United Nations Security Council Resolution 943 – Closure of the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Resolution 943 (1994)

The Security Council,

Recalling all its earlier relevant resolutions,

Affirming its commitment to a negotiated settlement of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, preserving the territorial integrity of all the States there within their internationally recognized borders,

Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America and the Russian Federation to assist the parties in reaching a settlement,

Welcoming the decision by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to support the proposed territorial settlement (S/1994/1081) for the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina which has been put to the Bosnian parties,

Also welcoming the decision by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to close the international border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goods except foodstuffs, medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs,

Further welcoming their decision to invite international assistance with regard to the passage of supplies for essential humanitarian needs through the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) andthe Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Noting in this regard the letter of 19 September to the President of theSecurity Council from the Secretary-General (S/1994/1074) conveying a report from the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International Conference On the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY) on the establishment and commencement of operations on an ICFY Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro),

Calling upon the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbiaand Montenegro) to maintain the effective closure of the border between theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goods except foodstuffs, medicalsupplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs;

Noting that paragraph 9 of resolution 757 (1992) remains in force,

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

1. Decides that:(i) the restrictions imposed by paragraph 7 of resolution 757 (1992),paragraph 24 of resolution 820 (1993) with regard to aircraft whichare not impounded at the date of adoption of this resolution, and byother relevant resolutions which relate to the provision of goods andservices, with respect to all civilian passenger flights to and fromBelgrade airport carrying only passengers and personal effects and nocargo unless authorized under the procedures of the Committeeestablished by resolution 724 (1991);(ii) the restrictions imposed by paragraphs 24 and 28 of resolution820 (1993) and by other relevant resolutions which relate to theprovision of goods and services, with respect to the ferry servicebetween Bar in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia andMontenegro) and Bari in Italy carrying only passengers and personaleffects and no cargo unless authorized under the procedures of theCommittee established by resolution 724 (1991),(iii) the measures imposed by paragraph 8 (b) and (c) of resolution757 (1992) concerning participation in sporting events and cultural exchangesshall be suspended for an initial period of 100 days from the day following the receipt by the Security Council of a report from the Secretary-General that the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia have certified that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) are effectively implementing their decisionto close the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia andMontenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goodsexcept foodstuffs, medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs, and that arrangements are in place pursuant to the decision of the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to invite international assistance with regard to the passage of supplies for essential humanitarian needs through that border;

2. Invites the Committee established by resolution 724 (1991) to adopt appropriate streamlined procedures for expediting its consideration of applications concerning legitimate humanitarian assistance, in particular applications from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Committee of the Red Cross;

3. Requests that every thirty days the Secretary-General submit to theSecurity Council for its review a report as to whether the Co-Chairmen of theSteering Committee of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslaviacertify that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia andMontenegro) are effectively implementing their decision to close the borderbetween the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and theRepublic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goods except foodstuffs,medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs and furtherrequests the Secretary-General to report to the Council immediately if he hasevidence, including from the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of theInternational Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, that those authorities arenot effectively implementing their decision to close the border;

4. Decides that if at any time the Secretary-General reports that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) are not effectively implementing their decision to close the border, the suspension of the measures referred to in paragraph 1 above shall terminate on the fifth working day following the report of the Secretary-General, unless the Security Council decides to the contrary;

5. Decides to keep the situation closely under review and to consider further steps with regard to measures applicable to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the light of further progress in the situation;

6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 3428th meeting,on 23 September 1994.