UNMEE/PR/3 UNMEE PUBLIC INFORMATION
All eight UNMEE military observer teams
reported arriving at their forward operational sites in Ethiopia and Eritrea
by nightfall of 24 September. Their arrival completes a deployment and
logistical exercise begun on 22 September. It also marks the successful
launching of the second phase of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia
and Eritrea (UNMEE).
The teams, totalling 40 observers, deployed - four from Asmara and four from Addis Ababa -to cover four sites on each side of the border. These sites are located in Barentu, Adi Quala, Adi Keyh and Asab in Eritrea and in Indra Silase, Adi Grat, Zalambesa, and Manda in Ethiopia.
The military observers moved out from the UNMEE offices in Addis Ababa and Asmara on 22 and 23 September and used a combination of air and road transport to arrive at their respective sites on both sides of the front simultaneously.
In Ethiopia, military observer teams arrived in Adigrat and Indra Silase over the weekend after spending Friday night in Mekele. The teams have since made initial contact with local military authorities and have begun familiarizing themselves with the area.
The Manda team began operations in Dubti, conducting day patrols in the Mada/Bure region. Containers, which will house the military observers headquarters and living space, are to be shipped by road from Addis to Manda this week.
In Eritrea, all teams reported working communications systems and have begun establishing ties with the local military and civil authorities in their areas of operation.
On 24 September, UNMEE Officer in Charge, Clemens Adams, accompanied by Colonel Frederik Hoogeland, Chief Military Liaison Officer, visited the military observer team deployed in Assab. The two senior UNMEE officials visited the team site and also met with local military and civilian authorities in the course of inspecting local facilities, including the port of Assab.
Background
UNMEE was established by Security Resolution 1312 (adopted 31 July). The Mission was subsequently authorized by Security Council Resolution 1320 (adopted 15 September) to deploy up to 4,200 troops, including 220 military observers, in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its mandate includes the following:
Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
Monitor and verify the redeployment of Ethiopian troops from positions taken after 6 February 1999 that were not under Ethiopian administration before 6 May 1998;
Monitor the positions of Ethiopian forces once deployed;
Simultaneously monitor the positions of Eritrean forces that are to be redeployed in order to remain at a distance of 25 kilometres from positions to which Ethiopian forces shall redeploy;
Monitor the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) to assist in ensuring compliance with the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities signed on 18 June.
In the first phase of the three-phase UNMEE peacekeeping operation, military liaison officers sent to Asmara and Addis Ababa in July helped set up offices and established contact with the parties and with the OAU.
In the second phase, now underway, up to 100 military observers - assisted by the necessary civilian support staff -- will be deployed. This process is expected to be completed by mid-October. The military observers will liaise with the parties in the field, working with the parties out of their respective military headquarters, and verify the cessation of hostilities.
During the third phase, an increased number of observers - up to 220 - will step up the level of observer activity, working alongside the peacekeeping force of approximately 4,000 troops.
Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
(c) United Nations 2000