S/RES/1560 (2004)
Security Council Distr.: General
14 September 2004
04-50956 (E)
*0450956*
Resolution 1560 (2004)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 5032nd meeting, on
14 September 2004
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements pertaining to the
situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the requirements contained therein,
including in particular resolution 1531 (2004) of 12 March 2004,
Stressing its unwavering commitment to the peace process, including through
the role played by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE),
and to the full and expeditious implementation of the Comprehensive peace
agreement signed by the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea (hereinafter referred
to as “the parties”) on 12 December 2000 and the preceding Agreement on the
Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000 (S/2000/1183 and S/2000/601, respectively,
hereinafter referred to as the “Algiers Agreements”), and the delimitation decision
by the Boundary Commission of 13 April 2002 (S/2000/423), embraced by the
parties as final and binding in accordance with the Algiers Agreements,
Recalling that lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as in the
region cannot be achieved without the full demarcation of the border between the
parties,
Noting with concern in this regard the lack of progress made in the
demarcation of the border, as reflected in the Fourteenth report on the work of the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission of 20 August 2004, which concludes that
under the present circumstances the Commission is unable to progress with
demarcation activities,
Expressing its concern about Ethiopia’s ongoing rejection of significant parts
of the Boundary Commission’s decision, and its current lack of cooperation with the
Boundary Commission,
Expressing disappointment about the continuing refusal of Eritrea to engage
with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose good
offices represent a concrete opportunity for both parties to move the peace process
forward,
Recalling the recent increase in United Nations Peacekeeping activities and the
need to allocate peacekeeping resources in the most effective manner, and recalling
in this regard the additional burden caused by the delays in the demarcation process,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/708) and fully
supporting the observations made therein,
2
S/RES/1560 (2004)
1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMEE until 15 March 2005;
2. Approves the adjustments to UNMEE, including its presence and
operations, as recommended by the Secretary-General in his report in paras. 13-18;
3. Calls upon both parties to cooperate fully and expeditiously with
UNMEE in the implementation of its mandate, to ensure the security of all UNMEE
staff, and to remove immediately and unconditionally all restrictions on and
impediments to the work and full and free movement of UNMEE and its staff;
4. Takes note of positive developments in some areas of relations between
UNMEE and both parties, welcomes in this regard particularly the recent decision by
Ethiopia to allow a direct high-altitude flight route between Asmara and Addis
Ababa without any deviation, urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to take immediate steps, in
consultation with UNMEE, towards implementing the direct flights between the two
capitals; and also in this regard calls upon Eritrea to reopen the Asmara to Barent
road;
5. Stresses that Ethiopia and Eritrea have the primary responsibility for the
implementation of the Algiers Agreement and the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia
Boundary Commission and calls upon both parties to show political leadership to
achieve a full normalization of their relationship, including through the adoption of
further confidence-building measures;
6. Calls on the parties to cooperate fully and promptly with the Boundary
Commission and to create the necessary conditions for demarcation to proceed
expeditiously, including through the payment of Ethiopia’s dues to the Boundary
Commission and the appointment of field liaison officers;
7. Urges Ethiopia to show the political will to reaffirm unequivocally its
acceptance of the Boundary Commission’s decision, and take the necessary steps to
enable the Commission to demarcate the border without further delay;
8. Reiterates its full support for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for
Ethiopia and Eritrea, Lloyd Axworthy, in his efforts to facilitate the implementation
of the Algiers Agreements, the decision of the Boundary Commission and
normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries through his good
offices, and emphasizes that this appointment does not constitute an alternative
mechanism;
9. Calls on Eritrea to enter into dialogue and cooperation with the Secretary
General’s Special Envoy for Ethiopia and Eritrea;
10. Decides to continue monitoring closely the steps taken by the parties in
the implementation of their commitments under the relevant resolutions of the
Security Council and under the Algiers Agreements, including through the Boundary
Commission, and to review any implications for UNMEE;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor the situation
closely, to review the mission’s mandate in the light of progress made in the peace
process and changes made to UNMEE;
12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.