SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FOR FURTHER SIX MONTHS, WELCOMES EUROPEAN UNION FOLLOW-ON MISSION

Security Council                                           

5001^st Meeting (PM)                                         

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FOR FURTHER

SIX MONTHS, WELCOMES EUROPEAN UNION FOLLOW-ON MISSION

Unanimously Adopts Resolution 1551 (2004);

NATO to Conclude Stabilization Force at End of 2004

The Security Council today, in light of the recent decision of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to conclude its multinational stabilization force operation (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of the year, authorized participating Member States to continue SFOR for a further six months.

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council, through the unanimous adoption of the two-part resolution 1551 (2004), welcomed NATO’s decision, as well as the European Union’s intention to launch a follow-on mission there, including a military component, starting in December.

The Council decided that the status of forces agreements in the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina should apply provisionally to the proposed European Union mission and its forces, including from the point of build-up in the country, in anticipation of the concurrence of the parties to those agreements to that effect.

In a related provision, it authorized Member States to take all necessary measures, at the request of SFOR, either in defence of SFOR or to assist the force in carrying out its mission, and recognized that right of the force to take all necessary measures to defend itself from attack or threat of attack.

In that connection, it expressed its intention to consider the terms of further authorization as necessary in light of developments in implementation of the Peace Agreement and the situation in that country.

In addition, it stressed that the parties were equally responsible for compliance with the Annex concerning the military aspects of the Peace Agreement and should be equally subjected to such enforcement action by SFOR as might be necessary to ensure implementation of that Annex and the protection of SFOR.

Further, the Council reaffirmed its intention to keep the situation under close review, and its readiness to consider the imposition of measures if any party “failed significantly” to meet its obligations under the Peace Agreement.

The meeting began at 12:25 p.m. and was adjourned at 12:27 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1551 (2004) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions concerning the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and relevant statements of its President, including resolutions 1031 (1995) of 15 December 1995, 1088 (1996) of 12 December 1996, 1423 (2002) of 12 July 2002 and 1491 (2003) of 11 July 2003,

“Reaffirming its commitment to the political settlement of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States there within their internationally recognized borders,

“Emphasizing its full support for the High Representative’s continued role in Bosnia and Herzegovina,

“Underlining its commitment to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexes thereto (collectively the Peace Agreement, S/1995/999, annex), as well as the relevant decisions of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC),

“Emphasizing its appreciation to the High Representative, the Commander and personnel of the multinational stabilization force (SFOR), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU), and the personnel of other international organizations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina for their contributions to the implementation of the Peace Agreement,

“Emphasizing that a comprehensive and coordinated return of refugees and displaced persons throughout the region continues to be crucial to lasting peace,

“Recalling the declarations of the Ministerial meetings of the Peace Implementation Conference,

“Noting the reports of the High Representative, including his latest report of 18 February 2004 (S/2004/126),

“Determining that the situation in the region continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

“Determined to promote the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

“Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on 9 December 1994 and the statement of its President on 10 February 2000 (S/PRST/2000/4),

“Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,

“Taking note of the decisions set out in paragraph 8 of the communiqué of the NATO Istanbul Summit of 28 June 2004, which refers to NATO’s intention to conclude its SFOR operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of 2004,

“Taking note also of the European Union’s intention to launch an EU mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a military component, from December 2004, under the terms set out in the letter of 29 June 2004 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland and President of the Council of the European Union to the President of the Security Council (S/2004/522*/Annex),

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

I

“1.   Reaffirms once again its support for the Peace Agreement, as well as for the Dayton Agreement on implementing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 10 November 1995 (S/1995/1021, annex), calls upon the parties to comply strictly with their obligations under those Agreements, and expresses its intention to keep the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, under review;

“2.   Reiterates that the primary responsibility for the further successful implementation of the Peace Agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves and that the continued willingness of the international community and major donors to assume the political, military and economic burden of implementation and reconstruction efforts will be determined by the compliance and active participation by all the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the Peace Agreement and rebuilding a civil society, in particular in full cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, in strengthening joint institutions, which foster the building of a fully functioning self-sustaining state, able to integrate itself into the European structures and in facilitating returns of refugees and displaced persons;

“3.   Reminds the parties once again that, in accordance with the Peace Agreement, they have committed themselves to cooperate fully with all entities involved in the implementation of this peace settlement, as described in the Peace Agreement, or which are otherwise authorized by the Security Council, including the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, as it carries out its responsibilities for dispensing justice impartially, and underlines that full cooperation by States and entities with the International Tribunal includes, inter alia, the surrender for trial of all persons indicted by the Tribunal and provision of information to assist in Tribunal investigations;

“4.   Emphasizes its full support for the continued role of the High Representative in monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement and giving guidance to and coordinating the activities of the civilian organizations and agencies involved in assisting the parties to implement the Peace Agreement, and reaffirms that under Annex 10 of the Peace Agreement the High Representative is the final authority in theatre regarding the interpretation of civilian implementation of the Peace Agreement and that in case of dispute he may give his interpretation and make recommendations, and make binding decisions as he judges necessary on issues as elaborated by the Peace Implementation Council in Bonn on 9 and 10 December 1997;

“5.   Expresses its support for the declarations of the Ministerial meetings of the Peace Implementation Conference;

“6.   Recognizes that the parties have authorized the multinational force referred to in paragraph 11 below to take such actions as required, including the use of necessary force, to ensure compliance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement;

“7.   Reaffirms its intention to keep the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina under close review, taking into account the reports submitted pursuant to paragraphs 19 and 23 below, and any recommendations those report might include, and its readiness to consider the imposition of measures if any party fails significantly to meets its obligations under the Peace Agreement;

II

“8.   Pays tribute to those Member States which participated in the multinational stabilization force established in accordance with its resolution 1088 (1996), and welcomes their willingness to assist the parties to the Peace Agreement by continuing to deploy a multinational stabilization force;

“9.   Notes the support of the parties to the Peace Agreement for the continuation of the multinational stabilization force, set out in the declaration of the Ministerial meeting of the Peace Implementation Conference in Madrid on 16 December 1998 (S/1999/139, annex);

“10.  Welcomes the decision of NATO to conclude its current SFOR operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of 2004.  Further welcomes the EU’s intention to launch an EU mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including a military component, from December 2004;

“11.  Authorizes the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the organization referred to in Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement to continue for a further planned period of 6 months the multinational stabilization force (SFOR) as established in accordance with its resolution 1088 (1996) under unified command and control in order to fulfil the role specified in Annex 1-A and Annex 2 of the Peace Agreement;

“12.  Expresses its intention to consider the terms of further authorization as necessary in the light of developments in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

“13.  Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraph 11 above to take all necessary measures to effect the implementation of and to ensure compliance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, stresses that the parties shall continue to be held equally responsible for compliance with that Annex and shall be equally subject to such enforcement action by SFOR as may be necessary to ensure implementation of that Annex and the protection of SFOR, and takes note that the parties have consented to SFOR’s taking such measures;

“14.  Authorizes Member States to take all necessary measures, at the request of SFOR, either in defence of SFOR or to assist the force in carrying out its mission, and recognizes the right of the force to take all necessary measures to defend itself from attack or threat of attack;

“15.  Authorizes the Members States acting under paragraph 11 above, in accordance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with the rules and procedures established by the Commander of SFOR, governing command and control of airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all civilian and military air traffic;

“16.  Requests the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate with the Commander of the SFOR to ensure the effective management of the airports of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the light of the responsibilities conferred on SFOR by Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement with regard to the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

“17.  Demands that the parties respect the security and freedom of movement of SFOR and other international personnel;

“18.  Recalls all the agreements concerning the status of forces as referred to in Appendix B to Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, and reminds the parties of their obligation to continue to comply therewith;

“19.  Requests the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the organization referred to in Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement to continue to report to the Council, through the appropriate channels and at least at monthly intervals;

“20.  Decides that the status of forces agreements currently contained in Appendix B to Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement shall apply provisionally in respect to the proposed EU mission and its forces, including from the point of their build-up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in anticipation of the concurrence of the parties to those agreements to that effect;

“21.  Invites all States, in particular those in the region, to continue to provide appropriate support and facilities, including transit facilities, for the Member States acting under paragraphs 11 and 20 above;

“22.  Welcomes the deployment by the European Union (EU) of its Police Mission (EUPM) to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1 January 2003;

“23.  Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to submit to the Council reports from the High Representative, in accordance with Annex 10 of the Peace Agreement and the conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held in London on 4 and 5 December 1996 (S/1996/1012), and later Peace Implementation Conferences, on the implementation of the Peace Agreement and in particular on compliance by the parties with their commitments under that Agreement;

“24.  Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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