Role still
relevant
Holding the Blue Line
Volume 11, No. 48, July 27, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
THE current hostilities between the Israeli Defence Force and Hezbollah in Lebanon serves as a vivid reminder of the importance of Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).
Under that commitment – which dates back 50 years – 12 Army officers are currently deployed on Op Paladin.
Eleven are tasked as UN Military Observers (UNMOs) in the region, working alongside UNMOs from 23 countries.
Four Australian observers are currently on the Blue Line, the border between southern Lebanon and northern Israel, reporting back to HQ UNTSO in Jerusalem where Commander Australian Contingent Lt-Col Jim Burns fulfils the key role of UNTSO Chief Operations Officer.
“At the moment rocket attacks have continued into northern Israel, targeting the major population centres and this has obviously led to an Israeli Defence Force response,” Lt-Col Burns said.
“All of the Australian UNMOs have been accounted for, they are all safe and they remain on duty carrying out their tasks as directed by the UN.”
Although the UN had not been targeted during the conflict, Lt-Col Burns said there was a level of incidental danger to the Australian officers positioned in Lebanon.
Australian UNMOs have operated in Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan, Egypt and Israel since Australia committed to UNTSO in 1956. Operating from patrol bases, their mobile and static observation patrols can include liaison with local community representatives and elements of armed forces.
At present the UNMOs on the Blue Line have been ordered to postpone all patrols and continue their reporting from their secure patrol bases.
“I can say quite confidently the mood among the Australian officers is good. Their morale is very high and they remain focused on delivering the operational outcomes of UNTSO’s mission,” Lt-Col Burns said.
He said the recent events highlighted the significance of Australia’s 50 years of continuous commitment to peace in the Middle East.
“I think it reinforces the importance of our commitment to UNTSO, the UN and to the Middle East peace process because that commitment is still valid, it’s still relevant and it is still needed,” he said.
