VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #7695 0250056
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 250054Z JAN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 007695 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC PREL XA XW ET ER
SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS FOR ETHIOPIA-ERITREA CONSULTATIONS 
 
¶1.  USUN is instructed to draw from the talking points in 
paragraph 3 below in its January 25 consultations on 
Ethiopia-Eritrea. 
 
¶2.  OBJECTIVES:  USUN should seek to: (1) extend UNMEE's 
mandate for six months; (2) continue the Temporary Security 
Zone (TSZ); (3) avoid discussion of the Ethiopia-Eritrea 
Boundary Commission's demarcation decision by map coordinates 
and any pressure for the parties to implement it; (4) support 
the SYG's efforts to engage the parties; and (5) support 
efforts to lift restrictions on UNMEE, especially the current 
fuel crisis. 
 
¶3. Begin talking points: 
 
-- The United States first wants to thank Acting Special 
Representative Ennifer for his briefing and to pay particular 
tribute to the efforts of UNMEE's military and civilian 
staff, who are working to accomplish their mission despite 
the difficult circumstances they face. 
 
-- The United States remains deeply concerned about the 
continuing impasse between Ethiopia and Eritrea.  There is 
no political engagement, military buildups on both sides 
continue, and tensions are high.  Resumption of 
hostilities would further destabilize the Horn of Africa and 
create a humanitarian crisis in the region. 
 
-- Now more than ever the United States believes UNMEE and 
the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) play a useful, 
stabilizing role.  We respectfully disagree with the 
Secretary General's recommendation for a technical one- 
 
SIPDIS 
month rollover until the UNMEE fuel crisis can be resolved. 
While we understand the diesel fuel shortage in Eritrea, we 
believe UNMEE should be able to import this fuel from other 
sources. 
 
-- We are concerned that the Eritrean government's cutoff of 
UNMEE fuel supplies on December 1, its refusal to permit 
UNMEE to import this fuel, the other restrictions it has 
placed on UNMEE, and its letters to the Council are an effort 
to use UNMEE to force this Council to take sides in the 
bilateral dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. 
 
-- We believe that the continued presence of UNMEE is 
important to stability in the Horn and therefore recommend 
that UNMEE's mandate be renewed for a full six months.  We 
call on Eritrea to allow UNMEE to make provisions for 
adequate fuel supplies and to lift all restrictions or 
impediments to UNMEE's operations. 
 
-- We also believe that the TSZ remains essential as 
conditions along the boundary remain tense.  We therefore 
call for 
continued respect for the TSZ in accord with the Algiers 
Agreements and previous UNSC resolutions.  We repeat the 
call for Eritrea to withdraw all of its military forces there. 
 
--  The United States remains committed to the peaceful 
resolution of this conflict.  We urge the parties to 
respect their commitments in the Cessation of Hostilities 
Agreement and Algiers Agreement and stand ready to assist 
the parties in this effort. 
 
-- Eritrea and Ethiopia must realize that they are ultimately 
responsible for resolving their border dispute 
and normalizing their relations.  The United States and the 
international community stand ready 
to assist the parties in meeting this objective, but it is up 
to the parties themselves to agree upon a way forward. 
 
-- However, we recommend three specific steps the parties 
might take to lessen tensions and set the stage for 
further progress. 
 
1) We encourage the parties to meet under the auspices of the 
Joint Military Coordination Commission to open a 
channel of communications. 
 
2) The parties should, in cooperation with UNMEE, cooperate 
in humanitarian activities along the border and 
agree to mutually disengage militarily at critical points. 
 
3) We support the appointment of a new SRSG and urge the 
parties to accept this nomination and cooperate with this 
official. 
 
-- We fully support the efforts of the SYG to engage the 
parties and urge them too cooperate in this 
initiative.  Direct engagement is essential to resolution of 
the impasse. 
 
Question for DPKO: 
 
-- If UNMEE-Eritrea reaches a critical fuel level and must 
drawdown, what will that evacuation look like?  Will 
UNMEE-Eritrea forces simply drive across the border to 
Ethiopia? 
 
-- Have you discussed with Ethiopia the idea of hosting 
additional UNMEE forces? 
 
IF NEEDED: 
 
-- It is up to the parties to the Algiers Agreements, not 
third parties, to decide whether and how to implement the 
decisions of the EEBC. 
 
-- There are no impediments to continuation of UNMEE and the 
TSZ.  The parties disagree on the impact of the EEBC's 
 
SIPDIS 
decisions.  Until such time as they cooperate to develop a 
workable boundary regime and move toward normalized 
relations, UNMEE and the TSZ are essential to efforts to 
stabilize the region and prevent possible conflict. 
 
end points 
RICE