Following is the text of the Security Council press statement on Ethiopia and Eritrea, delivered today by the Council President, Kenzo Oshima ( Japan):
Members of the Security Council are deeply concerned over reports that the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) have moved approximately 1,500 troops and 15tanks into the Temporary Security Zone.
Members of the Security Council express concern that such actions are contrary to the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000 and violate the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone.
Members of the Security Council call on Eritrea to immediately withdraw its troops from the Temporary Security Zone, to extend its full and unconditional cooperation to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopian and Eritrea (UNMEE), particularly to maintain ceasefire arrangements in place, and to immediately lift the restrictions imposed on UNMEE.
Members of the Security Council call on both parties to show maximum restraint and to refrain from any threat or use of force against each other, to avoid any action which may lead to an escalation of the tension between the two countries and to adhere to previous commitments they have made.
Members of the Council once again reaffirm the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone and their unwavering commitment to the peace process, including in the full and expeditious implementation of the Algiers Agreements and implementation of the final and binding decision of the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC).
Members of the Security Council call on Ethiopia to implement fully the EEBC decision.
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For information media • not an official record
Security Council SC/8854
AFR/1444