Secretary-General says Eritrean incursion into security zone major breAch

of ceasefire; Urges immediate withdrawal, cooperation with United Nations

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

This morning, the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) reported that the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) have moved approximately 1,500 troops and 14 tanks into the Temporary Security Zone. The EDF took over one UNMEE checkpoint in Sector West.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the incursion into the Zone, which was established under the 2000 Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities. This development constitutes a major breach of the ceasefire and the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone.  It could seriously jeopardize the peace process and undermine the Algiers Agreements between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with potential consequences for the wider region.

The Secretary-General urges the Government of Eritrea to withdraw its troops from the Zone immediately, and to cooperate with the United Nations in restoring the ceasefire arrangements.

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For information media • not an official record