New York 6 March: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has instructed UNMEE to begin relocating military personnel now in Asmara, to their home countries, pending a decision of the Security Council on the future of the Mission.

In a special report, dated 3 March, Mr. Ban said some personnel from the Indian, Jordanian and Kenyan contingents would remain in Asmara, together with about 60 international civilian personnel, including the Deputy Special Representative and Chief of Mission Support, for essential liaison purposes and to secure and inventory equipment left behind. UNMEE's military and civilian personnel in Ethiopia are to remain in their positions until the Council has made its decision.