55 years ago/16 May, 1967

Because of the increasing pressure from Syria, the Soviet Union and Jordan, President Gamal Abdel Nasser decided to request the withdrawal of the UNEF (United Nations Emergency Force) from the Sinai and the Gaza Strip, even if he knew that it could end up in a war. As the leader of the Arab world, he had to consider the loss of face while heated statements appeared from both the Arab and the Israeli sides. Most probably, he didn’t want to risk a conflict while some of his troops were tied down in Yemen. In the afternoon on the 16th May the commander of UNEF, Major General Indar Jit Rikhye was informed that the United Arab Republic (Egypt) requested the withdrawal of peacekeeper forces. He, however, told the envoy that he needed instructions from U Thant, the Secretary-General of the UN. According to it Major General Rikhye cabled to New York, and in his response U Thant asked him to maintain the positions of the UNEF, and, at the same time he met Mohammed Awad el-Kony, the Permanent Representative of the UAR to the UN. He explained that any request had to be sent to him and tried to get clarification about Nasser’s intentions. He also made it clear, that there wasn’t possibility to temporary withdrawal or redeployment, any request for these would be considered as a request for the UNEF to leave.