[allAfrica.com] United Nations Mission In Ethiopia and Eritrea Press Briefing United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (Addis Ababa) DOCUMENT December 1, 2005 Posted to the web December 1, 2005 A near verbatim transcript of the press briefing held by the Spokeswoman and Chief of Public Information, Gail Bindley-Taylor-Sainté in Asmara, via videoconference linking participants in Addis Ababa and Asmara. Present at the briefing in Asmara was UNMEE Force Commander Major General Rajender Singh. POLITICAL: On 24 November, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/ Addis Ababa, Azouz Ennifar met with Reverend Jan Erichsen, Board President of the Norwegian Refugee Council and Norwegian Church Aid. They exchanged views on the peace process, as well as on the contribution that religious leaders and civil society could make to the peace process through confidence-building measures. On 25 November, DSRSG/Asmara Joel Adechi, Officer in Charge-UNMEE, met with Mr. Magnus-Hyltenius, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, who is on a working visit to Eritrea. They exchanged views on recent developments affecting the Mission. On the same day, DSRSG Ennifar received His Excellency, Mr. Alphons Hennekens, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Ethiopia. They exchanged views on developments in the peace process and the way forward. On 28 November, DSRSG Ennifar received His Excellency, Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. They exchanged views on the Ethiopian-Eritrean border dispute and its implications for the peace process. On 29 November, DSRSG Ennifar participated in a forum on "Human Rights and People Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS," organized by the African Union (AU). On 30 November, OIC-UNMEE/DSRSG Adechi received Mr. Matt Bryden, Director of the International Crisis Group for the Horn of Africa, They exchanged views on the latest developments in the peace process. On the same day, at the invitation of the European Heads of Missions based in Asmara, OIC-UNMEE/DSRSG Adechi and Force Commander, Major General Rajender Singh, gave them a joint briefing on the current situation in the peace process, following the adoption of Security Council r esolution 1640. MILITARY: General Overview The military situation in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and Adjacent Areas remains tense and potentially volatile. Troop movements have been noticed on both the Ethiopian and Eritrean sides of the border. The ban imposed by the Eritrean Government on UNMEE helicopters is still in place. Restrictions are continuing on the movement of UNMEE patrols inside the TSZ in Sector Center and Sector West--movements in certain areas and night patrols have been curtailed. Monitoring of the TSZ and Adjacent Areas within the limitations imposed continues from existing posts. During the past week UNMEE conducted 725 ground patrols throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR) where UNMEE is still able to operate. 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 140,300 litres of water was supplied to the civilian communities during the past week. Mine Action No demining operations were carried out. Meeting and Visits On 25 November, the 33rd Military Coordination Commission meeting was held in Nairobi. UNMEE Force Commander Major General Rajender Singh chaired the meeting, which was attended by delegations from Eritrea and Ethiopia. (Please see UNMEE PR 118 for more details.) HUMAN RIGHTS: On 29 November, UNMEE's Chief Human Rights Officer, Mamadi Diakite, attended the monthly Heads of UN Agencies' meeting where he briefed the UN Country Team on the mainstreaming of human rights work within their respective programmes. The UNMEE Human Rights Office/Addis Ababa is participating in a two day continental forum on "Human Rights and People Infected and Affected with HIV/ AIDS" organised by the African Union. The Forum is part of the implementation of a Plan of Action on AIDS agreed by African Heads of States and Governments at a recent meeting held in Abuja. The main objective of the Forum is to design an integrated policy approach among member states to the issue of Human Rights and people affected with HIV and AIDS. MACC: On 22 November, a mine accident involving an Ethiopian military truck occurred on the road between Sembel and Badme, on the Ethiopian side or the southern adjacent area of the Temporary Security Zone. This is a frequently traveled road. The MACC immediately dispatched a Team to investigate the accident and concluded that it was a newly laid mine. Four passengers were killed and the rest--three passengers--were injured. A Preliminary Investigation Report about the accident has been released and can be obtained from the UNMEE MACC upon request. The MACC has dispatched MECHEM's Route Clearance Team in the area. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Question (Asmara): Four Ethiopian soldiers were killed in a land mine accident at Sembel. Is Sembel inside the buffer zone or outside? CPIO: No. It is inside the southern adjacent area on the Ethiopian side. Question (Addis): My question is about the mine incident. Is the TSZ extended to the Ethiopian side? My understanding was that it was inside Eritrea. It may be adjacent to the TSZ, but the way you phrased it here [in the Press Briefing Notes] is 'on the Ethiopian side of the TSZ', could you clarify that? Force Commander: You are right that the Temporary Security Zone is in Eritrea. What we are saying is [that the mine accident happened] on the Ethiopian side [or] the southern [adjacent area] of the Temporary Security Zone. The Briefing Notes have been changed above to reflect the Force Commander's clarification on where the Mine accident took place. Question (Asmara): In your notes you said "troop movements have been noticed on both sides" and I am just wondering if it is possible to get a bit more detail about where specifically on both sides--in the Adjacent Areas, in the TSZ, outside [the TSZ and Adjacent Areas]? Force Commander: What details do you want to know? Everyday we have seven pages' worth of situation report being sent to New York. This, multiplied by 30, will be 270 pages. I surely cannot give you all that. Question (Asmara): Are you seeing troop movements inside the TSZ? Are you seeing troop movement inside the Adjacent Areas--either north or south? Force Commander: Yes, we have noticed troop movements on both the Eritrean and the Ethiopian side of the border, as we have said. First, as far as the Ethiopian side is concerned, we have seen that there has been a deployment of troops on the border. The second echelon division has come up slightly. Two additional divisions, which Ethiopia says had come from the Central Sector, had come [to the border as well]. The movements of these divisions continue; after all, when you have a deployment of large forces, there are movements which take place even for logistics or other reasons. On the Eritrean side, we are seeing movements on the Adjacent Areas, we are having restrictions as we have mentioned before, and we are also seeing some new armed personnel who claim to be Militia but who sometimes do not show their identity card. That situation continues. Those are the movements we are talking about. Question (Asmara): So just to clarify: [you have seen] movements in both [the] Adjacent Areas, and unidentified armed personnel in the TSZ? Force Commander: We have movement in the Adjacent Areas on the Eritrean side as far as the EDF is concerned. On the Ethiopian side, their movement is continuing, as we have said. In the TSZ, the following things are taking place: many of the patrols are being stopped from patrolling at night; many of them are also being stopped from going off the main roads; and lastly, the patrols are being kept off some areas. We also continue to see some new armed personnel who claim to be Militia but who sometimes cannot prove their identity--their movement also continues. Question (Addis): My question is regarding the mine accident. The demining team dispatched to the place concluded that the mine was a newly laid mine. So does that mean that the Ethiopian troops are still digging the ground and laying mines? Force Commander: [Regarding the] details of this mine incident, I would request every body to please ask the Ethiopian Government. It happened in their territory. Whatever we know, we have already mentioned. We have nothing further to add. Question (Asmara): I thought that soldiers from both countries were not allowed to go inside the Adjacent Areas is that correct? Force Commander: No, that is not correct. The soldiers are supposed to be only in the Adjacent Areas. They are not allowed inside the TSZ. Question (Addis): Can you tell us, following the Security Council Resolution, [have you seen] any changes or compliance with that resolution from either side? Force Commander: First, this Security Council resolution was discussed during the [latest] Military Coordination Commission meeting, about which you have already been briefed earlier. As far as Ethiopia is concerned, they have indicated that they may be willing; I have had some discussions with their authorities regarding the pullback of their additional troops. We are still working on that; but I am hopeful that some positive results will come about regarding pulling back of those additional Ethiopian troops from the border. Regarding the Eritrean side, I have yet to meet with the Eritrean Commissioner. Question (Addis): [Can] you just give us an idea in [terms of] numbers of divisions what the Ethiopians are indicating they may be willing to pull back [from the border]? Are we talking about the Division that came up from Christmas [last year], or are we talking about the two Divisions that came up recently in the last few weeks? Force Commander: No. We are talking of what the Security Council resolution says. The details of divisions and other [matters] have yet to be worked out. Once they are worked out, we will share them with you. I just want to clarify what I said about the implementation of the Security Council resolution--I am talking about the additional troops which have come after the 16th of December 2004. Question (Addis): The 16 December 2004 date [involves] the six or seven divisions of the Ethiopian [military] sent up at that time, doesn't it? Force Commander: Yes, a number of additional troops [did] come [at the time]; but I cannot [give you a specific number at this time.] Question (Asmara): There is a piece which came out of UN News in New York and it is saying 17 of the 18 outposts have been vacated. I am wondering why the 18th post has not been vacated? Force Commander: It is being vacated. It is in the process of being vacated. Question (Asmara): So, all the 18 posts... Force Commander: No, [it is actually] 17 out of 19 [posts]. Two [posts] are yet to be vacated. But it is a minor issue. It is a process which is going on and will be completed in a couple of days. Question (Asmara): The process was [initiated] several weeks ago. I am just wondering because there are several stories going around? Force Commander: No. Please don't smell any rats. There is no hidden agenda. Question (Addis): You have been given figures on the number of troops on the Ethiopian side. How is it on the Eritrean side? Do you have any idea how many militias, troops or whatever are moving around? Force Commander: This is a very good question but one that should be asked [of] the Eritrean Government. Question (Addis): You are observing [the border situation]; aren't you, sir? Force Commander: Yes, we are observing but I have also told you that I am observing only 40 percent and I do not like to give such figures because they might not be correct. Question (Addis): How is it [from the] 40 percent [you could see] then? Force Commander: No, I said I would not like to give them because that would not be the total figure. Question (Asmara): Was Point 885 one of the posts to be vacated? You said you temporarily went back there, so are you going to leave it again because you have just said that the process of evacuating the posts will continue? Force Commander: No. I would like to clarify this, regarding Point 885, we have not gone back there. What we have done is, we are patrolling that area frequently to ensure that things are okay. We have not [re]occupied any outpost. Question (Asmara): Was point 885 one of the 18 posts to be vacated? Force Commander: Yes, of course. Question (Addis): Regarding the indication from the Ethiopian authorities, would that also include, if they are saying they may consider pulling back presumably, that would include some of the military hardware that has come up [to the border]as well? I think a few weeks ago you told us that between 10 and 15 tanks have moved up and some missiles have moved in to the area as well. Would the [pullback] also cover that? Force Commander: For those of us who understand the functioning of the military, when we talk of divisions there are various kinds of divisions and those divisions do not consist only of men. They consist of men, material, weapons and hardware like tanks, and missiles and others. So when you have a division, it does have artillery guns and some tanks. If it is a mechanized division, it will have more tanks, missiles, every thing. A division is a basic formation of a military force. We will share the [details] with you as we work them out with the Ethiopian authority. But I am optimistic that there will be a withdrawal [of troops], restoring the situation of the force level to the way it existed earlier [before 16 December 2004]. When divisions move, there will be reduction of all these [things] that you [have mentioned]. Question (Addis): So, this appears to be quite a positive step or a positive indication at least, doesn't it? Force Commander: Yes, certainly and I hope I can give you some more positive news next week. Question (Asmara): What prospects do you have after your meeting in Nairobi and after this recent UN resolution? Force Commander: First and foremost let me mention that the mission in Nairobi went well. It had a number of positive [points] despite the tension. First, that the meeting took place is a very positive point in itself. Secondly, both sides reaffirmed their full commitment to the mechanism of the MCC--the delegation of the Government of Eritrea and the delegation of the Government of Ethiopia. Both sides mentioned that they have full intention of cooperating with UNMEE in [carrying out] its mandate. The Eritrean delegation told us that they agree with our assessment that there is tension; they, however, said that the reason for this tension is not the activities inside the TSZ, but Ethiopia's non-acceptance of the Boundary Commission's decision. The Eritreans also said that the reason for this tension is the buildup of troops [by Ethiopia] since December last year. The Ethiopian side, however, [were of a different opinion] and that is that [the tension is caused by the presence of] additional [Eritrean] troops inside the TSZ. Another positive thing which came out of the [MCC meeting] was, we applauded the fact that Sector-level MCCs are going on well--they have been able to reduce the number of violent incidents and cattle rustling incidents. The whole Commission promised to carry on with this work. Regarding the reaction to the Security Council resolution, everything is there in the statement issued after the MCC and I have told you of the latest developments. We [have started] negotiating with the Ethiopian authority regarding [the resolution's implementation]. I also intend to meet with the Eritreans to see what can be done from their side. Question (Asmara): So, you have told us that both sides have different interpretation of the cause of the tension. What about UNMEE? What is UNMEE's interpretation of the cause of the tension? Force Commander: I have said that the tension is there. Whatever the cause may be, the very fact that tension exists is a cause for concern. Question (Asmara): UNMEE has noticed troop movements on both sides. have you tried to contact the authorities or officials of both countries [as to] why they are deploying troops in the buffer zone? Force Commander: I agree with you. Actually, I keep on wondering why they are doing it but I will just mention one thing--we are in touch with both authorities regarding these movements. These movements--that is, the buildup on the Ethiopian side, some other new movements on the Eritrean side inside the TSZ and Adjacent Areas as well as the restrictions on UNMEE's movements--are indeed a cause of concern. That has been mentioned even in the Security Council resolution. As to the reasons [for the movements on both sides], I am not the correct man to ask; you should instead ask them [the Eritreans and the Ethiopians] for their reasons, but it is certainly a cause of concern [to us] and the International Community. When you have troops in the Adjacent Area on the Ethiopian side, when you have restrictions inside the TSZ, and some few pockets of other unknown armed personnel inside the TSZ on the Eritrean side, it is a cause of concern. Question (Asmara): Force Commander, have you seen any more Ethiopian troops inside the TSZ since they occupied and left Point 885? Force Commander: From what we have seen, there are no troops from Ethiopia inside the TSZ. Question (Asmara): I think the last solution [to the border issue] would be the political will of both governments to demarcate their border and go back to their normal business. So don't you think that it affects the whole process that there is no political will to demarcate the border? Force Commander: I wish Ambassador Legwaila was here. He would have answered your question. It is outside the relevance of the questions about the situation, but as an UNMEE person and as one of those affected [by the stalemate], I can only hope and pray inshallah that there will be peace. I am sure the right thing will prevail and the Security Council is quite clear as what should be done by both sides, which also includes demarcation [of the border]. Question (Asmara): Some international media said that the MCC meeting in Nairobi was a failure; now you are telling us that there were positive achievements? Force Commander: It is a matter of perception. I am an optimist. I see a lot of positive things and I have given you my answer that I see lots of positive attributes [in the MCC meeting] and I do not think you can call it a failure. But in any case, it is a matter of perception. Some people may call the dress you are wearing very smart and some others may not like it. Question (Asmara): They said that there was no mutual understanding between the Eritrean and Ethiopian delegations? Force Commander: I would not say so. I told you about their points of convergence. I have also told you of the points where they disagreed. It is there in our statement. We were actually transparent in our press release after the MCC. But rest assured that as far as opinions are concerned, every body is entitled to his opinion.   =============================================================================   Copyright © 2005 United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================