United Nations Emergency Force: Fifth Report of the Secretary-General (A/4857)

Introduction
This report covers the functioning of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) during the period since 13 September 1960, when the last report on this operation was submitted to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General, in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 1125 (XI), paragraph 4. In the period under review there have been no changes of significance bearing upon the functioning of UNEF. The strong need for its presence continues undiminished and it continues to be definitely the case that the Force cannot effectively discharge its present responsibilities with any less strength than it now has.

I. Effectiveness and Organization
1. Throughout the period covered by this report, quiet has prevailed in the area. Constant vigilance by UNEF sentries and patrols, by day and by night, continued to be, as in previous years, an effective influence in restraining infiltration activities across the Armistice Demarcation Line and in the prevention of incidents along the Line. The relatively few incidents that have occurred have been of a very minor nature. It may be noted that agricultural and grazing activities now take place without molestation on both sides of the Line and up to the Line itself. In general, there has been no resort to force by UNEF, the mere presence of armed personnel on the spot being adequate to prevent incidents. On one occasion, however, when an armed infiltrator fired at a patrol in order to resist apprehension, United Nations troops had to take appropriate action in self-defense. Air violations, on the other hand, have been numerous. On two occasions, interception developed into air combat, during one of which a fighter plane was shot down.

2. UNEF was called upon to provide additional troops on an emergency basis for the United Nations operation in the Congo (ONUC). The equivalent of two companies was dispatched from the Swedish Battalion immediately after it had arrived in the area on rotation on 16 April 1961. These two companies are still in the Congo and, since in their absence the Force has had to operate at reduced strength for six months, dispositions have had to be adjusted on a long-term basis. Six observation posts (OPs) formerly in the sector manned by the Swedish Battalion, as well as guard duties at Port Said and Marina Camp, have been taken over by the Indian and the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalions, respectively. As a result of this adjustment all reserve platoons of the Indian and Swedish Battalions are committed. This situation is quite unsatisfactory, and it is not considered advisable to continue such an arrangement much longer. Another instance of support to ONUC was the transfer of approximately 80,000 lbs. of defense stores on short notice during the month of June 1961. Provision of these stores reduced UNEF's reserves below operational requirements and immediate action had to be taken to bring stocks back to the required level.

3. The basic organization, deployment and operational functions of the Force remain the same. The overall strength of the Force as at 31 July 1961 reflects a decrease from last year's strength of approximately 200 men, which is accounted for by the removal of the two Swedish companies referred to above. It is assumed that this deficiency will be corrected during the next rotation. The countries providing contingents to the Force are the same, i.e. Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Norway, Sweden and Yugoslavia.

4. The numerical strength of each national contingent, as at 31 July 1961, is as follows:

5. The strength of 115 Air Transport Unit (RCAF) was slightly reduced during the year under review because of the introduction of the Caribou aircraft into UNEF service. The aircraft establishment now stands at three Caribou and two other aircraft and the personnel establishment is ninety-four all ranks, as against the ninety-nine of last year.

6. The introduction of the Caribou aircraft brought considerable change in the function of the unit. The greater payload of the Caribou (6,000 lbs.) as compared with the Dakota (3,000 lbs.) has meant a more efficient and economical vehicle for the operational tasks of the Force. It was found that the number of road convoys to Sharm el Shiekh, which have always been extremely hard on vehicles, could be reduced because the troop rotation and resupply could be undertaken just as economically by air. Secondly, as the short takeoff and landing (STOL) characteristics of the Caribou aircraft permit its use for reconnaissance flights, advantage was taken of this, and the Otter establishment was reduced from four aircraft to two. It is anticipated that the personnel establishment of the unit will eventually be reduced by another six to ten posts when the Caribou maintenance cycle is finally established.

7. The rotation policy followed by the various contributing nations remains the same as in previous years. The rotation of Canadian logistics personnel in small groups evenly spread out throughout the year, rather than by whole units once a year, has provided a highly desirable continuity and has had a marked effect on the efficiency of these Base units. Canadian Base units will continue to be rotated in this manner.

8. The rotation of Scandinavian units was carried out in September/October 1960, and again in April 1961, by chartered commercial aircraft. The next rotation of Scandinavian units will take place in October 1961. Half of the Brazilian contingent rotated during February 1961, and the other in August 1961. As on previous occasions, a Brazilian naval vessel was used to transport troops each way. It is anticipated that the Indian contingent will rotate at approximately the same time as heretofore, viz. in November, by a chartered ship. The Yugoslav contingent was also rotated twice during the year, in November/December 1960 and in May/June 1961. It will be rotated again in November/December 1961 and, as in the past, rotation will be carried out by a ship chartered by Yugoslavia. The Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron will rotate as a unit in February 1962, by RCAF scheduled flights.

9. Since the inception of the Force, the various contingents still participating have been rotated as follows:


 * Canada: four times; yearly rotation
 * India: four times; yearly rotation
 * Brazil: seven times; yearly basis with half the contingent rotating each six months
 * Denmark: nine times; half-yearly rotation
 * Norway: nine times; half-yearly rotation
 * Sweden: nine times; half-yearly rotation
 * Yugoslavia: nine times; half-yearly rotation

II. Deployment and Daily Routine
10. UNEF continues to be deployed along the western side of the Egypt-Israeli Armistice Demarcation Line (ADL) and the International Frontier (IF), covering a distance of 273 kilometers. The Sinai coast from the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba to the Straits of Tiran, a further distance of 187 kilometers, is kept under observation by UNEF air reconnaissance. As a consequence of the move of two Swedish companies to the Congo, the number of platoons available for patrolling and guard duties along the ADL, the IF and elsewhere, was reduced to sixty-four as against last year's total of seventy. The functions and responsibilities, however, continued to be the same, and therefore the Indian and Yugoslav battalion establishments were temporarily changed and two additional platoons were improvised from administrative and support companies. Forty-five and one-half platoons are employed on the ADL and the IF, ten on guard and protective duties, and ten and one-half in reserve. It may be noted that, as a consequence of this readjustment, the Indian and Swedish Battalions now have no reserves. The total number officers and men employed on operational duties is thus approximately 2,700. The remainder consist of administrative and ancillary troops. The chart below shows the employment of platoons by contingent:

11. By day, the entire length of the ADL is kept under observation from a series of seventy-two inter-visible observation posts (OPs). Each OP is manned during daylight hours by shifts of approximately six hours. By night, the sentries are withdrawn and replaced by patrols varying in strength from five to seven men. These patrols move on foot and cover the length of the ADL on an average of three times each night and give particular attention to routes likely to be used by infiltrators. Platoon camps, to the rear of the OPs, each hold a reserve detachment available to go to the aid of an OP or patrol should the need arise. Telephone communication by day, and a system of flare signals supplemented by wireless at night, ensure a speedy response to calls for assistance.

12. Along the IF, rough terrain and scattered, uncleared materials continue to restrict the access routes for potential infiltrators and tend to confine their activities to certain areas. These sensitive areas are patrolled, as in the past, by the Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron and the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion. The former has two outposts in its sector and the latter has six, each of approximately one platoon in strength. Motor patrols operating from these bases cover the areas between outposts and certain tracks leading to the frontier. In one particular sector where it was found that more patrolling was necessary, a special track was made by the UNEF Engineers. This operation included clearing of mines along the track. In addition to ground observation, the entire length of the IF is also patrolled at irregular intervals on an average of four times a week by Otter aircraft of 115 Air Transport Unit. While on these patrols the aircraft are linked by wireless communication to the Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron, the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion and the Brazilian Battalion on the adjacent portion of the ADL. Any suspicious activity seen from the air can, therefore, be checked by ground patrols dispatched from the reserves available in these units.

13. A detachment of approximately one and one-half platoons of the Swedish Battalion, with Canadian administrative troops, is stationed at Sharm el Sheikh to keep the Straits of Tiran under constant observation. The detachment has been reduced in size to promote greater efficiency and economy and the task has been permanently allotted to the Swedish Battalion instead of rotating detachments from different battalions.

14. Detailed deployment of units along the ADL and the IF is as follows:

(a) Armistice Demarcation Line (ADL)

 * (1) Sector 1 (from the sea to Gaza-Beersheba road) - DANOR Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is located on Hill 88 approximately two kilometers east of Gaza. Four companies man twenty-three OPs along this twenty-kilometer sector of the Line and include in their task watching the seaward expansion of the ADL for possible violations of territorial waters.


 * (2) Sector 2 (from Gaza-Beersheba road to Wadi Ghazza) - SWEDISH Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is in Gaza. One company mans six OPs along approximately six kilometers of the ADL. The sector on the ADL allotted to this battalion has been reduced, owing to the transfer of two companies to ONUC.


 * (3) Sector 3 (Deir el Balah) - INDIAN Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is at Deir el Balah. Four companies man twenty-two OPs along approximately sixteen kilometers of the ADL. In addition, the company formerly held in reserve at Khan Yunis has taken over four kilometers of the sector allotted to the Swedish Battalion (see (2) above).


 * (4) Sector 4 (Khan Yunis, Rafah) - BRAZIL Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is at Rafah. Three companies man eighteen OPs along approximately twenty kilometers of the ADL to its junction with the IF.

(b) International Frontier (IF)
The Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron and the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion are deployed along the 215 kilometers of the IF as follows:


 * (1) Sector 1 (From ADL/IF junction to Abu Aweigila-El Auja road) - CANADIAN Reconnaissance Squadron
 * Mobile patrols operate from two outpost camps and cover the entire length of the IF in this sector twice by day. By night, patrols stand by, ready to move out should the need arise. Squadron headquarters is located in the UNEF Maintenance Area at Rafah.


 * (2) Sector 2 (From Abu Aweigila-El Auja road to the Gulf of Aqaba) - YUGOSLAV Reconnaissance Battalion
 * This area is kept under observation by mobile patrols operating from permanent outposts established at Taret Umm Basis, El Amr, El Quseima, El Sabha, El Kuntilla and Ras el Naqb. Battalion headquarters is at El Arish.

(c) Guards and Detachments

 * (1) Headquarters UNEF and installations in Gaza
 * One company (three platoons) from the SWEDISH Battalion located in Gaza provides these guards.


 * (2) UNEF Maintenance Area, Rafah
 * One company (four platoons) from the DANOR Battalion guards the perimeter of the Maintenance Area by manning the searchlight towers as well as by patrolling on a twenty-four-hour basis.


 * (3) Port Said
 * One platoon from the INDIAN battalion guards the UNEF port warehouse in Port Said.


 * (4) UNEF Air Station, El Arish
 * The area of the EL Arish airfield controlled by 115 Air Transport Unit and their camp at Marina are guarded by two platoons from the YUGOSLAV Reconnaissance Battalion.

Note: The guard duties at Port Said and Marina Camp formerly were performed in part by the Swedish Battalion, but owing to the move of two Swedish companies to the Congo, these duties has now been assumed by the INDIAN and YUGOSLAV Battalions, as shown above.

III. Incidents
15. The type and number of incidents observed by UNEF troops between 1 August and 31 July 1961 are shown below. Incidents reported by Israeli or United Arab Republic authorities which could not be investigated, and which thus were not confirmed, have not been included in this report.

Total ground incidents: 125

Total air incidents: 242

Total sea incidents: 78

The total of 125 ground incidents shows a marked reduction from the 384 reported in the previous report. Air space violations also show a decrease, in the same period, from 319 to 242. Violations of territorial waters increased slightly, from 76 to 78.

IV. Well-Being
16. The well-being of the Force has remained at a high level and the trend since its inception towards improvement in its general health has been maintained.

17. During the period covered by this report, there were again a number of cases of acute hepatitis which reached a peak in January. The majority of cases were confined to one contingent. Acute gastroenteritis continued to be a major complaint, but cases were less frequent than in the past year. Three cases of paratyphus and six cases of dysentery were reported.

18. The principal causes of hospitalization have been gastrointestinal disorders, infectious hepatitis, respiratory infections and injuries resulting from vehicle or other accidents.

19. The UNEF Hospital is staffed by a Norwegian medical company, the commanding officer of which is the chief surgeon. Certain improvements made during the past year have increased the services provided by this installation. A bacteriological laboratory is now functioning and is capable of carrying out all types of examinations required for the Force. Mobile X-ray equipment, permanently fitted into a vehicle, has been provided. Dental treatment continues to be the responsibility of the contingent dental officers.

20. During the year from 1 August 1960 to 31 July 1961, 590 military cases were admitted to the Hospital, and twenty-seven cases requiring specialized treatment were hospitalized outside the area.

21. During the year, 282 civilian cases were admitted to the Hospital of which ninety-three were United Nations staff members and local employees and the remainder local inhabitants, including 108 Bedouin children brought in from the desert.

22. During the year, ninety-two chronic cases were repatriated to their home countries on recommendation of the UNEF Medical Board. There has been an increase of such cases, as compared with last year. Action has been taken with the contingents concerned to reduce the incidence of such cases.

23. There were seven fatalities during the year, making a total of fifty-two since the inception of the Force. Details of these fatalities are as follows: one was killed in ambush by a local marauder; one was killed through the discharge of his own weapon; one committed suicide; three were drowned while bathing; and one died from natural causes.

24. The welfare of troops, as in previous years, is being constantly cared for by the provision of recreational facilities and the organization of entertainment. The programme embraces a number of activities, as follows:


 * (a) Leave centres;
 * (b) Entertainment shows;
 * (c) Welfare tours;
 * (d) Sports and athletic competitions.

25. For the winter season, the Cairo Leave Centre was re-opened from 13 November 1960 to 27 April 1961 and, during that time, catered to 367 officers and 4,965 other ranks. Transportation to and from Cairo was carried out primarily by rail in special trains. Guided tours and various social events were organized by the welfare officer at the Centre. The Leave Centre in Lebanon, which had been re-opened on 16 May 1960, closed on 16 October 1960. Located in Broumanna in the hills some fifteen kilometers from the centre of Beirut, the Centre accommodated, during that period, 367 officers and 5,114 other ranks on leave. Transportation to and from Beirut was carried out by chartered commercial aircraft averaging ten flights each week. Guided tours to places of interests, cinema shows and games were arranged. In 1961, the Centre resumed its activities on 15 May and is functioning on lines similar to those of last year. Seven live shows were provided during the year under review by entertainment groups from Cairo, Scandinavia, the United States of America, Yugoslavia, India, Lebanon and Canada. In addition, the Royal Canadian Dragoons military band stationed in West Germany visited and entertained the contingents. A large UNEF talent show featuring thirty-five variety acts was also organized for the entertainment of the troops. Cinema shows were provided regularly to the extent of about 200 shows a week throughout the Gaza strip and outpost locations. The brass band and pipes and drums of the Indian Battalion have also been made available on various occasions for the entertainment and parades of the other contingents.

26. A special programme of church services and festivities was organized during Christmas and Easter. Arrangements were made for provision of Christmas trees and decorations. Contingents have their own chaplains (Pandits and Garanthis for the Indian contingent) and services are held regularly.

V. Logistics
27. It was noted in the previous report that changes were needed in the logistics cover for the Force in the light of the experience gained in four years of operation. The need for change was most evident in the replacement and standardization of equipment, in the provision of more satisfactory accommodation and sanitation facilities, and in the improvement of messing facilities. The following paragraphs indicate the progress being made in these various aspects.

Equipment

28. Vehicles - A new vehicle establishment issued in December 1960 reduced the number of different makes of vehicles in the Force by 77 per cent and the quantity of holdings by 16 per cent. The establishment is being enforced concurrently with the receipt of new vehicles to replace those that are beyond economic repair. Most of the armored cars and scout cars have been returned to the contingents' respective countries and have been replaced by lighter vehicles with better cross-country performance.

29. Generators - Standardization of types of generators has been started and it is expected that this will considerable reduce maintenance and spare parts problems.

30. Communications equipment - The programme of installation of radio-telephone equipment between Headquarters UNEF and the Maintenance Area was completed. This has enabled the Force to release the rented trunk telephone lines at a substantial financial saving. A further set of radio telephone equipment is to be installed at the UNEF air base at El Arish. When this is completed, all units and installations in UNEF will be connected by radio telephone, and the three main bases at Gaza, Rafah and El Arish will have teleprinter service. This will result in a saving of operators.

31. Ordnance stores - Scales of entitlement for ordnance stores have been prepared. In order to effect economy and efficient maintenance, as many common-user items as possible are being supplied by UNEF, thus reducing contingent-owned items.

32. Repair of equipment - Arrangements are being made to effect repairs by a system of replacement of assemblies. In conjunction with this policy, base facilities for repair or reconditioning of assemblies will be established in the UNEF Workshop, thus eliminating costly contractual arrangements. This arrangement eliminates the constant difficulty of procuring numerous small spare parts which are particularly difficult to obtain for older types of vehicles.

Accommodation

33. Tent replacement programme - As indicated in the 1960 report, tents are being replaced with standard masonry huts and with a weather-proof type of roof on the existing tent kit structures. It is anticipated that the programme will be completed in 1962. Buildings now leased in unit areas will then be surrendered.

Water supply

34. The supply of water to the ADL and IF platoon camps and outposts continues to be a problem. To reduce the transport and manpower required, storage tanks with a larger capacity are being constructed at each camp. Water is now being hauled by tanker truck rather than by small water trailers, thereby reducing the number of vehicles employed in this task. Wherever possible, central sources of water are being developed and used to supply several camps in an attempt to reduce hauling distance.

Sewage disposal

35. The ground in the vicinity of most camps has become so saturated and fouled as to create a hazard to health. It is planned to replace the current types of waste disposal installations with septic tanks.

Rifle ranges

36. To assist in maintaining the operational efficiency of the troops, improvements and extensions are being made to the UNEF rifle range. A second rifle range has been developed in the Danor/Swedish Battalion sector.

Rations

37. The national scale of rations for each contingent has been found generally satisfactory and no major changes in these scales are planned. The issue of pack rations, a very costly item, has been reduced to a minimum. All units and detachments in UNEF are now fed on fresh or canned rations, and pack rations are used only as a Force reserve or when it is not possible to provide fresh rations.

POL commodities

38. Petrol storage facilities have not been installed at major camps and these storage tanks are replenished by bulk petrol tank trucks. Some saving has thus been achieved through the reduction in the number of petrol drums and other containers in use.

39. The petrol rationing plan mentioned in the 1960 report is still in effect. This system has resulted in stricter control and some savings.

Land claims

40. Detailed mapping of the areas used by UNEF has been completed. Reduction in the width of roads used exclusively by UNEF and strict supervision of transport using these roads have resulted in economies in the compensation payable for the land for these roads.

Sea cargo

41. The bulk of the materiel used by UNEF arrives at Port Said by sea and is trans-shipped by road or rail to the UNEF theatre. Outgoing freight and mail beyond the payload of the North Star flights are moved by sea from Port Said to Pisa. During the year under review, the average sea cargo has been 672.4 long tons per month inbound and 37.8 long tons per month outbound. A total of 630 ships unloaded stores for UNEF at Port Said.

VI. Local Arrangements
42. Cooperation with UAR authorities, primarily through the medium of the UAR Liaison Mission located in Gaza, continues on an effective basis. Relations between the Force and the local population, generally speaking, are good, there having been only one incident worth mentioning, involving a clash between United Nations soldiers and local villagers. The case was thoroughly investigated by both Headquarters UNEF and the local administrative authorities and appropriate action was taken.

I. Action by the General Assembly at its fifteenth session
43. The General Assembly, having examined the budget estimates for the Force submitted by the Secretary-General for the year 1961 and the observations and the recommendations thereon of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, in resolution 1575 (XV) of 20 December 1960 authorized the Secretary-General to expend up to a maximum of $19 million for the continuing operation of UNEF during 1961 and assessed that amount against all Member States of the United Nations on the basis of the regular scale of assessments, subject to the following provisions:


 * (1) That special financial assistance pledged voluntarily prior to 31 December 1960 towards the expenditures for the Force in 1961 was to be applied, at the request of the Member State concerned made prior to 31 March 1961, to reduce by up to 50 per cent:


 * (a) The assessments that the Member States admitted during the fifteenth session of the General Assembly are required to pay for the financial year 1961 in accordance with Assembly resolution 1552 (XV) of 18 December 1960;


 * (b) The assessments of all other Member States receiving assistance during 1960 under the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, commencing with those States assessed at the minimum percentage of 0.04 per cent and then including, in order, those States assessed at the next highest percentages until the total amount of the voluntary contributions has been fully applied;


 * (2) That, if Member States did not avail themselves of the credits provided for under (a) and (b) above, the amounts involved were to be credited to section 9 of the 1961 UNEF budget which relates to compensation to Governments for equipment, material and supplies they furnish to their contingents in the Force.

44. In resolution 1575 (XV) the General Assembly also approved the recommendations set forth in paragraphs 67 to 70 of the Secretary-General's report on the Force concerning reimbursement of Governments in respect of supplies, material and equipment furnished to their contingents, and negotiations are in progress with most of the Governments concerned to establish the amounts of such reimbursements.

II. Voluntary Contributions and Assessments to the UNEF Special Account
45. Voluntary contributions to the Special Account of the Force were pledged prior to 31 December 1960 in the amount of $1,800,000 by the United States and $135,000 by the United Kingdom, and resulted in the reduction of the assessment for 1961 of a number of Member States which requested such reductions, in conformity with the terms of resolution 1575 (XV).

46. Assessments approved by the General Assembly to the Special Account of UNEF from its inception to the end of 1961 total $94,233,988, of which $60,004,406, or 63.68 per cent, had been collected as at 31 July 1961, as compared with 67.8 per cent on the same day one year earlier. The assessments, collections and balances due for each year, as at 31 July 1961, are:

47. The $19 million assessment for 1961 includes $1,935,000 pledged as special assistance by two Governments. Prior to 1961, sixteen Governments contributed $22,241,012 to the Force as special assistance.

48. The following table shows the number of Governments which owed assessments in full or in part at 31 July 1961:

49. It is estimated on the basis of experience that $8.2 million of the $34.2 million now due on assessments will be collected by the end of 1961. Accordingly, unpaid assessments for all years at the end of 1961 are estimated to be $26 million, or 27.6 per cent of the total assessed, in comparison with 30 per cent not paid at the end of 1960.

III. Cash Deficit of the Special Account of the Force
50. As indicated in the Secretary-General's foreword to the regular budget estimates for 1962, the total cash deficit of the Organization in respect of its activities that are finances wholly or primarily by means of assessments on Member States was $34.6 million as at 31 December 1960, and $21.6 million of this amount was attributable to serious delays in payment, or the unwillingness or refusal of some Governments to recognize their obligations in the case of assessments under the UNEF Special Account.

51. By the end of 1961, it may be anticipated that arrears in the payment of UNEF 1961 assessments will cause the cash deficit of the Organization to increase another $4 to $5 million, unless corrective action is taken during the sixteenth session of the General Assembly.

IV. Cost Estimates for Maintaining the Force during 1962
52. In order that appropriate financial provision may be made to continue the Force during 1962, budget estimates for UNEF (A/4784) have been submitted to the General Assembly which provide for continuing the Force at the established level of approximately 5,300 officers and men. These estimates for 1962 total $19,836,000 and compare with an appropriation of $19 million for 1961. The estimates for 1962 have been examined by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, which in its seventh report to the General Assembly at its sixteenth session (A/4812), recommends an appropriation of the estimated amount while expressing the hope that costs of the operation would be kept at the lowest possible level and suggesting that a figure of $19.5 million would represent a reasonable target for this purpose.

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