Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA2504
2006-09-14 11:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA: UNMEE PUSHES FOR CONTINUATION OF MISSION

Tags:  PREL KPKO MARR ET ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2989
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #2504 2571129
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141129Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2438
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHDSA/USDAO ADDIS ABABA ET PRIORITY
UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002504 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF FOR DAS YAMAMOTO
USUN FOR EMILY BRUNO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: UNMEE PUSHES FOR CONTINUATION OF MISSION


UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002504

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF FOR DAS YAMAMOTO
USUN FOR EMILY BRUNO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: UNMEE PUSHES FOR CONTINUATION OF MISSION



1. (SBU) Summary. The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and
Eritrea (UNMEE) Deputy Special Representative Ambassador
Azouz Ennifar briefed representatives of permanent members of
the United Nations Security Council September 12 on the
status of the mission's downsizing efforts and recommended an
extension of UNMEE's mandate. Ennifar said the situation in
the temporary security zone (TSZ) has remained "calm, but
tense" with no immediate risk of conflict; however the
regional situation "calls for maintaining UNMEE." Ennifar
cited the U.S. initiative to begin parallel talks on
normalization and demarcation as worthy of support and called
on the international community at large to keep pushing both
sides towards resolving. End Summary.

SAME JOB, FEWER PEOPLE
--------------


2. (SBU) Ambassador Ennifar informed to the Charge and other
diplomatic envoys September 12 that UNMEE completed the
mandated downsizing of its personnel from 3,300 to 2,300 as
of August 15. Ennifar said that UNMEE's new operating plan
has not affected its overall monitoring capacity. The UNMEE
force today is primarily comprised of an equal balance of
Indians and Jordanians with a smaller Kenyan contingent
working on engineering and demining projects. Since the
helicopter ban and ground restrictions imposed by Eritrea,
Ennifar estimated that UNMEE monitors 40 percent of the
border concentration on the western and central sectors.


3. (SBU) Ennifar characterized the situation in the TSZ as
"calm, but tense." UNMEE sees routine troop movements but
has not observed any signs of heavy equipment movement.
Ethiopia is largely "transparent" about its troop movements,
but Eritrea provides little information to UNMEE. Both sides
are in a defensive posture, and Ennifar stated that there was
"no risk of conflict." He attributed this to UNMEE's
presence and recommended that the UNSC renew its mandate at
the current staffing levels. In fact, he stated, the
regional situation (instability in Sudan and Somalia) calls
for maintaining UNMEE.

LOOKING TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR SOLUTIONS
-------------- ---


4. (SBU) Ennifar emphasized that UNMEE's mission is not to
demarcate the border but to monitor the TSZ, which it is
doing successfully despite restrictions imposed by Eritrea.
Ennifar acknowledged that neither side is currently willing
to meet under EEBC auspices. He cited the U.S. initiative to
begin parallel talks on normalization and demarcation as a
possible way forward seemingly stalled. Ennifar noted that
the international community would need to pressure both
Eritrea and Ethiopia to move forward on any solution to break
the stalemate. Ennifar cited his participation in the
Military Coordination Commission (established under the
Algiers Agreement) in Nairobi where he observed positive
attitudes, exchange of information, and a dedication to
renewed cooperation between the two sides.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: Core country team believes that
maintaining UNMEE in its present configuration (even in its
reduced constrained posture) provides the necessary eyes and
ears on the ground for an early warning of any changes along
the Ethiopian-Eritrean border. The threat of a proxy war in
Somalia, possibly combined with a new Eritrean offensive
along the border with Ethiopia, also argues for continued
UNMEE monitoring in the north. Eritrean perceptions of
Ethiopian internal instability may further incrase the risk
of renewed armed conflict. End Comment.
WILGUS