Asmara — Q: What is UNMEE doing about the serious land mine problems?

Spokesman: We still have problems on that front largely due to the rains. When it rains heavily some mines may start to move around. This is a serious concern. Although the investigation is not yet completed, this could be the reason for the Jordanian accident. I would like to take this opportunity to state once again that the United Nations is working hard and focusing on this very serious problem of land mines. We hope that the collaboration with the NGOs and all the other agencies involved in this work will continue and be reinforced. We still hope that the Ethiopian government will provide further information and collaboration on the question of the land mine maps. It would be in the interest of all parties - Ethiopia, Eritrea and the UN - to have that information so we can proceed with that work. Sorting out the question of the land mines is very important also for the return of IDPs to the Temporary Security Zone.

Q: What is UNMEE doing to ensure that these child abuse incidents don't recur?

Spokesman: The United Nations Headquarters and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General are taking this matter very seriously. While it is difficult, if not impossible, for us to police every single member of the Mission we remind all our colleagues that there is a code of conduct that is very clear and which forbids this kind of behavior. These allegations are for the time being, as far as UNMEE is concerned, what they are - allegations. There are inquiries and investigations being made elsewhere, in Italy. We still hope that the Italian government will forward to us as soon as possible official information so that the Special Representative will be able to take very thorough and strict measures pertaining to this problem. We would like to count on the collaboration of all concerned, including UNICEF, to see what we can do, whether it is in the field of awareness or education.

I remind you that similar allegations were voiced many months ago against the Danes. Two investigations were conducted; one by the Government of Denmark and one by the United Nations. The accusations that were voiced then were found to be unsubstantiated. In that case there was a problem of bad behavior but no evidence regarding the involvement of underage girls was found. The persons involved were punished in accordance with the findings of the investigations.

When we refer to the latest allegations I must repeat again that no complaint and information was brought to the Mission previously. No one had come to us and told us about these allegations. For the time being we can say that we heard it first by reading the Italian press. We hope that we will have official information.

We remind all peacekeepers that they are bound by a very strict code of conduct and we should avoid jumping into conclusions. We have to wait for facts to be established and for investigations to be completed before we can jump into conclusions. Nevertheless, we take these allegations very seriously.

Q: A few days ago Commissioner Andebrhan [of the Commission for Coordination with UN Peacekeeping - CCPM] said the TSZ has not been established. UNMEE declared the TSZ established in April. Can you comment on these conflicting comments?

Spokesman: We are quite aware and we acknowledge that both sides have not formally accepted the establishment of the TSZ. I would like to confirm once again that the TSZ has indeed been established. It was established last April and it is working. There is a de facto acceptance and functioning of the said TSZ. We have good collaboration from both parties on the ground. It is a temporary zone and, furthermore, has nothing to do with the conclusions of the Boundary Commission that, one might expect, will be forwarded next year.

Q: Has UNMEE created a conducive situation for the Boundary Commission to carry out their work effectively on the ground in the TSZ, despite claims by both parties?

Spokesman: Once again the Temporary Security Zone has been established. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Legwaila, had the power to do so and he did so. It is now part of official proceedings and documents of the UN Security Council. We realize that both parties have difficulties with the establishment and boundaries of the TSZ however we have asked both parties to live with this.

I would like to clarify that the boundaries of the TSZ have nothing to do with the work of the Boundary Commission. The map of the TSZ has been communicated to both Governments. This map has not been communicated to the Boundary Commission. The TSZ is meant to separate two armed forces based upon the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities. The Boundary Commission is meant separate two countries with a border. These are two very different things. The establishment of the TSZ is not a claim it is a fact. It is conducive to the peace process and the facilitation of the return to normalcy. 170,000 IDPs have now returned to their homes. The Boundary Commission has two officials who were co-opted by Ethiopia, two officials co-opted by Eritrea and one presiding official. We are represented in an observation capacity. The Commission has nothing to do with our work. It sits at The Hague and its deliberations will be handled independently.

Q: What is the basis by which the TSZ was established, it wasn't determined by colonial borders?

Spokesman: The Temporary Security Zone could not have been established on the basis of colonial boundaries. The TSZ is established on the basis of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities signed by the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Q: Does UNMEE acknowledge that when the Eritrean government alleged that there were Ethiopian troops in the TSZ that they were talking about another TSZ, given that they have not accepted the borders of it?

Spokesman: The answer is a categorical no. The Eritrean government may not agree with the southern boundary of TSZ for your information the Ethiopian government also does not accept the TSZ, but on different grounds. When you are insinuating that because there is a disagreement on the southern boundary of the TSZ claims by the Eritrean government might therefore be justified because we may not have the same reading of the map. The verification and investigation were done on the allegations that the Ethiopians have made an incursion 8 km inside the TSZ with grids and specific details that we got from the Eritreans. We checked them over and over again and we can say emphatically that no Ethiopian Armed Forces were found in these locations or in any other location within the Temporary Security Zone. Whenever there is a claim we request that they be backed up by specific details and grids. We get those details and we check them. We don't only check in the areas where the claims are focused but well outside as well just to make sure that we are not committing any mistakes. We investigate every concern that is brought to our attention as per the details that are provided to us. Based on these latest allegations we investigated and found no Ethiopian Armed Forces in the TSZ.

Q: [On UNMEE's responsibility in the area of de-mining]?

Spokesman: We saw two of the Jordanian soldiers who were injured some days ago. It is painful to see those injured by land mines. It was quite inspiring, however, to note that those who were injured in this incident, rather than being discouraged, their resolve was actually reinforced. Land mines are a big problem, not only in this part of the world but also elsewhere. I have to say that the attention and commitment that is being shown by all involved is quite important. That is why the training courses, which involve Eritreans and Ethiopians and others, are very important. We also have mine awareness campaigns and talk a lot about the subject providing advice through UNMEE Radio programmes. Every person who is hit by a land mine is one person too many. Peace is so essential to ensure that no more land mines are planted.