UNMEE military commission meets

The Eritrean delegation confirmed in a military meeting on 6 April that Eritrean forces had resumed their withdrawal, so that a buffer zone could be established on the disputed border - the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). The fifth meeting of the Military Coordination Commission (MCC) of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) was held on 6 April in Djibouti, according to a press release issued by UNMEE that day. The meeting had discussed establishing joint investigation teams to “address possible future military incidents”, the UNMEE statement said.

The meeting had also discussed the need for both countries to identify how NGOs, UN agencies, and the international press could cross the southern boundary, UNMEE said. Both parties stated they were committed to the principle of freedom of movement for UNMEE. The Chairman of the MCC and UNMEE Forces Commander, Maj-Gen Patrick Cammaert, emphasised that freedom of movement was vital for UNMEE to succeed in fulfilling its mandate “of monitoring the parties’ security agreement”. The chairman also told the meeting that Eritrea had agreed under the June 2000 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that it would restore local administration, “including local militia”, in the TSZ. UNMEE said it was waiting for a reply from the Eritreans on the “anticipated strength and disposition” of the militia. Both parties also discussed the need for land-mine information and the importance of reducing negative propaganda, UNMEE said.