Security Council resolution 1507 (2003) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)]
Symbol: S/RES/1507(2003)
Date: 2003-09-12
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/58 [152] ERITREA--ETHIOPIA
S/58 [153] UN MISSION IN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA
Subjects: UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea|Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission|Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the State of Eritrea (2000)|Agreement between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2000)|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|BOUNDARIES|DEMILITARIZED ZONES|ERITREA|ETHIOPIA|DISPUTE SETTLEMENT|STAFF SECURITY|LIAISON OFFICES|AIR TRAVEL|TRAVEL COSTS|TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS|NEGOTIATION|CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES|TRUST FUNDS|BUDGET CONTRIBUTIONS
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: BULGARIA
vote: yes
country: CAMEROON
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: GUINEA
vote: yes
country: MEXICO
vote: yes
country: PAKISTAN
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                S/RES/1507 (2003)
               Security Council                                              Distr.: General
                                                                             12 September 2003




               Resolution 1507 (2003)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 4822nd meeting,
               on 12 September 2003

                    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 1466 (2003) of 14 March 2003, and the
               presidential statement of 17 July 2003 (S/PRST/2003/10),
                    Further reaffirming its unwavering support for the peace process and its
               commitment, including through the role played by the United Nations Mission in
               Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in the implementation of its mandate, 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/2002/423), embraced by the parties as final and binding in
               accordance with the Algiers Agreements,
                    Noting that the peace process has now entered its crucial phase of demarcation
               and emphasizing the importance of ensuring expeditious implementation of the
               Boundary Decision while maintaining stability in all areas affected by the decision,
                    Expressing concern at delays in the demarcation process, particularly given the
               operational cost of UNMEE at a time of growing demands on United Nations
               peacekeeping,
                     Expressing concern at the continuing humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia and
               Eritrea and the implications this could have on the peace process, and calling on
               Member States to continue to provide prompt and generous support for humanitarian
               operations in Ethiopia and Eritrea,
                   Reiterating its urgent demand that the parties allow UNMEE full freedom of
               movement and remove with immediate effect any and all restrictions on, and
               impediments to the work of, UNMEE and its staff in the discharge of its mandate,
                     Expressing concern regarding the reported increase in incidents of incursions
               at the local level into the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), and calling on both
               parties to prevent such incidents, and expressing further concern about the
               increasing number of mine incidents in the TSZ, including newly planted mines,


03-49887 (E)
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S/RES/1507 (2003)


                     Noting the work done by the UNMEE Mine Action Coordination Centre in
               demining and education on risk related to mines, and urging the parties to pursue
               efforts on mine clearance,
                    Having considered the report of the Secretary-General (S/2003/858), and fully
               supporting the observations and recommendations made therein,
                    1.    Decides to extend the mandate of UNMEE at the troop and military
               observer levels authorized by its resolution 1320 (2000) of 15 September 2000, until
               15 March 2004;
                     2.   Calls for demarcation of the boundary to begin as scheduled by the
               Boundary Commission and further calls on the parties to create the necessary
               conditions for demarcation to proceed, including the appointment of field liaison
               officers;
                    3.    Urges the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea to assume their
               responsibilities and to take further concrete steps to fulfil their commitments under
               the Algiers Agreements;
                     4.   Calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to cooperate fully and promptly with the
               Boundary Commission to enable it to fulfil the mandate conferred upon it by the
               parties of expeditiously demarcating the boundary and to implement fully the
               Commission’s Demarcation Directions and Orders, and to take all necessary steps to
               provide the necessary security on the ground for the Boundary Commission’s staff
               and contractors operating in territories under their control, and welcomes assurances
               given by both parties in this regard;
                     5.    Urges the parties to cooperate fully and expeditiously with UNMEE in
               the implementation of its mandate, to ensure the personal security of all UNMEE
               staff when operating in territories under their control, and to facilitate their work,
               including by establishing a direct high-altitude flight route between Asmara and
               Addis Ababa to relieve the unnecessary additional cost to UNMEE, and by lifting all
               visa restrictions on UNMEE personnel and mission partners;
                     6.   Reaffirms the crucial importance of political dialogue between the two
               countries for the success of the peace process and the consolidation of progress
               made so far, welcomes initiatives to facilitate this dialogue, and calls again on both
               parties to normalize their relationship through political dialogue, including
               confidence-building measures;
                    7.    Decides to follow closely the progress made by the parties in the
               implementation of their commitments under the Algiers Agreements, including
               through the Boundary Commission, and to review any implications for UNMEE;
                    8.    Welcomes the contributions by Member States to the Trust Fund for the
               Delimitation and Demarcation of the Border, and calls on the international
               community to continue to contribute urgently to the Trust Fund in order to facilitate
               the conclusion of the demarcation process in accordance with the Boundary
               Commission’s schedule;
                    9.    Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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