An international commission handed down its ruling Saturday defining a new border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, seeking to ensure a permanent end to a conflict that killed 80,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more. The judgment was presented to the two countries at the Permanent Court of Arbitration here, but was not made public. During a closed meeting, the panel displayed maps showing the suggested new international boundary. "The countries will respond to the report Monday" when the compete decision is made public, court spokeswoman Evelien ter Meulen said. Ethiopia and Eritrea have pledged to respect the decision by the board of judges, treaty experts and international jurists. That has raised hopes that the ruling could be the final push needed to normalize relations between the Horn of Africa countries after years of hostility.
That'd take away that particular excuse to go around shooting people. It's a good sign. This one's been going on for too many years. |