UNDOF – SecGen report

Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

For the period 6 December 2002 to 18 June 2003

 I.  Introduction 

1.   The present report gives an account of the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) during the last six months pursuant to the mandate contained in Security Council resolution 350 (1974) and extended in subsequent resolutions, most recently resolution 1451 (2002) of 17 December 2002.

 II.  Situation in the area and activities of the Force

2.   During the period under review, the ceasefire in the Israel-Syria sector was maintained and the area of operation of UNDOF remained generally quiet, with two exceptions. On 8 January, there was a shooting incident immediately south of UNDOF position 80A, west of the ceasefire line and east of the technical fence, in which one member of the Syrian security forces was shot and killed and another taken into custody by a patrol of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The latter was released through the intervention of UNDOF. The overall calm in the Shab’a farms area (area 6) was disrupted once, as was reported to the Security Council during its review of my last report on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

3.   UNDOF supervised the area of separation by means of fixed positions and patrols to ensure that military forces of either party were excluded from it. The Force also carried out fortnightly inspections of equipment and force levels in the areas of limitation. Liaison officers from the party concerned accompanied the inspection teams. As in the past, both sides denied inspection teams access to some of their positions and imposed some restrictions on the Force’s freedom of movement. In addition, Israel placed national customs officials at the IDF post at the UNDOF crossing gate between Israeli-occupied Golan and the Syrian Arab Republic.

4.   The Force continued to assist the International Committee of the Red Cross with facilities for mail and the passage of persons through the area of separation. Within the means available, medical treatment was provided to the local population on request. During the last six months, UNDOF assisted in the crossing of 20 students and 73 pilgrims. In addition, UNDOF provided protection at two weddings and supervised the handover of a Syrian boy who had crossed into the occupied Golan.

5.   In the area of operation, especially in the area of separation, mines continued to pose a threat to UNDOF personnel and local inhabitants. Due to the age of the mines and their deteriorating explosives, that threat has in fact increased. UNDOF continued to support the United Nations Children’s Fund in activities to promote mine awareness among the civilian population. 

6.   The Force Commander and his staff maintained close contact with the military authorities of Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic. Both sides generally cooperated with the Force in the execution of its tasks.

7.   As of 30 May 2003, UNDOF comprised 1,060 troops, including national support elements, from Austria (372), Canada (191), Japan (45), Poland (357), Slovakia (94) and Sweden (1). In addition, 78 military observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization assisted the Force in carrying out its tasks. UNDOF successfully completed the first year of its three-year modernization programme. A map showing the deployment of the Force is attached to the present report.

 III.  Financial aspects

8.   By its resolution 56/294 of 11 July 2002, the General Assembly appropriated the amount of $40.8 million gross, equivalent to $3.4 million gross per month, for the maintenance of the Force for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003. My proposed budget for the period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 is currently under consideration by the General Assembly. Should the Council decide to extend the mandate of the Force beyond 30 June 2003, as recommended in paragraph 13 below, the cost of maintaining the Force will be limited to the amounts approved by the General Assembly.

9.   As at 10 June 2003, unpaid assessed contributions to the UNDOF special account for the period from the inception of the Force to 30 April 2003 amounted to $19 million. Total outstanding assessed contributions for all peacekeeping operations as at the same date amounted to $1,364 million.

 IV.   Implementation of Security Council resolution 338 (1973)

10.   The Security Council, while deciding in its resolution 1451 (2002) to renew the mandate of UNDOF for a further period of six months, until 30 June 2003, also called upon the parties concerned to implement immediately 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. The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East, in particular the efforts undertaken at various levels to implement resolution 338 (1973), were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East (A/57/470), submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 56/31 and 56/32 of 3 December 2001.

 V.  Observations 

11.   The situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained generally quiet. UNDOF, which was established in May 1974 to supervise the ceasefire called for by the Security Council and the agreement on disengagement between Syrian and Israeli forces of 31 May 1974, has continued to perform its functions effectively, with the cooperation of the parties.

12.   Nevertheless, the situation in the Middle East is very tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached. I 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).

13.   Under 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 December 2003. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has given its assent to the proposed extension. The Government of Israel has also expressed its agreement.

14.   In making this recommendation, I must draw attention to the shortfall in the funding of the Force. At present, unpaid assessments amount to some $19 million. That sum represents money owed to the Member States that contribute the troops who make up the Force. I appeal to the Member States to pay their assessments promptly and in full and to clear all remaining arrears. 

15.   In conclusion, I wish to pay tribute to Major General Wranker and to the men and women serving with UNDOF. They have performed with efficiency and devotion to duty the important tasks assigned to them by the Security Council. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Governments contributing troops to UNDOF and to those that provide the UNTSO military observers assigned to the Force.

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