United Nations Security Council Resolution 908 – UN Protection Force
Resolution 908 (1994)
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions on the conflicts in the territory of the former Yugoslavia and reaffirming in this context its resolution 871 (1993) on the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force(UNPROFOR),
Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General of 11 March 1994(S/1994/291), 16 March 1994 (S/1994/300) and 24 March 1994 (S/1994/333 and Add.1), and his letter of 30 March 1994 (S/1994/367),
Having also considered the letter of the President of the Republic of Croatia dated 16 March 1994 (S/1994/305),
Emphasizing the need for a negotiated settlement accepted by all parties,and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia,
Welcoming also the cease-fire agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Croat party, and the signature of the Washington framework agreements between the Government of The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Croatia And the Bosnian Croat party, as steps towards an overall settlement,
Underlining the importance of involving the Bosnian Serb party in further efforts to achieve an overall negotiated settlement,
Welcoming the cease-fire agreement signed on 29 March 1994 between the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities in the United Nations Protected Areas (UNPAs), which was facilitated by the Russian Federation, the United States of America, the European Union and the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia,
Welcoming also the discussions between the Republic of Croatia and theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), pursuant to the jointstatement of 19 January 1994,
Welcoming further the recent significant progress achieved in and around Sarajevo and stressing that a strong and visible presence of UNPROFOR in this area, as well as in other areas of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia, within the framework of its mandate, is essential to consolidate such progress,
Recalling the statement by the President of the Security Council of 14 March 1994 (S/PRST/1994/11) and the joint letter of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia dated 17 March 1994 (S/1994/308) and, in this context, taking note of the recent developments in Maglaj,
Determined to put an end to the suffering of the civilian population in and around Maglaj,
Welcoming the ongoing efforts aimed at the reopening of Tuzla airport for humanitarian purposes,
Welcoming also the work undertaken by the joint civil mission to Sarajevo of the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland And the United States of America,
Welcoming further the dispatch of the European Union fact-finding mission to Mostar with a view to helping improve living conditions in that city and contributing to the implementation of the agreements between the parties on it,
Reiterating its determination to ensure the security of UNPROFOR and its freedom of movement for all its missions, and to these ends, as regards UNPROFOR in the Republic of Croatia and in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
A
- Welcomes the reports of the Secretary-General of 11 March 1994(S/1994/291), 16 March 1994 (S/1994/300) and 24 March 1994 (S/1994/333), and hisletter of 30 March 1994 (S/1994/367);
2. Reaffirms its commitment to ensure respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where UNPROFOR is deployed;
3. Decides to extend UNPROFOR’s mandate for an additional period terminating on 30 September 1994;
4. Recognizes the need, following recent progress, for increased resources for UNPROFOR described in the Secretary-General’s reports of11 March 1994 (S/1994/291) and 16 March 1994 (S/1994/300) and his letter of30 March 1994 (S/1994/367); decides, as an initial step, to authorize an increase of UNPROFOR personnel by up to 3,500 additional troops; further decidesto take action by 30 April 1994 at the latest on the further troop requirementsrecommended by the Secretary-General in the above-mentioned documents, with aview to providing UNPROFOR with the means necessary for implementation of itsmandate;
5. Approves UNPROFOR’s plans described in the Secretary-General’s reportof 24 March 1994 (S/1994/333), for the reopening of Tuzla airport forhumanitarian purposes and authorizes additional resources requested inparagraph 14 of this report for these purposes;
6. Calls upon Member States to assist the Secretary-General to implement paragraphs 4 and 5 above by contributing personnel, equipment and training;
7. Urges that necessary arrangements be concluded, including, whereappropriate, agreements on the status of forces and other personnel with theRepublic of Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro);
8. Decides that Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, may take, under the authority of the Security Council and subject to close coordination with the Secretary-General and UNPROFOR, all necessary measures to extend close air support to the territory of the Republic of Croatia, in defence of UNPROFOR personnel in the performance ofUNPROFOR’s mandate, as recommended by the Secretary-General in paragraph 12 of his report of 16 March 1994 (S/1994/300);
9. Urges the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities in the UNPAs to comply with the cease-fire agreement signed on 29 March 1994(S/1994/367, annex); and welcomes the efforts undertaken by UNPROFOR towards implementing this agreement;
10. Urges also all the parties and others concerned to cooperate with UNPROFOR in reaching and implementing an agreement on confidence-building measures in all regions of the Republic of Croatia including the UNPAs; further urges the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities in the UNPAs,inter alia, to revive the Joint Commission process with regard to communication links and economic issues; and recognizes, in this context, the importance of the immediate reopening of the Adriatic oil pipeline for the economies of theRepublic of Croatia and of the other countries in the region;
11. Endorses the proposals in Part II of the report of the Secretary-General of 11 March 1994 (S/1994/291) on “arrangements relating to the cease-fire and ensuring the freedom of movement in and around Sarajevo”,including the additional tasks set out in paragraph 14 thereof, emphasizes the need for UNPROFOR to deploy its resources in a flexible manner, in particular in and around the safe areas, and authorizes UNPROFOR to carry out these tasks in relation to the cease-fire entered into by the Government of the Republic ofBosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Croat party, and, following a report bythe Secretary-General and within existing resources, in relation to any furthercease-fire agreed between the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina in pursuit ofthe peace process;
12. Encourages the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for theFormer Yugoslavia, in cooperation with the authorities of the former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia, to use his good offices as appropriate to contribute tothe maintenance of peace and stability in that Republic;
13. Urges the parties to seize the opportunity provided by UNPROFOR’scontinuation to bring the peace process to successful conclusion;
14. Requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed on progress towards implementation of the United Nations peace-keeping plan for The Republic of Croatia and all relevant Security Council resolutions, taking into account the position of the Government of the Republic of Croatia as well as on the outcome of the negotiations within the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, and decides to reconsider UNPROFOR’s mandate at any timeaccording to the developments on the ground and in the negotiations;
B
15. Welcomes the appointment by the Secretary-General of a senior civilian official for the restoration of essential public services in and around Sarajevo in accordance with the provisions of resolution 900 (1994) (S/1994/368);
16. Commends in this context the setting up of the Interim Coordination Board (ICBO) to assess the situation in Sarajevo in order to facilitate the taskof this senior official;
17. Welcomes the establishment by the Secretary-General on 21 March 1994of a voluntary trust fund for the restoration of essential public services inand around Sarajevo, in accordance with the provisions of resolution 900 (1994),and strongly appeals to the international community to make voluntary financialcontributions to this trust fund;
18. Notes with appreciation the steps being taken by the Secretary-General, UNPROFOR and other United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to restore normal life to all areas of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, encourages them to continue their efforts; and, in this context,requests the Secretary-General to consider ways and means of further enhancing the work of the civilian component of UNPROFOR;
19. Calls on the parties to honour their commitments to ensure UNHCR andUNPROFOR unimpeded access throughout the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina inperformance of their mandate, and in particular calls upon the Bosnian Croatparty to release infrastructure equipment and material urgently needed forhumanitarian relief;
C
20. Welcomes the presence of UNPROFOR personnel and arrival of humanitarian convoys in Maglaj, but expresses however once again its deep concern at the situation there;
21. Welcomes also the contribution of UNPROFOR, within its availableresources, to the restoration of safety and security to the area in and aroundMaglaj in order to promote the well-being of its inhabitants;
22. Demands that the Bosnian Serb party cease forthwith all militaryoperations against the town of Maglaj and remove all obstacles to free access toit; condemns all such obstacles; and calls upon all parties to show restraint;
23. Takes note of the assessment by the Secretary-General on the feasibility of extending the safe area concept to Maglaj (S/1994/291), and requests him to keep the situation under review and to report to the Council a appropriate;
D
24. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed on developments in regard to the implementation of UNPROFOR’s mandate;
25. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3356th meeting,on 31 March 1994.
