Eritrea, Ethiopia agree to consider confidence-building measures: UN mission

High-level military officials from Ethiopia and Eritrea have agreed to consider new measures to build confidence between their the two formerly warring countries, according to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

The measures were put forward by UNMEE Force Commander Major-General Patrick Cammaert yesterday at the eighth meeting of the Military Coordination Commission (MCC) - the only regularly scheduled face-to-face contact between representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrea. In a statement released following the session, which was held in Nairobi, he said the meeting had been conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere."

Much of the discussion focused on ways to build confidence between the two countries, with the Force Commander emphasizing the importance of establishing contact at the local level as a means of reducing tensions and facilitating the return of displaced people from both sides. In addition to proposing new confidence-building measures, he invited both sides to visit UNMEE's compounds on and around the southern boundary of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), a 25-kilometre buffer area between the two countries.

When Mr. Cammaert asked the delegations to identify some of their key objectives in the peace process, both parties expressed dissatisfaction about elements of the TSZ yet emphasized the importance of reaching formal agreement on it, UNMEE said. Other common priorities included ensuring the safe return of internally displaced people to their places of origin and reducing tensions on the southern boundary of the TSZ, with the overall aim of finally normalizing relations between their two countries.

During the meeting, progress was also made regarding cooperation for the recovery, identification and repatriation of unburied mortal remains in areas controlled by either party. The two delegations agreed on a draft document with procedures that had been prepared by UNMEE based on discussions at earlier MCC meetings.

The meeting was attended by UNMEE's newly arrived Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier-General Peter M. Manyara, and representatives of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Ethiopia's military delegation was led by Major-General Alemshet Degife, and Eritrea's military delegation was led by Brigadier-General Abrahaley Kifle.

In other news, UNMEE chief Legwaila Joseph Legwaila today told a press conference at the recently re-opened Mereb River Bridge linking Eritrea and Ethiopia that journalists in both countries played a crucial role in the reconciliation process. "Words - whether written or spoken - can keep a war alive, even after the guns had fallen silent," Mr. Legwaila said. "It seems to me, therefore, that the press and media on both sides should observe a verbal cessation of hostilities."

The UNMEE chief also sought to ease concerns regarding allegations that Ethiopian forces were in the TSZ. "We have thoroughly investigated those allegations and our findings tell us that there is no cause for concern," he said. "We have informed Eritrean authorities of our findings. By and large, both sides are abiding by their commitment to peace."