The American contingent in the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) for Sinai will include 600 troops from the crack 82nd Airborne Division, Defense Minister Ariel Sharon was informed yesterday.
He was told by MFO director Gen. Leaman Hunt of the U.S. and Gen. Frederick Bull-Hansen of Norway, who will command the MFO, that the American unit would be stationed on Tiran island which commands access to the Gulf of Aqaba and the Israeli port of Eilat. The 82nd Airborne Division is a significant element of the Rapid Deployment Force the U.S. is developing to respond to military threats in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
The U.S. will provide the greater proportion of the 2,500-man peacekeeping force that will patrol Sinai after Israel completes its withdrawal next April. Four European powers — Britain, France, Italy and Holland — will also contribute to the MFO. Italy will supply a naval patrol force France will staff a field hospital and Britain will provide logistical and administrative assistance.
Yesterday, the Dutch Cabinet formally approved the participation of a 100-man unit from Holland in the MFO and parliamentary approval is expected to follow. The Dutch force will include 75 communications experts and 21 military policemen. The former began their training February I. Australia is understood to be ready to provide 10 helicopters and their crews. Other participants in the MFO are Colombia, Uruguay and Fiji.
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