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Excerpt from the Boundary Commission's Observations, March 21, 2003
(Again, one is forced to ask: Are these actions, actions of a government which represents and defends the interests of its people? However way one views it, the answer is a resounding No! Ethiopia seems to have the dubious and unfortunate distinction of being the only country in the entire history of nations whose purported "leaders" are there to serve the interests of its arch enemies...)


“…the burden rested upon Ethiopia to substantiate any claimed departure from that line on the basis of conduct that would serve to show that Badme village (which lies close to the line) was subject to Ethiopian control...”

"…The Commission referred specifically in the Delimitation Decision (paras 5.92-5.95) to the evidence produced by Ethiopia. It noted in particular that Ethiopia had introduced no evidence in its opening pleading (its Memorial) of governmental activities west of that straight line; although it produced some evidence in its Counter Memorial, it did not add to or develop this in its Reply…"

"…Moreover, maps submitted by Ethiopia were inconsistent as to the location of Badme village. Overall, the evidence was nothing like what might have been expected had Ethiopia's presence there in the period before the case been as significant as Ethiopia now alleges…"

"…This conclusion followed from the inadequacy of Ethiopia's evidence. Moreover, even some maps submitted by Ethiopia not only showed the distinctive straight line between the Setit and Mareb Rivers, but also marked Badme village as being on the Eritrean side of that line…"

Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission Observations - March 21, 2003
Published as an addendum to the Progress Report of the Secretary-General on Ethiopia and Eritrea, UN Doc. S/2003/257, of March 6, 2003
http://pca-cpa.org/PDF/Obs.EEBC.pdf

To read excerpts from the original decision, click the link below.

Excerpt from Boundary Commission Decision, April 13, 2002

What were the leaders of EPRDF trumpeting back in April 2002?

Boundary commission decides in favor of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, April 13 (ENA)--The Ethio- Eritrea boundary commission gave on Saturday its final and binding crucial decision in favor of Ethiopia's incontrovertible evidences as presented to The Hague international tribunal, the minister of foreign affairs said.
Seyoum Mesfin said here in Addis Ababa that the international tribunal at The Hague has decided that Badme, Zelammbessa, Ayiga, Erobe, Alitena, Bada and others to be part of the Ethiopian sovereign territory. He said the ruling of the boundary commission is fair and appropriate, adding that the ruling has proved once more again Ethiopia to be right.
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/86840.1304.htm

Statement issued by the Council of Ministers of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia regarding the decision given by the Boundary Commission in The Hague
…Accordingly, pursuant to the Algiers Agreement, the FDRE Government accepts and is ready to implement the legal decision of the Commission.
…The Government of Ethiopia would like to take this opportunity to extend its regards to the Boundary Commission for discharging its duties with a sense of responsibility and great care. The Government of Ethiopia would also like to express its strong interest in the speedy demarcation of the boundary. In this respect, the FDRE Government would like to emphasize that the Eritrean Government should honor its obligation to cooperate in the demarcation process.

Council of Ministers of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, 13 April 2002
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/33333.1404.htm

Meles hails ruling of international tribunal as victory of law over aggression
Addis Ababa, April. 15(ENA)--Prime minister Meles Zenawi said the decision passed by the Hague-based international court of arbitration, which was handling the Ethio-Eritrean border claims, was justifiable as it ensured the victory of law and order over the rule of violence and aggression. According to the prime minister, the decision of the boundary commission has awarded Ethiopia all the contested areas it had claimed for…
He said "The ruling vindicates Ethiopia's land claims. It is a dual victory for Ethiopia and a devastating defeat for the other side".
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/87010.1504.htm

Ethiopia wins both war, case: Seyoum
Addis Ababa, April 13 (ENA) --Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said the Hague-based international court of arbitration which was handling the cases of the Ethio-Eritrean border claims on Saturday ruled that the contested areas be regarded as an integral part of the sovereign Ethiopian territory. Seyoum said Ethiopia, which has shattered the myth of Eritrean invincibility at the war fronts, has once again defeated Eritrea at the law of court by gaining all the lands falsely claimed by the regime in Asmara.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while briefing local and foreign journalists on the verdict of the international tribunal.
He said Ethiopia was fully satisfied with the decision of the independent boundary commission. According to the Algiers peace deal, both parties should accept the decision of the boundary commission as final and binding with no right to appeal, Seyoum said.
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/86881.1304.htm

The Victory of Ethiopia Before the court of Law proves to be the result of its sound policy
Ministry of Information
The peaceful and legal conclusion of the Ethio-Eritrea conflict is one of the many successful cases attained through the peaceful policy pursued by the Ethiopian government.
…The Ethiopian government has exerted utmost efforts to win the case by providing tangible evidences to the Ethio-Eritrea Boundary Commission in The Hague as well as by employing internationally renowned legal advisors. Ethiopia's resounding military victory over the invading Eritrean troops has been also repeated before the court of law in The Hague.
…It was not expected that the opposition parties would hail the victory attained at the international court of Arbitration in The Hague. By rejecting the Algiers peace agreement the opposition parties have proved that they are against a lasting and just solution to the Ethio-Eritrea conflict.
…Like the government of Eritrea the opposition too could not accept the supremacy of the law. Their wish is either to invade the sovereign state of Eritrea short of that to capture the port of Assab by force which they claim is vital to the existence of Ethiopia and that is why. It will not please the opposition that the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute has been solved through peaceful path taken by the Ethiopian government and people.
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/874444.2404.htm

Ethiopia bases argument on relevant colonial treaties: Diplomats
Addis Ababa, April 18(ENA)-- The arguments put forth by Ethiopia to the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague was founded on the bases of colonial treaties while those by the government of Eritrea constituted altered maps, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Ethiopian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fisseha Yimer and Special Envoy of Ethiopia to the UN, Seyfe Selassie Lemma Kidane made the reflections on the peace process during a press statement they gave on Thursday… they said… however, other maps issued in line with the colonial treaties and which does not contradict Ethiopia's legitimate claims were also included into Ethiopia's arguments. Ambassador Fisseha said the roles played by the non-Ethiopian experts were considerable….
http://www.telecom.net.et/~ena/archivenglish/APRIL2002/87263.1804.htm