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By Staff www.shabait.com
03 January, 2008
Asmara, 3 January 2008 – President Isaias Afwerki today received and held talks at the Denden Hall with Mr. Donald Payne, Member of the House of Representatives in the US Congress.
In the meeting, the two sides held extensive discussion on Eritrean-US relations, the situation in the region, in general, and the Eritrean-Ethiopian border issue, in particular.
The President pointed out that the Eritrean-Ethiopian border issue has reached a legal conclusion in accordance with the Boundary Commission’s final and binding ruling. He further indicated that the detailed map that clearly specifies the exact location where the pillars would be erected has been presented to both sides and the United Nations, thus not only providing a legal and technical conclusion to the issue but also identifying in the map the sovereign Eritrean and Ethiopian territories. President Isaias went on to underline that the remaining task is the withdrawal of the invading Ethiopian forces from sovereign Eritrean territory. He also reminded the US government to apply pressure on the TPLF regime to withdraw its troops from Eritrean territory.
Noting that the so-called “existing tension between the two countries” is simply an attempt to escape from this crucial basic point, the President asserted that Eritrea would not give room at all to any attempt, on the part of the TPLF regime, aimed at diverting the attention of the international community from the basic issue.
Congressman Donald Payne explained on his part that it is his conviction and repeatedly stated stance that since the EEBC ruling is final and binding, it should be implemented and, as such, the US government is duty bound to put sufficient pressure on the Ethiopian government to bear the EEBC’s ruling.
As regards the Somali issue, President Isaias pointed out that the policy pursued by the US government and the Ethiopian regime last year not only failed to produce any outcome but also did not benefit Somalia, Ethiopia, the entire region and even the US government. Moreover, the President stressed the need to exert serious efforts towards creating a conducive atmosphere that would enable the Somali people to resolve their issue themselves. To this end, the US government should make due contribution, he added.
Also spelling out his stance regarding the issue, Mr. Donald Payne stated that the policy pursued so far did not bear fruit, and that the Ethiopian forces should withdraw. “This is the sole option that would lay the groundwork for a Somali solution,” the Congressman added.
Concerning Eritrean-US relations, President Isaias indicated that although Eritrea wishes to improve its relations with the United States, the US Administration is not prepared for such constructive relations of cooperation. Hence, all Eritrea’s attempts to improve bilateral relations did not produce the desired outcome, the President elaborated.
Stating that the majority of the US population does not accept the policy being pursued by the US Administration in this region and also believes that it is wrong, President Isaias expressed conviction that relations between Eritrea and the United States would ultimately improve.
Following the meeting, Mr. Donald Payne told the Eritrean News Agency that US relations with Eritrea holds significance. “I think it is a relationship that we hope will improve as we move forward. I think that it should and it could,” he stated.
