United Nations — Despite problems that must be resolved, the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea would not fall apart, the head of the United Nations mission in the two countries told a news conference today at UN Headquarters in New York.

Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, Special Representative of Secretary- General Kofi Annan, spoke to the press after he briefed the Security Council in closed consultations on Mr. Annan's latest report on UNMEE, as the UN operation is known.

The report recommends that the mission be extended for a further six-month period, through 15 September. While emphasizing that both Eritreans and Ethiopians were "ready to make peace," Mr. Legwaila noted that the Temporary Security Zone - an area that was meant to separate the parties - had not been set up yet because Eritrean troops remained in the zone.

He said that some restrictions had been placed by both sides on the movements of UN peacekeepers, but pointed out that there had been no significant cease-fire violations by either side. "UNMEE is negotiating with two disciplined leaders, two disciplined nations, and two disciplined armies," he said.

"This is not necessarily easy to do, as one result of the conflict is bitterness and distrust, but I am confident the problems will be resolved, and soon."

Mr. Legwaila added that he was a happy man, because overall cooperation between UNMEE and both host countries was very good and the mission's progress in fulfilling its mandate had also been excellent. UN's newest peacekeeping mission, UNMEE had been able to set up and deploy its 4,000 peacekeepers, and some 200 military observers very quickly, Mr. Legwaila said.

He added that it had begun its work monitoring security in the contested areas thanks, in large part, to the quick response of the donor countries.