Ottawa, Canada, May 5, 2005. On May 5, 2005,
the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has
voted a motion that calls the Government of Canada to forcefully pressure the
Government of Ethiopia to abide by the ruling of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Border
Commission (EEBC).
The motion was passed unanimously by members of the Standing Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which brings together representatives of all the
major Canadian political parties. The motion 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."
In its motion, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International
Trade of Canada has further proposed that "that
the Government of Canada forcefully indicate to the Government of Ethiopia that our future
co-operation would heavily depend on Ethiopia's acquiescence to the recommendations of the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission."
The motion also “…suggests
that the government of Canada
offer assistance under UN auspices, to the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia to help in the demobilization of
their respective armies.”
It also ”…Suggests that the
government of Canada offer incentives, in terms of developmental aid and other assistance
to the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea, if they live up to their obligations under the
comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Algiers, especially with regards to the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission provisions.”
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade moved that
the Chair of the Committee forward the Committee's motion to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs for consideration and action.
It is to be noted that a similar motion was tabled on November 13, 2003.
On this occasion, the Network of Eritrean-Canadians would like to express
heartfelt appreciation to all Members of Parliament and Eritrean-Canadian volunteers that
rallied behind this just cause. A copy of the motion will be included in the days to come.
For Further Information, please contact:
NETWORK OF ERITREAN CANADIANS
networkoferitreans@canada.com
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Motion to the House http://www.parl.gc.ca/
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