Top UN peacekeeping official in Ethiopia, Eritrea for talks on border decision

The United Nations senior peacekeeping official arrived today in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa to begin a series of meetings aimed at promoting implementation of a recent decision on the country's border with Eritrea, a UN spokesman announced Monday in New York.

At the request of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno has travelled to the region for meetings with senior officials of both countries, and with personnel from the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

According to spokesman Fred Eckhard, Mr. Guéhenno is in the region to take stock of the situation on the ground and see what can be done to move forward the implementation of the independent Boundary Commission's decision.

The Commission delivered its verdict on the delimitation of the two countries' border to representatives of both governments on 13 April. Last month, members of the UN Security Council called for close consultations among the parties, UNMEE and the Commission on the implementation of the decision.

Mr Guéhenno is scheduled to travel to Eritrea's capital, Asmara, on Wednesday.