UN may downgrade peace force

2006-04-13 18:42

United Nations - The United Nations security council says the UN force monitoring the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea (Unmee) may be downgraded to an observer mission if the two countries fail to co-operate to settle their boundary dispute.

The 15-member UN council unanimously resolved to extend the mandate of the 3 818 strong Unmee for one month - until May 15 - on Thursday.

The council demanded full compliance by Addis Ababa and Asmara with UN resolution 1640, adopted by the council last year to end the dispute.

The resolution threatened economic or diplomatic sanctions against Eritrea and Ethiopia if either used force to settle the bitter border dispute.

The council warned of sanctions against Eritrea if it did not "reverse, without further delay or preconditions" a ban on UN helicopter flights and other government restrictions.

Thursday's resolution urged member states to continue support for Unmee.

Eritrea expels Northern Americans

The war in the highlands of the border region from 1998 to 2000, claimed 80 000 lives and ended with a pact negotiated in Algeria.

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to the terms of a 2002 independent border commission but Ethiopia has refused to fully implement the agreement and has called for the demarcation to be reviewed.

The independent panel that demarcated the disputed frontier met in London last month, but failed to break the stalemate.

The Asmara government has accused the international community of favouring Addis Ababa, and has slapped restrictions on Unmee and expelled North American and European personnel in the mission's ranks.

- AFP