UN General Assembly
2009

military build-up, leading to serious clashes between the two forces. In particular, the clashes of 10 to 12 June 2008 resulted in many deaths, countless wounded and prisoners taken on both sides, and this merits a special note. My country embarked upon a calm and prudent policy that deliberately allowed sufficient time for the possibility of comprehensive bilateral contacts at every level in order to resolve hostilities amicably and peacefully. Our efforts fell consistently on deaf ears, accompanied by rebuffs, blatant denials, and dismissive and condescending utterances. Regional organizations, heads of State and Government, and the United Nations have all attempted to initiate dialogue; these efforts have gone for naught with Eritrea, which, in its usual brazen manner, has gone so far as to deny even the existence of any tension in the area, despite the clear, far-reaching and unmistakable conclusions of the United Nations fact-finding mission. Indeed, the mission’s report represents a damning indictment of the regime’s deceptive and erratic behaviour. The Security Council has consistently condemned Eritrea’s forceful occupation of my country’s territory,