Report of the Secretary-General on Basic Points for the Presence and Functioning in Egypt of the United Nations Emergency Force (A/3375)

After the adoption, 7 November 1956, by the General Assembly of the resolution concerning the establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force, the Government of Egypt was immediately approached by the Secretary-General through the Commander of the Force, Major General E.L.M. Burns, in order to prepare the ground for a prompt implementation of the resolution.

The Government of Egypt had, prior to the final decision of the General Assembly, accepted the Force in principle by formally accepting the preceding resolution on the establishment of a United Nations Command. Before consenting to the arrival of the Force, the Government of Egypt wished to have certain points in the resolutions of the General Assembly clarified. An exchange of views took place between the Secretary-General and the Government of Egypt in which the Secretary-General, in reply to questions addressed to him by the Government of Egypt, gave his interpretations of the relevant General Assembly resolutions, in respect of the character and functions of the Force. At the end of the exchange, he gave to the Advisory Committee a full account of the interpretations given. Approving these interpretations, the Advisory Committee recommended that the Secretary-General should proceed to start the transfer of the United Nations Emergency Force.

On the basis of the resolutions, as interpreted by the Secretary-General, the Government of Egypt consented to the arrival of the United Nations Force in Egypt. The first transport of troops took place on 15 November 1956.

While the Secretary-General found that the exchange of views which had taken place was sufficient as a basis for the sending of the first units, he thought, on the other hand, that a firmer foundation had to be laid for the presence of functioning of the Force in Egypt and for the continued cooperation with Egyptian authorities. For that reason, and also because he considered it essential personally to discuss with the Egyptian Authorities certain questions which flowed from the decision to send the Force, after visiting the staging area of the Force in Naples, he went to Cairo, where he stayed from until 18 November. On his way to Cairo he stopped briefly at the first staging area in Egypt, at Abu Soueir.

In Cairo he discussed with the President and the Foreign Minister of Egypt basic points for the presence and functioning of the UNEF in Egypt. Time previously did not permit a detailed study of the various legal, technical and administrative arrangements which would have to be made and the exchange of views was therefore related only to questions of principle.

The Secretary-General wishes to inform the General Assembly of the main results of these discussions. They are summarized in an "Aide-memoire on the basis for presence and functioning of UNEF in Egypt" submitted as an annex to this report.

The text of this Aide memoire, if noted with approval by the General Assembly, with the concurrence of Egypt, would establish an understanding between the United Nations and Egypt, on which the cooperation could be developed and necessary agreements on various details be elaborated. The text, as it stands, is presented on the responsibility of the Secretary-General. It has the approval of the Government of Egypt.

The Secretary-General, in this context, submits below a few indications as to the numerical development of the Force.

As of 20 November 1956 a total number of 696 were at the staging area in Egypt at Abu Soueir. At the same time a total number of 282 were at the staging area in Italy at Naples. According to the present planning a total number of 2,241 will be transferred to Egypt in the immediate future. A further number of 1,260 are to be transferred to Naples or directly to Egypt at times still to be determined.

The extensive practical arrangements, necessary for a successful development of the Force and its activities, are making progress. A report on the situation in this and other technically relevant aspects will be presented to the General Assembly as soon as the initial stage is passed.

The initial activities of the Force are determined by the fact that, as yet, no withdrawals have taken place in compliance with the Resolutions of the General Assembly 2 and 7 November 1956. In pursuance of these two Resolutions I shall report to the General Assembly on this matter as soon as I receive clarifications from the Governments concerned. I am sure that the General Assembly, in view of the great urgency, will wish to give their immediate attention to the matter raised in this report so as, by consolidating the basis for the presence and functioning of the Force in Egypt, to contribute to speedy progress towards the ends it has set for the United Nations activities in the area.

Portal:United Nations Emergency Force I