNSC do not yet support imposing
sanctions against Eritrea despite its actions against UNMEE.
Seyoum responded by saying "the Security Council's decisions
in the coming weeks will determine Ethiopia's developments on
the ground." Seyoum stressed that if Eritrea is allowed to
impose its own decisions on UNMEE and engage in rogue
behavior, it would establish a negative precedent with broad
and lasting ramifications for future PKOs and undercut the
authority of the UNSC. He emphasized that the message to
Ethiopia is also relevant, asking rhetorically "why abide by
international law if the other party gets away without
ramifications for destroying a peace process?" The
Ambassador concluded the discussion by encouraging Ethiopia
to remain committed to the process and not to withdraw from
the Algiers Accord.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018
TAGS: KPKO PBTS PREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: WITHOUT TSZ THERE IS NO ALGIERS
ACCORD, FORMIN
Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told
Ambassador Yamamoto in a March 11 meeting that the actions by
the UN Security Council over the coming days and weeks with
regard to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border conflict will dictate
how Ethiopia responds. Seyoum described the UN Security
Council as divided over the Ethiopia-Eritrea issue with
Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Africa playing
"unhelpful" roles and China being "very sensitive to
sanctions." Seyoum described the South African Mission in
New York as implementing its own policy on the issue, rather
than having its position being directed by Pretoria. Seyoum
praised support from Washington and noted that Russia, the
UK, and France are playing positive roles. Seyoum stated,
however, that "if there is no Temporary Security Zone (TSZ),
there is no Algiers Accord." The Foreign Minister did
concede that Ethiopia sees a withdrawal from the Algiers
Accord as a last option, noting the United States' persistent
advice that Ethiopia not pull out from the agreement. While
Seyoum confirmed that Ethiopia is actively engaging UNSC
members bilaterally, he reiterated that "without respect for
the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and without a TSZ,
there is no Algiers Accord."
2. (C) The Ambassador detailed current discussions among UNSC
members and efforts by the USG to focus the Council on
Eritrea's specific restrictions on the UN Mission in Ethiopia
and Eritrea (UNMEE) within the scope of the broader sanctity
of international peacekeeping operations (PKOs) as a first
step, likely through a Presidential Statement (PRST),before
a second statement or resolution addressing the border
situation. Ambassador noted, however, that significant
elements within the UNSC do not yet support imposing
sanctions against Eritrea despite its actions against UNMEE.
Seyoum responded by saying "the Security Council's decisions
in the coming weeks will determine Ethiopia's developments on
the ground." Seyoum stressed that if Eritrea is allowed to
impose its own decisions on UNMEE and engage in rogue
behavior, it would establish a negative precedent with broad
and lasting ramifications for future PKOs and undercut the
authority of the UNSC. He emphasized that the message to
Ethiopia is also relevant, asking rhetorically "why abide by
international law if the other party gets away without
ramifications for destroying a peace process?" The
Ambassador concluded the discussion by encouraging Ethiopia
to remain committed to the process and not to withdraw from
the Algiers Accord.
YAMAMOTO