UNMEE/PR/38
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia
and Eritrea (UNMEE) has now verified that the Ethiopian Government has
completed the redeployment of its armed forces to the southern boundary
of the future Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).
This verification is an important development in the establishment of the prospective TSZ, the 25-kilometre-wide buffer zone between the two forces.
UNMEE's verification process involved air reconnaissance, vehicle patrols and global positioning satellite (GPS) measurements across the southern boundary, which is 900 kilometres long.
"I am satisfied with the verification of the southern boundary and can now confirm that the Ethiopian forces are outside the prospective TSZ," said UNMEE Force Commander Major-General Patrick Cammaert. "The UNMEE peacekeeping force stands ready to carry out its mandate of monitoring the parties' compliance with the security agreements, and enabling civilians to return home."
Meanwhile, the Eritrean Government has rearranged substantial numbers of its forces to the northern boundary of the prospective TSZ. However, despite agreement on the deadline of 3 March for completing this rearrangement, UNMEE finds that a significant concentration of Eritrean troops remains in all three sectors of the future TSZ.
The Eritrean authorities have informed UNMEE that the decision to halt rearranging their forces is based on their strong objections to adjustments made to the original map of the future TSZ as agreed to at the third meeting of the Military Coordination Commission (MCC).
As a result, UNMEE is not yet able to declare that the TSZ has been formally established.
UNMEE is currently engaged in attempting to resolve the impasse at the highest levels so that the TSZ can be established, and allow for civilians to return to their homes.
"The establishment of the TSZ is a vital step in the peace process," said UNMEE Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila. "We want both parties to move ahead with resolve. A functioning TSZ is a matter of critical importance, not only for the affected communities but as a signal to the international community."
Mr. Legwaila is expected to leave for New York on 9 March for consultations.
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