UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States launched a diplomatic initiative Monday to try to mark the contested border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, a dispute that led to a 2 1/2-year war in an area where both countries are again massing troops. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told the Security Council that a high-powered U.S. delegation would travel to the region "to discuss how to begin implementation of the demarcation process."| "Or else." |
| "Do not disturb the Force." |
U.N. Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Marie Guehenno said there was "a sense of urgency, of crisis" in the council "because, obviously, the status quo is unsustainable." But he said the council recognized "that everything has to be done to avoid increasing the risks on the front line between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and so time has to be given for diplomacy."
He called the U.S. decision to send a high-powered mission not only important but "essential." "The United States has solid relations with the two countries so it certainly has the clout, the credibility to move the process forward," he said.
"This is a very difficult mission. There is never a certainty of success. But I think it should be very much appreciated that the United States is prepared to take the diplomatic risk, to engage itself, to move the region away from war," Guehenno said.
The U.S. team traveling to the region in mid-January will be led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer and retired Marine Gen. Carlton Fulford, who directs the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.