Ethiopia Supports United Nations Military Observer Mission

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001754 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO PREL UN ET SUBJECT: Ethiopia Supports United Nations Military Observer Mission on Ethiopian Side Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin called together the Ambassadors representing the Permanent Five (P5) UN Security Council (UNSC) countries to highlight Ethiopia's concerns regarding the current draft UNSC resolution on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border. Seyoum cautioned that, if changes are not made, Ethiopia could join Eritrea in opposing a United Nations (UN) military observer (MilOb) mission to the region. Seyoum also underscored that, unlike Eritrea, Ethiopia supports a follow-on UN deployment after the end of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE),and the Algiers Agreement as the basis for resolution of the border dispute, and stressed that ultimately it is up to the parties themselves to implement the final and binding demarcation of the border. End Summary. Adjust the UNSC Resolution -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, accompanied by the Directors General for International Organizations and the Americas Divisions, stressed to the Ambassadors representing the P5 countries on June 24 that changes must be made to the proposed UNSC resolution on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border. Specifically, Seyoum asked for deletion of reference to the "demarcation" decision by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) in PP 3 because it appears as if the UN is endorsing "virtual demarcation" of the border, which Ethiopia opposes. Seyoum suggested that the UNSC emphasize that ultimately the implementation of a lasting and sustainable peace and the demarcation of the border lies with the parties themselves. The UN cannot implement. ¶3. (SBU) In OP 2, Seyoum said the Ethiopians support the second option of draft language, which is broad and general and allows for discussion of the type of UN military observer mission that would be placed on the Ethiopian side. ¶4. (SBU) Seyoum stressed that PP3 is a "deal breaker" and if no adjustments are made Ethiopia could join Eritrea in rejecting a follow-on UN force after the end of UNMEE. Seyoum emphasized that Eritrea still refuses to talk to the UN and it was Eritrea which threw UNMEE out. Ethiopia has been receptive to the UN, Seyoum added, and remains engaged and supportive of UNMEE. Seyoum concluded by stating that given Ethiopia's receptiveness to proposals from the Security Council and given Eritrea's hostile approach to the UN, Ethiopia hopes the UNSC will be open to and support Ethiopia's request for adjustments to PP 3. Support UN MilOb and Algiers Accord -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Seyoum stated emphatically that Ethiopia supports a follow-on UN force after the end of UNMEE in response to Eritrea's ouster of UNMEE troops and restrictions on UNMEE operations. Seyoum did not want to comment on whether the Ethiopian government (GOE) would support a "Political Mission" or a "Peacekeeping (PKO) Mission" as the basis for the follow-on force. He said Ethiopia would leave that determination up to the UN, but noted that Ethiopia supported both UN troops and UN political officers or envoys as part of the UN operation. Seyoum also hinted that Ethiopia preferred the follow-on UN MilOb mission to be entirely on the Ethiopian side of the border. ¶6. (SBU) Seyoum seemed to qualify the GOE's letter to the UNSC on the Algiers Accord. Seyoum made it clear that the Algiers Accord is the basis for resolution of the border dispute but added that the UN must realize that it is Eritrea which undercuts and makes void the precepts of the Algiers Peace Accord and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement through Eritrea's militarization of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and ouster of UNMEE forces. ¶7. (SBU) Ethiopia wants to engage positively the international community and the UN, Seyoum said. He reiterated that, given Ethiopia's openness, UNSC countries should be equally receptive in considering and acting on Ethiopia's requests for adjustments to the draft resolution and in working with Ethiopia on resolution of the border problem. Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Ethiopians feel that the UN must be a neutral but very important factor in the peace process. Rather than support the EEBC, the GOE wants the UN to encourage and push the parties to ADDIS ABAB 00001754 002 OF 002 resolve the border issue themselves. Post believes that a follow-on UN force, while not a deterrent to conflict, makes sense and commits Ethiopia, at least, to remain in the Algiers process and maintains the interest of the international community in the border issue. End comment. YAMAMOTO