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Ethio-Eritrean Conflict Denies 15 Mln Ethiopians Dev't Opportunity

The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
NEWS
January 16, 2005
Posted to the web January 18, 2005

By Dagnachew Teklu
Addis Ababa
About 15 million Ethiopians were not able to use development activities due to
the Ethio-Eritrean conflict that has been going on since 1999, a United Nations
report disclosed on Friday.
"The conflict has had an impact on some 15 million Ethiopians, denying them the
opportunity of engaging themselves in development activities," Lloyd Axworthy
UN special envoy to Ethiopia and Eritrea said.
Axworthy, who was appointed by the UN secretary General, Kofi Annan to mediate
on the two countries' border conflict, said that the year's long conflict
between the two countries has been aggravated by the existing poverty in the
two countries and resulted in thousands of death and handicaps. He however said
that around 15 million Ethiopian have lost development opportunities for trade,
energy, hydroelectric power and transportation due to the war.
"That is a significant number. People never wonder about the consequences of
this border conflict. It had a great impact on the socio economy of the two
countries," Axworthy said. Asked about the impact of the conflict on the
Eritrean side, Axworthy was unable to produce any figures. Axworthy indicated
that Kofi Annan will next week hear on the assessment of the two countries
report in New York.
"Both countries have to take into account the fact that this is having a
serious impact on a large number of people in both countries," he added.
The special envoy to Ethiopia and Eritrea also stated that the newly introduced
five point peace proposal by Ethiopia would help the two countries to solve
their differences through dialogue.
"There have been missed opportunities because the two countries never sat down
for dialogue. No doubt that having access to the leadership in Eritrea would
make this process easier," he added.
He indicated that the international community would continue its efforts until
the two countries solve their problem peacefully.
"The Boundary Commission is still a timely vehicle that has been used and
supported by the international community. It is the only vehicle" he added,
"The mandate of UNMEE is still very critical to the mission in the area."
Axworthy was unable to travel to Eritrea. It was initially expected that he
would visit Eritrea for the same purpose.

   

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