Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06USUNNEWYORK1983 | 2006-10-16 16:30:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | USUN New York |
VZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #1983 2891630 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 161630Z OCT 06 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0477 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1020 RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0830 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1219 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 8850 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC |
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001983 |
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Ethiopian Deputy PermRep Kebret called on USUN to express concern about a provision of the resolution renewing UNMEE's mandate that calls for a Security Council review by November 30. Kebret argued that Ethiopia was powerless to prevent Eritrean frustration of UNMEE's mission and sought assurances that UNMEE would not be downsized or eliminated. Ambassador Sanders replied that Ethiopia could best contribute to the successful realization of UNMEE's mandate by persistently trying to stimulate progress on outstanding issues, especially border issues. END SUMMARY. 2. (SBU) In an October 4 meeting with Ambassador Sanders and poloffs, Deputy Ethiopian PermRep Negash Kebret sought clarification of a provision of UN Security Council Resolution 1710 (September 29) calling for the council to "review the situation before November 30, 2006 in order to prepare for possible changes by 31 January 2007." Kebret said Ethiopia is concerned that such changes could include downsizing UNMEE. He said UNMEE'S two-part mission is "to ensure the continued cessation of hostilities and the sanctity of the temporary security zone." Both of these mission elements, he argued, are being fulfilled, so "there should be no question of UNMEE's renewal." Any Security Council expectation that UNMEE should achieve more than this, he added, was being systematically frustrated by Eritrea's restriction of the movements of UN peacekeeping forces and by Eritrea's refusal to participate in meetings of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC). 3. (U) Ambassador Sanders told Kebret candidly that the USG was a strong supporter of the November 30 review, which she explained is not intended to be punitive but rather to reveal whether there were reasons besides inertia to continue UNMEE. She assured Kebret the USG would take up Eritrea's shortcomings with Eritrea and urged Ethiopia to do whatever it could to realize progress on outstanding issues, particularly boundary issues, by the interim review date. She suggested pointedly that Ethiopia attempt to open a dialogue with Eritrea to which Negash replied that Eritrea had declined all recent overtures but admitted that approaches had been made only through third parties. Negash acknowledged that Eritrea is convinced that Ethiopian willingness to discuss boundary issues reflects Ethiopian desire to re-open the EEBC delimitation decision. 4. (U) Warming to the idea of boundary discussions, Negash said, "Solving the problem of demarcation involves consideration of 25-30 villages near the border; each of these has historical and emotional attachment to one side or the other." Deputy political counselor agreed and, borrowing talking points provided by Department for use at the Security Council, said that dealing with these villages involves political equities appropriate for negotiation between the parties outside the technical demarcation process of the EEBC. 5. (U) Ambassador Sanders reiterated that the parties have two months to show UNMEE progress failing which the Security Council will consider its options. She added that those options could involve UNMEE downsizing. Kebret seemed to fully appreciate that the USG considers the next step to be in the hands of the parties. 6. (U) NOTE. A DPKO field operations report issued on October 6 indicates that Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had expressed Ethiopia's acceptance of the "final and binding nature of the EEBC decision" but that he added "there is always room for adjustment when it comes to implementation." END NOTE. BOLTON |