Security Council resolution 1640 (2005) [on situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia]
Symbol: S/RES/1640(2005)
Date: 2005-11-23
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/60 [152] ERITREA--ETHIOPIA
S/60 [153] UN MISSION IN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA
Subjects: UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea|Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission > Resolutions and decisions|Charter of the United Nations (1945)|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|AIRSPACE|BOUNDARIES|ERITREA|ETHIOPIA|FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT|AIR TRANSPORT|SANCTIONS|TROOP-CONTRIBUTING STATES|DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALGERIA
vote: yes
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: BENIN
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: DENMARK
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GREECE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: PHILIPPINES
vote: yes
country: ROMANIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/1640 (2005)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                23 November 2005




               Resolution 1640 (2005)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 5308th meeting,
               on 23 November 2005

                    The Security Council,
                     Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements pertaining to the
               situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the requirements contained therein,
               including in particular resolution 1622 (2005) of 13 September 2005 and the
               statement of its President of 4 October 2005,
                     Expressing once again its grave concern at the decision of the Government of
               Eritrea of 4 October 2005 to restrict all types of United Nations Mission in Ethiopia
               and Eritrea helicopter flights within Eritrean airspace or coming to Eritrea, effective
               as of 5 October 2005, and the additional restrictions on UNMEE’s freedom of
               movement imposed since then, which have serious implications for UNMEE’s
               ability to carry out its mandate and for the safety of its staff, and the forces of the
               troop contributors,
                     Alarmed by the implications and potential impact of the aforementioned
               decision made and restrictions imposed by the Government of Eritrea with regard to
               the maintenance of peace and security between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the
               principles governing United Nations Peacekeeping Operations,
                     Reaffirming the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) as provided in
               the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000 (S/2000/601) and
               recalling the objectives behind its establishment,
                     Stressing 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,
                    Expressing its grave concern at the Ethiopian Government’s failure, to date, to
               accept without preconditions the implementation of the final and binding decision of
               the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (S/2002/423),
                    Expressing its appreciation to Ambassador Kenzo Oshima for his visit to
               Ethiopia and Eritrea from 6 to 9 November 2005, in his capacity as Chairman of the
               Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, taking note of his report (S/2005/723)
               and welcoming the observations made therein,



05-61655 (E)
*0561655*

S/RES/1640 (2005)


                     Noting with deep concern the high concentration of troops on both sides of the
               TSZ and stressing that the continuation of the situation would constitute a threat to
               international peace and security,
                     1.   Deeply deplores Eritrea’s continued imposition of restrictions on the
               freedom of movement of UNMEE and demands that the Government of Eritrea
               reverse, without further delay or preconditions, its decision to ban UNMEE
               helicopter flights, as well as additional restrictions imposed on the operations of
               UNMEE, and provide UNMEE with the access, assistance, support and protection
               required for the performance of its duties;
                     2.    Calls on both parties to show maximum restraint and to refrain from any
               threat or use of force against each other and demands that both parties return to the
               16 December 2004 levels of deployment, beginning with immediate effect and
               completing this redeployment within 30 days, in order to prevent aggravation of the
               situation;
                     3.   Requests the Secretary-General to monitor the parties’ compliance with
               the demands in paragraphs 1 and 2 above and to report to the Council 40 days after
               the adoption of this resolution;
                     4.     Expresses its determination to consider further appropriate measures,
               including under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, if one or both of the
               parties fail to comply with the demands in paragraphs 1 and 2 above;
                    5.   Demands that Ethiopia accept fully and without further delay the final
               and binding decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission and take
               immediately concrete steps to enable, without preconditions, the Commission to
               demarcate the border completely and promptly and expresses its determination to
               monitor closely the actions of both parties in relation to the demarcation of the
               border and to keep this matter under consideration;
                     6.    Expresses its deep appreciation for the contribution and dedication of the
               troop-contributing countries to the work of UNMEE and, in light of the risk of
               further deterioration of the situation, appeals to them to persevere in maintaining
               their presence and contribution to the activities of UNMEE, despite the immense
               difficulties which they are facing;
                    7.     Calls upon both parties to work, without preconditions, to break the
               current stalemate through diplomatic efforts;
                    8.    Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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