UN mission in Eritrea, Ethiopia reduces budget

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 22, 2004 (The Reporter) — Following the decision made by the UN Security Council to downsize UNMEE’s (UN Mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia)troops, the mission’s annual budget has been reduced by 16m dollars to about 186m dollars, it was learnt.

Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, the special representative of the UN secretary-general, said on Thursday 23 December that UNMEE had deployed 4,200 troops in Ethiopia and Eritrea but was now reducing one battalion (550 troops) from the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).

Legwaila added that there should be a corresponding reduction in the civilian component. Accordingly, UNMEE is going to reduce its civilian staff by 10 per cent.

“This is going to save us a lot of money,” he noted.

Legwaila said the downsizing should not bother anyone. He indicated that when the Kenyan battalion returned home, the Indian and Jordanian battalions would share the 1,100 km-long border.

“UNMEE’s reconfiguration should not worry anyone. We will make sure that our capacity is not depleted.”

Regarding the new peace initiative presented by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Legwaila said that UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan appreciated any step forward.

“My boss welcomes any step towards the full implementation of the Algiers agreement and the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commissions’ decision,” he added.

Material from the BBC Monitoring Service.