United Nations Emergency Force: Sixth Report of the Secretary-General (A/5172)

Introduction
This report covers the functioning of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) during the period since 30 August 1961, when the last report was submitted to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General in pursuance of Assembly resolution 1125 (XI), paragraph 4.

I. Effectiveness and Organization
1. During the period covered by this report, there has been no appreciable change in the relationship between the United Arab Republic and Israel pertaining to the operations of the United Nations Emergency Force. Virtually uninterrupted peace and quiet have prevailed all along the Armistice Demarcation Line in the Gaza Strip and on the International Frontier in the Sinai Peninsula, and the United Nations Emergency Force has continued to be the decisive influence in the maintenance of these conditions.

2. The number of cases of infiltration and other incidents along the Armistice Demarcation Line and the International Frontier between the United Arab Republic and Israel have been few and, as in previous years, of a very minor nature. There has been no case in which UNEF has had to employ its arms - the pattern of deployment of sentries and constant patrolling has proved to be sufficient in the accomplishment of its task. The confidence of the local population in the prevailing peaceful conditions continues to grow and this is reflected in the markedly increased agricultural development that is taking place, often up to the Armistice Line on both sides. It is regretted, however, that there has been no appreciable reduction in the number of air violations, more particularly in the northeast area of the Gaza Strip.

3. The reduction in the Swedish contingent effected last year owing to the dispatch of two companies of approximately 200 men to the Congo has not been made up and, for this reason, the disposition of the various components of the Force has had to be more or less permanently adjusted. A thorough review has been made of the strength of UNEF in relation to the requirements of it, and it has been found that without a change in its present responsibilities there cannot be any further reduction in the overall strength of the Force. Minor changes are, however, continuously being made as a result of constant streamlining of the administration. It is to be noted that the incidence of infiltration activity is likely to be more during the hours of darkness than by day and consequently patrolling and sentry duties at night are heavy and, as at present deployed, the majority of the men have to be on duty on alternate nights.

4. The basic organization, location and operational functions of the Force have remained the same as have the list of countries participating, viz., Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Norway, Sweden, and Yugoslavia.

5. The numerical strength of each national contingent as at 31 July 1962 is as follows:

6. The aircraft establishment of 115 ATU remains at three Caribous and two Otters. Services, however, have been expanded. El Kuntilla and Ras el Naqb outposts are now supplied by air, since it was found that owing to the very poor and rough tracks and difficult terrain the wastage rate of vehicles was heavy and that air supply would be more economical. Some of the reconnaissance flights were combined with logistics flights and the overall flying hours were actually less when compared with previous years. The personnel establishment was also slightly reduced from 94 to 91 all ranks, and these measures, coupled with the sharp reduction in the price charged by the Government of Canada for operation of the Caribou and Otter aircraft, has resulted in appreciable savings in the cost of internal airlift.

7. The tour of duty and the policy of rotation of the various contributing nations followed the same pattern as in previous years and were as follows:


 * (a) Brazil: One year tour of duty; half the contingent rotated every six months in a Brazilian naval vessel (in January and August 1962).


 * (b) Canada: One year tour of duty. Logistics personnel rotated in small groups throughout the year and the reconnaissance squadron complete as a unit once a year (in February/March 1962). All personnel are transported in Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft.


 * (c) Denmark, Norway and Sweden: Six months tour of duty; all personnel rotated by chartered commercial aircraft (in October/November 1961 and April/May 1962).


 * (d) India: One year tour of duty; rotated annually by chartered Indian ship (in October/November 1961).


 * (e) Yugoslavia: Six months tour of duty; rotated by chartered Yugoslav ship (in November/December 1961 and May/June 1962).

8. Since the inception of the Force the total number of contingents rotated is as follows: Brazil 5 (9 half-yearly rotations), Canada 5, India 5, Denmark 11, Norway 11, Sweden 11 and Yugoslavia 11.

II. Deployment and Daily Routine
9. UNEF continues to be deployed along the western side of the Egyptian-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. Forty-one platoons are employed on the ADL and the IF, sixteen are on guard and protective duties and eleven in reserve. The total number of officers and men employed on operational duties is thus approximately 2,200. The remainder consist of administrative and ancillary troops. The chart below shows the employment of platoons by contingents:

10. By day, the entire length of the ADL is kept under observation from a series of seventy intervisible observation posts (OPs). Each OP is manned during daylight hours by two sentries in 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.

11. Along the IF, rough terrain and scattered, uncleared minefields 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 and two OPs in its sector and the latter has four outposts (each of approximately one platoon in strength) and six OPs. Motor patrols operating from these bases cover the areas between outposts and certain tracks leading to the frontier. 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 aircraft of 115 Air Transport Unit. While on these patrols the aircraft is linked by wireless communication to the unit responsible for the particular sector. Any suspicious activity seen from the air can then be checked by ground patrols dispatched from the reserves available in these units.

12. A detachment of approximately one platoon of the Swedish Battalion, with Canadian administrative troops, is stationed at Sharm el Sheikh to keep the Straits of Tiran under constant observation.

13. Detailed deployment of units along the ADL and IR is as follows:

(a) Armistice Demarcation Line

 * (1) Sector 1 (from the sea (GR 1017-1117) to GR 1020-0999) - DANOR Bn
 * Battalion headquarters is located on Hill 88 approximately 2 km. east of Gaza. Four companies man twenty-three OPs along this 19-kilometer sector of the Line and include in their task watching the seaward extension of the ADL for possible violations of territorial waters.


 * (2) Sector 2 (from GR 1020-0999 to GR 0988-0962) - Swedish Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is at Gaza. One company mans six OPs along approximately 5 kilometers of the ADL.


 * (3) Sector 3 (from GR 0988-0962 to GR 0898-0843) - Indian Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is at Deir el Ballah. Four companies man twenty-two OPs along approximately 16 kilometers of the ADL.


 * (4) Sector 4 (GR 0898-0843 to GR 0802-0703 or junction with the IF) - Brazil Battalion
 * Battalion headquarters is at Rafah. Three companies man nineteen OPs along approximately 19 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, GR 0802-0703, to GR 0916-0340) - 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 GR 0916-0340 to the Gulf of Aqaba, GR 1405-8785) - Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion
 * This area is kept under observation by mobile patrols by day and standing patrols at irregular timings by night operating from the four permanent outposts and by OPs established at Taret Umm Oasis, 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.

III. Incidents
14. The type and number of incidents observed by UNEF troops between 1 August 1961 and 31 July 1962 are shown in the annex to the present report. 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.

15. There is little change in the total number of ground incidents as reported in the previous report. It should, however, be noted that there has been considerable reduction of incidents involving firing and thefts; the corresponding increase in attempted crossings has been mainly by Bedouins in the northern sector of the IF. Air space violations, however, showed a very considerable increase from 242 to 422. There has also been an increase of violations of territorial waters from 79 to 129. In both the latter cases UNEF cannot exercise any control other than that of observing and informing the parties concerned.

IV. Well-Being
16. The general well-being of the force and its health situation has been very satisfactory. There has been a steady decrease in the number of cases of acute hepatitis. This fact may be due to the inoculation of gamma globulin given to the Scandinavian contingents which have hitherto been the most affected by this serious disease.

17. The frequency of cases of acute gastroenteritis continued practically as in the past and again there was a peak period during May and June. It is noteworthy that this condition also is more frequent among Scandinavians than any of the other contingents. Investigations conducted by the bacteriologist of UNEF Hospital have disclosed that most cases of acute gastroenteritis are probably caused by bacterial dysentery. Further research in this area is being carried out to solve this problem.

18. The UNEF Hospital continues to be staffed by a Norwegian medical company, the commanding officer of which is the Chief Surgeon. The medical staff consists of specialists in internal medicine, bacteriology and radiology, and the hospital is provided with the required equipment to provide these services. Dental treatment is primarily the responsibility of the contingent dental officers.

19. The principal causes of hospitalization have been injuries from traffic and sports accidents, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.

20. As in the past, a certain number of civilians continue to be treated in the UNEF Hospital. Among the patients were United Nations international and field service staff members, local employees, some Bedouin children and a few cases of older men brought in from the encampments in the area of the IF.

21. During the period 1 August 1961 to 31 July 1962, 478 military cases and 241 civilians were admitted to the UNEF Hospital. These included 13 staff members, 111 local employees and 117 other local inhabitants, mostly children. Twenty-seven cases requiring specialized treatment were hospitalized outside the area.

22. Chronic cases continued to be repatriated to home countries on the recommendation of the UNEF Medical Board. The majority of such cases were due to chronic diseases already existing prior to arrival in UNEF. An interesting observation emerging among repatriation cases has been the incidence of mental depression due to brain involvement following attacks of acute gastroenteritis. The total number of cases repatriated was 78.

23. The number of fatal cases this year was 5, making a total of 57 since the inception of the Force. Details are as follows: motor accidents 2, accidental gunshot wound 1, heart failure 1, intracranial bleeding 1.

24. UNEF medical services continued to be provided at the leave center, at Sharm el Shiekh and at other localities visited by UNEF troops.

25. The welfare programme embraces the following activities:


 * (a) Leave Centre (half the year in Cairo and half the summer in Lebanon);
 * (b) Entertainment shows;
 * (c) Welfare tours;
 * (d) Sports and athletic competitions.

26. The Leave Centre during the winter season in Cairo, i.e., from November 1961 to April 1962, catered to 327 officers and 4,529 other ranks. Transportation to and from Cairo was carried out by rail in special trains. The Leave Centre in Broumanna, Lebanon, reopened on 14 May 1962. Transportation is provided by chartered commercial aircraft. In addition to organizing guided tours to places of interest, the Leave Administration Unit arranges special entertainment programmes.

27. Welfare supplies and equipment were provided for the wide variety of games, sports programmes, competitions, etc., conducted throughout the Force during the entire year.

28. Special Welfare tours organized by the UNEF Welfare Office have been most popular, nearly 4,000 officers and men having visited Jerusalem alone. Other tours include Luxor, El Alamein and Cyprus.

29. Cinema shows continued to be provided regularly in all camps and outposts in the Gaza Strip and the Sinai. The present Indian battalion has also brought its brass band and pipes and drums and both these have been made available to other contingents for parades and other functions. The Royal Canadian Dragoon Guards once again visited UNEF and remained in the area for nearly three weeks providing concerts and light music for all the contingents.

30. Most contingents have their own chaplains (Pandits and Garanthis for the Indian contingent) and services are held regularly. Special programmes of church services and festivities were organized during Christmas and Easter and on other days of significance to each contingent.

V. Logistics
31. In the two previous reports it was noted that changes were required in the logistics cover for the Force in the light of experience gained since its inception. These changes mainly concerned the replacement and standardization of vehicles and other major equipment, and the provision of more adequate accommodation, messing and sanitation facilities. Of necessity, many of these could not be completed within these two years. However, the process was continued and substantial progress has been made in improving the administrative posture of the Force in these and various other fields. At the same time, economies have been made in both manpower and material in an effort to reduce the logistics overhead of the Force. The following paragraphs set out in some detail the progress made on the more important aspects.

Equipment

32. Vehicles. Further reductions have been made in the number of different makes, types and models of vehicles in the Force. In the autumn of 1961 the vehicle establishment was again revised with the result that in vehicles falling into the "general purpose" category, the Force has now standardized on six basic makes. The new establishment is being implemented on a phased basis as deliveries of new vehicles are made and as the older vehicles which are beyond economical repair are removed from service. The vehicles on which the Force is now standardizing are generally lighter than those previously in operation and they are less costly to operate and maintain. Further, the procurement of spare parts, always a problem with older vehicles, should be overcome to a great extent as more new vehicles are put into service.

33. Generators. The standardization programme for generators continues and should be largely completed in 1962. The Force has adopted a common make of generator, with three different capacities to meet the needs of the various camps. The maintenance and spare parts problem will be reduced to negligible proportions when this programme is completed.

34. Communications equipment. In the previous report, mention was made that radio and telephone equipment had been installed at Force headquarters and at the maintenance area. Similar equipment has now been installed at the UNEF Air Base at El Arish, thereby completing the programme. All units and installations are now connected by radio telephone, and the three main bases at Gazah, Rafah and El Arish have been provided with a teleprinter service. Progress has also been made in replacing operational telephone cable between unit headquarters and subsidiary company-platoon locations.

35. Ordnance stores. The scales of entitlement for ordnance stores were received in detail in February. As a result, further economies were effected by the deletion of certain non-essential items. In addition, in instances where user experience so indicated, certain issues have been curtailed with no loss in operational efficiency.

Repair and maintenance of equipment

36. The load of repairs on the UNEF workshops at present is very heavy but the gradual implementation of the policy of standardization on a lesser number of vehicles and generator types will progressively ease this strain. Some significant economies in personnel and equipment have been achieved by merging the Transport Company workshop element into the UNEF Workshop proper.

Transport requirements

37. Trials are currently being conducted with a view to reducing the size of the Transport Company in both personnel and vehicles. It is expected that substantial economies will be effected. This is partially due to the Force making greater use of existing railway facilities with a resultant reduction in long road hauls.

Accommodation

38. Tent replacement programme. As indicated in past reports, tents are progressively being replaced by standard masonry huts or with weatherproof roofs on the existing tent kit structures. This programme is scheduled for completion in 1962.

Water supply

39. The supply of water to the ADL and IF platoon camps continues to be a problem. In an effort to overcome this, larger storage tanks will be constructed in certain camps during the latter half of 1962. In the meantime, water continues to be delivered to most camps on a daily basis by tanker trucks. The detachment at Sharm el Shiekh, where water resources are extremely limited, is provided with water from a large distillation plant and reserve storage tanks operated by the UNEF Engineer Company.

Sewage disposal

40. The ground surrounding many of the camps is badly fouled and it is proposed to construct various waste disposal installations in an attempt to ease the problem. The first of these, a sewage lagoon, commenced in July.

Air supply of isolated detachments

41. The detachment at Sharm el Shiekh and those in the Yugoslav sector at Ras el Naqb and El Kuntilla are maintained with food and other supplies by means of air supply. While this system has been in operation for the Sharm el Shiekh detachment, using Caribou aircraft, for some time, it is a recent innovation for the remaining two detachments. The result has been a reduction in the requirement for vehicle maintenance and repair in the Yugoslav Reconnaissance Battalion. In addition, the vehicle establishment of the Yugoslav Battalion has been slightly reduced.

Petrol, oil and lubricants

42. Petrol storage facilities have been generally improved and all major camps have bulk underground storage tanks.

43. The petrol rationing schemes mentioned in previous reports remain in effect, and all units are maintaining strict control over vehicle trips. It is hoped that worth-while financial savings can be made by this means. The arrival of lighter and more economical vehicles and the withdrawal of older and heavier types should have a significant effect on petrol consumption.

Sea and air movements

44. The bulk of the material for UNEF arrives at Port Said by sea and is shipped by road and rail to the UNEF theatre. During the year the average sea cargo has been 620.7 tons per month inbound and 32.7 tons per month outbound. A total of 645 ships unloaded stores for UNEF at Port Said. Smaller quantities are transported by scheduled North Star aircraft between Pisa, Italy, and El Arish. Normally, there are three flights per month with a monthly average of 13 tons of cargo inbound and 16 tons outbound.

45. UNEF maintains small Movement Control detachments at Gaza, Camp Rafah, El Arish, Port Said, Cairo, Beirut and Pisa. These perform the movement control functions required to complete various national rotations. Responsibilities include the reception and dispatch of personnel, material and baggage, and arranging clearances with the civilian authorities concerned. Material movements include the distribution of stores, rations and mail, to various contingents within the UNEF operational area.

Fire prevention

46. While losses from fire have been small, it is evident that a strengthening of the firefighting organization in Camp Rafah is necessary. Accordingly, more adequate firefighting equipment has recently been procured and a reorganization of the firefighting facilities is underway.

VI. Local Arrangements
47. Cooperation with United Arab Republic authorities and the Gaza administration, primarily through the medium of the United Arab Republic Liaison Staff located in Gaza, continues on an effective basis. Relations between the Force and the local population have been very good.

B. Financial Arrangements and Cost Estimates of the Force
48. The General Assembly at its sixteenth session, having examined the 1962 budget estimates for the Force submitted by the Secretary-General and the observations and recommendations thereon of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, in resolution 1733 (XVI) of 20 December 1961 authorized the Secretary-General to expend during 1962 at an average monthly rate not to exceed $1,625,000 for the continuing operation of the Force, appropriated $9,750,000 for the operations of the Force for the period 1 January to 30 June 1962, apportioned $8,360,526 of that amount among all Member States, and appealed to Member States in a position to assist to make voluntary contributions to help defray the costs of the Force.

49. The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom pledged such voluntary contributions, subject to Congressional or Parliamentary approval, in the amounts respectively of $1,321,974 and $67,500.

50. For the year 1961, obligations incurred for the maintenance and operation of UNEF totaled $18,646,545, of which $10,651,602 related to operating costs incurred by the United Nations and $7,994,943 related to reimbursements of extra and extraordinary costs incurred by Governments providing contingents to the Force.

51. As at 31 July 1962 the net assessments, collections of assessed contributions and balances due in respect of such assessments were as follows:

52. Budget estimates for the maintenance of the Force in 1963 will be submitted to the General Assembly in a separate report.

53. As indicated in the Secretary-General's foreword to the regular budget estimates for 1963, it is the intention to report separately at an early stage during its seventeenth session on the Organization's financial position and prospects, which includes the Special Account of the Force.

Annex E - Summary of Incidents Caused By Persons From Israeli-Controlled Territory
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