SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UNTIL 30 MAY 1996 MANDATE OF PREVENTIVE FORCE IN FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Press Release
SC/6135
SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UNTIL 30 MAY 1996 MANDATE OF PREVENTIVE FORCE IN FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
19951130 Resolution 1027 (1995) Also Requests Report on Mission by 31 January 1996The Security Council this afternoon extended the mandate of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for a six-month period, terminating on 30 May 1996.
The Council took that action by unanimously adopting resolution 1027 (1995), in which it also called on Member States to consider favourably the Secretary-General's requests for assistance to UNPREDEP in the performance of its mandate.
While welcoming the positive role played by UNPREDEP, paying tribute to UNPREDEP personnel in the performance of their mandate, and reaffirming its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council recalled its concern about possible developments which might undermine confidence and stability in the country or threaten its territory.
The Council further requested the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed of developments in the country and to report, if possible by 31 January 1996, on all aspects of the mission.
In a statement to the Council following adoption of the resolution, Denko Maleski (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) said that when the European Union mediated the peaceful and orderly dissolution of the former Yugoslav Federation, it had concluded that of the six former Yugoslav Republics only two -- one being the Republic of Macedonia -- fulfilled the conditions for recognition as independent States. But due to the opposition of one member State of the Union, his country was not recognized. Nevertheless, it had held to its policy of peaceful self-determination.
He said that at the United Nations, under a very peculiar formula, his country was referred to as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the reason again being the objections of that one member State. His country had absorbed all that with stoicism, in the meantime surviving an economic blockade and eventually signing an agreement. A process of cooperation and
better understanding had now begun between his country and that member State. He hoped that in time that neighbouring State would understand that a smaller country posed a threat to its bigger neighbour only when it was not allowed to develop freely.
It was just as dangerous today as it was at the beginning of the century to turn a blind eye on Balkan events, he continued. The Bosnian world continues to fester and has already caused similar symptoms in neighbouring countries and in Europe as a whole. That was why the decision of the United States Government to lead in an effort to heal the wounds of war had been an act of vision. Whether the initiative would result in a lasting peace, on the other hand, depended on many factors, especially the readiness of the peoples of the region to dedicate themselves to peace. The presence of foreign military forces could not be a substitute for the efforts of the Balkan peoples.
On the minority question in his country, he said the Republic of Macedonia was building a democratic order which would reflect the character of its society. The Macedonian majority was becoming aware of the fact that integrating minorities in the Macedonian society strengthened the State. The minorities were becoming aware of the fact that loyalty in words and deeds to the State of Macedonia was what was expected of them in return.
As for his Government's position on UNPREDEP's mandate, he said the force should become a completely independent United Nations operation, reporting directly to the Secretary-General. He favoured locating the base, military command and logistics structure in Skopje and requested that the mandate be extended for a period terminating on 30 November 1996. He also paid tribute to the troop-contributing countries -- the United States, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The meeting was called to order at 12:45 p.m. and adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
Resolution Adopted
Council resolution 1027 (1995) sponsored by Argentina, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States, reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions and in particular its resolution 983 (1995) of 31 March 1995,
"Reaffirming its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6135 3602nd Meeting (PM) 30 November 1995
"Recalling its concern about possible developments which could undermine confidence and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or threaten its territory,
"Welcoming the positive role played by the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), and paying tribute to the personnel of UNPREDEP in the performance of their mandate,
"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 23 November 1995 (S/1995/987),
"1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 23 November 1995;
"2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP for a period terminating on 30 May 1996;
"3. Urges UNPREDEP to continue its cooperation with the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
"4. Calls upon Member States to consider favourably requests by the Secretary-General for necessary assistance to UNPREDEP in the performance of its mandate;
"5. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed of any developments on the ground and other circumstances affecting the mandate of UNPREDEP, and in particular to submit, if possible, by 31 January 1996 a report on all aspects of UNPREDEP in the light of developments in the region, for review by the Council;
"6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
Secretary-General's Report
In considering the question, the Council had before it the report of the Secretary-General (document S/1995/987) on the status of the three "separate, but interlinked" United Nations peace-keeping missions in the former Yugoslavia. In specific reference to UNPREDEP, the report notes that internal threats to stability persist in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with dissatisfaction strongest among the ethnic Albanian minority, despite Government steps to meet some of its concerns.
Externally, the report states, there is little evidence to indicate any imminent military threat to the country's territorial integrity. Three of the four neighbouring countries have officially recognized the State of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Recognition by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) remains pending. The interim accord
Security Council - 4 - Press Release SC/6135 3602nd Meeting (PM) 30 November 1995
between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (document S/1995/794, annex) has led to the establishment of full diplomatic relations with several other States, the country's admission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, and participation in the "Partnership for Peace" initiative.
Economically, the country has for too long been exposed to the double effects of the embargo from the south, as well as from the international sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), says the report. The Government, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and a number of friendly countries, has been taking various steps to stabilize the economy. However, while the inflation rate has been reduced and banking reforms have continued, industrial production has considerably declined and unemployment has increased to 50 per cent of the workforce.
The report goes on to say that UNPREDEP's effective role has been of major importance to the authorities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Force's contacts with all political forces in the country, including the opposition and those representing ethnic minorities, has been of special value to the functioning of the mission and the implementation of its mandate. Mutually beneficial contacts have also been initiated by the UNPREDEP Commander with the military authorities of Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). There is consent on both sides that more tolerance should be displayed during border encounters, and the number of border incidents between patrols of the two sides has significantly decreased.
Overall, says the report, UNPREDEP's preventive deployment role has contributed greatly to the peace and stability of the southern Balkans. The operation has proved that preventive deployment is an effective form of peace-keeping, and that given the right timing and a clear mandate, results can be achieved even with a small, almost symbolic deployment of United Nations peace-keepers. So far, the fundamental objective of the operation -- that the conflict in the former Yugoslavia be prevented from spreading -- has been achieved.
However, the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is of the opinion that the causes that led to the establishment of the United Nations preventive deployment operation persist. The continued presence of UNPREDEP, with basically the same mandate, strength and troop composition, is vital to the maintenance of peace and stability in the country. The Secretary-General will also be making appropriate recommendations to the Council as soon as practicable on the establishment of UNPREDEP on a fully independent footing, reporting directly to New York. In any event, the Secretary-General states that the mandate of UNPREDEP should be renewed for a further 12-month period irrespective of developments elsewhere in the theatre.
* *** *