Odd Bull - Service With UNTSO

Service With UNTSO

In 1958 Bull was offered a temporary position with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Lebanon, which he accepted. Bull's appointment coincided with the Lebanon Crisis (to which he devotes a chapter of his memoir). He returned to Norway in 1959, but in 1963 he was offered the position as Chief of Staff of UNTSO, which he again accepted. UNTSO's task at this time was to monitor the borders between Israel and its Arab neighbours and to mediate disputes between them. Bull's appointment came at a time of rising tensions, particularly between Israel and Syria, which both laid claim to territories inside the demilitarized zones. These tensions were eventually to lead to the Six Day War in 1967. As Chief of Staff of UNTSO, Bull was in a position to closely observe the development of the conflict and its aftermath. He would later author a book about his experiences during this time, entitled War and Peace in the Middle East: The Experiences and Views of a UN Observer.

Bull gave an explanation for his writing of the book:

Many people have from time to time urged me to write my memoirs, but I only decided to do so when I came back to Norway at Christmas, 1967, and found that Norwegian public opinion there regarded the Palestine problem almost entirely from the Israeli point of view. As this was a problem with which I had been living for many years, and one which, as I had become very much aware, had at least two sides to it, I felt in conscience bound to make my own experience the basis for as calm and objective a presentation of the whole Middle East situation as I could. For those from outside who, like myself, have become involved in this situation, the aim must always be to try to reduce the burden of suffering and injustice for all people in that area, Arabs and Israelis alike.

Bull's retirement from the position as Chief of Staff of UNTSO was noted by the Jerusalem Post in the following terms:

General Bulll has earned our respect for his integrity, honesty and objectivity. A calm personality, the former Commander of the Norwegian Air Force...was able to quickly re-establish confidence and develop effective working relations with the Israeli Army and Foreign Ministry...He consistently stayed out of the limelight, refusing press and television interviews...The Arab States could never muster the same enthusiasm for General Bull as for his predecessors, but despite Israel's appreciation of his work they were never heard to object to any of his efforts or to complain of his attitude...

Israel regrets having to bid goodbye to this untypical representative of the United Nations...Israelis wish General Bull a much earned rest and to know that he will be remembered with appreciation and gratitude.