No New Restrictions Reported By UN In Eritrea

After yesterday's roadblocks, no new restrictions reported by UN in Eritrea

27 February 2008 - No new restrictions have been reported today from Eritrea on the regrouping of the United Nations peacekeepers there in preparation for their temporary relocation to Ethiopia, though the vehicles blocked yesterday were unable to complete their tasks.

According to the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), the majority of peacekeepers from the Jordanian, Indian and Kenyan battalions, along with most military observers, have now relocated to Eritrea's capital, Asmara, from the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) that separates the two countries, which fought a bloody border war that ended in 2000.

The remaining troops in the TSZ are actively engaged in packing and moving equipment and supplies destined for Asmara, the mission said.

The eight UNMEE vehicles that were stopped by soldiers of the Eritrean Defence Force at a checkpoint yesterday were unable to load supplies as they had planned. They returned to Asmara empty.

The blue helmets were ordered to relocate temporarily to Ethiopia after Eritrean authorities cut off their fuel supplies. UN officials and the Security Council have urged them to end their restrictions amid growing concern over rapidly dwindling supplies.

ENDS

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