Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) Military Police Unit (MFPU)

[Gordon Craig]

The Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) is an independent international organization, headquartered in Rome, with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai. The origins of the MFO lie in Annex I to the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel, in which the parties undertook to request the United Nations to provide a force and observers to supervise the implementation of the treaty. When it did not prove possible to obtain Security Council approval for the stationing of a UN peacekeeping force in the Sinai, the parties negotiated a Protocol in 1981 establishing the MFO “as an alternative” to the envisioned UN force.

The Protocol defines the MFO’s mission, provides for the appointment of a Director General to be responsible for the direction of the MFO, and stipulates that the expenses of the MFO “which are not covered by other sources shall be borne equally by the Parties.” The United States, which was instrumental in assisting the parties in setting up the MFO, has formally pledged to provide one-third of the annual operating expenses of the organization, subject to Congressional authorization and appropriations.

In 1995 a Hungarian contingent arrived to replace the Danish Military Police unit. There were 41 men in the contingent plus a medical doctor and a liaison officer both of whom served at the force Headquarters. The first contingent was composed of 26 military and 15 civilian police personnel on active military service. As of 2009, the Hungarian MFPU contingent was composed of 38 members. I do not know the military/civilian breakdown of the current unit. Each contingent of the MFO wear a summer uniform of their home country with a cloth MFO badge and a national badge. All members of the Hungarian contingent wear military uniforms. The tasks of the MFPU are; criminal investigations, traffic invetigations, security and general patrolling plus escort duties. The contingent includes personnel who provide finance and administration services for the contingent. Members of the Hungarian contingent serve a one-year tour of duty with the MFO.

Since this is not a UN sanctioned mission the blue UN beret is not worn. In its place, a beret described by the MFO as being "terracotta brown" in colour is worn. The Hungarian contingent simply refer to the beret colour as “Bárna” (brown in English). The beret badge is the MFO crest. Pictures of the beret in wear seem to indicate that a cloth cap badge is the most commonly worn one but metal badges also seem to be in wear. Over the years other forms of head gear, in the same colour, have been worn by some of the contingents. They are a broad brimmed hat refered to as a "stetson", a baseball style cap and a helmet cover. I do not know if the Hungarina MFPU used any of these forms of head dress. Some contingents also wear a neck scarf in the same colour as the beret. There is no evidence that the MFPU wears these neck scarves.

When the Hungarian MFPU first arrived in the Sainai they had no desert camouflage uniforms so they wore the four colour green/brown summer uniforms then in wear at home. Subsequent involvement in Pakistan and Afghanistan saw the Hungarian military design and impliment camouflage uniforms suitable for this terrain. I would assume that the Hungarian MFPU would wear one of these uniforms currently but I have not been able to find photographic evidence to support this theory.

The picture below shows the Fijian infantry battalion wearing the force beret.

[Gordon Craig]

The next picture is of a shirt as worn by the first contingents of the Hungarian MFPU from my collection. The tag on the right side is the wearers name. Rank is only worn on the collars of these shirts.

Edited December 16, 2009 by Gordon Craig

[Gordon Craig]

The national colours are worn on the left sleave in the shape of the shield of the Hungarian Republic as adopted in 1990.

[Gordon Craig]

The crest of the MFO is worn on the right arm.

[Gordon Craig]

On March 12, 1982 the MFO institutued an international decoration for service. The decoration has been adopted by some of the countries who have served in the MFO but to the best of my knowledge the Hungarians have not.

Edited December 16, 2009 by Gordon Craig

[Mervyn Mitton]

Wow ! Between this post and Leigh's - a whole new type of Policing has opened-up. Very factual and interesting - I was fascinated with both posts.

[Gordon Craig]

Mervyn,

Thanks for the kind words. Always interesting to finally put my research into print.

Regards,

Gordon