By Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
The Eritrean Foreign Ministry has formally submitted its request to the President of the Security Council, H.E. Mr. Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral, to launch an independent and impartial investigation into the ‘serious and unfounded’ accusations labeled by the Kenyan Government against Eritrea.
The Council has in the past systematically denied Eritrea the chance to defend itself against the countless accusations including President Isaias’ recent appeal for a personal hearing before the Council. Eritrea believes the Council will respect its call this time and give her the chance to clear its ‘tarnished’ name by exposing the unfounded lies and hidden motives behind Kenya’s allegations. It will also serve as a precedent to discredit the other similar lies and accusations incorporated within the UN Monitoring Group Report.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 16 November2011
Ref: MO/340/2011
H.E. Mr. Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral
President of the Security Council
United Nations
New York. N.Y. 10017
Excellency,
I am writing to inform Your Excellency that the Government of Eritrea is formally requesting the United Nations Security Council to launch an independent and impartial investigation into the serious and unfounded accusations by the Government of Kenya against Eritrea.”
As you are undoubtedly aware, the Government of Kenya has accused Eritrea of delivering, in Baidoa, Somalia, three plane loads of arms to Al Shabaab.
In its statements of 2nd and 5th November 2011, the Government of Eritrea categorically affirmed that these charges were “utterly baseless” and “pure fabrication“. Furthermore, Eritrea bilaterally sought to assure Kenya that Eritrea is in no way involved in any arms shipment to Al Shabaab and informed the Kenyan Government that the Eritrean Foreign Minister was ready to travel to Nairobi to seek an explanation from his Kenyan counterpart and to deliver a letter from President Isaias Afwerki to President Mwai Kibaki. Instead of responding positively to the Eritrean gesture Kenya has, regrettably, taken up the matter to the United Nations Sanctions Committee, repeating the unfounded accusations against Eritrea.
It is in light of these serious developments that Eritrea has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the matter. If, as Eritrea confidently believes, the investigation determines that there is no basis whatsoever to the very serious and harmful accusations by the Government of Kenya, Eritrea calls on the UNSC to take action that would redress the injustice suffered by the people and Government of Eritrea.
Defamation of a member state of the United Nations should not be indulged in with impunity and must not be tolerated, given its negative implications for regional peace and security.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
