An officer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in the Mideast was killed today by an Israeli artillery shell near Port Tewfik, a UN spokesman said. He was identified as Major B. Roland Plane, 37, of Sweden.
The UN spokesman said that the officer was reported to have been killed while at “Observation Post Mike,” the code name for his position on the western side of the Canal. Secretary-General U Thant was awaiting further information before making a statement, he said. The death was the first of a truce team observer, although injuries have been reported sustained by several during the ongoing fighting. Mr. Thant recently threatened to remove the observers because of the dangers they faced. There are 90-95 observers at the Canal from 15 countries including more than 30 from Sweden.
(An Egyptian Government spokesman said Maj. Plane was killed when an Israeli shell scored a direct hit on his post. He said several doctors attempted to save his life. His body was to be shipped to Cairo where his wife and two children are living.)
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