Interview with UNMEE Special Representative

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, told IRIN he was confident that despite continuing poor relations between the two countries, peace would prevail. Legwaila expresed satisfaction with UNMEE's progress to date particularly in its establishment and enforcement of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) which was drawn up to separate the forces of the two countries following their signing last year of a ceasefire. While praising both Asmara and Addis Ababa for not breaching the ceasfire Mr. Legwaila admitted that he had so far failed to make any progress in his attempts to normalise relations between Asmara and Addis Ababa. QUESTION: What has been UNMEE’s greatest achievement since assuming its mandate last year? ANSWER: Without doubt UNMEE’s greatest achievement has been the maintenance of peace and stability in the border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea enhanced by the creation of the Temporary Security Zone [TSZ] that formally separated the forces of the two sides. Part of the reason why there is peace and stability is because we are successfully monitoring the zone to make sure that it is not violated by either side and to make sure that the forces of the two sides remain separated. Q: By contrast, what’s been the major disappointment? A: The major disappointment for me is that the parties have not officially accepted the map of the TSZ, although they are cooperating in its management. Once in a while, they contravene the border, but when we tell them to get out they do. I should add that this is a disappointment tempered by the fact that the parties so far have cooperated in managing the zone even though they do not accept its boundaries. As I always say, we should be thankful for small mercies. Beyond that we are satisfied by the process so far. Q: If neither side agrees on the boundary of the TSZ, what chance is there that they will agree on the boundary set by the border commission that has been appointed to officially demarcate their common border? A: The final demarcation of the border is a different matter altogether, because they have already agreed in advance that they will be bound by the decision of the border commission. The decision of the border commission will be final and binding. It was very wise of the two sides to agree in advance that they agree to abide by its findings. Q: How solid is the peace between the two sides? A: The peace is a tenuous one. When you talk about peace and stability, we are simply talking about the absence of war. We are not talking about the kind of peace that we would envisage once the parties have accepted the findings of the border commission, and therefore we cannot say we have established peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Their forces are still ensconced in the front lines separated by the UN, and there will come a time when the UN is gone and the border will be accepted. That will be the time when we can talk about real durable peace – not now. Q: Do you see any signs of improving relations between the two countries? A: Maybe I am being naïve, but I really believe that Eritrea and Ethiopia want peace. I think that they regret ever going to war and I believe that they do not want to start all over again. They want peace, and we are here to help them achieve that peace. Today there are no normal relations between the two sides, but at least they have recognised that the best thing for them to do is to use the presence of the UN to make peace – difficult as it may be. I congratulate them that up till now they have stayed the course of peace. Q: Have you seen any signs in the last year of relations between the two sides warming at all? A: No. There is no warmth at all between the two countries. I have been instructed by the UN Secretary-General to encourage some warmth between them, but unfortunately I’m not making any success of it at all. But we are not going to give up. Q: Last week, Ethiopia accused Eritrea of re-mobilising their forces. This must be a very worrying sign for you. A: Last week, the Ethiopians said that the Eritreans were re-mobilising their forces, but we have seen no evidence of that. I may be naïve because I’m a peacemaker, and sometimes peacemakers are naïve, but I want to believe that the foundation for peace has been laid between Ethiopia and Eritrea. I think we can say with some certainty that there is no preparation for war by either side. I have been here for one year and I don’t believe that they want anything but peace, because they know what the consequences of war are. Q: How long do you think the UN will have to remain in place enforcing the peace? A: Well, if we are lucky, maybe until December 2002. This is the most hopeful scenario.