Unmee denies Ethiomedia border attack report

NEWS
Unmee denies Ethiomedia border attack report
By Our Staff Writer: Dec 31, 2004

ADDIS ABABA (Dec 31) - The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (Unmee) on Dec 30 denied an Ethiomedia report which said Eritrean troops killed and wounded several Ethiopian inhabitants of Hadish Adi near the Badme area on Dec 23.

"On 24 December 04, Team Site Badme patrol investigated the contents of Ethiomedia press report datelines 23 Dec 04 on alleged killings in Hadish Adi and the mobilization of both Ethiopian and Eritrean Armed Forces on 20 December 04. The patrol confirmed that no such incident ever took place. Furthermore, Ethiopian Army and local administration authorities confirmed that they are not aware of such incidents," the press statement said.

In spite of the denial, however, Ethiomedia stands by the reliability of its sources. Both civilian and military sources informed Ethiomedia by phone there was indeed an Eritrean attack on Hadish Adi, where there were no Ethiopian troops, and there were people killed and wounded. It is also in the interest of Meles Zenawi, the self-acclaimed Eritrean agent in Ethiopia, to throw a total news blackout at the frontline areas where he had condemned them to an Eritrean rule. No known reporter is allowed to visit the areas. Three weeks ago, security men detained a Hizbawi newspaper correspondent in Tigrai region. The reporter is now locked up in Maichew, one of the two largest prison camps (the other one in Shire Endaselassie) built after Meles came to power in 1991.

Following is the full text of Unmee's press report released Dec. 30, 2004

UNMEE PUBLIC INFORMATION
BRIEFING NOTES 23 - 30 DECEMBER 2004
POLITICAL:

On 16 December, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, held an end-of-year press conference in Addis Ababa, via video link with Asmara, during which he introduced the new Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Asmara, Sissel Ekaas.

On the same day, in Addis Ababa, the DSRSG/Asmara paid courtesy calls on the Ambassador of Denmark, H.E. Mette Knudsen, and on the Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Hakan Akesson. They exchanged views on the current situation in the peace process, and explored the possibility of Denmark and Sweden to contribute to the Trust Fund in Support of the Peace Process.

On 17 December, the SRSG held an end-of-year Town Hall Meeting in Addis Ababa, during which he introduced the new DSRSG/Asmara to the Addis Ababa staff members. He further gave a review of the peacekeeping operation for the year 2004 and called upon the staff members to continue with their hard work.

On the same day, in Addis Ababa, the DSRSG/Asmara paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mette Ravn, Ambassador of Norway. They exchanged views on the current situation in the peace process, and on the Norwegian contribution to the Trust Fund in Support of the Peace Process.

On 20 December, the SRSG, accompanied by Principal Political Affairs Officer (Officer-in-Charge/Directorate of the Office of the SRSG), Mr. Leandre Bassole, met with the Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Alemu Tekeda. They exchanged views on the current situation in the peace process.

On 21 December, the SRSG left the Mission area for his annual leave, departing from Addis Ababa.

On 28 December the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG)/Addis Ababa, Cheikh-Tidiane Gaye, launched the UNMEE documentary film: "Next Steps to Peace" at Addis Ababa City Hall. More than 2,000 people, including representatives of the Ethiopian Government, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the local and international media viewed the film, which was followed by a question/answer session.

MILITARY:

General Overview (16-23 December 04)

The general situation in the Mission area remains militarily stable. There have been no significant changes in troop locations or dispositions reported during the past week. UNMEE conducted 654 ground and 31 air reconnaissance patrols throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR).

In all sectors, UNMEE peacekeepers continued to provide medical assistance to local population, along with supplies of bulk water to civilian communities in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and the Adjacent Areas. Approximately 126,000 litres of water was supplied to the civilian communities during last week.

Mine Action (16-23 December 04) During the week, the Bangladesh Engineering Company, operating in Sector West, proved manually and by mine-detection dog team (MDDT) a total area of 7,200 square metres in the area Shilalo to Sheshebit in the Adjacent Area. In addition, they cleared an area of 4,800 square metres along the road Tri Junction 1 - Adi Tekle.

The Kenya Humanitarian Demining Company, also working in Sector West, proved manually a total area of 4,290 square metres in the Mai Hbey minefield and an area of 8,964 square metres in the Tselim Ruso minefield. One 82 MM Mortar Shell was found.

General Overview (23- 30 December 04)

The general situation in the Mission area remains militarily stable and the sanctity of the Temporary Security Zone has been maintained. There have been no significant changes in troop locations or dispositions reported on the Eritrean side. However, there has been a certain restructuring of the Ethiopian Air Force in the depth areas on the Ethiopian side. UNMEE conducted 679 ground and 21 air reconnaissance patrols throughout the Area of Responsibility (AOR).

In all sectors, UNMEE peacekeepers continued to provide medical assistance to local population, along with supplies of bulk water to civilian communities in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and the Adjacent Areas. Approximately 80,200 litres of water was supplied to the civilian communities during last week.

Mine Action (23- 30 December 04)

During the week, the Bangladesh Engineering Company, operating in Sector West, probed manually and by mine-detection dog team (MDDT) a total area of 2,400 square metres in the area Shilalo to Sheshbit, 2,400 square metres in the area Adi Tekle to Tri Junction. They also cleared an area of 9224 square metres at Dedalala.

The Kenya Humanitarian Demining Company, working in Sector West, proved manually a total area of 3,288 square metres in the Tselim Ruso minefield and an area of 1,968 square metres in the Maihbey minefield.

Meetings And Visits

On 16th December, the Force Commander, Major General Rajender Singh officiated at the Medal Parade of Bangladesh Engineering Company (BANENGR) held at Shilalo.

During the week, the Force Commander, Major General Rajender Singh visited various posts and team sites in Sector Centre and Sector West.

On 20 December 04, the Force Commander, Major General Rajender Singh left for Addis Ababa on official duty. Also on the same day, the 6th Sector Military Coordination Commission (SMCC) Meeting was held in Sector Centre at Mereb Bridge in a cordial atmosphere.

On 21 December 04, the Deputy Force Commander & Chief Military Observer Brigadier General Walid F. Kreishan, attended the meeting with the Chief Acting Representative of the Commission for Coordination with the UN Peacekeeping Mission Colonel Zacarias Ogbagaber. The meeting was conducted in a cordial manner.

On 22 December 04, the Force Commander held a meeting with Ethiopian Minister of Defence Major General Yohannes Gebremeskel and later the Defence Attaché community of Addis Ababa.

On 24 December 04, Team Site Badme patrol investigated the contents of Ethiomedia press report datelines 23 Dec 04 on alleged killings in Hadish Adi and the mobilization of both Ethiopian and Eritrean Armed Forces on 20 December 04. The patrol confirmed that no such incident ever took place. Furthermore, Ethiopian Army and local administration authorities confirmed that they are not aware of such incidents.

On 27 December 04, the Force Commander along with his staff visited Tsorena. The Commander Sector Centre and the Acting Company Commander Tsorena gave them an update on the situation in the AOR.

On 28 December 04, the Force Commander visited Shiraro and Inda Silase Team Site

On 29 December 2004 the Force Commander visited Senafe on the occasion of INDBAT medal parade

No evidence of mobilization of Ethiopian and Eritrean Armed Forces were found by the UNMEE patrol.

Regarding the alleged burning of houses in village Endelaf, the investigations by the Force reveal that a few houses have been burnt and the investigations are still in progress.

MACC:

On 21 December, the DSRSG/Asmara visited the UNMEE MACC. The MACC Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Greg Lindstrom, briefed the DSRSG on the activities of the MACC programme. In addition, the DSRSG met with the MACC Chief of Operations, Mr. Dave Bax, and was briefed on the mine situation in the TSZ, the adjacent areas, and UNMEE mine clearance operations.

The MACC received a three-member team from the British Peace Support Team (BPST) from Nairobi, Kenya, on 14 December. The purpose of the visit was to review the operational activities of the Kenyan Engineering Company, which is currently operating in Sector West. The team visited Shilalo, where they had the opportunity to view the activities of the Kenyan Demining contingent and discussed with the relevant personnel. The team departed from the Mission area on 18 December 04.

HUMAN RIGHTS:

After the celebration of International Human Rights Day in Addis Ababa, officials from the Government of Ethiopia reported that they would continue to work closely with international human rights organizations and other governmental institutions to enhance human rights work in the country. Subsequently, the Ethiopian Government announced that it intends to create two new institutions, i.e. Human Rights Centre, in charge of providing human rights training, facilitate research and information; and the National Justice Information Centre that would compile and analyze all domestic laws in the near future. UNMEE Human Rights Office welcomes these efforts towards the advancement of human rights infrastructure in the country.

For further enquiries please contact: Gail Bindley-Taylor-Sainte, Spokeswoman and Chief, Public Information Office Or UNMEE Headquarters Asmara,
Telephone: 291-1-150411- extension 6017 or our tie-line in New York: 00-1-212-963-3779-Ext 6017 or Patrick Coker, OIC Deputy Chief, Public Information Office UNMEE Headquarters Addis Ababa, telephone: 251-1-726895 extension 7104; Mobile: 251 9 223031.
UNMEE Website: unmee.org

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