Newsletter Issue 43

Horn of Africa: Djibouti and Eritrea on the brink of War; Mutual accusations, a border dispute and foreign interference make the regional context of this strategic area even more volatile

more (pdf) - A border dispute and a conflict over the ownership of a strategic area: Djibouti officials told they consider their country is at war with Eritrea after accusations of intrusions (on June 10) into its territory by Eritrean troops. "If Eritrea wants war, it will get it," said Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, after visiting troops. Djibouti accusations were denied by the Eritrean government that recently left the Djibouti-based African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which plays an essential role to restore peace and confidence in the region. The crisis results from an ongoing dispute over the the ownership of the strategic Ras Doumeira areas (see map). "Fighting halted 36 hours after the incursion but Djibouti armed forces are in place to defend their territory from enemy incursion," the Djibouti army said in a statement.

A common concern for France and the United States: The US and France, which both have military bases (special and counter-terrorist forces) in Djibouti, called for an end to the violence. 2,900 French troops and 1,200 US troops are stationed in the country. "We call on both sides to cease all military hostilities immediately and to reduce tensions by withdrawing troops from the border area, (...) The United States calls on Eritrea and Djibouti to move forward at once to resolve border issues peacefully, in accordance with international law, and for Eritrea to accept offers of third-party mediation." US State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said. "It is unfortunate that the US administration is currently embroiled in instigating, compounding and inflaming regional conflicts," Eritrea's foreign ministry replied. The French Foreign Ministry called "on both parties, particularly Eritrea, to commit to a cease-fire and resume dialogue."

The views expressed in the weekly letter do not necessarily reflect those of ISRIA which does not advocate any specific opinion.

Diplomatic Issue 43

UN Press Conference: African Union Special Envoy for Darfur

more "If we now mobilize all efforts to get the security situation under control, avoid an escalation, then we may be able to create an environment in which talks can take place on substantive issues," United Nations Special Envoy for Darfur Jan Eliasson told correspondents today at a Headquarters press conference. Briefing together with his counterpart from the African Union, Salim Ahmed Salim, Mr. Eliasson said he had told the Security Council...

> more on June 25, 2008

Russia: Interview of President Medvedev with Reuters

more Interviewer: Mr President, thank you for giving us your time. We would like to know about the upcoming Russia-European Union summit. What are your priorities for the summit? President Dmitry Medvedev: I think it will be a success. I hope we can set progress in motion on the most complicated problem that has come up of late – drafting a new basic agreement between Russia and the European Union. We will, of course, examine all the different issues...

> more on June 26, 2008

Statement by Chair of Six-Party Talks (North Korea)

more China's top negotiator on Korean Peninsular nuclear issue Wu Dawei read a Statement by Chair of Six-Party Talks here on Thursday. Following is the full text: The six-party talks has made positive progress in the second-phase actions for the implementation of the Joint Statement thanks to the concerted efforts by all the parties. In the spirit of the October 3, 2007 Six-Party agreement, on June 26, 2008, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...

> more on June 27, 2008

Kosovo: European Policy Summit Address by PM Hashim Thaçi

more It is indeed an honour to speak before this respected forum. For more than two decades now, the political and economic fate of the Balkans has been closely tied to the efforts of the European Union to stabilize the region and put it on the road to peace, reforms and economic development. Billions of Euros in reconstruction aid and thousands of soldiers, police officers and experts are a testimony to the EU's commitment to the region...

> more on June 28, 2008