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UN peacekeepers move to position on Ethiopia/Eritrea front
22 September -- The deployment of the first teams of United Nations military observers to the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea began today, as the newly authorized peacekeeping mission starts a new phase of operations.

Over the next two days, eight teams totalling 40 observers will move from the Addis Ababa and Asmara offices of the newly authorized UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), and will deploy to four sites on each side of the border. Travelling by road and air transport, the teams will arrive at their respective sides of the front simultaneously.

In Asmara this morning, UNMEE Officer-in-Charge Clemens Adams welcomed the start of the new phase of operations. "This should enable us to make a real contribution to the crucial process of confidence building between the two Governments," he said. "We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the authorities in both countries as we seek to support their efforts to build a lasting peace."

Colonel Frederik Hoogeland, UNMEE's Chief Military Liaison Officer, said "this is the real beginning, the moment when we actually establish the 'Blue Beret' presence on the front. We have arrived at this point thanks to the cooperation of the authorities, military and civil, on both sides, in addition to the dedicated and hard work of the United Nations support team."

"From here on, as our deployments increase, we look forward to seeing that cooperation at work on the ground, building confidence, easing tensions and furthering the peace process," Colonel Hoogeland added.

The Security Council established UNMEE in July, and has mandated it to assist in ensuring compliance with the 18 June agreement by monitoring the cessation of hostilities, the agreed positions of the respective sides and the temporary security zone. The three-phase plan of operations involves the deployment of up to 4,200 UN peacekeeping troops, including 220 military observers, as well as a civilian component.