Interim Agreement between Israel and Egypt, 1 September 1975

The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Government of Israel have agreed that:

Article I

The conflict between them and in the Middle East shall not be resolved by military force but by peaceful means.

The Agreement concluded by the parties on 18 January 1974, within the framework of the Geneva Peace Conference, constituted a first step towards a just and durable peace according to the provisions of Security Council Resolution 338 of 22 October 1973.

They are determined to reach a final and just peace settlement by means of negotiations called for by Security Council Resolution 338, this Agreement being a significant step towards that end.

Article II

The parties hereby undertake not to resort to the threat or use of force or military blockade against each other.

Article III

The parties shall continue scrupulously to observe the cease-fire on land, sea and air and to refrain from all military or para-military actions against each other. The parties also confirm that the obligations contained in the annex and, when concluded, the Protocol shall be an integral part of this Agreement.

Article IV

A. The military forces of the parties shall be deployed in accordance with the following principles:

(1) All Israeli forces shall be deployed east of the lines designated as lines J and M on the attached map.

(2) All Egyptian forces shall be deployed west of the line designated as line E on the attached map.

(3) The area between the lines designated on the attached map as lines E and F and the area between the lines designated on the attached map as lines J and K shall be limited in armament and forces.

(4) The limitations on armament and forces in the areas described by paragraph (3) above shall be agreed as described in the attached annex.

(5) The zone between the lines designated on the attached map as lines E and J will be a buffer zone. In this zone the United Nations Emergency Force will continue to perform its functions as under the Egyptian-Israeli Agreement of 18 January 1974.

(6) In the area south from line E and west from line M, as defined on the attached map, there will be no military forces, as specified in the attached annex.

B. The details concerning the new lines, the redeployment of the forces and its timing, the limitation on armaments and forces, aerial reconnaissance, the operation of the early warning and surveillance installations and the use of the roads, the United Nations functions and other arrangements will all be in accordance with the provisions of the annex and map which are an integral part of this Agreement and of the protocol which is to result from negotiations pursuant to the annex and which, when concluded, shall become an integral part of this Agreement.

Article V

The United Nations Emergency Force is essential and shall continue its functions and its mandate shall be extended annually.

Article VI

The parties hereby establish a joint commission for the duration of this Agreement. It will function under the aegis of the chief co-ordinator of the United Nations peace-keeping missions in the Middle East in order to consider any problem arising from this Agreement and to assist the United Nations Emergency Force in the execution of its mandate. The joint commission shall function in accordance with procedures established in the Protocol.

Article VII

Non-military cargoes destined for or coming from Israel shall be permitted through the Suez Canal.

Article VIII

This Agreement is regarded by the parties as a significant step toward a just and lasting peace. It is not a final peace agreement.

The parties shall continue their efforts to negotiate a final peace agreement within the framework of the Geneva peace conference in accordance with Security Council Resolution 338.

Article IX

This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature of the Protocol and remain in force until superseded by a new agreement.

ANNEX TO THE EGYPT-ISRAEL AGREEMENT

Within five days after the signature of the Egypt-Israel Agreement, representatives of the two parties shall meet in the military working group of the Middle East peace conference at Geneva to begin preparation of a detailed Protocol for the implementation of the Agreement. The working group will complete the Protocol within two weeks. In order to facilitate preparation of the Protocol and implementation of the agreement, and to assist in maintaining the scrupulous observance of the cease-fire and other elements of the Agreement, the two parties have agreed on the following principles, which are an integral part of the Agreement, as guidelines for the working group.

1. DEFINITIONS OF LINES AND AREAS

The deployment lines, areas of limited forces and armaments, buffer zones, the area south from line E and west from line M, other designated areas, road sections for common use and other features referred to in article IV of the Agreement shall be as indicated on the attached map (1:100,000 - United States edition).

2. BUFFER ZONES

(A) Access to the buffer zones will be controlled by the United Nations Emergency Force, according to procedures to be worked out by the working group and the United Nations Emergency Force.

(B) Aircraft of either party will be permitted to fly freely up to the forward line of that party. Reconnaissance aircraft of either party may fly up to the middle line of the buffer zone between E and J on an agreed schedule.

(C) In the buffer zone, between lines E and J, there will be established under article IV of the Agreement an early warning system entrusted to United States civilian personnel as detailed in a separate proposal, which is a part of this Agreement.

(D) Authorized personnel shall have access to the buffer zone for transit to and from the early warning system; the manner in which this is carried out shall be worked out by the working group and the United Nations Emergency Force.

3. AREA SOUTH OF LINE E AND WEST OF LINE M

(A) In this area, the United Nations Emergency Force will assure that there are no military or para-military forces of any kind, military fortifications and military installations; it will establish checkpoints and have the freedom of movement necessary to perform this function.

(B) Egyptian civilians and third country civilian oil field personnel shall have the right to enter, exit from, work and live in the above indicated area, except for buffer zones 2A, 2B and the United Nations posts. Egyptian civilian police shall be allowed in the area to perform normal civil police functions among the civilian population in such number and with such weapons and equipment as shall be provided for in the Protocol.

(C) Entry to and exit from the area, by land, by air or by sea, shall be only through United Nations Emergency Force checkpoints. The United Nations Emergency Force shall also establish checkpoints along the road, the dividing line and at either points, with the precise locations and number to be included in the Protocol.

(D) Access to the airspace and the coastal area shall be limited to unarmed Egyptian civilian vessels and unarmed civilian helicopters and transport planes involved in the civilian activities of the area as agreed by the working group.

(E) Israel undertakes to leave intact all currently existing civilian installations and infrastructures.

(F) Procedures for use of the common sections of the coastal road along the Gulf of Suez shall be determined by the working group and detailed in the Protocol.

4. AERIAL SURVEILLANCE

There shall be a continuation of aerial reconnaissance missions by the United States over the areas covered by the Agreement (the area between lines F and K), following the same procedures already in practice. The missions will ordinarily be carried out at a frequency of one mission every 7-10 days, with either party or the United Nations Emergency Force empowered to request an earlier mission. The United States Government will make the mission results available expeditiously to Israel, Egypt and the chief coordinator of the United Nations peace-keeping missions in the Middle East.

5. LIMITATION OF FORCES AND ARMAMENTS

(A) Within the areas of, limited forces and armaments (the areas between lines J and K and lines E and F) the major limitations shall be as follows:

(1) Eight (8) standard infantry battalions.

(2) Seventy-five (75) tanks.

(3) Seventy-two (72) artillery pieces, including heavy mortars (i.e. with caliber larger than 120 mm), whose range shall not exceed twelve (12) km.

(4) The total number of personnel shall not exceed eight thousand (8,000).

(5) Both parties agree not to station or locate in the area weapons which can reach the line of the other side.

(6) Both parties agree that in the areas between line A (of the disengagement agreement of 18 January 1974) and line E they will construct no new fortifications or installations for forces of a size greater than that agreed herein.

(B) The major limitations beyond the areas of limited forces and armament will be:

(1) Neither side will station nor locate any weapon in areas from which they can reach the other line.

(2) The parties will not place anti-aircraft missiles within an area of ten (10) kilometres east of line K and west of line F, respectively.

(C) The United Nations Emergency Force will conduct inspections in order to ensure the maintenance of the agreed limitations within these areas.

6. PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION

The detailed implementation and timing of the redeployment of forces, turnover of oil fields, and other arrangements called for by the Agreement, annex and Protocol shall be determined by the working group, which will agree on the stages of this process, including the phased movement of Egyptian troops to line E and Israeli troops to line J. The first phase will be the transfer of the oil fields and installations to Egypt. This process will begin within two weeks from the signature of the Protocol with the introduction of the necessary technicians, and it will be completed no later than eight weeks after it begins. The details of the phasing will be worked out in the military working group.

Implementation of the redeployment shall be completed within five months after signature of the Protocol.

Proposal

In connexion with the early warning system referred to in article IV of the Agreement between Egypt and Israel concluded on this date and as an integral part of that Agreement (hereafter referred to as the basic Agreement), the United States proposes the following:

1. The early warning system to be established in accordance with article IV in the area shown on the map attached to the basic agreement will be entrusted to the United States. It shall have the following elements:

A. There shall be two surveillance stations to provide strategic early warning, one operated by Egyptian and one operated by Israeli personnel. Their locations are shown on the map attached to the basic Agreement. Each station shall be manned by not more than 250 technical and administrative personnel. They shall perform the functions of visual and electronic surveillance only within their stations.

B. In support of these stations, to provide tactical early warning and to verify access to them, three watch stations shall be established by the United States in the Mitla and Giddi Passes as will be shown on the map attached to the basic Agreement. These stations shall be operated by United States civilian personnel. In support of these stations, there shall be established three unmanned electronic sensor fields at both ends of each Pass and in the general vicinity of each station and the roads leading to and from those stations.

2. The United States civilian personnel shall perform the following duties in connexion with the operation and maintenance of these stations.

A. At the two surveillance stations described in paragraph 1 A. above, United States civilian personnel will verify the nature of the operations of the stations and all movement into and out of each station and will immediately report any detected divergency from its authorized role of visual and electronic surveillance to the parties to the basic Agreement and to the United Nations Emergency Force.

B. At each watch station described in paragraph 1 B. above, the United States civilian personnel will immediately report to the parties to the basic Agreement and to the United Nations Emergency Force any movement of armed forces, other than the United Nations Emergency Force, into either Pass and any observed preparations for such movement.

C. The total number of United States civilian personnel assigned to functions under this proposal shall not exceed 200. Only civilian personnel shall be assigned to functions under this proposal.

3. No arms shall be maintained at the stations and other facilities covered by this proposal, except for small arms required for their protection.

4. The United States personnel serving the early warning system shall be allowed to move freely within the area of the system.

5. The United States and its personnel shall be entitled to have such support facilities as are reasonably necessary to perform their functions provided for in the United Nations Emergency Force Agreement of 13 February 1957.

6. The United States personnel shall be immune from local criminal, civil, tax and customs jurisdiction and may be accorded any other specific privileges and immunities provided for in the United Nations Emergency Force Agreement of 13 February 1957.

7. The United States affirms that it will continue to perform the functions described above for the duration of the basic Agreement.

8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this proposal, the United States may withdraw its personnel only if it concludes that their safety is jeopardized or that continuation of their role is no longer necessary. In the latter case the parties to the basic Agreement will be informed in advance in order to give them the opportunity to make alternative arrangements. If both parties to the basic Agreement request the United States to conclude its role under this proposal, the United States will consider such requests conclusive.

9. Technical problems including the location of the watch stations will be worked out through consultation with the United States.

Henry A. Kissinger

Secretary of State

Protocol to the Agreement between Israel and Egypt, 22 September 1975

Under the terms of the Protocol completed by the Israel-Egypt military working group that met in Geneva, it was agreed that its implementation would begin on 5 October and be completed by 22 February 1976. But pending the approval of the Congress of the United States of the American early warning station, Israel only initialled the Protocol. It signed it on 10 October after the Congress ratified the U.S.-Israel accord accompanying the Sinai agreement. Text:

The Parties to the present Protocol,

Having met in the Military Working Group of the Middle East Peace Conference at Geneva under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant-General Ensio Sfilasvuo, Chief Coordinator of the United Nations Peace-keeping Mission in the Middle East,

Taking into account that the preparation of a detailed Protocol is essential for the implementation of the Agreement between Egypt and Israel in all its part which constitutes a significant step towards a just and durable peace according to the provisions of Security Council Resolution 338 of 22nd October 1973,

Conscious of the fact that the Agreement enters into force upon the signature of this Protocol,

Having been guided by principles contained in the Annex to the Agreement,

Have agreed as follows:

Article I REDEPLOYMENT OF FORCES

See Maps: 'R' (1/500,000) and 'Q' (1/100,000)

1. Area South of Line E and West of Line M (see Map 'Q')

a. 15th November 1975, 1200 hours

(i) The transfer to UNEF of the Area R1C (marked on Map 'Q').

(ii) The transfer to UNEF of the Ras Sudar area (marked on Map 'Q' as Area R2).

b. 16th November 1975, 1200 hours

(i) The transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the Areas R1C and R1D. In these areas there will be no Egyptian military forces and military infrastructures until:

- in area R1D: 15th December 1975.

- in area R1C: 16th January 1976.

(ii) The transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the area of Ras Sudar (Area R2). From 5th October 1975, Egypt may introduce technicians to the Ras Sudar oil installations.

c. 24th - 30th November 1975

(i) UNEF entering to the rest of the area South of Line E and West of Line M. Egypt may introduce technicians to the Abu Rodeis oil installations.

(ii) Israel forces leaving this area at 1200 hours, 30th November 1975

d. 1st December 1975

At 1200 hours the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the rest of the area South of Line E and West of Line M.

2. Northern Area (See Map 'Q') - 1/100,000)

Basic Timetable

a. 12th-13th January 1976 (Sector S-1)

(i) At 0900, 12th January 1976, UNEF entering area S1D.

(ii) At 1400, 13th January 1976, Israel forces leaving area S1D.

b. 16th January 1976

At 0900 the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the Area S1C.

c. 26th January-2nd February 1976

(i) At 0900, 26th January 1976, the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the Area S4D.

(ii) At 1200, 2nd February 1976, the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of the Area S3D.

d. 14th-19th February 1976 (Sector S-1 and S-4)

(i) At 0900, 14th February 1976, UNEF entering Area S1B.

(ii) At 0900, 15th February 1976, UNEF entering Area S4B.

(iii) At 1200, 17th February 1976, Israel forces leaving Area S1B.

(iv) At 1200, 18th February 1976, Israel forces leaving Area S4B.

(v) At 1200, 19th February 1976, the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of Area S4C.

e. 16th-20th Februry 1976 (Sector S-3)

(i) At 0900, 16th February 1976, UNEF entering Area S3B.

(ii) At 1200, 19th February 1976, Israel forces leaving Area S3B.

(iii) At 1200, 20th February 1976, the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of Area S3C.

f. 18th-22nd February 1976 (Sector S-2)

(i) At 0900, 18th February 1976, UNEF entering Area S2B.

(ii) At 1200, 21st February 1976, Israel forces leaving Area S2B.

(iii) At 1200, 22nd February 1976, the transfer by UNEF to Egypt of Area S2C.

3. Demarcation of the Lines

a. The demarcation of Line J on the ground will be carried out between 1st October 1975 and 31st October 1975 by UN and Israeli teams.

b. The demarcation of Line M on the ground will be carried out between 25th October 1975 and 21st November 1975 by UN teams. (Line M in Area R-2 will be demarcated by 10th November 1975).

c. Egyptian and Israeli checking of demarcation of Line M on the ground will be carried out after 1st December 1975. The time schedule for checking of Line M will be coordinated between Egypt and Israel with UNEF.

d. The redemarcation of Line E on the ground will be carried out between 1st January 1976 and 15th January 1976 by UN. The demarcation of Line E in Area RIC will be carried out between 1 November 1975 and 14th November 1975.

e. Egyptian and UN teams will check Line E according to the basic timetable of the Egyptian deployment in each sector (see paragraph 2).

Article II SOUTHERN AREA (AREA SOUTH OF LINE E AND WEST OF LINE M)

1. General

a. The armed forces or any other armed personnel of either Party or of any other third party other than Egyptian policemen and the UNEF may neither enter, stay nor pass through the area or the airspace above the area.

b. Egyptian civilians and third country civilian oilfield personnel shall have the right to enter, exit, work and live in the area.

c. Entry to and exit from the area by land, sea and air shall be only through UNEF checkpoints.

d. Access to the airspace and the coastal area shall be limited to unarmed Egyptian civilian vessels and unarmed civilian helicopters and transport planes involved in the civilian activities of the area. A limited number of Egyptian civilian helicopters and civilian transport planes may be stationed within the area for emergency cases and for the operation of the oilfields.

2. The Functions of UNEF in the Area

a. UNEF will perform its responsibilities in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the provisions of the Agreement, the Annex and Protocol. The Force shall enjoy the freedom of movement and communication and other facilities that are necessary for the performance of its tasks.

b. UNEF will assure that no military or para-military forces of any kind, military fortifications and military installations are in the area. The UNEF shall allow entry to and exit from the area by land, by air or by sea, through UNEF checkpoints to authorized persons and cargoes only. c. In order to perform its functions, UNEF -

(i) will establish checkpoints and observation posts (see Map 'C')

(ii) will patrol throughout the area by land, coastal and air patrols.

d. UNEF will carry out verification at the checkpoints through the Egyptian civilian police in the presence and under the supervision of UNEF personnel.

e. UNEF will report its findings to both Parties to the Agreement.

3. Buffer Zones 2A, 2B an UNEF posts in the Hammam Faroun Area

a. The zones designated on the Map attached to the Agreement as Zones 2A and 2B will be Buffer Zones. In these zones UNEF shall be stationed and shall perform the same functions as determined in Buffer Zone 1.

b. The UNEF posts in Hammam Faroun area are as indicated on the Map attached to the Agreement. Egyptian personnel and civilians will not enter UNEF posts in this area.

c. UNEF shall maintain permanent checkpoints on the routes leading into the Buffer Zones and on the Buffer Zone lines.

4. Egyptian Civilian Police

a. Egyptian civilian police shall be allowed in the area, to perform normal police functions among the civilian population.

b. This police unit will be equipped with revolvers, sub-machine guns, rifles and light unarmed vehicles marked with the distinctive marking of civilian police,

c. The police unit will be composed of 700 policemen: 500 of them armed and 200 are Police Administrative personnel.

5. Road Sections for Common Use

a. The sections for common use on the coastal road along the Gulf of Suez are as indicated on the Map attached to the Agreement and will be opened to traffic as detailed in the Statement of the Chairman.

b. The maintenance of the common sections of the road within Buffer Zones 2A and 2B and West of Line M shall be maintained by UNEF. Other sections of the common road East of Line M shall be maintained by Israel.

c. Egypt and Israel will have access to these road sections within Buffer Zones 2A and 2B from all directions, i.e. also from the side roads West and East of these sections as indicated on Map 'C' attached to the Protocol and this in accordance with an established time schedule - to and from their respective areas. Vehicles entering the side roads will be accompanied by UNEF.

d. UNEF will assure, through checkpoints on the road sections for common use (as indicated on Map 'C' attached to the Protocol) and through patrols along these sections, that the traffic on these sections will be conducted in accordance with paragraph (c) above and as detailed in the Statement by the Chairman.

6. Transfer of Oilfields, Installations and Infrastructures

a. Israel undertakes to leave intact all currently existing oilfields, installations and infrastructures.

b. Egypt will be represented in the transfer:

(i) with respect to the Ras Sudar area by Mobil.

(ii) with respect to the Abu Rodeis area by IEOC.

c. The technicians introduced to the area will have the necessary vehicles for their movements and have the necessary means of communications with Egyptian authorities.

d. The transfer will be carried out by a procès verbal to be signed by Israel and the above-mentioned representative of Egypt and to be witnessed by the Chief Co-ordinator or his representative.

e. The third party technicians will be responsible for whatever oilfield installations and infrastructures they receive.

Article III THE NORTHERN AREA

1. Buffer Zone 1

a. The zone between the lines designated on the Map attached to the Agreement as Lines E and J will be a Buffer Zone. In this zone the UNEF shall be stationed and continue to perform its functions as under the Egyptian-Israeli Agreement of 18th January 1974, and carry out other activities as detailed in the Agreement, Annex and Protocol.

b. UNEF will maintain checkpoints, observation posts and reconnaissance patrols along the lines of the Buffer Zone and within the area, in order to prevent any unauthorized entry into the area of any person. Access will be only through the checkpoints controlled by UNEF.

c. In Buffer Zone 1 there will be established an Early Warning System entrusted to United States civilian personnel.

d. UNEF shall have complete freedom of movement within Buffer Zone 1, except that UNEF personnel shall not enter the perimeter of the Surveillance Stations.

2. Limitation of Forces and Armaments

a. The major limitations on Forces and Armaments are as provided for in article IV B of the Agreement and paragraph 5 of the Annex.

b. UNEF supervision

(i) UNEF will conduct inspections as follows:

(a) In areas between Lines E and F and Lines K and J as regards limitations of forces and armaments.

(b) In the area between Line E up to ten (10) kilometres West of Line F and in the area between Line J up to ten (10) kilometres East of Line K to assure that anti-aircraft missiles are not placed in the areas.

(ii) UNEF shall conduct bi-weekly inspections in the areas referred to in b. (i)(a) and b. (i)(b) above an order to ensure the maintenance of the agreed limitations within these areas.

(iii) UNEF shall inform both Parties of the results of such inspections.

(iv) UNEF inspection teams shall be accompanied by liaison officers of the, respective parties.

(v) UNEF shall carry out additional inspections within twenty-four (24) hours after the receipt of such a request from either Party, and will promptly furnish both Parties with the results of each inspection.

3. Early Warning System

a. The Early Warning System, based on the Agreement, the Annex and the accepted Proposal which constitutes an integral part of the Agreement, will include:

(i) Two (2) Surveillance Stations operated by each Party respectively.

(ii) Three (3) U.S. Watch Stations and four (4) unmanned electronic sensor fields.

b. The location of the system and the approach roads are indicated on Map 'A' attached to the Protocol.

c. Surveillance Stations

(i) General

(a) Each Party shall maintain a Surveillance Station in Buffer Zone 1, to provide strategic early warning.

(b) UNEF personnel will not enter the Surveillance Stations of each Party.

(c) Each Party may visit its respective Surveillance Station and may freely supply and replace personnel and equipment situated therein, in accordance with the following procedures:

- UNEF will escort from its checkpoints to the perimeter of the Station and back.

- From that point escort and verification will be as described in paragraph 3.d.(ii).

(d) Each Party will be permitted to introduce into its Station items required for the proper functioning of the Station and personnel.

(ii) The Stations

(a) Each Surveillance Station shall be manned by not more than two hundred and fifty (250) technical and administrative personnel, equipped with small arms (revolvers, rifles, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, hand grenades and ammunition) required for their protection.

(b) Each Party will be permitted to maintain in its respective Surveillance Station, fifteen (15) administrative vehicles, two to three (2-3) mobile engineering equipment for the maintenance of the site and the road and fire-fighting and general maintenance equipment. All vehicles shall be unarmed.

(iii) Access to and exit from the Stations

(a) Access to and exit from the Surveillance Stations shall be as follows (as indicated on Map 'A' attached to the Protocol):

- To E-1: From West of Line E to the Giddi Route, through the UN Alpha checkpoint, to the junction leading to the Um Hashiba, and thereafter South-Eastwards on the route to E-1.

- To J-1: From East of Line J to the Um Hashiba Route to J-1.

(b) Each Party will inform UNEF at least one hour in advance of each intended movement to and from the respective Surveillance Station. UNEF will co-ordinate with the appropriate Watch Station.

(d) Such movement to and from the respective Surveillance Stations shall take place only during daylight.

(e) Each Party shall be entitled even during the night to evacuate sick and wounded and summon medical experts and medical teams after giving immediate notice to the nearest Watch Station and UNEF.

(iv) Maintenance of Communication Cables and Water Lines

Communication cables and water lines passing through Buffer Zone 1, to the respective Surveillance Stations, shall be inviolable. Both Parties will be permitted to carry out maintenance and repairs along the routes of the communication cable and water lines. Notification of such maintenance team shall be given four (4) hours in advance, through the UN Alpha arid Bravo checkpoints respectively, to the nearest Watch Station. UNEF personnel will accompany each team in the same manner as detailed in paragraph 3.d.(ii).

(v) Communication and Co-ordination between UNEF and the Parties

Technical arrangements, including the laying of telephone lines, will be arranged in order to facilitate communication and co-ordination between the UN checkpoints, the Watch Stations and each of the Parties.

d. U.S. role in Early Warning System

(i) The U.S. role in the Early Warning System will be as provided for in the U.S. proposal attached to the Agreement.

(ii) The UNEF will escort Egyptian and Israeli personnel to the perimeter of each Surveillance site where U.S. civilian personnel will verify that access by the Parties is in accordance with the provisions regarding access to the Surveillance sites.

(iii) If experience suggests changes in locations or procedures, the U.S. shall be able to work out such changes in consultation with the Parties.

e. The establishment of an Egyptian Surveillance Station at E-1.

(i) As of 28th December 1975, Egypt may introduce a Working team into the Buffer Zone for the construction of a Surveillance Station at E-1, as detailed in the Statement of the Chairman.

(ii) The building site at E-1 will be guarded at all times by UNEF whilst construction work is in process.

Article IV JOINT COMMISSION

1. The Joint Commission, referred to in Article VI of the Agreement between Egypt and Israel signed on the 4th September 1975, shall function in accordance with the following rules:

a. The Commission shall meet under the Chairmanship of the Chief Co-ordinator of the United Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East or his representative and shall be composed of representatives of each Party to the Agreement.

b. For the duration of the Agreement, the task of the Commission is to consider any problem arising from the Agreement and to assist the United Nations Emergency Forces in the execution of its mandate.

c. Ordinary meetings of the Commission shall be held at agreed dates. Invitations for the meetings shall be issued by the Chief Co-ordinator or his representative. In the event that either Party, or the Chief Co-ordinator, requests a special meeting, it will be convened within 24 hours.

d. The Commission shall hold its meetings in the Buffer Zone under the Chairmanship of the Chief Co-ordinator or his representative where liaison officers of the Parties will be available.

e. The Parties to the Agreement shall consider problems before the Commission in order to reach agreement.

f. The Commission may supplement these rules as it deems necessary.

g. It will hold its first meeting not later than one month after the signing of the Protocol.

Article V FLIGHTS AND AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE

1. Aircraft of either Party will be permitted to fly freely up to the forward line of that Party (Lines E and J respectively).

2. Reconnaissance aircraft of either Party may fly up to the Median Line of Buffer Zone 1 (designated on Map 'D', 1/500,000, US edition, attached to the Protocol) in accordance with the following principles:

a) Reconnaissance flights will be carried out by planes at a height of not less than 15,000 feet and on a straight course (along the median line of Buffer Zone 1). No manoeuvre should occur in the Buffer Zone that may involve the crossing of lines of the other Party.

b) Each reconnaissance flight shall not be made by more than two (2) planes.

c) There shall be seven (7) reconnaissance flights every week for each Party.

d) For these flights each Party will have at its exclusive disposal periods of 24 hours beginning at 1215 until 1145 the following day. The Parties will alternate in the use of the allocated periods. No flights will be carried out between 1145 and 1215 daily.

e) Egypt will be the first to exercise the right of carrying out flights on 22nd February 1976, starting from 1215. Israel will carry out its first flight on 23rd February 1976, starting from 1215, etc.

f) Notice shall be given to a representative of the Chief Co-ordinator not less than six (6) hours before each reconnaissance flight.

g) For reasons of weather limitations or other technical reasons, notice of a reconnaissance flight will specify a span of four (4) hours, during which time the reconnaissance flight will take place. (For example: a reconnaissance flight will take place on... date, between 1000 and 1400).

Article VI GENERAL

This Protocol and the Maps attached thereto are an integral part of the Agreement. The Statement of the Chairman is equally binding on the Parties.

The present Protocol shall enter into force upon signature by both Parties.

Done at Geneva on the 22nd of September 1975, in four original copies.

For the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt

Taha El-Magdoub

Major-General

For the Government of Israel

Avraham Kidron

Herzl Shafir

Major-General

WITNESS

General Ensio Siilasvuo

SOURCES: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/General/111-interim-agreement-between-israel-and-egypt-1-september-1975; https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/General/120-protocol-to-the-agreement-between-israel-and-egypt-22-september-1975.

34. Memorandum of Agreement between the Governments of Israel and the United States, 1 September 1975