11th Message to Congress on the U.S. Sinai Support Mission
(April 15, 1981)
To the Congress of the United States:
I am pleased to transmit herewith the Eleventh Report
of the United States Sinai Support Mission. It covers the Mission's
activities during the six-month period ending April 1, 1981. This report
is provided in accordance with Section 4 of Public Law 94-110 of October
13, 1975.
The Sinai Support Mission was established in January
1976 to implement the United States Proposal in the September 1975 Second
Sinai Disengagement Agreement to install and operate a tactical early
warning system in the Sinai Peninsula. The United States continued to
operate the early warning system until January 25, 1980, under the 1979
Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty.
Because it was not possible to gain United Nations
Security Council agreement to assume responsibility for supervising
the security arrangements called for by the Peace Treaty, the United
States agreed during September 1979 talks with Egypt and Israel to monitor
adherence to the Treaty's military limitations. Verification inspections,
conducted by the Sinai Field Mission, began in April 1980 and will continue
until April 25, 1982, the scheduled date for total Israeli withdrawal
from the Sinai.
My Administration has initiated bilateral discussions
with both Parties on the security arrangements to be implemented in
the Sinai following Israel's final withdrawal. The United States intends
to carry out its commitment to ensure the establishment and maintenance
of an acceptable alternative multinational force if it proves impossible
for the United Nations to support the security arrangements under the
Treaty. We share the desire of both Parties to move forward expeditiously
on this question. We will keep the Congress fully informed and will
consult as our discussions of this matter progress.
Funding of the Sinai Support Mission for Fiscal Year
1981 is authorized under Chapter 6, Part II of the Foreign Assistance
Act, "Peacekeeping Operations," at $16 million. For Fiscal
Year 1982, only $10 million is being requested, a level that will fund
both the Mission's operations during its final months and the projected
costs of its phaseout after April 25, 1982.
Our nation has contributed substantially to the promotion
of peace in this critical part of the Middle East, and the Congress
can be proud of the accomplishments of the Sinai Support and Field Missions.
I am counting on your continued support for this aspect of our efforts
to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East.
RONALD REAGAN
The White House,
April 15, 1981.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |