Dear Colleagues,
I can confirm Martin's report. According to a press release from Eritrea's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (9 October 1998), the tribunal set up to decide
the sovereignty of the islands disputed between Eritrea and Yemen reached a
decision on 9 October. The Hague tribunal "found the Mohabbabakah islands,
including Sayal Islet, Harbi Islet, Flat Islet and High Islet; the Haycock
Islands; and Southwest Rocks Islands to be subject to the sovereignty of
Eritrea; and the Zuquar-Hanish, Abu Ali, Jabal Al-Tayr and Zubayr islands
to be subject to the sovereingty of Yemen." The tribunal restricted the
sovereignty of the islands awarded to Yemen to "perpetuation of the
traditional fishing regime in the region, including the free access and
enjoyment for the fishermen of both Eritrea and Yemen." The Press Release
concludes that "The government of Eritrea, as it has stated consistently,
will abide by the decision."
As I understand it, the tribunal will now take up delimitation of the
maritime boundary between the two countries in the Red Sea. With offshore
oil and gas leasing at issue, the second phase may be interesting.
Presumably there will be more information as the wire services report.
Regards,
Dan Dzurek
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