Security Council

6241^st Meeting (AM)

Security Council Authorizes Extension of United Nations Disengagement

Observer Force Mandate for Six Months, until 30 June 2010

 

Presidential Statement:  Tension Will Remain until Just, Lasting Peace Is Reached

The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has supervised the ceasefire between Israel and Syria since 1974, for the next six months until 30 June 2010.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1899 (2009), the Council also called for the implementation of its resolution 338 of 1973, which required immediate negotiations between the parties with the aim of establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

In conjunction with the adoption of the resolution, Council President Michel Kafando (Burkina Faso) read out a statement (to be issued as document S/PRST/2009/34) reiterating that tension in the region would remain until such a just and lasting peace in the region could be reached.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on UNDOF (document S/2009/597), recommends extending the Force’s mandate, noting that, while the situation in the Golan Heights has been “generally quiet”, the overall region is tense.  He encourages the parties to resume the indirect peace talks initiated under the auspices of Turkey and aimed at a comprehensive peace, in accordance with the Madrid Conference terms of reference.

He also drew attention to the amount of unpaid assessments for the Force, which stood at $19.1 million on 30 September.

The meeting began at 10:20 a.m. and ended at 10:25 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1899 (2009) reads, as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 18 November 2009 (S/2009/597), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,

“1.   Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;

“2.   Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

“3.   Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 30 June 2010;

“4.   Requests the Secretary-General to submit, at the end of this period, a report on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).”

Presidential Statement

The full text of Presidential Statement S/PRST/2009/34 reads, as follows:

“As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/2009/597) states in paragraph 11 ‘... the situation in the Middle East is tense 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.”

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For information media • not an official record