UNMEE PUBLIC INFORMATION - UNMEE/PIO/PR/42
The United Nations Security Council
has extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
through 15 September 2001.
This six-month extension came in the form of resolution 1344 (2001), adopted unanimously by the Council's 15 member states after closed consultations on the work of the UN peace operation yesterday, 15 March.
In the resolution, the Council calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to implement their Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000, and their Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 12 December 2000.
It draws particular attention to the rearrangement of forces needed to establish the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), and also underscores the importance of fulfilling certain obligations: ensuring UNMEE's freedom of movement and access; establishing a direct air corridor between Addis Ababa and Asmara; concluding the Status of Forces Agreements with the Secretary-General; and facilitating mine action initiatives in coordination with the UN and providing UNMEE with relevant mine information.
In extending UNMEE's mandate, the Council stressed that the parties' Agreements link the termination of the Mission with the completion of the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border - a key element of the peace process.
Noting that the 12 December Agreement places the primary responsibility for funding the Boundary Commission on the two parties, the Security Council encouraged them to fulfil those obligations. At the same time, it called on States and international organizations to contribute to UNMEE's Voluntary Trust Fund to assist in the rapid delimitation and demarcation of the border between the two countries and to foster reconstruction and development.
UNMEE was created by the Security Council in July 2000 after Eritrea and Ethiopia signed the June Agreement. In September, the Council authorized UNMEE to deploy up to 4,200 military personnel, including 220 military observers, to assist in ensuring observance of security commitments.
Below is the text of resolution 1344 (2001):
"The Security Council,
"Recalling resolutions 1298 (2000) of 17 May 2000, 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000, 1312 (2000) of 31 July 2000, and 1320 (2000) of 15 September 2000, the statement of its President of 9 February 2001 (S/PRST/4), and all relevant previous resolutions and statements of its President pertaining to the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict,
"Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ethiopia and Eritrea,
"Further reaffirming the need for both parties to fulfil all of their obligations under international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law,
"Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 49/59 of 9 December 1994,
"Reaffirming its strong support for the Agreement of Cessation of Hostilities signed between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Algiers on 18 June 2000 (S/2000/601) and the subsequent Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the parties in Algiers on 12 December 2000 (S/2000/1183),
"Welcoming the progress made thus far in the implementation of these agreements,
"Reaffirming its strong support for the Secretary-General's role in continuing to help implement the Agreements, including through his good offices, for the continuing efforts of his Special Representative and for the contributions of relevant United Nations entities,
"Expressing its strong support for the role played by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in the implementation of its mandate,
"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 7 March 2001 (S/2001/202),
"1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMEE at the troop and military observer levels authorized by its resolution 1320 (2000) until 15 September 2001;
"2. Calls on the parties to continue working towards the full and prompt implementation of their Agreements, including an expeditious completion of the remaining steps, in particular the rearrangement of forces necessary for the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone, and to fulfil the following obligations:
a. to ensure freedom of movement and access for UNMEE;
b. to establish a direct air corridor between Addis Ababa and Asmara in the interests of the safety of United Nations personnel;
c. to conclude Status of Forces Agreements with the Secretary-General;
d. to facilitate mine action in coordination with the United Nations Mine Action Service, in particular through exchanging and providing existing maps and any other relevant information to the United Nations;
"3. Stresses that the Agreements link the termination of the United Nations peacekeeping mission with the completion of the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, which is a key element of the peace process;
"4. Notes the primary responsibility of the parties under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to fund the Boundary Commission and urges them to fulfil their financial obligations in this regard;
"5. Stresses the importance of the close relationship between UNMEE and the Boundary Commission and, noting the recommendations contained in paragraphs 50 and 53 of the Secretary-General's report, encourages UNMEE to provide appropriate support to the Boundary Commission;
"6. Decides to consider the recommendations in paragraphs 50 and 53 of the Secretary-General's report upon receipt of more detailed information;
"7. Calls on all States and international organizations to consider providing further support to the peace process, including through contributions to the voluntary Trust Fund to facilitate the rapid delimitation and demarcation of the common border, as well as to assist and participate in the longer term tasks of reconstruction and development, and the economic and social recovery of Ethiopia and Eritrea;
"8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
For additional information contact the UNMEE Public Information Offices: Addis Ababa, phone 251-1-443396 (e-mail, walkera@un.org); Asmara, phone: 291-1-151908 (e-mail: kellyb@un.org)
Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (c) United Nations 2001