East Africa: New Peace Envoy Faces Blunt Rejection

The United Nations is meeting stiff resistance in its appointment of a special envoy to help end a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Late last month, Lloyd Axworthy - formerly Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs - was appointed to the post with the blessing of the international community. But while Ethiopia said it was keen to work with the former minister, Eritrea rejected Axworthy on the grounds that his appointment could open the door to revisiting decisions by an independent boundary commission.