UNMEE's mandate changed to support Boundary Commission

The mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has been adjusted to include mine clearance, and administrative and logistical support for the field offices of the independent Boundary Commission, the UN reported. A resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on Wednesday stated that the adjustment would permit UNMEE to assist in the "expeditious and orderly" implementation of the Boundary Commission's decision on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The resolution urged the parties "to provide their full and prompt cooperation in the process with a view to ensuring an expeditious transition for the benefit of the affected populations". Both sides were also called upon to cooperate "fully and promptly" with the Commission. It demanded that UNMEE be allowed full freedom of movement and that the relevant parties immediately remove all restrictions on the Mission's personnel. The Council also appealed to the parties to exercise constraint, and to refrain from unilateral troop or population movements until the demarcation and orderly transfer of territorial control had been accomplished.