UNDOF – Mandate renewal, SecCo action – Press release

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE

ON SYRIAN GOLAN UNTIL 30 MAY 2000

Resolution 1276 (1999) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this afternoon renewed the mandate of the United Nations  Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for a further six months, until 30 May 2000.  The  UNDOF was established in May 1974 to supervise the ceasefire and the disengagement agreement between Israel and Syrian forces of 31 May 1974.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1276 (1999) the Council called on the parties concerned to implement immediately resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October.  By that  resolution, the Council had called on the parties to arrive at a comprehensive and durable peace.

The Council requested the Secretary-General to report to it at the end of the new mandate period on the development in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).

Also, through a statement read out by its President, Danilo Turk (Slovenia), the  Council recalled  that, in his report on UNDOF, the Secretary-General had stated that despite the  present quiet on the Israeli-Syrian sector, the situation in the Middle East continued to be potentially dangerous and was likely to  remain so, unless  and until  a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem could be reached.   That statement  of the  Secretary-General reflected  the views of the Council.

The meeting, which was called to order at 12:20 p.m., was adjourned at 12:24 p.m.

Resolution

The text of resolution 1276 (1999) reads as follows:

  

"The Security Council,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 15 November 1999 (S/1999/1175),

"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 2000;

"(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)."

Presidential Statement

The  text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1999/33, reads as follows:

"As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/1999/1175) states, in paragraph 10:

'Despite the present quiet in the Israeli-Syrian 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."

Secretary-General's Report

  

The Council had before it the Secretary-General's  report on  the United Nations  Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), covering the period from 16 May to 15  November (document S/1999/1175).  Mr. Annan asks the Council to extend UNDOF's mandate for an additional six months, until 31 May 2000.  The cost of maintaining the Force during the extension period would be limited to the monthly rate of almost $3 million already approved by the General Assembly in its resolution 53/226 of 8 June.  Both the Government of Syria and of Israel had expressed agreement to the proposed extension.

Mr. Annan reports a serious shortfall in funding the Force.  Unpaid assessments amount  to $53.8 million, which is larger than the Force's current annual budget of nearly $35.4 million.  Explaining that the money is owed to Member States that contribute troops, Mr. Annan calls on all Member States to pay their assessments and  clear remaining arrears.

During the reporting period, the ceasefire in the Israeli-Syrian sector was maintained  without serious incident, and the Force's area remained calm, the Secretary-General reports.  However, 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 is reached.  All parties should make determined efforts to tackle the problem, in all its aspects, with a view to arriving at a just and durable peace settlement, he stresses.

During the reporting period, the Force  supervised the areas of separation by means of  fixed positions and patrols to  ensure that no military forces were in it. It carried out  inspections of armament and force levels in the areas of limitation, accompanied by liaison  officers from the party concerned.  Both sides denied inspection teams access to some of  their positions and imposed restrictions on the Force's freedom of movement.  Renewed efforts are under way to have those restrictions eased.  The Force assisted the International Committee of the Red Cross and provided medical treatment to the local population upon request.  Minefields continue to be a concern.  On 12 September, UNDOF evacuated a Syrian shepherd who had been injured after stepping on a mine.

The Force's current strength is 1,053 troops, and it was assisted during the reporting  period by 78 military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the report states.

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