United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
and
Government of the State of Eritrea

PROTOCOL AGREEMENT

  1. Key Tasks of UNMEE Peacekeepers within the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).

    1. Conduct peacekeeping operations within the TSZ.
    2. Monitor the TSZ within boundaries (particularly key and sensitive points).
    3. Monitor the TSZ by checkpoints and patrolling.
    4. Investigate incidents and violations.
    5. Conduct challenge inspections.
    6. Ensure the TSZ is marked (where practical) on the ground.
    7. Provide security, escort and logistical support for the MCC meetings.

  2. UNMEE and the Government of the State of Eritrea hereby conclude the following Protocol Agreement concerning interaction between the Peacekeepers and Eritrean civilian administration along with its Law Enforcement and Security Organs in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).

    1. Upon the reinstatement of Eritrean authority in the TSZ, the local administration, with its police and militia organs, shall exercise sovereign law enforcement powers to ensure public order and security.
    2. The Peacekeepers will exercise complete freedom of movement within the TSZ.
    3. The Militia and Police are to provide full cooperation to the Peacekeepers as they carry out the above tasks within the TSZ.
    4. There is to be no interference with the Peacekeepers executing their tasks from any party (police, militia, customs/finance or immigration) within the TSZ.
    5. Within the TSZ police and Militia will wear a distinctive uniform.
    6. Personal weapons (see definition below) only are to be carried by the Militia and Police within the TSZ.
    7. All Militia and Police are to carry a Militia or Police identification card respectively and weapons permit within the TSZ
    8. All persons in the TSZ or attempting to enter the TSZ with a weapon, who are not in possession of a Militia or Police ID card and weapons permit, will be stopped and turned over to the local civil authorities. The weapon will be confiscated by UNMEE and turned over to the local civil authorities.
    9. No heavy weapons, or heavy weapon base plates/platforms, are allowed within the TSZ (i.e. mortars, artillery, AA missiles, multiple rocket launchers, tanks, and APC's. Weapons 12.5mm or greater are all restricted from entering the TSZ. Police marked APCs are accepted. UNMEE is to be advised in advance of the number and location of the Police APCs).
    10. All militia or police grenades, section and crew served weapons, within the TSZ, (including RPG-7s) and ammunition are to be stockpiled, inventoried, and secured at no less than Company level at specific locations identified to UNMEE in advance of their arrival. These will be subject to UNMEE confirmation and inspection to confirm that all weapons of this nature are stockpiled.
    11. Movement of 20 or more militia persons in groups outside their duty area shall occur within the TSZ with prior notification to the nearest Peacekeeping HQ. However, UNMEE and the Commission shall endeavour jointly to develop procedures for dealing with emergencies that may require movements of police or militia as to which prior notification may not be possible.
    12. No vehicles modified to carry weapons are allowed to enter the TSZ.
    13. Liaison officers representing local militia and police are to be appointed for each Peacekeeping Force Company and Battalion.
    14. There are to be no militia standing checkpoints within the TSZ.
    15. UNMEE shall be informed in advance of police and customs checkpoints within the TSZ.
    16. No live firing exercises are to be conducted in the TSZ.
    17. Disagreements between the Militia/Police and the Peacekeeping Force, arising within the TSZ, should be resolved through the normal established channels.

  3. DEFINITIONS - Definitions listed below are indented to provide further clarification and detail required for the fulfillment of peacekeeper tasks and Militia adherence within the TSZ. Definitions are as follows:

    1. Freedom of movement - Freedom of movement shall include free and direct land and air passage across the lines of the TSZ both north and south, for UNMEE and all its members. There shall be complete land and air freedom of movement within the TSZ.

    2. Personal weapons - are to be defined as pistols, rifles, machine pistols, shotguns, riot guns, and assault rifles.




Signed on        April 2001
For UNMEE


Ian Martin
Deputy Special Representative
of the Secretary-General
UNMEE

  Signed on       April 2001
For GOE


Andebrhan W. Giorgis
Commissioner
CCPM

 
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