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Photo: Anthony Mitchell/IRIN

Wreckage from the Eritrea-Ethiopia border war

ADDIS ABABA, 10 September 2003 (IRIN) - The peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea must not "lose momentum" in the crucial run-up to the demarcation of their common border, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged. In his latest report on both countries, he also called on them to end their "cold peace" and take advantage of the economic potential normal relations would offer. "While the final steps of the peace process may be the most difficult," Annan stated, "they are also the most important for the future of the two countries and must be taken sooner rather than later". He also said that both countries should be "more actively assisted" in fulfilling the commitments of the peace deal by the international community. Sir Elihu Lauterpacht, president of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission - tasked with implementing the new border - also urged speedy demarcation. Lauterpacht called on both countries to ensure the security of demarcation teams whose arrival, he stated, was "imminent". "...the Commission has reminded the parties of their complete and sole responsibility, within the areas under their control, for ensuring the safety of all demarcation personnel," he said in the UN report, released last week. Lauterpacht also noted that the demarcation of the contested 1,000-kilometre border would only take place with the "unreserved cooperation" of the two governments. The report comes just days before the Security Council meets to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force, UNMEE. Demarcation is also expected to start next month. Annan revealed that the UN demarcation fund urgently requires an additional US $2 million if the process is to start in the east of both countries as scheduled. The report noted that armed incidents had been increasing in and around the 25-kilometre Temporary Security Zone – a buffer between the two countries. In one incident Ethiopian militia pointed their guns at UN Blue Helmets patrolling the area. Cattle rustling had also increased, Annan noted. He added that "strong protests" had been lodged with Ethiopian officials. Annan said the increase in tensions might be a "growing unease" because of the uncertainty of an un-demarcated border. "I therefore urge the two governments to do their utmost to prevent cross-border incidents before they escalate," he said. "Even more important, however, is that they proceed with the expeditious demarcation of the border."