Israel has made it clear to the United Nations Secretariat that it opposes any idea of either evacuating or drastically curbing the operations of the United Nations Emergency Force, it was learned here today.
The issue came up today because a special commission appointed by Secretary-General U Thant is currently investigating the operations and budget of the Force, which stands on guard on the border of the Gaza Strip and at Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt’s Sahara Desert, overlooking the Gulf of Akabah. The special commission is due to report its findings to Mr. Thant within the next few days.
Israel’s stand regarding UNEF has been voiced in a continuing series of conferences between its delegation here and the Secretariat. Israel’s view has been spelled out as one holding that UNEF has been an important factor in the prevention of border incidents between Egypt and Israel since the Force was established in 1956. Egypt also wants UNEF retained. The General Assembly’s Budgetary and Administrative Committee is due to discuss the UNEF finances soon.
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