Addis Ababa — On 18 June 2000, Ethiopia and Eritrea committed themselves in Algiers to an immediate cessation of the hostilities, the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission, the creation of a Military Coordination Commission (MCC) and the establishment of a Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) in order to create a "climate of calm and confidence" and "conditions conducive to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict."

Both parties have sought adjustments in the southern boundary of the TSZ as presented to them by UNMEE after the 6 February meeting of the MCC. UNMEE regrets that Ethiopia did not communicate to UNMEE the full nature of its redeployment plans in the Irob area. UNMEE has, however, concluded that it has no other option than to adjust the southern boundary of the TSZ accordingly. It expects to reach agreement on the clarification of the redeployment lines provided by Ethiopia and to gain a more accurate understanding of the differences between the parties on the ground in specific localities.

This will ensure as far as possible the inclusion in the TSZ of the villages to which Eritrean internally displaced persons (IDPs) are expected to return.

UNMEE reminds the parties of their obligation to create the conditions for the return of the population and the full respect of their human rights, wherever their homes may be, as called for in paragraph three (3) of the Agreement between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia signed in Algiers on 12th of December 2000. The Agreement states that, "the parties shall afford humane treatment to each other's nationals and persons of each other's national origin within their respective territories."

UNMEE welcomes Eritrea's announcement on 16th April 2001, that it has completed the repositioning of its armed forces out of the proposed TSZ. UNMEE commends both parties for fulfilling their obligations as stipulated in the Algiers Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities.

This repositioning allows for the establishment of the TSZ. To delay any further the establishment of the TSZ until all areas of disagreement have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties would subject the civilians seeking to resume their lives in the former war-torn areas to unnecessary suffering.

The establishment of the TSZ is a milestone in the Ethiopian-Eritrean peace process as stated in the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities. It allows for the immediate restoration of civil administration and the return of IDPs in the areas of the TSZ. The establishment of the TSZ is particularly urgent given the impending rainy season and the need to reconnect existing villages and communities to their administrative support systems.

Mindful of the need for the orderly and safe return of the displaced populations, UNMEE stands ready to support the efforts of the Eritrean administration and the humanitarian community in mine awareness, demining and the provision of basic services such as shelter, water and health facilities.

UNMEE declares the establishment of the TSZ as of today, the 18th of April 2001. The establishment of the TSZ marks the formal separation of the forces of the two parties. It is the penultimate step in the resolution of the Ethiopian- Eritrean conflict and a necessary precondition to the implementation of the full peace agreement reached by the parties in Algiers on 12 December 2000. The TSZ is temporary in nature and does not in any way prejudice the decision of the Boundary Commission on the delimitation and demarcation of the border.

For additional information contact the UNMEE Public Information Offices: Addis Ababa, phone 251-1-443396 (e-mal, walkera@un.org); Asmara, phone: 291-1- 151908 (kellyb@un.org).