Ethio Boy wrote:
Here's a quote from Reuters
Ethiopia and Eritrea moved soldiers and arms toward the border after Eritrea introduced the flight restrictions. U.N. officials describe the border as "tense and potentially volatile".
I will not get into childish talk about who started it.
To begin with Eritrea is Ethiopian Land... Point Blank...
Eritrean President Isaias is forcing the UN to wake up and take notice that the border dispute is still unresolved. Isaias is playing with fire, but clearly is frustrated that the International Community is not holding Ethiopia to the terms of the "binding and final" EEBC report.
The current problem stems from a confusing EEBC report that did not mention the town of Badme by name. One hour after the report was released in April 2002, the AU rep phoned the AU foreign minister and relayed the terms. He mistakenly told the AU FM that Ethiopia retained Badme. The AU FM then called the Ethiopian FM and told him the same. By the time the Ethiopians realised they didn't get Badme, they had already held a press conference claiming victory and there was dancing in the streets. Both countries are now digging in over a dusty border town with no strategic value. It's all about pride and saving face. Ridiculous.
Meanwhile, your PM Meles is turning out to be quite the autocrat. Democracy is ok as long as everyone votes for me!
More importantly, I'll be in Addis next spring. Where do I find good info on the running scene? I'd love to watch some of the national meets. Thanks.