Mideast situation/UNDOF – SecGen report

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS

DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE

(for the period 18 November 1988-22 May 1989)

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. This report describes the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for the period 18 November 1988 to 22 May.  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 624 (1988) of 30 November 1988.

I.  COMPOSITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE

A.  Composition and command

2. The composition of UNDOF as of May 1989 was as follows:

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a/ Including four officers deployed to the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGOMAP) in accordance with the letter dated 25 April 1988 from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General (S/19836), which was confirmed by the Security Council in its resolution 622 (1988) of 31 October 1988.

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 continues to be exercised by Major-General Adolf Radauer.

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 at Damascus. The UNDOF deployment as of May 1989 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 16 positions and 6 outposts and conducts 27 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 1 and 10 February.  The Finnish contingent rotated partially on 15 December 1988 and 28 April 1989.  The Polish logistic unit rotated on 1 and 11 December 1988.  The Canadian logistic unit rotated on 12 December 1988 and on 6 March 1989.

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.

II.  LOGISTICS

10. 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

11. The functions and guidelines of UNDOF as well as its tasks remain as outlined in the Secretary-General's report of 27 November 1974.  1/

12. 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

13. The Protocol to the Agreement on Disengagement provides for all contingents to operate with the freedom of movement that is necessary for their mission; 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

14. UNDOF continues to supervise the observance of the cease-fire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic. The cease-fire has been maintained and there have been no serious incidents during the period under review.

D.  Supervision of the Agreement on Disengagement with

regard to the areas of separation and limitation

15. 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.

16. 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 continues to seek the lifting of these remaining restrictions so as to guarantee its freedom of access to all locations on both sides.

17. The safety of Syrian shepherds who graze their flocks close to and west of the A-line (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 reducing the number of incidents.  New patrol paths along the A-line are under construction in the area of separation.

E.  Mines

18. 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 under review, three Polish mine-clearing teams cleared a total area of 71,930 square metres.  They found and destroyed 66 anti-tank mines, 4 anti-personnel mines, 34 artillery shells, 23 mortar grenades and 1 hand-grenade, as well as quantities of small-arms ammunition.

F.  Humanitarian activities

19. 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 persons and personal effects across the area of separation.

IV.  FINANCIAL ASPECTS

20. By its resolution 43/228 of 21 December 1988, the General Assembly, inter alia, authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitments for UNDOF at a rate not to exceed $3,019,000 gross ($2,963,000 net) per month for the period from 1 June to 30 November 1989, inclusive.  This authorization was contingent upon the Security Council deciding to continue the Force beyond the period of six months authorized under its resolution 624 (1988) of 30 November 1988.  Therefore, should the Security Council renew the UNDOF mandate beyond 31 May 1989, the cost to the United Nations of maintaining the Force up to 30 November 1989 will be within the commitment authority provided by the General Assembly in its resolution 43/228, assuming continuance of the Force's existing strength and responsibilities.  Appropriate financial provisions will need to be made by the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session in respect of periods after 30 November 1989, should the Security Council decide to extend the mandate of the Force beyond that date.

V.  IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 338 (1973)

21. In deciding, in its resolution 624 (1988), 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.

22. 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/43/867-S/20294), submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 42/209 B of 11 December 1987. The Secretary-General has continued to maintain contacts on the matter with the parties and interested Governments.

VI.  OBSERVATIONS

23. 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.

24. 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) .

25. 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 30 November 1989.  The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has given its assent to the proposed extension. The Government of Israel has also expressed its agreement.

26. In concluding the present report, I wish to express my appreciation 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 Adolf Radauer, 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.

Notes

1/ Official Records of the Security Council, Twenty-ninth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1974, document S/11563, paras. 8-10.

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