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UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
United Nations Mission Mission des Nations Unies
In Ethiopia and Eritrea en Ethiopie et Erythrée
UNMEE
UNMEE PUBLIC INFORMATION
PRESS BRIEFING NOTES AND TRANSCRIPT 11 JANUARY 2006
A near verbatim transcript of the press briefing held by UNMEE Deputy Chief-Public
Information Office, Musi Khumalo in Asmara, via videoconference linking
participants in Addis Ababa and Asmara. Present at the briefing in Asmara was OIC-
UNMEE, Ambassador Azouz Ennifar, and UNMEE Force Commander, Major
General Rajender Singh.
POLITICAL:
On 5 January, Ambassador Azouz Ennifar, OIC-UNMEE met separately with H.E. Mr.
Mike Murray, British Ambassador to Eritrea, and Mr. Arman Aardal, Norwegian Chargé
d’Affaires, in Asmara. They discussed current developments in the peace process. He
also attended an INDBATT-V Medal Parade ceremony held at Camp Dunn in Sector
Centre.
On 6 January, the OIC-UNMEE met with H.E. Mr. Menachem Kanafi, Ambassador of
Israel to Eritrea, at which meeting they exchanged views on developments in the peace
process. Mr. Ennifar also received Mr. Jack Christofides, Director of Political
Affairs/UNMIS, who was on a working visit to Asmara. Mr. Christofides briefed
Ambassador Ennifar on the peace process in Sudan.
General Overview
The military situation in the TSZ and adjacent areas is marked with decreased tension due
to the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops. Routine troop movements have been noticed on
the Ethiopian and Eritrean sides. The ban imposed by the Eritrean Government on
UNMEE helicopters is still in place, and restrictions are continuing on the movement of
UNMEE patrols inside the TSZ in Sector Centre and Sector West, where movements in
certain areas and movements at night have been curtailed. Monitoring of the TSZ and
Adjacent Areas within the limitations imposed continued from existing posts. UNMEE
conducted 745 ground patrols throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in the past
week.
In all Sectors, UNMEE peacekeepers continued to provide medical assistance to the local
population, along with supplies of bulk water to civilian communities in the Temporary
Security Zone (TSZ) and the Adjacent Areas. Approximately 52,300 litres of water was
supplied to the civilian communities during the past week.
UNMEE Press Briefing Transcript 2
11 January 2006
Mine Action
No Demining Operations were carried out by Force De-mining assets.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
OIC/DSRSG: Since we have not met for the last two weeks, let me start by expressing
best wishes, (albeit) a little bit late, for Christmas to those who celebrated it in December
and those who celebrated it a few days ago.Happy New Year to everyone and Happy Eid
Mubarek to those who celebrated the holiday yesterday. I’m very pleased to meet with
you today. As you know, in applying the Security Council Resolution 1640, the
Secretary-General last week sent his report to the Security Council on the compliance of
the parties with the Resolution’s demands. This (report) was further discussed last
Monday in a closed meeting by the Security Council, during which Under-Secretary
General Guéhenno presented a few remarks and further introduced the report.
As you all know, the event on Monday in New York, was marked by a certain number of
decisions which were highly welcomed by the Security Council. One of them was the
decision of the United Stated of America to send a high level mission to Ethiopia and
Eritrea to help to move this peace process forward. This decision was highly welcomed
by members of the Security Council and also strongly supported by the Under-Secretary-
General (Guehenno). At the same time, while recognising that there were some
difficulties within the (Mission) area, it was felt that it was better to postpone any
decision regarding the future of UNMEE, and give diplomacy a chance to move things
forward. This is exactly what was decided. We believe that it is a positive move, and of
course we are looking forward, for the next few weeks, to whatever new developments
can result (from this decision) -developments that would permit UNMEE to undertake its
mandate in the best possible way. So this is what I have to brief you on. Really, I am not
bringing you anything new besides what was outlined in New York a few days ago, but
we could certainly respond to any questions you may have for me.
Force Commander: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, like the OIC/DSRSG mentioned
just now, let me also on behalf of the Peacekeeping troops here in Eritrea and Ethiopia
wish all of you, and particularly the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea, a very Merry
Christmas, Happy New Year and Eid Mubarek. I do hope that the events that are taking
place and unfolding - some of them very promising - will usher in an era of peace and
stability here.
As far as the military situation is concerned, the military situation has seen some positive
developments. We have had some reduction of tension, because obviously the force levels
on the border have been reduced, as you must have read in the Secretary General’s report.
We have also seen some other positive developments, like the exchange of cattle inside
the TSZ. As far as restrictions inside the TSZ are concerned, they are continuing, and the
helicopter ban in still in place. However, let me also point out that on the Eritrean side,
we have not seen any large scale deployment of troops inside the TSZ at all. We have not
seen any tanks, we have not seen any artillery guns and we have not seen any deployment
of Divisions or Brigades inside the TSZ. The rest of the situation continues to be as what
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UNMEE Press Briefing Transcript 3
11 January 2006
has been given out in the Secretary-General’s report. And as far as other issues are
concerned, you must have read the Secretary-General’s report - it is being widely reported
by the media - I have nothing further to add unless you have got some questions. Let me
also mention that one of the other positive developments which are taking place is that we
are continuing with our humanitarian activities. There have been responses on both sides
from the people, and those humanitarian activities are being carried out unabated.
Question (Asmara): Could I ask about the effect of the restrictions of movement on
peacekeepers, what effect it has on your humanitarian operations, including the Quick
Impact Projects and demining?
Force Commander: Firstly, let me mention that restrictions on freedom of movement do
have some effects, but I am also very glad to mention that despite these restrictions, our
humanitarian operations have been able to continue unabated. The Contingents are
carrying on with their activities like the provision of medical assistance to civilians, the
provision of veterinary assistance to cattle on both sides of the border - that is, the
organisation of veterinary camps. We also continue with the provision of water to needy
persons and all possible assistance at the local level by the Contingents still continues. As
far as the Quick Impact Projects are concerned, they have been carrying on unabated.
There were one or two places, inside the TSZ, where some of our officers could not visit
initially, but I think after consultations at local level, that problem was solved and there
has been generally no problem.
I would like to just spend a minute on this aspect of the humanitarian assistance that is
being carried on by our Contingents. Let me mention that this is a part of our strategy,
and the Contingents have been carrying out these operations. The basic intention of these
humanitarian projects is not only to bring succour to the people who are living on both
sides of the border and who are closely interacting with our peacekeepers every day. The
basic intention of this is that in a war torn society, where people have been affected by
war, we do provide certain amount of assistance to enable that society to return back to
normalcy. In these (humanitarian projects), we have launched a deliberate campaign of
“winning hearts”. The winning hearts campaign basically aims to bring lives back to
normalcy in the border area and also one of its intentions is to create that peace
constituency on both sides of the border, which will assist in the overall promotion of the
peace process. I am very glad to say that in this (campaign), we have been fairly
successful. There are basically four types of activities that we have been able to do. One
is to provide medical assistance to the people. Our Contingents’ doctors, despite having to
travel to various places after this helicopter ban, have been reaching out to the local
people to provide assistance and all this is being done with medicines which have been
provided by the Contingents themselves. The second thing is the medical assistance to
cattle. Cattle are one of the major sources of income as far as the people from both sides
of the border are concerned. In Sector Centre and Sub-sector East, the Indian Battalion
has a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary team, who have been offering this service.
In addition to this, we are providing some assistance with resettlement - helping the local
people with the possibility to become self-sustaining. For example, we give training in
computers, and various other fields like carpentry or mechanics. This has been carried
out by all Contingents. The third aspect is water resource management, in which a
number of shallow wells and check dams have been created by our Contingents from their
own resources, which has helped the local population to really benefit both in terms of
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11 January 2006
agriculture, and also with providing water for their cattle and to the community. Last but
not least, the Contingents have been able to provide other facilities, like evacuating the
sick people to the nearest hospital, providing them with general assistance of the kind
which is expected of any good human being. And I am very glad to mention that despite
the tensions on the border, and despite the fact that the troops have been concentrated on
the border, the effect on humanitarian projects has been minimal.
OIC/DSRSG: In fact PIO will be publishing, with your help, a report within the next
couple of weeks on the Quick Impact Projects that have been undertaken by the
Contingents. With regard to demining, as you know (demining) operations within the
TSZ have been suspended, since this is a very risky activity that requires emergency
evacuation facilities. Therefore, some of its activities have been deployed, with the
agreement of the Ethiopian authorities, into parts of the Ethiopian territory, south of the
TSZ.
Question (Addis): Can I ask the Force Commander two questions? The first relates to
the Secretary General’s report, where he says that Eritrean personnel inside the TSZ
have increased from 80 percent to 150 percent per location - from 15 locations to 17
locations. So can we get some details about that? What numbers are we talking about?
Secondly you said that tension has reduced following the withdrawal of forces. Does
that mean that the Eritrean forces have now withdrawn as well, because following the
report on the 23rd of December, there was no indication that there had been a
withdrawal of Eritrean forces to December 16 lines.
Force Commander: Regarding the first part of your question, if you actually read the
Secretary General’s report very carefully, what we said is that there are 15 to 17
locations, not that it has increased from 15 to 17. There are 15 to 17 places where we
observed some armed personnel, as far as Eritrea is concerned. We have also said that
there is no presence of tanks, no presence of any artillery or large scale EDF formations -
that means Brigades and Divisions - have been noticed. We have only 15 to 17 places
where we have seen some armed personnel - whom Eritrea calls additional militia, but we
cannot verify this. I have nothing further to add.
As far as the tension is concerned, when you have additional troops on the border, the
tensions are always high. When you have a reduction of 8 divisions, the tensions will
always be low. As far as the Eritrean side is concerned, like I have mentioned in the
earlier answer, we have only seen some armed personnel in 15 to 17 places. We have
(encountered) restrictions in the TSZ, but we have not seen any armour or artillery, and
we have not seen any large scale deployment of EDF. So, whereas there was no change
in as far as the situation in the TSZ is concerned, there was a change in the troop
deployment on the other side. Inside the TSZ, like I have mentioned earlier, no large
scale formations were seen - even earlier. So there has been no change. But despite this,
because of the overall reduction of troops on the Ethiopian side, there has been a certain
decrease of tension.
Question (Addis): Can we just go to the question itself, which is - the Secretary-
General’s report says that the number of Eritrean personnel in those locations has
increased from 80% to 150%, i.e. it has doubled.
Force Commander: No it does not say `percent`, it says `persons’.
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UNMEE Press Briefing Transcript 5
11 January 2006
Question (Asmara): A number of people were confused by the UN Security Council’s
deadline to put sanctions on both sides as a result of Ethiopia’s refusal to accept the
EEBC decision, and Eritrea’s flight ban on UNMEE. Already the deadline has
expired, so what is new on this situation or was it just a kind of political propaganda of
the Security Council?
OIC/DSRSG: I do not think we should talk about political propaganda as such. I think
the Security Council is a very responsible institution of the United Nations, which is very
carefully watching the situation (between Eritrea and Ethiopia) and is trying to contribute
to the peace process. It (the Security Council session) was a closed meeting, and I do not
believe that the Resolution 1640 issue was discussed at length. I think the objective,
more than anything else, was to take note of the report of the Secretary-General. But on
the basis of the prevailing situation in the area, the United States has decided to send a
mission, and they have asked the Security Council to postpone any decision regarding the
situation in the Mission area. This is what has happened. I think this is a very positive
move taken to give a chance to diplomacy. There is a window of opportunity for
diplomacy, which is being developed at the moment. The Security Council decided to
postpone any decision regarding the Mission’s future and to give a chance again to active
diplomacy, to see what can be done in order to facilitate implementation of the Algiers
Agreement.
Question (Asmara): So do you mean the issue is still there – to impose sanctions in the
future?
OIC/DSRSG: I really cannot speak on behalf of the Security Council, but I tell you that,
I believe, there was a statement by the President of the Security Council, who is the
Ambassador of Tanzania - we will check if we have it, otherwise I will have it sent to
you. I think the Security Council is, as I said earlier, a responsible body which takes
certain decisions. The Security Council does not always make its decisions known but it
was very positive about Washington’s proposal and at the same time they referred to the
possibility of a meeting of the Witnesses of the Algiers Agreements taking place
sometime in the near future. So, I think it looks like a very wise decision, one that puts
diplomatic action before any other decision. That is what is extremely important.
The Tanzanian President of the Security Council said that “members were very pleased
by the US initiative, and have agreed to keep the force status quo for 30 days to wait for
the outcome” (of this initiative).
Question (Asmara): So we do not know whether Resolution 1640 will be implemented
or not?
OIC/DSRSG: Implemented? It has been partially implemented as far as the parties are
concerned. But what I can tell you is that the major issue was not so much what has
happened, but rather what could happen in the future. What positive moves could be
made in order to break the stalemate in the peace process? Also, to see if a contribution
can be made to facilitate UNMEE’s activities and try to implement the Algiers
Agreements with the parties concerned, and in particular the border decision.
Question (Addis): Ambassador, you said that you welcome the engagement of the high
level US mission. I wonder if you could assess what chances that mission would have in
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UNMEE Press Briefing Transcript 6
11 January 2006
breaking what you characterise as a stalemate, given where we are in the
implementation of the Algiers Agreement- several years on. What do you think your
chances are at this stage, that this (US) mission could have an impact?
OIC/DSRSG: I think that it is too early to assess, and I would not do it as far as I am
concerned. I think this question should be directed to Washington and to the (US)
Assistant Secretary (of State for Africa Affairs Jendayi) Frazer when she will come here.
There is no doubt that in this very difficult situation, any initiative has risks. There is a
risk that it may not work, and there is a risk that it will work. What is important is that
there is movement, and that is something that is highly welcome. Therefore, we will have
to see how it will develop in the next days and weeks. I believe it is a chance for peace,
and I expect the parties to contribute to it. I think everybody has been hoping for a long
time that there would be a political move, and I think the political action is underway
today, so let us give it a chance to develop. But to assess it, I think the positive sign is the
reaction of the Security Council, which unanimously welcomed the decision.
Question (Asmara): My first question is whether we have any information on the
timetable for the diplomatic mission and my second is what feedback or reaction are
you getting from both parties? What is your impression about the reaction from the
region?
OIC/DSRSG: I think the two questions should be directed to Washington again. As far
as I recall, I read a record of a briefing at the State Department on Monday after the
Security Council meeting. The Spokesman there said that he did not have a specific date,
but it should be very soon. As far as the reaction is concerned, I think it is too early, and
again those reactions would probably be directed rather to Washington than to us. Let us
not forget that it is an American initiative which is of a high level. I believe it requires
some time in order to be developed and there will certainly be diplomatic contacts
between the two countries and Washington about it. But as far as we are concerned, we
will bring in whatever support we would be asked to.
DCPIO: The Force Commander would like to clarify details to an earlier question raised
about the SG’s report.
Force Commander: I will just read Paragraph 20, which concerns the sentence. “At the
same time UNMEE reports armed Eritrean personnel in numbers ranging from 80 to 150
per location” and not percent, “and a total of 15 to 17 locations inside the TSZ.” So
speaking in a general language, it is 80 to 150 personnel in about 15 to 17 locations. This
is what we meant.
Question (Asmara): The Force Commander mentioned that tensions have gone down.
Are you saying now it is no longer “tense and volatile”? Are you revising your
characterization? The second question is whether, on the Ethiopian side of the border,
your military observers are having full compliance from the Ethiopian authorities?
Force Commander: Yes, there has been full compliance as far as withdrawal of troops is
concerned. As far as tension is concerned, that (the situation in the TSZ is no longer tense
and potentially volatile), is my assessment. It can be different from yours, but from the
reports I have, this is my assessment: that tension have been reduced. I am not saying that
there are still no tensions. I am saying that the tension levels have been reduced.
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11 January 2006
Question (Asmara): On the second question, are your military observers having full
access to the Ethiopian locations?
Force Commander: Yes.
Question (Addis): Two questions to the Deputy DSRSG: Why, if tensions are being
reduced, do the Americans need to come to help break a deadlock? Secondly, do you
think there is any significance that this diplomatic mission is American?
OIC/DSRSG: Why? I think it is important. Everybody was expecting a political move
for quite a while, one that would try to break this crisis situation. This is why the US
initiative is highly appreciated. We know that Washington has a close relationship with
both countries, and that they care about peace in the area. The US came up with this
proposal, or decision to send a delegation here and it could only be highly welcomed. I do
not know is there anything that you expected?
Force Commander: Actually I would only want to add one small thing. The Mission is
not coming to reduce tension. It is coming to break a deadlock which existed. The
Security Council does not only act when tensions go up, the situation, as they mentioned
even in the later press release, still continues to cause concern as regards the political
deadlock and the political situation. I think the basic intention of the mission has been
very clearly specified - that is to help in demarcation, and I think it is a very good move
like the DSRSG says.
OIC/DSRSG: I think at this specific juncture of the crisis - every effort is highly welcome
and everything should be done to contribute to breaking this political stalemate and to try
to put the peace process back on track, as agreed in the Algiers Agreements five years
ago.
Question (Asmara): I want to ask the Force commander about the options presented by
the Secretary-General. One of the options suggests putting the force to the south of the
Eritrean border or in the adjacent areas on the Ethiopian side as a defensive force.
What does it mean? Secondly, what are the options in relation to the Algiers
Agreements and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement? I mean UNMEE has a timely
mandate, with specific clear Terms of Reference, so now does that mean UNMEE is
going to change its Terms of Reference?
OIC/DSRSG: No. As far as the options are concerned, the Security Council was asked
to request the Secretary-General to propose a certain number of options on the future of
UNMEE’s mandate, because the situation was such that UNMEE was no longer able to
fulfil its mandate in the best conditions. So, various options were presented and discussed
but none of them has prevailed as you know, and in fact at the present stage the Security
Council has decided to postpone any discussion on those options to give a chance again to
diplomacy - to the opportunity that diplomacy could probably break the current stalemate
in the peace process. It is now important that people talk about how to get the peace
process on the right track. And the Security Council, at the proposal of the American
delegation, has suggested that any discussion on this matter and any decision on this
matter will take place after a period of 30 days.
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UNMEE Press Briefing Transcript 8
11 January 2006
Force Commander: About the options the DSRSG has already mentioned, I would only
like to tell you that these are options. The options can be to leave or to go, but it does not
mean they are good or bad. The Security Council will decide. The details of the options
are very clearly specified in the Secretary-General’s report; I do not want to comment any
further on that. Secondly, regarding UNMEE itself, we have a mandate. That mandate is
what we are continuing to perform. We are fully committed, and despite all obstacles, we
are fully optimistic. Despite all the restrictions, I am going to do my best, my troops are
going to do their best, all UNMEE Peacekeepers, military and civilian, are going to do
their best to perform their mandate to the best of their ability. Regarding whether our
mandate should be changed or whether there is any need to do this, I am not in a right
position, no one in this Mission is in a right position to answer that question. You will
have to address it to the Security Council.
OIC/DSRSG: I will add one thing, and that is that a Peacekeeping mission such as
UNMEE does not by itself have a political role. Its role is rather to accompany the
political process. We support it, we help it, but we cannot substitute it. As far as the
Ethiopia Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) decision is concerned, let us not forget
that, through the Algiers Agreement, it is an independent body that was created by the
two countries. So the demarcation, whenever it is going to take place, will have to be a
decision of the two parties, and of course UNMEE will be there to give its logistical
support to the demarcation.
OIC/PIO: If there are no further questions, I would like to extend our gratitude to our
guests and all our journalist colleagues for being here this morning, and we hope to see
you again next week.
*****
For further enquires please contact: Musi Khumalo, Deputy Chief Public Information
Office, UNMEE Headquarters Asmara, Telephone: 291-1-150411- extension 6017
or our tie-line in New York: 00-1-212-963-3779-Ext 6144
or UNMEE Headquarters Addis Ababa, telephone: 251-1-726895 extension 7059.
UNMEE Website: http://www.unmeeonline.org
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