UNDOF – Mandate renewal, SecCo Action – Press release

SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MANDATE OF UNDOF UNTIL 31 MAY

Resolution 1139 (1997) Adopted Unanimously

The Security  Council this  afternoon renewed  the mandate  of the  United Nations Disengagement  Observer Force (UNDOF) for  six months,  until 31 May 1998.   The Force was established  in May 1974  to supervise the  cease-fire for  the Council  and the  agreement  on  disengagement between  Israeli and Syrian forces of 31 May 1974.

Through unanimous adoption of resolution  1139 (1997), the  Council called upon  the parties  concerned  to implement  immediately  its  resolution 338 (1973), which had called  upon the parties to arrive at a comprehensive  and durable peace.  The Council requested  the Secretary-General to report to it at  the end of  the new mandate  period on  measures taken  to implement the text.

Also, through a  statement read out by  its President, Qin Huasun (China), the Council recalled that the  report of the Secretary-General  on UNDOF had stated  that, despite the  present quiet, the  situation in  the Middle East would continue to be potentially dangerous until  a comprehensive settlement could  be reached.   That statement  of the  Secretary-General reflected the view of the Security Council.

The meeting was called to order at 1:25 p.m. and adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Statement, Resolution

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1997/53, reads as follows:

"As  is  known, the report  of  the Secretary-General on  the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/1997/884)  states, in paragraph 9:  'Despite the present  quiet in the  Israel-Syria sector, the situation  in the Middle East continues  to be  potentially  dangerous and  is likely  to remain  so, unless and  until a  comprehensive settlement  covering all  aspects of  the Middle East  problem can  be reached.'   That  statement  of the  Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council."

   The full text of the resolution reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Having  considered the  report of  the  Secretary-General on  the  United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 14 November 1997 (S/1997/884),

"Decides:

"(a)   To call upon  the parties  concerned to  implement immediately  its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
  

"(b) To renew  the mandate of  the United Nations Disengagement  Observer Force for another period of six months, that is, until 31 May 1998;

"(c) To request  the Secretary-General  to submit,  at the  end of  this period, a report on the development in the situation and the measures  taken to implement Security Council resolution 338 (1973)."

Secretary-General's Report

The Council  had before  it a  report of  the Secretary-General  (document S/1997/884) in which  he recommends the extension  of UNDOF's mandate for  a further six  months, until 31 May  1998.  Given the prevailing circumstances in the  region, he states  that the continued  presence of  the Force, which was established in May  1974, is essential and both the Governments of Syria and Israel have agreed to the extension.

In his report,  which covers the  period from 17 May to  14 November 1997, the  Secretary-General  states that  the  situation  in  the  Israeli-Syrian sector has remained calm and  without serious incident.  Despite the present quiet,  however,  the  situation  in  the   Middle  East  continues  to   be potentially  dangerous  and  likely  to remain  so,  unless  a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects  of the Middle East problem can be  reached.  He, therefore,  expresses the hope  that determined efforts will  be made by all concerned to  arrive at a just and  durable peace settlement, as  called for in Council resolution 338 (1973).

The report  describes an incident of  30 May 1997,  in which two  Austrian soldiers were shot and killed during a routine  foot patrol east of position 14  near Hadar.  Regrettably, the Secretary-General says, the investigations by the  Syrian  authorities and  UNDOF,  in  cooperation with  the  Austrian Government, have so far not shed any light on who carried out the attack  or their  motive. The  Syrian authorities  have  informed  UNDOF that  they are continuing   their   investigation.  The Secretary-General expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada,  which  provided technical assistance for the analysis of evidence.

During  the  period under  review,  UNDOF  has  continued  to perform  its functions effectively, the report states.  The Force supervised the area  of separation  by  means of  fixed positions  and  patrols, to  ensure that  no military forces were  there.  It also carried out fortnightly inspections of armament  and force  levels in  the areas  of limitation.   Liaison officers from  the two sides accompanied the  inspection teams.  As in  the past, the inspection teams were denied access to some of  the positions and had  their freedom of movement  restricted.

As of  November  1997, UNDOF  comprised  1,053  troops, according  to  the report.   That figure  includes 464  from Austria, 186 from  Canada, 45 from Japan, 358 from Poland,  and 78 military observers  from the United  Nations Truce  Supervision  Organization  (UNTSO).   Major-General  David  Stapleton (Ireland)  took over  the  command from  Major-General  Johannes  C. Kosters (Netherlands), who completed his tour of duty on 31 May 1997.

In  making his recommendation  to extend UNDOF  a further  six months, the Secretary- General draws attention  to the serious  shortfall in  the funding of the Force.  At present, unpaid assessments  amount to some $50.9  million far larger than  UNDOF's annual budget.  He  appeals to all Member States to pay their  assessments promptly  and  in full,  and to  clear all  remaining arrears.

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