1.
GV Israeli soldiers manning positions on heights. (2 SHOTS)
0.16


2.
SV PAN Soldiers working on guns. (2 SHOTS)
0.34


3.
SV Banner indicating base of Canadian soldiers on heights, TILT DOWN TO SV UN base.
0.45


4.
CU United Nations flag PULL BACK TO UN truck leaving dept. (2 SHOTS)
1.12


5.
SCU Commandant Heinz speaking to camera, then walks over, SV UN van driving past depot, UN personnel working on vehicles then back to camera, then UN posts, troops surveying area through binoculars. (8 SHOTS)
2.42


6.
SV UN soldiers keep watch.
2.43


7.
GV PAN LV Golan Heights
2.50


8.
SV UN armoured personnel carrier round base.
3.00



SPEECH ON FILM (TRANSCRIPT)




HEINZ: (SEQ 5) "The force consists of something less than 1300 men. They are lightly armed, with defensive weapons only, which they are permitted to use in self defence. So in the present situation, the same as happened with the UNTSO observers (United Nations Supervision Force in Palestine in 1973, the policy is, that should hostilities break out, the force and the UNTSO observers who man 11 observation points in the area of separation, should stick where they are, until the force commander, and the Secretary General, consider that some other action is necessary. If you consider, really, this is a unique force. It is here because both Syria and Israel want it here. established on the 31 May, 1974. Its mandate is for six months only. It has to be renewed by the Security Council, and before that, one has to have the agreement of both parties to the force being here. I am happy to say that as recently as the 22 May, both Israel and Syria agreed that conditions still require the force to be here and so its mandate has been renewed by the Security Council on that basis."





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BETACAM NX 063
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Israeli planes attacked Palestinian guerilla bases in Lebanon on Thursday (28 May) following the temporary suspension of an American attempt to find a solution to the Lebanese crisis. Israel has been calling for the withdrawal of missile bases deployed in Lebanon by Syria and the destruction on Wednesday of a Libyan-manned missile battery heightened the conflict in the area. Since the deployment of Syrian missiles in Lebanon, tension in the Golan Heights has also increased. The 60-kilometre-wide plateau which separates Israel and Syria, is policed by a United Nations peace-keeping force, but as the UN commanders themselves admit there would be little they could do if serious hostilities broke out.

SYNOPSIS: These Israeli troops are part of a large, reinforces military presence along the border with Syria. Israel occupied the territory in 1967 during the Arab-Israeli war. The rugged heights provided an almost impregnable barricade against a Syrian advance. Syria claims the land as its own, and has expressed fears that Israel may use the Heights as a springboard for an attack on Damascus.

The United Nations force was set up in 1974 to patrol a demilitarised zone, but are quietly stepping up their strength on their own side of the line. Last week (22 May) the Security Council renewed the force's mandate for another six months. UN commander Heinz noted the unique nature of the force and the problem it would have if hostilities broke out between Israel and Syria.

The day to day work of the force is monitoring violations of the ceasefire. Each incident has to be carefully checked. This remains a volatile frontier in particular in view of recent developments.