UNMEE DRAFT RESOLUTION TEXT

UNCLAS STATE 078864 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS ET ER SUBJECT: UNMEE DRAFT RESOLUTION TEXT ¶1. This is an action request. USUN is instructed to share with appropriate officials at the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN in New York the draft resolution text below, relating to the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). Department requests USUN to report the outcome of its discussions by Thursday, July 24. Begin text: DRAFT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON ETHIOPIA-ERITREA The Security Council, Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements of its President pertaining to the situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea (hereinafter referred to as "the parties"), Stressing once again its unwavering commitment to the peace process and to the full and expeditious implementation of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000 (Security Council/2000/601) and the Peace Agreement of 12 December 2000 (Security Council/2000/1183) (hereinafter referred to as "the Algiers Agreements") as a basis for peaceful and cooperative relations between the parties, Considering that the parties bear equal responsibility in the implementation of their respective commitments under the Algiers Agreements, in particular the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and the acceptance of the determinations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) as final and binding, Reaffirming that the primary responsibility for achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the border dispute and normalizing their relations rests with the parties themselves, and that the Security Council stands ready to assist them, Noting that the continuation of Eritrea's obstructions towards the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) undermined the basis of the Mission's mandate and has compelled UNMEE to temporarily relocate from Eritrea, stressing that this relocation is without prejudice to the Algiers Agreements and to the integrity of the TSZ, and recalling the Security Council's previous condemnation of Eritrea's lack of cooperation, Commending the efforts made by UNMEE and its military and civilian personnel to accomplish its duties, despite the difficult circumstances, Expressing its deep appreciation for the contribution and dedication of the troop-contributing countries to the work of UNMEE, Having considered the special report of the Secretary-General of 7 April 2008 (S/2008/226), Recognizing that the parties do not support a UN presence on their territories at this time, ¶1. Decides to terminate the mandate of UNMEE on 31 July 2008; ¶2. Calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to maintain their full commitment to the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, including with respect to the integrity of the TSZ, and to the Algiers Agreements, and stresses that the termination of UNMEE is without prejudice to the commitments of the parties in these agreements; ¶3. Requests the Secretary-General continue to engage with the parties on how the United Nations could most effectively support normalized relations and facilitate implementation of agreements they have entered into, including the possibility of a follow-on United Nations presence in the future; ¶4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council by 30 January 2009 on the outcome of his consultations with each party and to make specific proposals concerning how the United Nations could most effectively support normalized relations and facilitate implementation of agreements they have entered into, including the possibility of a follow-on United Nations presence; ¶5. Reiterates its call that the parties show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other, avoid provocative military activities, and put an end to the exchange of hostile statements; ¶6. Strongly supports the ongoing efforts by the Secretary-General and the international community to engage with Eritrea and Ethiopia to help them to implement the Algiers Agreements, to normalize their relations, to promote stability between the parties, and to lay the foundation for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the dispute, and urges the parties to accept the Secretary-General's good offices; ¶7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. End text. RICE