has occupied sovereign Eritrean territories including Badme, has reneged on its international treaty obligations, has committed genocide in the Gambela region of Ethiopia, has detained over 25000 innocent Ethiopians for voting it out of office, and has massacred hundreds in cold blood.

The US led international community as well as the minority regime in Ethiopia are aware of their moral and legal obligations under the UN Charter and international law. Playing ignorant today will not absolve them of the Agreements they willingly and consciously signed, witnessed and guaranteed. Here are some of their statements that will illustrate the international communityís awareness of Ethiopiaís flagrant violations of the rule of law:

.      "...Calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to cooperate fully and promptly with the Boundary Commission to enable it to fulfil the mandate conferred upon it by the parties of expeditiously demarcating the boundary and to implement fully the Commissionís Demarcation Directions and Orders, and to take all necessary steps to provide the necessary security on the ground for the Boundary Commissionís staff and contractors operating in territories under their control...î
(Resolution 1507 (2003) Adopted by the Security Council at its 4822nd meeting, on 12 September 2003)

.      "...The independent Boundary Commission has investigated, reviewed, and rejected Ethiopia's claims with respect to the village of Badme, and in a report issued on March 21, 2003, stated that, based on the boundary line from the 1902 treaty between the two countries that was used as the reference under the terms of the Algiers Agreements, the evidence submitted by the Government of Ethiopia to support its claim was `inadequate and inconsistent' and the Commission `cannot allow one party to claim a territorial right, to insist on adjustments of parts of the boundary which that party finds disadvantageous'...Congress strongly condemns recent statements by senior Ethiopian officials criticizing the Boundary Commission's decision and calls on the Government of Ethiopia to immediately end its intransigence and fully cooperate with the Commission..."
(H. R. 2760- Resolution of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Border Dispute Act of 2003, 108th Congress, 1st Session (USA), 16 July 2003)... It should be noted here that the US State Department citing "National Security" reasons, prevented Congress from passing Resolution HR 2760 even though it had been approved.

.      "...Most immediately, the international effort to demarcate their common border has been jeopardized by what almost everyone recognizes to be Ethiopian intransigence...The Ethiopian government has essentially rejected the work of the Boundary Commission that was established by the Algiers Agreement in 2000,following 2 years of bloody fighting that cost an estimated 100,000 Ethiopian and Eritrean lives and cost $2 billion...Indeed, the U.N. Security Council has written the Ethiopian government conveying their deep regret at the intention of the government of Ethiopia not to accept the entirety of the delimitation and demarcation decision as decided by the Boundary Commission...Demarcation, I recognize, is difficult. It always is. In this case, blood has been spilt and feelings are raw, yet the Ethiopian leadership is doing nothing to prepare Ethiopians to accept the commission's decision. Instead, it is whipping up anti-commission sentiment, manipulating nationalism for its own gain and, I believe, playing with fire..."
(Statement from the Hon. Ed Royce, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, regarding HR-2760, 16 October 2003)

.      "...In April of 2002, the independent Boundary Commission in The Hague issued its ruling on the disputed border as called for in the December peace agreement. Both sides initially accepted the Border Commission's decision, although Ethiopia now rejects the commission's decision on Badme, the town that triggered the conflict in the first place... Both Ethiopia and Eritrea were given the opportunity to submit their reservations on the commission's decision. After careful review, the commission replied in writing to both governments, but Ethiopian authorities continue to obstruct, delay, and frustrate implementation of the Border Commission's decision... this kind of behavior is unacceptable and could once again plunge these countries into a bloody conflict... The international community cannot be expected to keep funding a peacekeeping force indefinitely or allow innocent people to die unnecessarily. The message is clear: implement the decision of the commission and begin to rebuild your community and countries..."
(Statement made by the Hon. Don Payne, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, regarding HR-2760, 16 October 2003)

.      "...The members of the Security Council steadfastly support the completion of the peace process and the full and expeditious implementation of the Algiers Agreement. The Security Council is clear that the framework for establishing a lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea was agreed by both parties in Algiers in 2000. Only the full implementation of the Algiers Agreements will lead to sustainable peace...The members of the Security Council therefore wish to convey to you their deep regret at the intention of the Government of Ethiopia not to accept the entirety of the delimitation and demarcation decision as decided by the Boundary Commission. They note, in particular, that Ethiopia has committed itself under the Algiers Agreements to accept the Boundary Decision as final and binding...The members of the Security Council, therefore, call upon the Government of Ethiopia to provide its full and prompt cooperation to the Boundary Commission and its field offices in order that demarcation can proceed in all sectors as directed by the Boundary Commission...The members of the Security Council consider the continued delays in the demarcation process to be contrary to the spirit of the Algiers Agreements..."
(Letter from UN Security Council to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi- 8 October 2003)

.      "Alarmed over Ethiopian failure to fully comply with, and accept, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commissionís recommendations, especially with regards to the town of Badme; Troubled by the findings of the United Nations Secretary-General on Ethiopia and Eritrea, in the September 4, 2003 Progress Report, that the number of border incidents in Sector Centre is increasing, including the growth in the numbers of Ethiopian herdsmen and livestock present in the Zone on the daily basis;

Disturbed by the September 5, 2003 report of the United Nations Secretary-General with regards to the pointing of weapons by Ethiopian militia at United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) patrols on August 5 and the violation of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities in the Drum Drum Stream area of the Zone by 102 personnel from the Ethiopian Armed Forces on August 9-11, who refused to leave the area despite UNMEE protests;

Calls on the Government of Canada to increase the pressure on the Government of Ethiopia to accept, in full, the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, including the decision on the town of Badme...Proposes that the Government of Canada forcefully indicate to the Government of Ethiopia that our future cooperation would heavily depend on Ethiopiaís acquiescence to the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission"
(Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada Thursday, 6 November 2003)

.      "That this House deeply regrets past conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the consequent loss of a large number of lives; recognizes the role of the UN and the Organization of African Unity in bringing the parties together and the establishment of a boundary commission to resolve the border dispute; accordingly commends the UN Security Council letter to Ethiopia requesting it fully complies with the commission; and calls on the Government to use all its endeavors to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict".
(Early Day Motion, signed by 23 Members of UK Parliament, 25 November 2003)

.      "...Nine resolutions and four presidential statements have already been issued on Eritrea- Ethiopia during the last four years...There is a heavy sense of frustration whenever Security Council resolutions are either ignored or remain unheeded....I call for the strict implementation of decisions and recommendations of the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies to maintain the credibility and integrity of its action..." [over 2 dozen resolutions have been adopted since the EEBC delivered its 13 April 2002 Final and Binding decision]
(Philippines' permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, as a member of the Security Council, 7 January 2004)

.      "...one reason we're in this dilemma is that the government of Ethiopia has never complied with its obligations under the 2000 agreement and the 2002 border demarcation...the Council's unwillingness or inability to confront Ethiopia's three-year long refusal to adhere to the very agreement it made in 2000..."    (John Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations 14 December 2005)

The international community may have acknowledged the minority regimeís violations of international law, but it lacked the political will and courage to act and enforce the EEBC decision. The US led international community has a collective responsibility to ensure that the minority regime in Addis abided by its international commitments, and respect the rule of law, but have failed to shoulder their legal and moral responsibilities and this diversionary Chatham House "paper" is a futile attempt to absolve them of that responsibility. It will not. Sooner or later, justice will prevail and they will be forced to enforce the rule of law or risk becoming sponsors of anarchy and lawlessness.

Today, ignoring the pain and suffering of the Ethiopian people, who have been brutalized, massacred and terrorized by Meles Zenawiís regime for the last 17 years, as if the acquiescence and appeasement of the international community somehow justifies Ethiopiaís violations of international law and absolves Meles Zenawiís apartheid regime of its international treaty and legal obligations, manifesting his intellectual ignorance, and adding insult to injury, the authors of the Chatham House paper have the audacity to present the minority regimeís arrogance, belligerence and lawlessness as being "superior skill in diplomacy". In the 24 January 2007 they wrote:

"...The unequal match of diplomatic skills has probably impeded progress [demarcation of the Eritrea Ethiopia border]. Events since 2000 have shown up Ethiopiaís vastly superior skill in diplomacy. Once the Boundary Commission die was cast in April 2002, Ethiopiaís refusal to comply might well have lost it friends and influence in the process. But its own traditions of diplomacy have been put to excellent use, enabling it brilliantly to disguise what was in legal terms an essentially weak hand...Underpinning the unequal diplomatic contest is Ethiopiaís greater weight in the world. This arises from its far larger size and population, its status as the only African country never to have been colonized, its position as host to the African Union and its standing with the US in the Global War on Terror. It has attempted to use these advantages to win a revision of the Commissionís ruling..."

These folks have conveniently omitted facts about Ethiopian history. They must know of Ethiopiaís participation in the "scramble for Africa"...suffice it to mention that even after the Italians and English left Africa, Ethiopia colonized Eritrea and became the only Black African nation to ever participate in the colonization of Africans.

As for not being colonized, that depends on their self serving definition. The apartheid regime in Ethiopia with embedded Europeans in its institutions to run the countryís affairs, with foreign governments calling the shots, with British, American and French personnel embedded in the mercenary Ethiopian government as advisors, and thousands of their NGOís and affiliates permanently established and operating all over Ethiopia, enriching themselves off the "aid" flowing into Ethiopia, is in fact, a de facto colonized state. The only difference is that, as opposed to other African countries that were under one or two colonial powers, its colonizers are many.

As for the African Union, it lost its relevance a long time ago and like Ethiopia, it has now become another tool for suppressing and marginalizing Africans, exacerbating and fueling conflicts, enabling the plunder and pillage of Africaís vast resources. It is a corrupt and inept organization, financed and run by the West, who use it to advance their strategic and other interests in Africa.

Sacrificing the lives of young Ethiopians in pursuit of "terrorists", invading sovereign nations to "hunt down fundamentalists" and wrecking havoc in the lives of thousands in neighboring countries, planting seeds for perpetual animosity and distrust amongst citizens of neighboring nations, is not only reprehensible and immoral, it is unbecoming of Africans. Perpetuating "African on African killings" is a recipe for disaster and one that cannot be condoned by any self respecting African. If that is what it takes to be elevated to the status of "US Ally" in the "global war on terrorism, Africans should pass.

The authors seems to espouse to the colonial mantra of "West knows best" and do not believe that developing countries in Africa, like Eritrea, who insist on being self reliant, and who insist on pursuing their own dreams and aspirations, choose and design their own development strategies and priorities, who rely on the skills and abilities of their own citizens first and who govern their country in their own way can progress without input and direction from the patronizing West. Insulting the people of Eritrea and undermining Eritreaís youth, they wrote:

"...The country [Eritrea] was paying a terrible social and economic price as a result of having some 10% of its population tied up in military service..."

I am not sure how they came up with that figure, but it seems to be the one that is disseminated through their "networks". This figure was also used by Bereket Simon, the Ethiopian propaganda Minister in a report published in one of the Ethiopian sites on 13 December 2004 in which he said:

"...Eritrea is the only country in the world where 10 per cent of the total population is engaged in military service..."

I donít know about the world but they are both Healy and Plaut and the Ethiopian propaganda Minister are dead wrong about Eritrea. The truth is that 100% of Eritreaís population is engaged in national service in one-way or the other. Eritreaís nation building efforts are all inclusive; every Eritrean has a stake in Eritreaís development. National service is instilling pride and dignity in Eritreaís youth; it is building a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility while educating the youth about Eritreaís history. They will have to admit that, it is by far a better alternative to what prevails in todayís Ethiopia; a shameful debilitating culture of perpetual dependency.

Healy and Plaut write that Eritreaís youth as being "conscripted in the trenches". What an insult to a generation who have made their mark on Eritrean history, who are the backbone of Eritreaís national development program- the Warsai-Yikaalo Program and the pride of the nation. What an insult to the 300000 youth who are building their nation with blood and sweat, while the UN and West withhold development and humanitarian aid. What an insult to a nation and a people who have been forced to "go it alone" or relinquish their political independence and self respect. What an insult to a nation and a people who refuse to become beggars. Eritreaís program for development has not only enhanced the hope and confidence of the Eritrean youth, it has enhanced the hope and confidence of the entire nation and its Diasporan population by extension.

Warsai Yikaalo has given the youth in Eritrea a historical, once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the development of their own nation; it has enhanced their vitality and creativity. Eritreaís youth are an example of what every African youth can be, without eroding their self respect, without begging for aid or largesse from the so-called developed countries. Eritreaís youth are finding out that they really do have the power and the skill to take Eritreaís destiny and interests in their own hands and do not need to be in Western capitals enhancing and developing other economies on the cheap. They may be poor and may not have the fancy lifestyles of the kids in the west, but they are proudly serving their nation with their self respect and dignity intact.

These youth are building the nations infrastructure, not just in the capital city Asmara or in cities close by, but all over Eritrea, in the remotest sections of the country. The youth were building schools, hospitals, clinics, roads, dams, wells, and planting trees and sowing fields. They are working to rebuild their war torn nation, from scratch. Since its introduction in May of 2002, Warsai-Yikaalo is producing noticeable, measurable results in the lives of the Eritrean people and making impressive great strides towards achieving the Millennium Development Goalís and more.

It  would not be an exaggeration if I attributed the accelerated success in the development of Eritreaís infrastructures, schools, health care, housing, transportation etc. etc. to the invaluable service and commitment of Eritreaís youth. Eritreaís youth are not only in the frontlines guaranteeing Eritreaís sovereignty and security, they are working to fight poverty and alleviate the suffering of their people and can be found all over Eritrea, proudly rebuilding and refurbishing the old ports and building new ones, building airports and other transportation infrastructures. Just as the thousands of youth before them who gave up their youth and their lives for Eritreaís independence, todayís Eritrean youth are selflessly working to develop Eritrea. They have earned the love and respect of their entire nation. Their wellbeing does not warrant Chatham Houseís pity or concern.

Read Part III  (Final)