Mideast situation/UNDOF – SecGen report

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS

DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE

(for the period 14 May – 13 November 1985)

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. This report describes the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for the period 14 May to 13 November 1985.  Its purpose is to provide the Security Council with an account of the activities of UNDOF in pursuance of the mandate entrusted to it by the Council in resolution 350 (1974) of 31 May 1974 and extended by subsequent resolutions, most recently by resolution 563 (1985) of 21 May 1985.

I.  COMPOSITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE

A.  Composition and command

2. The composition of UNDOF as of 13 November 1985 was as follows:

3. In addition to the above, observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission assist UNDOF as occasion requires.

4. Command of the Force is exercised by Major-General Gustav Hägglund, who was appointed on 1 June 1985 (see 17177, para. 4).

B.  Deployment

5. UNDOF personnel remain deployed within and close to the area of separation, with base camps and logistic units located nearby; UNDOF Headquarters is located in Damascus. The UNDOF deployment as of November 1985 is shown on the attached map.

6. At present, the Austrian battalion mans 19 positions and 7 outposts and conducts 28 patrols daily at irregular intervals on predetermined routes in the area of separation north and inclusive of the Damascus-Quneitra road. The Finnish battalion mans 15 positions and 8 outposts and conducts 26 patrols daily at irregular intervals in the area of separation south of the Damascus-Quneitra road.  In the area of separation or in its close vicinity, 11 observation posts are manned by UNTSO military observers under the operational control of UNDOF.

7. The Austrian battalion base camp is located near Wadi Faouar, 8 kilometres east of the area of separation. The Finnish battalion base camp is located near the village of Ziouani, west of the area of separation. The Austrian battalion continues to share its base camp with the Polish logistic unit, and the Finnish battalion shares Camp Ziouani with the Canadian logistic company. The Canadian signal unit has detachments at Camps Ziouani and Faouar as well as at Damascus and Quneitra. Military police detachments are located in Damascus, Tiberias and Camp Ziouani.

C.  Rotation

8. The Austrian contingent carried out partial rotations on 4 and 13 June and on 3 and 12 September 1985.  The Finnish contingent rotated partially on 21 August 1985. The Polish logistic unit rotated on 1-2 and 11-12 June 1985.  The Canadian logistic unit rotates in small groups on a weekly basis.

D.  Discipline

9. The discipline, steadfastness and understanding of all members of the Force have been of a high order, reflecting credit on the soldiers and their commanders as well as on the countries contributing contingents to the Force.

E.  Casualties

10. There were no casualties during the period covered by the present report.

II.  LOGISTICS

11. Second- and third-line logistic support continues to be provided by the Canadian and Polish logistic units. The Damascus international airport continues to serve as the UNDOF airhead for rotation. The ports of Latakia and Tartous are used for sea shipments. An air movement control organization operates at Damascus, and sea shipments are handled by local agents. In-theatre air support is provided by UNTSO on special request.

III.  ACTIVITIES OF THE FORCE

A.  Functions and guidelines

12. The functions and guidelines of UNDOF as well as its tasks remain as outlined in the Secretary-General's report of 27 November 1974 (S/11563, paras. 8-10).

13. UNDOF has continued, with the co-operation of the parties, to fulfil the tasks entrusted to it. This has been facilitated by the close contact maintained by the Force Commander and his staff with the military liaison staffs of Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic.

B.  Freedom of movement

14. The Protocol to the Agreement on Disengagement provides for all contingents to operate with full freedom of movement. However, the problem of restrictions on the freedom of movement still exists. The Secretary-General will continue to exert all possible efforts to correct this situation.

C.  Maintenance of the cease-fire

15. UNDOF continues to supervise the observance of the cease-fire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic. The cease-fire has been maintained during the period under review. No complaints concerning the UNDOF area of operation have been lodged by either party in this respect.

D.  Supervision of the Agreement on Disengagement with

regard to the areas of separation and limitation

16. UNDOF continues to supervise the area of separation to ensure, in accordance with its mandate, that there are no military forces within it. This is carried out by means of static positions and observation posts, which are manned 24 hours a day, and by foot and mobile patrols operating at irregular intervals on predetermined routes by day and night. In addition, temporary outposts are established and patrols are conducted from time to time to perform specific tasks. Under a programme undertaken by the Syrian authorities (see S/17177, para. 17), civilians have continued to return to the area of separation.  UNDOF has adjusted its operations accordingly so as to carry out effectively its supervisory tasks under the Agreement on Disengagement.

17. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement on Disengagement, UNDOF continues to conduct fortnightly inspections of armament and forces in the area of limitation. These inspections are carried out with the assistance of liaison officers from the parties, who accompany the inspection teams. UNDOF also lends its assistance and good offices on request from the parties. In carrying out its tasks, UNDOF has continued to receive the co-operation of both parties, although restrictions on movement and inspection are placed on its teams in certain areas by both sides. UNDOF has continued to seek the lifting of these restrictions so as to guarantee its freedom of access to all locations on both sides.

18. The safety of Syrian shepherds who graze their flocks close to and west of line A (see map) continues to be of concern to UNDOF. The intensified patrolling of new mine-cleared patrol paths and, from time to time, the establishment of standing patrols in these areas have helped to prevent incidents. The grazing security fence in the southern part of the area of separation has continued to be effective in preventing incidents.

E.  Mines

19. Mines continue to pose a threat to members of the Force and to the growing population in the area of separation. The Force is continuing its efforts, in consultation with the parties, to make the area of operation safe from mines.  During the period, four Polish mine-clearing teams cleared 16,885 square metres of patrol tracks and other roads, and 10,351 square metres at positions and construction sites. They found and destroyed 1 bomb, 11 artillery shells, 23 anti-personnel mines, 1 missile, 1 hand-grenade, 9 mortar rounds, 3 anti-tank rounds and 26,301 other pieces of ordnance.

F.  Humanitarian activities

20. During the reporting period, UNDOF has assisted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with facilities for handing over parcels and mail and for the passage of students across the area of separation.

IV.  FINANCIAL ASPECTS

21. As indicated in paragraph 9 of the Secretary-General's report of 22 October 1985 to the General Assembly (A/40/754), the costs of UNDOF beyond 30 November 1985 are estimated at $3,047,000 gross ($2,989,083 net) per month, should the Security Council renew its mandate beyond that date and assuming continuance of its existing strength and responsibilities.

V.  IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 338 (1973)

22. In deciding, in its resolution 563 (1985), to renew the mandate of UNDOF for a further period of six months, the Security Council also called upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973), and requested the Secretary-General to submit, at the end of the period, a report on the developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement that resolution.

23. The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East and, in particular, the efforts undertaken at various levels to implement Security Council resolution 338 (1973) have been dealt with in the Secretary-General's report on the situation in the Middle East (A/40/779-S/17581), submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 39/146 A of 14 December 1984. The Secretary-General has continued to maintain contacts on the matter with the parties and interested Governments.

VI.  OBSERVATIONS

24. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which was established in May 1974 to supervise the cease-fire called for by the Security Council and the Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces of 31 May 1974, has continued to perform its functions effectively, with the co-operation of the parties. During the period under review, the situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained quiet and there have been no serious incidents.

25. Despite the present quiet in the Israel-Syria sector, the situation in the Middle East as a whole 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.  I continue to hope that determined efforts will be made by all concerned to tackle the problem in all its aspects, with a view to arriving at a just and durable peace settlement, as called for by the Security Council in its resolution 338 (1973) .

26. In the prevailing circumstances, I consider the continued presence of UNDOF in the area to be essential. I therefore recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the force for a further period of six months, until 31 May 1986.  The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has given its assent to the proposed extension. The Government of Israel has also expressed its agreement.

27. In concluding the present report, I wish to express my gratitude to the Governments contributing troops to UNDOF and to those which provide UNTSO military observers assigned to the Force. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Major-General Gustav Hägglund, Commander of the Force, to the officers and men of the Force, to its civilian staff and to the UNTSO military observers assigned to UNDOF. They have performed with exemplary efficiency and devotion to duty the important tasks assigned to them by the Security Council.