Ethiopia blames Eritrea’s inability to ’behave like a normal state’ (Sudan Tribune)

Sept 28, 2006 (UNITED NATIONS) — Ethiopia told the U.N. General Assembly it wants to normalize relations with Eritrea because it needs durable peace, but it accused its Horn of Africa neighbor of refusing to "behave like a normal state."

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their border was never settled. In April 2002, following a 2 1/2-year border war, an international boundary commission awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea — but Ethiopia has refused to implement the deal.

Ethiopia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Negash Kebret, addressing the assembly’s ministerial meeting on its final day on Wednesday, said his country was committed to peace and security in the Horn of Africa region — much as its foe might try to disrupt the efforts.

"Ethiopia will not allow its dispute with Eritrea to distract it from its focus on development, although this is the main mission of Eritrea since the conflict began eight years ago," Kebret said.
[Read full story here]