VZCZCXRO4708
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1754/01 1790818
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270818Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1123
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7409
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001754 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPKO PREL UN ET
SUBJECT: Ethiopia Supports United Nations Military Observer Mission 
on Ethiopian Side 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin called together 
the Ambassadors representing the Permanent Five (P5) UN Security 
Council (UNSC) countries to highlight Ethiopia's concerns regarding 
the current draft UNSC resolution on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border. 
Seyoum cautioned that, if changes are not made, Ethiopia could join 
Eritrea in opposing a United Nations (UN) military observer (MilOb) 
mission to the region.  Seyoum also underscored that, unlike 
Eritrea, Ethiopia supports a follow-on UN deployment after the end 
of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), and 
the Algiers Agreement as the basis for resolution of the border 
dispute, and stressed that ultimately it is up to the parties 
themselves to implement the final and binding demarcation of the 
border.  End Summary. 
 
Adjust the UNSC Resolution 
-------------------------- 
¶2. (SBU) Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, accompanied by 
the Directors General for International Organizations and the 
Americas Divisions, stressed to the Ambassadors representing the P5 
countries on June 24 that changes must be made to the proposed UNSC 
resolution on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border.  Specifically, Seyoum 
asked for deletion of reference to the "demarcation" decision by the 
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) in PP 3 because it 
appears as if the UN is endorsing "virtual demarcation" of the 
border, which Ethiopia opposes.  Seyoum suggested that the UNSC 
emphasize that ultimately the implementation of a lasting and 
sustainable peace and the demarcation of the border lies with the 
parties themselves. The UN cannot implement. 
 
¶3. (SBU) In OP 2, Seyoum said the Ethiopians support the second 
option of draft language, which is broad and general and allows for 
discussion of the type of UN military observer mission that would be 
placed on the Ethiopian side. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Seyoum stressed that PP3 is a "deal breaker" and if no 
adjustments are made Ethiopia could join Eritrea in rejecting a 
follow-on UN force after the end of UNMEE.  Seyoum emphasized that 
Eritrea still refuses to talk to the UN and it was Eritrea which 
threw UNMEE out.  Ethiopia has been receptive to the UN, Seyoum 
added, and remains engaged and supportive of UNMEE.  Seyoum 
concluded by stating that given Ethiopia's receptiveness to 
proposals from the Security Council and given Eritrea's hostile 
approach to the UN, Ethiopia hopes the UNSC will be open to and 
support Ethiopia's request for adjustments to PP 3. 
 
Support UN MilOb and Algiers Accord 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Seyoum stated emphatically that Ethiopia supports a 
follow-on UN force after the end of UNMEE in response to Eritrea's 
ouster of UNMEE troops and restrictions on UNMEE operations.  Seyoum 
did not want to comment on whether the Ethiopian government (GOE) 
would support a "Political Mission" or a "Peacekeeping (PKO) 
Mission" as the basis for the follow-on force.  He said Ethiopia 
would leave that determination up to the UN, but noted that Ethiopia 
supported both UN troops and UN political officers or envoys as part 
of the UN operation.  Seyoum also hinted that Ethiopia preferred the 
follow-on UN MilOb mission to be entirely on the Ethiopian side of 
the border. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Seyoum seemed to qualify the GOE's letter to the UNSC on 
the Algiers Accord.  Seyoum made it clear that the Algiers Accord is 
the basis for resolution of the border dispute but added that the UN 
must realize that it is Eritrea which undercuts and makes void the 
precepts of the Algiers Peace Accord and the Cessation of 
Hostilities Agreement through Eritrea's militarization of the 
Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and ouster of UNMEE forces. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Ethiopia wants to engage positively the international 
community and the UN, Seyoum said.  He reiterated that, given 
Ethiopia's openness, UNSC countries should be equally receptive in 
considering and acting on Ethiopia's requests for adjustments to the 
draft resolution and in working with Ethiopia on resolution of the 
border problem. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The Ethiopians feel that the UN must be a neutral but very 
important factor in the peace process.  Rather than support the 
EEBC, the GOE wants the UN to encourage and push the parties to 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001754  002 OF 002 
 
 
resolve the border issue themselves.  Post believes that a follow-on 
UN force, while not a deterrent to conflict, makes sense and commits 
Ethiopia, at least, to remain in the Algiers process and maintains 
the interest of the international community in the border issue. 
End comment. 
 
YAMAMOTO