Press release

US Congress responds to UN Resolution on Ethiopia-Eritrea dispute

Members of Congress called for decisive action from the Bush Administration
towards preventing this war, and for a public statement from the State
Department on the crisis.

Congressman Donald Payne, Co-Chair of the CBC International Affairs Task Force
stated, “This is a very serious situation and as the Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations, I
will be making a request to Chairman Chris Smith for a hearing on the issue.
The looming crisis deserves immediate attention.”

The Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian American Caucus and the Congressional
Black Caucus recently decided on the following principles to guide US policy on
the border conflict:

* The Administration must pressure both sides to accept the terms of the
Algiers Agreement, implement the border demarcation, and comply with UN
Security Council Resolution 1640.

* Both sides should immediately withdraw from the border and the
Administration should act decisively to ensure this happens before the Friday
deadline.

* The Administration should mediate dialogue between Ethiopia and Eritrea
on issues essential to sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa.

* Measures that isolate either country, such as sanctions, only exacerbate
existing tensions and the current humanitarian crises in the two nations.

Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of the Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian
American Caucus, said, “We want the US to be more involved in preventing war in
the Horn of Africa. This is about achieving lasting peace, saving lives, and
re-focusing our attention to sustainable economic and political development.”

Congressman Donald Payne, Co-Chair of the CBC International Affairs Task Force
stated, “This is a very serious situation and as the Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations, I
will be making a request to Chairman Chris Smith for a hearing on the issue.
The looming crisis deserves immediate attention.”

The Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian American Caucus and the Congressional
Black Caucus recently decided on the following principles to guide US policy on
the border conflict:

* The Administration must pressure both sides to accept the terms of the
Algiers Agreement, implement the border demarcation, and comply with UN
Security Council Resolution 1640.

* Both sides should immediately withdraw from the border and the
Administration should act decisively to ensure this happens before the Friday
deadline.

* The Administration should mediate dialogue between Ethiopia and Eritrea
on issues essential to sustainable peace in the Horn of Africa.

* Measures that isolate either country, such as sanctions, only exacerbate
existing tensions and the current humanitarian crises in the two nations.

Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of the Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian
American Caucus, said, “We want the US to be more involved in preventing war in
the Horn of Africa. This is about achieving lasting peace, saving lives, and
re-focusing our attention to sustainable economic and political development.”

Sincerely,

Michael Honda
Donald Payne
Gregory Meeks
Barbara Lee
Dianne Watson
Albert Wynn


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