UN General Assembly
2006

in May 1998 in blatant disregard of international law, thereby igniting the war and leading to the present crisis. In this respect, I wish to draw the Assembly’s attention to the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission regarding issues of liability in the war between the two countries. In its decision, the Commission set forth, inter alia, the following conclusions. First, Eritrea is liable for committing unprovoked aggression against Ethiopia. The Commission stated that Eritrea violated Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter of the United Nations on 12 May 1998 and the days immediately following when it resorted to armed force in attacking and occupying areas peacefully administered by Ethiopia. Secondly, Eritrea is liable to compensate Ethiopia for the damages caused by that violation of international law. Thirdly, the Commission rejected 06-53958 16 Eritrea’s argument that its recourse to force was justified, because some of the territory question was territory to which Eritrea had a claim. The Commission’s decision shows not only Eritrea’s warped understanding of international law but unambiguously confirms that Eritrea’s illegal act constituted aggression.