UNDOF – SecGen report

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS

DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE

(for the period 22 November 1989-21 May 1990)

CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

1. This report describes the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for the period 22 November 1989 to 21 May 1990. 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 645 (1989) of 29 November 1989.

I. COMPOSITION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE

A. Composition and command

2. The Composition of UNDOF as of May 1990 was as follows:

a/ Including one officer deployed as a military adviser to the Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan and Pakistan in accordance with the letter dated 12 March 1990 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council (S/21188)

3. In addition to the above, UNTSO observers assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission assist UNDOF as the occasion requires.

4. Command of the Force continues to be exercised by Major-General Adolf Radauer.

B. Deployment

5. UNDOF personnel remain deployed within 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 May 1990 is shown on the attached map.

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 under taken by the Syrian authorities (see S/17177, para. 17), civilians have continued to return to the area of separation and the Syrian Arab Republic has stationed police there in exercise of its administrative responsibility. 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 has adjusted its operations accordingly so as to carry out effectively its supervisory tasks under the Agreement on Disengagement.

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 and B-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 44,760 square metres.  They found and destroyed 10 anti-tank mines, 5 cluster bombs, 30 artillery shells, 3 mortar shells, 20 hand-grenades, 8 air bombs and 20 detonators, as well as quantities of small-arms ammunition.

F. Humanitarian activities

19. During the reporting period, UNDOF 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 ASPECT

20. By its resolution 44/187 of 21 December 1989, the General Assembly, inter alia; authorized the Secretary-General to enter in to commitments for UNDOF at rate not to exceed $3,368,000 gross ($3,283,000 net) per month for the period from 1 June to 30 November 1990, inclusive.  This authorization was contingent upon the Security Council deciding to continue the Force beyond the period of six months authorized under its resolution 645 (1989) of 29 November 1989.  Therefore, should the Security Council renew the UNDOF mandate beyond 31 May 1990, the cost to the United Nations of maintaining the Force up to 30 November 1990 will be within the commitment authority provided by the General Assembly in its resolution 44/187, assuming continuance of the Force’s existing strength and responsibilities. Appropriate financial provision will need to be made by the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session in respect of periods after 30 November 1990, 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 645 (1989), 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/44/737-S/20971), submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 43/54 A of 6 December 1988.  The Secretary-General has continued to maintain contacts on the matter with the parties and interested Governments.

VI. OBSERVATIONS

23. UNDOF, 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 circumstance, 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 1990.  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 that provide UNTSO military observers assigned to the Force.  I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Major-General Adolf Radauer, the Commander of the Force, to the officers and men and women 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

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