UNDOF – Mandate renewal, SecCo action – Press release

SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MANDATE OF UNDOF UNTIL 31 MAY

The Security Council this afternoon renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Syrian Golan Heights for a further six months, until 31 May 1996. The Force was established in 1974 to supervise the cease-fire called for by the May 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces.

By unanimously adopting draft resolution 1024 (1995), the Council further called upon the parties to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973. In that resolution, the Council called on the parties to apply the principles it had earlier defined for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in 1967, termination of all claims and states of belligerency, and acknowledgement of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every State in the area.

The Council today also requested the Secretary-General to submit, by 31 May, a report on the development on the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).

Following the adoption of today's resolution, Council President Salim bin Mohammed Al-Khussaiby (Oman) made a complementary statement on behalf of the Council (to be issued as document S/PRST/1995/59), which reads as follows:

"As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/1995/952) states, in paragraph 14:

"`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 Secretary-General's report also reviews the Force's composition and financial situation. It notes that UNDOF continued to perform its functions effectively, with the cooperation of the parties. But despite the present quiet in the Israel-Syria sector, the situation in the Middle East continued to be dangerous, and was likely to remain so unless and until a comprehensive Middle East settlement was achieved. Therefore, UNDOF's continued presence in the area was essential.

However, the Secretary-General also notes the serious shortfall in Force funding. Unpaid assessments amounted to $64.6 million, or more than twice UNDOF's annual budget, which represented money owed to troop-contributing Member States. The Secretary-General therefore appealed to Member States to pay their assessments promptly and in full, and to clear all remaining arrears.

The full text of resolution 1024 (1995) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 17 November 1995 (S/1995/952);

"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 1996;

"(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)."

The meeting, which was called to order at 12:55 p.m, was adjourned at 12:58 p.m.

* *** *