United Nations Security Council Resolution 1491 – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Resolution 1491 (2003)

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions concerning the conflicts in theformer Yugoslavia and relevant statements of its President, including resolutions1031 (1995) of 15 December 1995, 1088 (1996) of 12 December 1996 and 1423(2002) of 12 July 2002,

Reaffirming its commitment to the political settlement of the conflicts in theformer Yugoslavia, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Statesthere within their internationally recognized borders,

Emphasizing its full support for the High Representative’s continued role inBosnia and Herzegovina,

Underlining its commitment to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexesthereto (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 andpersonnel of the multinational stabilization force (SFOR), the Organization forSecurity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), 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 21October 2002 (S/2002/1176),

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 ofUnited Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on 9 December 1994 and thestatement of its President of 10 February 2000 (S/PRST/2000/4),

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

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 forthe Dayton Agreement on implementing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovinaof 10 November 1995 (S/1995/1021, annex), calls upon the parties to complystrictly with their obligations under those Agreements, and expresses its intention tokeep the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and the situation in Bosnia andHerzegovina, 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 internationalcommunity and major donors to assume the political, military and economic burdenof implementation and reconstruction efforts will be determined by the complianceand active participation by all the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina inimplementing the Peace Agreement and rebuilding a civil society, in particular infull cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, instrengthening joint institutions, which foster the building of a fully functioning self-sustaining state, able to integrate itself into the European structures and infacilitating returns of refugees and displaced persons;

3. Reminds the parties once again that, in accordance with the PeaceAgreement, they have committed themselves to cooperate fully with all entitiesinvolved in the implementation of this peace settlement, as described in the PeaceAgreement, or which are otherwise authorized by the Security Council, includingthe International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, as it carries out itsresponsibilities for dispensing justice impartially, and underlines that fullcooperation by States and entities with the International Tribunal includes, inter alia,the surrender for trial of all persons indicted by the Tribunal and provision ofinformation to assist in Tribunal investigations;

4. Emphasizes its full support for the continued role of the HighRepresentative in monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement and givingguidance to and coordinating the activities of the civilian organizations and agenciesinvolved in assisting the parties to implement the Peace Agreement, and reaffirmsthat the High Representative is the final authority in theatre regarding theinterpretation of Annex 10 on civilian implementation of the Peace Agreement andthat 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 thePeace Implementation Council in Bonn on 9 and 10 December 1997;

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

6. Recognizes that the parties have authorized the multinational forcereferred to in paragraph 10 below to take such actions as required, including the useof necessary force, to ensure compliance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement;

7. Reaffirms its intention to keep the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovinaunder close review, taking into account the reports submitted pursuant to paragraphs18 and 20 below, and any recommendations those reports might include, and itsreadiness to consider the imposition of measures if any party fails significantly tomeet its obligations under the Peace Agreement;

II

8. Pays tribute to those Member States which participated in the multi national stabilization force established in accordance with its resolution 1088(1996), and welcomes their willingness to assist the parties to the Peace Agreementby 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 theMinisterial meeting of the Peace Implementation Conference in Madrid on 16December 1998 (S/1999/139, annex);

10. Authorizes the Member States acting through or in cooperation with theorganization referred to in Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement to continue for afurther planned period of 12 months the multinational stabilization force (SFOR) asestablished in accordance with its resolution 1088 (1996) under unified commandand control in order to fulfil the role specified in Annex 1-A and Annex 2 of thePeace Agreement, and expresses its intention to review the situation with a view toextending this authorization further as necessary in the light of developments in theimplementation of the Peace Agreement and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

11. Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraph 10 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 tobe 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 theparties have consented to SFOR’s taking such measures;

12. Authorizes Member States to take all necessary measures, at the requestof 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 itselffrom attack or threat of attack;

13. Authorizes the State members acting under paragraph 10 above, in accordance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, to take all necessary measuresto ensure compliance with the rules and procedures established by the Commanderof SFOR, governing command and control of airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovinawith respect to all civilian and military air traffic;

14. Requests the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate with theCommander of 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;

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

16. Invites all States, in particular those in the region, to continue to provideappropriate support and facilities, including transit facilities, for the Member Statesacting under paragraph 10 above;

17. 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 theirobligation to continue to comply therewith;

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

* * *

19. Welcomes the deployment by the European Union (EU) of its PoliceMission (EUPM) to Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1 January 2003;

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

21. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 4786th meeting,on 11 July 2003.