UNDOF COMMANDER REPORTS LIMITED RESOURCES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006923 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/IPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IS SY LE EG JO PGOV GOI EXTERNAL SUBJECT: UNDOF COMMANDER REPORTS LIMITED RESOURCES ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Major-General Bala Nanda Sharma of Nepal, United Nations Disengagement Observor Force (UNDOF) Commander, told the Ambassador December 12 that UNDOF has "no money, no manpower, and no resources" with which to employ new technologies or to expand its mission. Sharma reported that the Canadians want to withdraw their 185 troops and financial support immediately, which may result in the Mission losing $1 million and 25 local employees. He said it is possible that if the Japanese withdraw from Iraq, they may contribute more soldiers or resources to UNDOF. Sharma also reported that UNDOF observers witnessed but did not report Hizballah's November 20 attack against Israel. "We are charged," he explained, "with reporting on fire between Israel and Syria, not fire between Lebanon and Israel." Sharma also said that he was displeased with the suggestion that UNDOF's area of responsibility could serve as a venue for UN Independent Investigator Detlev Mehlis to interrogate Syrian suspects. END SUMMARY. -------------- - UNDOF HAS LIMITED RESOURCES, NO NEW TECHNOLOGY -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) When asked if the UNDOF Mission has expanded, or recently employed new technology, Sharma scoffed, "We have no money, no manpower, and no resources." He said UNDOF has no military staff aide (or, in Sharma's words, a "yemi") for its headquarters. Sharma said he has had to borrow an aide from UNTSO. When asked whether he has reported this state of affairs to the UN, Sharma replied, "In New York they don't want to hear anything that will irritate them." He said it has been acknowledged at the UN that he needs an aide, but the position has not been created. As to the future of UNDOF, Sharma said he expects the six-month mandate to be renewed. Until the border dispute is solved, he said he believes the situation will not improve any time soon. ¶3. (SBU) Sharma said the Canadians want to withdraw their 185 troops and financial support immediately, and Indian soldiers will replace them. The Canadians have contributed $1 million to the Mission, and employee 25 local civilians, all of which UNDOF may soon lose following the Canadians' departure. The Japanese have 30 soldiers assigned to UNDOF, which Sharma said last year resulted in UNDOF receiving 200 visitors from Japan, including officials, journalists and others. Based on this demonstrated interest, Sharma said, it is possible that if the Japanese withdraw from Iraq they may contribute more soldiers or resources to UNDOF. ¶4. (SBU) Sharma also said that he was displeased with the suggestion that UNDOF's area of responsibility could serve as a venue for UN Independent Investigator Detlev Mehlis to interrogate Syrian suspects. He learned about this possibility only through news reports, and complained that no one consulted him about the matter. -------------- WE CAN SEE BUT WE CAN'T REPORT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Sharma reported that UNDOF observers witnessed Hizballah's November 20 attack against Israel. When Hizballah fires weapons, Sharma said, their munitions often land in areas observed by UNDOF. "We are charged, though, with reporting on fire between Israel and Syria, not fire between Lebanon and Israel." Sharma added that he believes "the Syrians don't want people to stop paying attention to the border, and so they use Hizballah to keep attention focused there." When asked whether he reports on such matters, Sharma responded, "I do not have a political mandate. It's strictly a military mandate. I don't even have a political advisor." ¶6. (SBU) UNIFIL, by contrast, does have a political advisor, Sharma said. He reported that UNDOF currently enjoys very good relations with both UNTSO and UNIFIL, and often communicates and exchanges notes, "to try to ensure that New York gets the full picture." Sharma reported that UNDOF, UNIFIL, and UNTSO will hold a meeting January 24 in UNTSO Chief of Mission Alvara De Soto's office in Jerusalem. Sharma said that during a recent border tour provided to him by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF),the IDF pointed out where UNIFIL was stationed during Hizballah's attack in order to argue that UNIFIL must have witnessed the events of November 20. Sharma said he told the IDF that UNIFIL does not have a mandate to stop Hizballah from firing. ¶7. (SBU) Sharma said that although Sheba Farms falls within the area of responsibility of UNDOF, it is not clearly demarcated. The Ambassador asked whether Sharma believes the Government of Israel (GOI) has strategic reasons for holding on to Sheba Farms and whether, if Lebanon takes control of Sheba Farms, the IDF position can be flanked? Sharma replied, "Yes and no. Mt. Herman has more tactical significance. After Sheba Farms there will be the seven villages. Which ones? No one knows. In any case the Israelis say it does not matter what they do, the Syrians will always find another pretext to launch attacks." (Note: The seven villages became part of mandatory Palestine in 1923, when France and the U.K. drew borders between Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. End note.) ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** CRETZ