Dutch/Nigerian visit to TSZ "misrepresented"

The Netherlands and Nigerian ambassadors to Eritrea have issued a joint press statement describing a state radio broadcast referring to their "personal assessment" of the status of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) between Ethiopian and Eritrea as "inaccurate and misleading". The radio report, carried by the Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea on 15 July, followed a working tour of the western sector of the TSZ by Yoka Brandt, ambassador of the Netherlands, and Haruna Wando, ambassador of Nigeria, from 11 to 14 July. According to the press statement, transcripts of the broadcast appeared on a number of internet sites to the effect that the two ambassadors, "based on a personal assessment of the area and the explanations given to them with the help of a map, confirmed that the Ethiopian regime had violated the agreement on the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone". Saying the alleged confirmation was a "misrepresentation", which should be disregarded, the statement pointed out that the ambassadors were in no position to confirm or deny that any violation of the agreement on the TSZ by either party has taken place. In reiterating the continued support of their respective governments for the peace process and for the mandate of UNMEE, the statement went on to express the appreciation of the ambassadors for having had the opportunity to gain greater knowledge and a clearer understanding of the situation in the western sector, particularly in relation to the return of internally displaced persons and refugees returning from Sudan. The ambassadors were accompanied on their visit by the Eritrean Commissioner for Coordination with the UN Peacekeeping Mission, Andeberhan Woldeghiorgis.