UNSC EMERGENCY SESSION ON DJIBOUTI/ERITREA --

UNCLAS STATE 063188 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL DJ XA XW SUBJECT: UNSC EMERGENCY SESSION ON DJIBOUTI/ERITREA -- PRST AND TALKING POINTS REF: A. DJIBOUTI 482 ¶B. DJIBOUTI 472 ¶C. STATE 62585 ¶1. This is an action request. USUN should draw from the talking points in para. 2 below during the June 12 emergency session on Djibouti and Eritrea. USUN is also authorized to join in consensus on a Presidential Statement that contains the elements in para. 3. USUN should refer any further changes to the text of the Presidential Statement to the Department. End action. ¶2. Begin talking points: -- The U.S. strongly condemns Eritrea's military aggression against Djibouti in the vicinity of the border between the two countries at Ras Doumeirea, and previous encroachment into Djiboutian territory. The U.S. is concerned over the subsequent military build-up along the border between Eritrea and Djibouti. -- These hostilities represent an additional threat to peace and security in the already volatile Horn of Africa. -- We understand that at least nine Djiboutians have been killed and over 60 injured as a result of the Eritrean attacks. -- We also understand that Djibouti has taken custody of dozens of Eritrean soldiers who have deserted from Eritrean lines, and that Eritrea is shooting its solders who try to flee to Djibouti. -- The U.S. calls on both sides to cease all military hostilities immediately and to reduce tensions by withdrawing troops from the border area. -- The U.S. calls on Eritrea and Djibouti to move forward at once to resolve border issues peacefully, in accordance with international law. -- We urge the Secretary-General to use his good offices and reach out to both parties to facilitate bilateral discussions to determine arrangements for decreasing the military presence along the border, to develop confidence-building procedures for future endeavors to resolve the border situation, and to urge the parties to notify each other of future military movements. ¶3. Begin Presidential Statement: -- Condemns the Eritrean military aggression against Djibouti that occurred on June 10 at the frontier between Djibouti and Eritrea, that led to several deaths and dozens of wounded. Takes notes that these incidents have taken place after previous encroachment into Djiboutian territory by Eritrea and a subsequent military build-up along the border between Eritrea and Djibouti; -- Calls upon the parties, in particular Eritrea, to commit to a cease-fire; -- Urge both parties to show maximum restraint, withdraw forces to the status-quo ante, and cooperate and engage in international diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and consistent with international law; -- Welcomes the efforts of the African Union, the Arab League and those States that have proposed their assistance to the parties to do so and calls upon the parties and in particular Eritrea to engage fully with them. -- Warn of the risk of additional tensions in a region already fraught with conflict; -- Urge both parties to withdraw completely from the Island of Doumeira; -- Encourages the Secretary General, as appropriate and in coordination with regional efforts, to use his good offices and reach out to both parties to facilitate bilateral discussions to determine arrangements for decreasing the military presence along the border and to develop confidence-building procedures for future endeavors to resolve the border situation, and to urge the parties to notify each other of future military movements. RICE