Eritrean UN Mission letter to Security Council

Provided by the Embassy of Eritrea 800 Second Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10017 Telephone (212) 687-3390 Fax (212) 687-3138 23 November 2009 Excellency, It has come to the attention of the delegation of Eritrea that a draft resolution initiated by some members of the United Nations is in circulation to the members of the Security Council, supposedly with the objective of bringing peace and stability to the Horn of Africa by whose sole purpose is to impose all kinds of sanctions on Eritrea. The Government of Eritrea is disappointed to learn the basis under which the draft is being initiated and circulated. The draft text is regrettably based on unfounded assumptions and perceptions, and not on concrete evidences. The independent experts of the United Nations have not concluded their work on the alleged violation of the arms embargo on Somalia. Yet, the decision to present a case not supported by evidence shows that it is indeed a politically motivated move by the authors of the draft text in order to exert pressure on Eritrea for extraneous objectives. Eritrea deeply regrets such acts that are contrary to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. The draft resolution is based on unfounded accusations against Eritrea on the issue of Somalia. Let me make the position of my Government clear. Eritrea does not favour or support a military solution, as it is convinced that there can be no military settlement in Somalia. Nor does, Eritrea favour one party as opposed to another. It does not work with one against others. Eritrea firmly holds that a durable and sustainable solution requires the participation of all key Somali actors in an inclusive political process. It has affirmed this position in regional and international forums, specifically the most recent African Union Summit in Tripoli, Libya, which endorsed the need for a political settlement as well as in numerous bilateral meetings, including the Joint EU Mission on Somalia’s meeting with President Isaias Afwerki, earlier this month. Furthermore, Eritrea has been engaging with key countries and regional and international organisations in an effort to create an environment conducive to an inclusive process. H.E. Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting President of Security Council United Nations New York, NY 10017 The delegation of Eritrea also wishes to seize this occasion to stress the importance of the final and binding demarcation decision that was awarded by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. The matter cannot remain shelved in perpetuity if peace and stability is to take root in the region. Not only is it important on its own merit, but it is at the heart of the turbulent situation in the Horn of Africa, including the current difficult relations between Djibouti and Eritrea. For reasons outlined above, The Government of Eritrea urges the Security Council not to ignore the real issue behind many conflicts in our region and to take concrete measures to ensure that Ethiopia abides by its treaty obligations and international law and withdraws its troops from sovereign Eritrean territories that it is illegally occupying. The delegation of Eritrea further urges the Council to seriously and responsibly consider the matter under discussion consistent with its mandate of maintaining international peace and security. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and I would be most grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council. Araya Desta Ambassador, Permanent Representative

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