SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY DECIDES TO ESTABLISH UNITED NATIONS CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Press Release
SC/6150

SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY DECIDES TO ESTABLISH UNITED NATIONS CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Will Be Operative for One-Year Period after Transfer Of Authority in Bosnia from UNPROFOR to Multinational Force

The Security Council decided this evening to establish a United Nations civilian police force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The force, to be known as the International Police Task Force (IPTF), will be operative for a period of one year after the transfer of authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) to the multinational implementation force (IFOR), called for in the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Peace Agreement").

The Council took that action in adopting unanimously a draft resolution (document S/1995/1049), in which it also decided to establish, for the same period, a United Nations civilian office. It endorsed the arrangements for the two entities set out in the Secretary-General's report of 13 December (document S/1995/1031). And it noted with satisfaction that both the IPTF and the civilian office would be under the authority of the Secretary-General and subject to coordination and guidance by the High Representative envisioned in the Peace Agreement.

Text of Resolution

The full text of today's resolution on IPTF, to be issued as Council resolution 1035 (1995), reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling its resolution 1031 (1995) of 15 December 1995,

"Recalling also the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexes thereto (collectively the Peace Agreement, S/1995/999, annex),

"Having further considered the report of the Secretary-General of 13 December 1995 (S/1995/1031),

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6150 3613th Meeting (Night) 21 December 1995

"1. Approves the report of the Secretary-General and the proposals for involvement by the United Nations in the implementation of the Peace Agreement contained therein;

"2. Decides to establish, for a period of one year from the transfer of authority from the United Nations Protection Force to the multinational implementation force (IFOR), a United Nations civilian police force to be known as the International Police Task Force (IPTF) to be entrusted with the tasks set out in Annex 11 of the Peace Agreement and a United Nations civilian office with the responsibilities set out in the report of the Secretary- General, and to that end endorses the arrangements set out in the report of the Secretary-General;

"3. Notes with satisfaction that the IPTF and the United Nations civilian office will be under the authority of the Secretary-General and subject to coordination and guidance as appropriate by the High Representative, welcomes the Secretary-General's intention to appoint a United Nations Coordinator, and requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Council reports about the work of the IPTF and of the civilian office accordingly;

"4. Decides to remain seized of the matter."

Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina

In reaching its decision, the Council had considered the Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina (document A/50/790-S/1995/999). Included in the Agreement are spelled-out arrangements for civilian law enforcement, and a request from the Bosnian parties to the Security Council for the establishment of a United Nations International Police Task Force (IPTF) to carry out a mandated programme of assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The programme, which will be a United Nations Civilian Police (UNCIVPOL) operation, will include monitoring of law enforcement activities and facilities, advice and training, and response to requests for assistance.

The Council also had before it the report of the Secretary-General (document S/1995/1031) on developments in the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among other matters reviewed, the report deals with the question of civilian police and the establishment of the IPTF, listing the high number of weapons in the country, as well as large numbers of refugees, as potential areas of concern. In his recommendations for a proposed IPTF structure, the Secretary-General suggests that the IPTF central and regional headquarters should, where possible, be co-located with IFOR headquarters.

(For a more detailed summary of both reports, see Press Release SC/6143 of 15 December.

The meeting, which was called to order at 7:04 p.m., was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

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