Prepared by the Department of Public Information, United Nations. This text was last updated effective 22 December 1997
In January 1996, the United Nations established a new peace-keeping operation in the region within Croatia consisting of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. The Security Council authorized the operation to implement the Basic Agreement on the region signed on 12 November 1995 between the Croatian Government and local Serb authorities. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Security Council adopted resolution 1037(1996), creating the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) for an initial period of 12 months with an authorized strength of 5,000 troops.
On 20 May 1996, UNTAES was fully deployed. Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein announced that the demilitarization process of the region would commence at 1200hrs local time on 21 May 1996. After 30 days, on 20 June 1996, the demilitarization process was successfully concluded.
The General Assembly decided on 7 June 1996 to appropriate $94,269,700 gross ($93,073,300 net) for UNTAES for the period 15 January through 30 June 1996 (Resolution 50/242). The Assembly also appropriated, as an ad hoc arrangement, an addditional $64,769,700 gross ($64,036,200 net) for UNTAES for the same time period. In resolution 51/153 of 20 January 1997, the Assembly decided to appropriate $140,484,350 gross ($136,087,550 net) for maintaining UNTAES from 1 July 1996 through 30 June 1997.
By adopting resolution 1079(1996) on 15 November 1996, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNTAES for six months through 15 July 1997.
RETURN TO UNTAES MAIN DIRECTORY
Security Council establishes support group of 180 civilian police monitors
By adopting resolution 1145(1997) on 19 December 1997, the Security Council decided to establish, with effect from 16 January 1998, a support group of 180 civilian police monitors for a single period of up to nine months in the post-UNTAES period to continue monitoring the performance of the Croatian police in the Danube region, particularly in connection with the return of displaced persons. By the same resolution, the Council noted the termination of UNTAES on15 January 1998 and expressed its full support for UNTAES as it completes its mandate. The Council reiterated the continuing obligation, under the Basic Agreement, of the Government of Croatia to respect the highest standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and reaffirmed the right of all refugees and displaced persons originating from Croatia to return to their homes of origin. The Council welcomed the progress made in the peaceful two-way return of displaced persons and the return of refugees in the region.
11 December: Transitional Administrator meets with Ambassador Jovanovic
On 11 December 1997, UNTAES Transitional Administrator William Walker met with Ambassador Jovanovic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), who presented the views and recommendations of the FRY on the UNTAES mandate. The FRY stated that the peace operation has been carried out successfully, but the UNTAES mission was far from completed. In its view, there was a worrisome radicalization of the region fomented by Croatian extremists. Frequent acts of intimidation of the Serbian population created anxiety, fear and mistrust among the Serbian population. Ambassador Jovanovic also referred to alleged denial of educational rights of the Serbs, failure to amend the Croatian Constitution so as to guarantee full equality of Serbs in Croatia and inconsitent implementation of the Amnesty Law. The FRY therefore expected the Security Council to emphasize in a resolution its concern over the present situation in the region and the obligation of the Republic of Croatia to carry out the commitments taken before the international community fully, consistently and in good faith.
Report of the Secretary-General sums up UNTAES'
successfully completed basic objectives
In a report to the Security Council of 4 December 1997 (S/1997/953), the Secretary-General observed that, as the period of the transitional administration envisaged in the Basic Agreement drew to an end, consensus has developed between Croatia, local Serb leaders and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on two key points: firstly, that UNTAES has successfully achieved the basic objectives for which it was established; and secondly, although much has been achieved by the parties, full implementation of Croatian commitments remains incomplete. Since October, the Government of Croatia has made a major effort to meet those commitments and to reassure its citizens. The performance of the past two months should be the baseline from which additional efforts are made.
A review of the past two years showed that the success of UNTAES in the entire reintegration process was a positive precedent for peace throughout the former Yugoslavia. UNTAES has provided the necessary stability to enable Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to normalize their relations and enter into increasingly cooperative bilateral agreements, including a "soft border regime" and the re-establishment of normal commercial and traffic links between them which was essential to the full economic development of the Danube border area. UNTAES has also ensured that developments in its area did not have a negative effect on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Within the UNTAES area, there has been no large outflow of new refugees from the region and reintegration has been peaceful. Demilitarization was completed on 20 June 1996. A Transitional Police Force was established on 1 July 1996. Local and regional elections were conducted successfully on 13 and 14 April 1997. In the latter part of 1997, some 6,000 Croats and 9,000 Serbs returned to their original homes. Close cooperation with the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia resulted in the successful exhumation of the Ovcara mass grave site and the arrest of an indicted war criminal.
In order to provide reassurance and prepare the local population for the full transfer of authority, UNTAES has pursued throughout its mandate a policy of negotiating public agreements with the Government of Croatia on the post-UNTAES implementation of its commitments and guarantees. Among them are: The Basic Agreement on the Region (Erdut Agreement), signed on 12 November 1995; Affidavit on the Rights of Public Employees (16-19 December 1996); Law on Convalidation (22 September 1997); Agreement by the Croatian Pension Fund on Pension Services (29 May 1997); Declaration on Educational Certificates (11 March 1997); Declaration on Minority Education Rights (6 August 1997); Joint Statement on Reintegration of the Employment System (11 September 1997); Joint Statement on Reintegration of the Social Welfare System (11 September 1997); Organization of the Joint Council of Municipalities (23 May 1997); and the Declaration on Conditions for Judicial Reintegration (30 September 1997). Taken together with the provisions of the Croatian Constitution, those agreements, for which the Government of Croatia has made itself internationally responsible, provide the comprehensive political and institutional guarantees which, if fully implemented, will allow the people of the region to exercise freely their rights and obligations as equal citiziens of Croatia.
According to the Secretary-General, in the final analysis, it is the Croatian authorities that are responsible for the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration of the region and the true reconciliation of the people. Two essential conditions to achieve the long-term goals of the Security Council should be emphasized: Firstly the complete and unreserved commitment of Croatia to the permanent reintegration of its Serb citizens; and secondly that the international community must continue to scrutinize Croatian performance closely.
In the post-UNTAES period, many other international organizations will support Croatia by comprehensively monitoring implementation of commitments and providing reassurance of the population of the region. Without continued international engagement, there is a clear risk that the termination of UNTAES might in retrospect be seen as premature. In this connection, the Secretary-General welcomed the deployment throughout Croatia of the long-term mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the ongoing presence and support of UNHCR.
Weighing these considerations carefully, the Secretary-General was of the view that UNTAES should complete its work as originally envisaged and recommended its termination on 15 January 1998. He further recommended that the Security Council establish a support group of 180 ciivilian police monitors to continue monitoring the performance of the Croatian police in the Danube region, particularly in connection with the return of displaced persons. The civilian police monitors would be stationed throughout the Danube region and would maintain a 24-hour-a-day coverage of police activities. Three joint mobile patrols would be established in the region. The headquarters of the support group would be in Vukovar and operate under the overall responsibiliy of a small substantive unit based in Zagreb. Its operations would be limited to a period of up to nine months, with the option of terminating it sooner should circumstances so permit. In order to avoid establishing new administrative structures, the Secretary-General would appoint a senior United Nations official to head both the support group and the United Nations Liaison Office in Zagreb.
As regards civil affairs, the Secretary-General stated that, as of 4 December 1997, over 145,000 citizenship papers and 126,000 passports have been issued to residents in the region. Some 900 appeals against denials of citizenship have been pending for months in the Administrative Court and are yet to be resolved efficiently and fairly by the Croatian authorities.
The UNTAES phase two military drawdown commenced on 15 October and is on track for timely completion.
Agreement on the Reintegration of the Regional Health Sector
On 3 December 1997, the Croatian Minister of Health signed the Agreement on the Reintegration of the Regional Health Sector, covering equal treatment, rights to employment for regional health workers and full financing of the health sector. It guarantees equal access to health care for all residents and sets a 1 June 1998 deadline for all Croatian Citizens to apply for health insurance cards. UNTAES is to monitor implementation of the agreement.
22 October: Transitional Administrator meets
with Croatian President Tudjman
On 22 October 1997, UNTAES Transitional Administrator William Walker met Croatian President Franjo Tudjman who emphasized the full commitment of Croatia to meet all commitments and do everything necessary to create the conditions for permanent reconciliation and co-existence with the Serb national minority. This policy would be continued after UNTAES' departure.
Presidential Statement of 20 October 1997 states there is
sufficient time for Croatia to comply with its obligations before 15 January 1998
In a Presidential Statemen of 20 October 1997 (S/PRST/1997/48), the Security Council noted with approval positive actions taken by Croatia, including recent agreements on education, progress in the reintegration of the judiciary, the law on convalidation, moves toward recognition of pensioner service, assistance to local governments and municipalities and provision to UNTAES of documentation on 25 war crimes cases. The Council was also encouraged by the increased cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
The Security Council continued to note with concern that there were still outstanding areas of contention and non-compliance which required further urgent action from the Government of Croatia. The Council reiterated its call to Croatia to curb media attacks on ethnic groups. It underlined the importance of the removal of all legal and administrative barriers to the accelerated voluntary two-way return of displaced persons, as well as to the return of refugees. The Council called upon the Government of Croatia to give immediate effect to decisions of the Constitutional Court regarding the Law on the Temporary Takeover and Administration of Specified Property, and to take further action to promote the return of owners to their homes, including access to reconstruction assistance. Much progress in these areas must be made on an urgent basis in order for Croatia to create the conditions for a successful completion of UNTAES. For its part, the local Serb population must also take more active measures to participate in the reintegration process.
The Council approved the intention to retain UNCIVPOL and UNMO's at current levels to the end of the UNTAES mandate and noted the need to address concerns relating to the continuation of police monitoring functions. The Council welcomed the close cooperation between UNTAES and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Croatia. Finally, the Security Council shared the assessment of the Secretary-General that there was sufficient time for Croatia to comply fully with its obligations and commitments before 15 January 1998 and urged Croatia to redouble its efforts in the remaining time.
Report of the Secretary-General of 2 October 1997
In a report to the Security Council dated 2 October 1997 (S/1997/767), the Secretary-General noted that over the past 20 months, the Government of Croatia has achieved many of the goals established in the Basic Agreement and in its letter of 13 January 1997. Most technical reintegration issues have been successfully addressed. However, as at 25 September, substantial goals still remained to be accomplished before the end of UNTAES' mandate. It was of particular concern that in recent weeks Croatia has sought to repudiate unambiguous commitments made in key documents and to ignore the results of the elections of 13 and 14 April 1997 by using the 1991 census as the basis for determining Croat/Serb proportional representation in local institutions. This contradicts the clear terms of the Basic Agreement that all persons who have left the region or who have come to the region with previous permanent residence in Croatia shall enjoy the same rights as all other residents of the region.
The Secretary-General noted that five months after local elections, the power sharing agreement between Croat and Serb political parties was not working well. There continued to be a demonstrable lack of commitment by Croatian officials to work towards the establishment of effective local government administration. Municipalities throughout the region lacked adequate financial resources. Only the tax and customs authorities operated on a full-time basis. As regards civil affairs, most of the region's residents have received Croatian documents. As at 25 September, approximately 146,000 citizenship documents, 130,000 Croatian identity cards and 126,000 passports have been issued. However, over 1,300 residents have been denied naturalization on the basis that they failed to meet the provisions of the Croatian law on citizenship.
The Secretary-General reported some progress on returns. Since April 1997, over 5,200 Serbs have returned to their homes throughout Croatia. Of that number, 965 returned using the weekly convoys organized since July by UNTAES, UNHCR and the Croatian Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees (ODPR). Two-hundred made private arrangements for return. Over 4,100 returned spontaneously without and official confirmation from the Government of Croatia. They have now been granted retroactive confirmation. In the same period, only 320 Croats have returned to the region with official confirmation of ODPR. An additional 1,500 Croats have returned spontaneously, mainly to reconstructed villages in the south of the region. There are over 750 vacant and habitable homes to which Croats could return immediately. Two-way returns have been held up by the slow action of ODPR, the uncertain security and economic situation in ares of potential return and legal impediments to getting back property.
Current UNTAES military activities focus on creating the conditions to facilitate the reintegration and reconciliation process while supporting the safe return of displaced persons and refugees. UNTAES military engineers and the mine action centre have demined more than 150 kilometres of railroad, 75 kilometres of high-power lines and 10 villages.
The Secretary-General observed that of fundamental concern was there was no attempt by the Government of Croatia to lead and support a national programme of reconciliation and confidence-building. The political leadership had yet to prepare the population, at a minimum, to coexist peacefully and to begin to rebuild functioning multi-ethnic communities in the region. The need for such a programme is evident to avoid ethnic harassment as displaced persons were returning home. Also, the performance of some of the local Serb leadership has been passive and lacklustre. They have shown little vigour or initiative in encouraging the population to take advantage of Croatian programes and have slowed the progress in some areas, including giving their approval for Serb school textbooks to be printed. It has been left to UNTAES to urge prompt registration of local businesses, plan and execute multi-ethnic confidence-building activities and to prepare the way for the return of Croats to the region.
Deficiencies in Croation cooperation and performance over the past two months have delayed the decision by the Transitional Administrator that conditions have been achieved for the transfer of authority to Croatia. The first phase of the exit strategy has not been completed and authority cannot be handed over at the present time. It was the Administrator's view that transfer of authority over the region to Croatia at the present time would jeopardize the achievements made, but that Croatia could meet its obligations and commitments if it applied itself with sufficient diligence in the remaining time. In view of the stable military situation, the second phase repatriation of the military contingent of UNTAES could start on 15 October and be completed by 15 November. However, because conditions have not yet been achieved to enable to full integration of the Transitional Police Force (TPF) into the Croatian police force, the present civilian police strength of 400 would be required at least until 15 January 1998. It was also essential that the number of United Nations military observers remained unchanged at 100.
Agreement on reintegration of the judiciary signed;
weapons-return continues
On 30 September 1997, the Agreement on the Reintegration of the Judiciary was signed by the UNTAES Transitional Administrator and Croatian Justice Minister Separovic. Under the Agreement, UNTAES and the Government of Croatia confirmed that the Ministry of Justice would announce a vacancy competition for the Croatian judicial bodies in the region which would be proportionally filled by Serb representatives. The Transitional Administrator reported on 22 September 1997 that residents of the region continued to turn in military weapons on a voluntary basis, including a cumulative total since the end of the weapons buy back programme of 204 rifles, 11 anti-tank rockets, 238 grenades, and 55,000 rounds of ammunition.
Presidential Statement of 18 September 1997 calls
upon Croatia to meet its obligations
In a Presidential Statement adopted on 18 September 1997 (S/PRST/1997/45), the Security Council expressed its deep concern at the lack of substantial progress by the Government of Croatia in fulfilling the conditions and tasks that were key to the transfer of executive authority to Croatia in the region under the UNTAES mandate. The Council called upon Croatia to meet its obligations and commitments and to take immediate action by removing all administrative and legal obstacles to the two-way return of all displaced persons and refugees; to ensure security and social and economic opportunity including property rights to all returnees; to prevent harassment of returnees/ and to establish effective local government administrations. The Council called upon Croatia to ensure the regular payment of benefits to all pension and welfare recipients and open Croatian pension offices in the region; to ensure further economic reintegration; to curb media attacks on ethnic groups; and to implement fully the amnesty law and cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The Security Council emphasized that prompt completion of the above tasks would determine the pace of further devolution of executive authority for the civil administration to the Croatian Government as well as further Council action.
William Walker appointed
UNTAES Transitional Administrator
Effective 1 August 1997, the Secretary-General appointed William Walker (United States) as the new UNTAES Transitional Administrator, taking over from his predecessor Jacques Klein. Before his new appointment, Mr. Walker was Vice-President of the United States National Defense College and before then, US Ambassador to El Salvador from 1988 to 1992. Immediately preceding that appointment, Mr. Walker served as Deputy Assistant-Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, with responsibility for Central America and Panama. In his 34 years as a Foreign Service officer, Mr. Walker served in Peru, Japan, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras and Bolivia. He holds a Master of Arts in Latin American studies from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Mr. Walker is maried and has four children.
Security Council extends UNTAES mandate;
reaffirms rights of all refugees and displaced persons
In resolution 1120(1997), adopted on 11 July 1997, the Security Council reaffirmed the right of all refugees and displaced persons originating from the Republic of Croatia to return to their homes of origin throughout Croatia. The Council strongly urged Croatia to eliminate promptly the administrative and legal obstacles to the return of refugees and displaced persons. It reminded the local Serb population in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium of the importance of continuing to demonstrate a constructive attituded towards the reintegration of the region and to cooperate with the Government of Croatia. By the same resolution, the Council extended the mandate of UNTAES until 15 January 1998 and endorsed the plan for the gradual devolution of executive responsibility for civil administration in the region by the Transitional Administrator. The Council further endorsed the plan for restructuring UNTAES and to achieving a drawdown of the UNTAES military component by 15 October 1997.
Transitional Administrator outlines benchmarkes
contained in Security Council resolution 1120(1997)
On 18 July 1997, the Transistional Administrator wrote to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman seeking his personal intervention to ensure ministerial cooperation and substantial progress under the terms of Security Council resolution 1120(1997) which identified several benchmarks to be achieved in order to permit the smooth and timely downsizing of UNTAES. The Transitional Administrator urged President Franjo Tudjman to call on his Ministers and local officials together to accelerate progress and ensure the successful completion of the UNTAES mandate. The above-mentioned benchmarks for completion by 30 September 1997 included the functioning of municipal authorities; demonstrable equal provision of Government services and benefits; substantial progress in two-way returns of displaced persons; completion of reintegration of state institutions and enterprises; economic reintegration; a programme of national reconciliation; and provisions for amnesty and the judiciary.
UNTAES two-phase exit strategy
The Secretary-General reported on 23 June to the Security Council that the Transitional Administrator had developed a two phase exit strategy for UNTAES. In the first phase, the Transitional Administrator would devolve to Croatia executive responsibility for the major part of civil administration of the region while maintaining his authority to intervene and overrule decisions should the situation deteriorate and the achievements of UNTAES be threatened. In the second phase, subject to satisfactory Croatian performance, remaining executive functions would be devolved, with Croatia assuming responsibility for the continued demilitarization of the region and gradual integration of the Transitional Police Force into the Croatian police force. The above exit strategy would allow UNTAES personnel and resources to be reduced progressively as executive functions were assumed by Croatian authorities. Reduction of the troop level to 720 personnel by mid-October was foreseen; the number of military observers would remain unchanged at 100 and the authorized strength of 600 civilian police could be reduced to the present actual strength of some 450 police . A revised civil affairs structure with a strengthened focus on returns and human rights would be based around the new municipalities in order to monitor implementation of the Basic Agreement and other Croatian guarantees and commitments. By October 1997, the strength of the civilian component would be reduced from 485 to 315 international staff and from 746 to 399 local staff, in addition to 70 United Nations volunteers.
The Secretary-General considered the proposed two-phase exit strategy to be an effective and cost efficient programme for the successful completion of peaceful reintegration and the withdrawal of UNITAES from the region. The essential prerequisite was the full cooperation of the Government of Croatia which bore the responsibility of convincing the local population that the reintegration of the region was sustainable and that the process of reconciliation was irreversible. If confidence was not achieved, the Security Council would have to reassess the situation by 15 October 1997.
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Transitional Administrator outlines UNTAES' successes
before European Union
During a presentation to the European Ad Hoc Working Group On The Former Yugoslavia at Brussels on 4 March 1997, Jacques Klein summed up UNTAES' achievements since its inception. In the nine months since its full deployment, the mission has made remarkable progress in:
Security Council welcomes reintegration of region into Croatia,
emphasizes timely holding of elections and underlines
multi-ethnic character of Eastern Slavonia
In a Presidential Statement on the situation in Croatia dated 31 January 1997, the Security Council welcomed the letter of 13 January 1997 from Croatia (S/1997/27, annex) on the completion of the peaceful reintegration of the region under the Transitional Administration, which guarantees the local Serb community representation and a voice at various levels of local, regional and national government. It provides for a limited deferment of military service and affirms the intention of Croatia to provide Serbs with the protection of their legal and civil rights under Croatian law.
The Council emphasized that the holding and certification of elections within the envisaged time-frame would only be possible if the Croatian authorities fulfil their obligations with respect to the completion of issuance of citizenship and identity documents for all eligible voters and provide UNTAES with all required information. The Council stressed that the restoration of the multi-ethnic character of Eastern Slavonia was important to international efforts to maintain peace and stabilitiy in the region of the former Yugoslavia as a whole.
Extension of mandate represents major positive step
and clarifies time frame for UNTAES
At the London Conference on 4 December 1996, the Transitional Administrator emphasized that the extension of the UNTAES mandate through 15 July 1997 and the decision on a UN presence for a full two-year period by Security Council resolution 1079(1996) of 15 November was a major positive step:
Croatian President Tudjman visits the UNTAES mandate area
On 3 December 1996, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and close aides visited the UNTAES mandate area. He reaffirmed his desire for Serbs to stay in Croatia with guarantees of human rights and fundamental freedoms and called for the marginalization of extremists on both sides. He also affirmed that all Serbs in public enterprises would retain their jobs , subject only to economic criteria, and directed that Croatian officials speed up document issuance. Most significantly, he adopted the suggestion of the Transitional Administrator to pay old-age pensions to the 20,000 pensioners as a good-will gesture for the 1997 new year period.
Security Council extends UNTAES mandate through 15 July 1997
By unanimously adopting resolution 1079(1996) on 15 November 1996, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNTAES for six months through 15 July 1997. By that resolution, the Council also requested the Secretary-General--as soon as possible after the successful holding of elections and no later than 1 July 1997-- to provide recommendations for a further United Nations presence, possibly in the form of a restructured UNTAES, for the six month period beginning 16 July 1997.
Report of the Secretary-General of 28 October 1996
In a report to the Security Council dated 28 October 1996, the Secretary-General stressed that the most urgent requirement for the successful completion of the UNTAES mission was to terminate the uncertainty about the duration of its mandate. It was clear that the mission's tasks could not be completed within the present mandate period.
UNTAES was already planning and preparing for events, such as elections, that extended well beyond the end of its current mandate, 15 January 1997. UNTAES should be able to complete its primary tasks by July 1997, but a continued international presence might be necessary in the transition to long-term monitoring as envisaged in the BASIC AGREEMENT .
Summing up the first six months of UNTAES' full deployment, the Secretary-General stated that the mission had:
Strenuous efforts have been made to attract international financial assistance for the ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION and revitalization of the region. The first disbursements were now being made. Croatian funding has also been secured for local agriculture.
In other developments:
Security Council Presidential Statement of 20 September 1996
commends Croatian amnesty law; urges Government of Croatia
to expand humanitarian relief and protect human rights
In a statement by the President of the Security Council on 20 September, the Council noted progress in the humanitarian and human rights situation in some areas of the region. The Council regretted, however, that many of its previous requests have not been complied with by the Government of Croatia. Numerous incidents threatening the population in the formerly Serb-controlled areas were a continuing source of concern and could jeopardize the prospects for peace and substantial reintegration of refugees and displaced persons in Croatia. It urged the Croatian authorities to protect the human rights of all persons present in Croatia, including the Serb population.
The Council welcomed the passage, on 20 September 1996, of the amnesty law by the Government of Croatia. It emphasized that such law must be implemented without delay in a fair and equitable manner, with full respect for the rights of the individual.
Agreement normalizes relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia
The Agreement on the Normalization of Relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia, signed in Belgrade on 23 August 1996, provided for recognition of their international borders. The Agreement made clear that all wishing to continue to live in the UNTAES area of responsibility must register for Croatian citizenship or comply with Croatian immigration regulations. Of great significance for implementing the UNTAES mandate was the agreement by the two contracting parties to declare a general amnesty for all acts committed in connection with armed conflicts, except for the gravest violations of humanitarian law characterized as war crimes.
Croatia-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Joint Declaration
In a joint declaration issued on 7 August 1996 at the Athens, Greece meeting between Croatian President Tudjman and Serbian President Milosevic, several key points were directly relevant to the peace process in Eastern Slavonia:
RETURN TO UNTAES MAIN DIRECTORY
Elections Summary
The successful holding of municipal and local elections in the region, conducted by UNTAES on 13-14 April 1997, was a historic milestone in the peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium into Croatia and the implementation of the UNTAES mandate. Those elections were conducted simultanuously with elections throughout Croatia. The elections marked the first time since the conflict began that the local population had legitimate representation in the Croatian constitutional and legal system and cleared the path for the two-way return of all displaced persons.
The high voter turnout in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium of over 72,000 votes cast was beyond expectations. Due to technical difficulties, voting inside the region was extended to 14 April and until 15 April in one polling station. No security incidents or evidence of notable fraud were recorded during the conduct of elections. The Transitional Administrator certified the elections on 22 April, and the results have been accepted by all major parties. The newly formed Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) won an absolute majority in 11 of the 28 municipalities. In the symbolically important city of Vukovar, SDSS and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) each won 12 out of 26 seats. Discussions have commenced between them on a coalition city administration. The elections opened the way for rapid progress on practical aspects of reintegration. On 24 April, the Croatian Government adopted the recommendations of a Joint Working Group of UNTAES, UNHCR and Croatia on the return of displaced persons which provide for equal treatment and equal rights for all affected.
Voter participation and election monitoring
Residents currently living in the region voted at 193 polling station including 30 polling locations for absentee voting for the authorities outside the region. Over 56,000 displaced persons elsewhere in Croatia cast absentee ballots in 75 polling locations with 645 polling stations. The final number of voters inside the UNTAES mandate area was over 71,000, of which fewer than 1,000 voted in absentia for authorities to be elected in their former places of residence. Local Electoral Commissions (LEC's) were appointed by the Joint Implementation Committee on Elections (JIC) (see under STRUCTURE OF UNTAES) and assisted by UNTAES Election Officers. The JIC on Elections appointed an Electoral Appeals Commission composed of Serb and Croat jurists and chaired by an UNTAES-appointed international judge. A Media Experts Commission (MEC) was appointed with a similar composition to monitor equitable access of all registered parties and candidates to the media.
Within the UNTAES region, over 150 UNTAES observers were deployed to all polling stations as static monitors. In addition, 30 OSCE observer teams, observers from the Council of Europe and diplomats visited numerous polling stations during the elections. No intimidation, violence or electoral improprieties were observed before, during or after the elections.
Secretary-General assesses elections; UNTAES Administrator certifies results
The Secretary-General, on 21 April 1997, expressed appreciation as to the positive assessment of the elections by UNTAES Administrator Jacques Klein. The Secretary-General said that "the next most significant challenge in the implementation of the UNTAES mandate will be the establishment of the conditions necessary for the return home of all displaced persons and refugees. It is up to the Security Council, to which I will present my recommendations shortly, to decide on the modalities of the future United Nations presence in the region.".
On 22 April, Jacques Klein formally certified the elections. The final report of the Electoral Appeals Commission stated that all complaints presented were duly considered but dismissed and, therefore, did not impact on the free and fair character of the elections. By a letter dated 29 April 1997, the Secretary-General communicated the election results to the President of the Security Council. ((S/1997/343))
Statement by the Transitional Administrator
In a statement of 22 April, the UNTAES Administrator emphasized "that the successful holding of free, open and fair elections in the region was a historic milestone in the peaceful reintegration of the region, the success of the UNTAES mandate and in creating conditions for reconciliation and return. It should be recalled that 18 months ago, the region was an area of military hostility with 17,000 soldiers and numerous heavy weapons deployed in expectation of war. There was a real possibility of renewed hostilities with unforeseeable consequences. Instead, UNTAES had succeeded in bringing stability and progress in peaceful reintegration of the region. The mission succeeded in demilitarizing the region, opening-up economic and human contacts. obtaining comprehensive political, cultural and employment guarantees for residents in the region, attracting $70 million in international assistance and processing the return of displaced persons.
Today, more than 90 per cent of the residents who were present at the time of signing the Basic Agreement, remain in the region. More than 112,000 have Croatian documents. Fields are being planted, children are going to school, and the mood of the region has begun to look for the future and not the past. There is hope and there is determination to work for a better future.
Ten political parties and 1,000 individual candidates contested elections in 25 municipalities and three towns. A new Serb political party, the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) was formed and registered in accordance with Croatian law. Voting took place in 193 polling stations in the regions and at 75 external locations. There were 126,533 valid votes of which 70,292 were votes cast in the region. By their vote, the people of the region discarded the leadership of the past and gave their new leadership legitimacy at the ballot box.
Looking ahead after the elections, the next step is reconciliation and return. The key aspects are economic reconstruction and revitalization; the provision of orderly and secure housing arrangements; strong and wise political guidance and leadership; and continuing international support for bilateral efforts between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. UNTAES is looking forward to working with the new Joint Council of Municipalities which, for the first time in six years, will give Serbs a legal voice within the Croatian political system and will genuinely represent the concerns of the people. UNTAES continues to make extraordinary progress in its mandate and in forming the bridge for normalization between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."
Security Council encourages Serbian participation in elections;
urges Croatian cooperation
In a Presidential Statement of 7 March 1997, the Security Council underlined that it was in the best interest of the Serb community to collect their citizenship documents, to participate fully in the elections, and to take part in Croatian political life as equal citizens. It called upon all residents of the region to follow wise leadership, to stay in the region, and to take up their future as citizens of the Republic of Croatia. The Council urged the Government of Croatia to redouble its efforts to ensure the completion of the necessary technical preparations for the holding of elections. At that time, the Council expressed serious concern that no progress had been made concerning the future of displaced persons in the region and the establishment of equal treatment with respect to housing, access to reconstruction grants, loans and property compensation.
Secretary-General calls announcement of elections
UNTAES' most critical phase
In a report to the Security Council dated 24 February 1997, the Secretary-General recalled that the UNTAES Transitional Administrator had decided that elections in the region would be held on 13 April 1997, simultanuously with elections throughout Croatia.
The Secretary-General stated that "with the anouncement of elections, UNTAES has entered a most critical phase of its mandate. Success will be determined by the extent to which the Serb leadership and people demonstrate wisdom and realism and by the will and ability of Croatia to meet all technical requirements for the holding of free and fair elections. Long-term success will be determined by the Croatian authorities' commitment to reconciliation and to ensuring that those Serbs who are currently resident in the region will enjoy equal rights as Croatian citizens. UNTAES is encountering challenges in all these areas."
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In January 1996, the United Nations established a new peace-keeping operation in the region within Croatia consisting of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. The Security Council authorized the operation to help the parties implement the BASIC AGREEMENT on the region signed on 12 November 1995 between the Croatian Government and the local Serb authorities. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Security Council adopted resolution 1037(1996), creating the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) for an initial period of 12 months with an authorized strength of 5,000 troops and headquartered at Vukovar.
On 20 May 1996, the Secretary-General informed the President of the Security Council that UNTAES was fully deployed. Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein announced that the demilitarization process of the region would commence at 1200hrs local time on 21 May 1996. As required under the Basic Agreement of 12 November 1995, the Croatian Government and the local Serb authorities in Eastern Slavonia completed the demilitarization of the area within 30 days, facilitated and monitored by UNTAES.
Security Council extends UNTAES mandate through 15 July 1997
By unanimously adopting resolution 1079(1996) on 15 November 1996, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNTAES for six months through 15 July 1997. By that resolution, the Council also requested the Secretary-General--as soon as possible after the successful holding of elections and no later than 1 July 1997-- to provide recommendations for a further United Nations presence, possibly in the form of a restructured UNTAES, for the six month period beginning 16 July 1997.
UNTAES is required to do the following:
UNTAES and multinational implementation force IFOR
The Security Council also authorized Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to take all necessary measures, including close air support, to defend or help withdraw UNTAES, if necessary. The Council requested UNTAES and the multinational implementation force in Bosnia and Herzegovina led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), known as IFOR, to cooperate with each other and with the European Union's High Representative to the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Carl Bildt (click here for UNTAES AND THE MULTINATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (IFOR) FORCE (IFOR).
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Demilitarization update
Weapons buy-back programme
In a report to the Security Council dated 24 February 1997, the Secretary-General stated that since its inception on 2 October 1996, the weapons buy-back programme, which was financed by the Government of Croatia and organized by the UNTAES military component, had collected over 15,000 weapons and 435,000 rounds of ammunition. Nevertheless, it is believed that considerable quantities of small arms and ammunition remain in private hands.
On 26 August 1996, UNTAES Force Commander Joseph Schoups stated that "the single existing military organization in the region is the UNTAES military component. There are no military threats." He also noted remarkable progress in opening up Eastern Slavonia due to successful demining. On 27 June 1996, UNTAES Force Commander Schoups and Generals Loncar of the ARSK and Decak of the Croatian Army signed the document certifying the completion of the demilitarization process.By adopting resolution 1069(1996) on 30 July 1996, the Security Council authorized the extended deployment of the 100 UNTAES military observers for an additional period of six months, until 15 January 1997.
The Secretary-General reported on 26 June, that the demilitarization of the region had been completed with relative ease on 20 June. The parties displayed a willingness to abide by the Basic Agreement and to recognize the desire of the international community to help them implement it. Heavy weapons have been either withdrawn or handed over to UNTAES for destruction. All heavy weapons belonging to the local Serb forces had either been removed from the region or had been handed over to UNTAES for disposal. From March 1996 up to 26 June, UNTAES had monitored the removal of 93 tanks, 11 armoured personnel carriers, 35 anti-tank systems, 107 artillery pieces, 123 mortars and 42 anti-aircraft guns.
Secretary-General announces 21 May 1996 "D-Day"
for demilitarization
On 20 May 1996, UNTAES was fully deployed. The demilitarization process of the region began at 1200hrs local time on 21 May 1996. As required under the BASIC AGREEMENT of 12 November 1995, the Croatian Government and the local Serb authorities in Eastern Slavonia completed the demilitarization of the area within 30 days, facilitated and monitored by UNTAES. Accordingly, after 30 days, on 20 June 1996, the Transitional Administrator stated that the demilitarization process was successfully completed.
The Secretary-General noted on 26 June that demilitarization had proceeded smoothly and was completed on 20 June. All heavy weapons belonging to the local Serbs were either removed from the region or handed over to UNTAES for disposal. From March 1996 up to 26 June, UNTAES monitored the removal of 93 tanks, 11 armoured personnel carriers, anti-tank systems, 107 artillery pieces, 123 mortars and 42 anti-aircraft guns.
Process of Demilitarization
Demilitarization includes disarmament and demobilization of all military, para-military and police forces, units and personnel, and breakdown of their command and control structures. Beginning with the 30-day demilitarization period, all heavy weapons were withdrawn or turned over to the United Nations to be destroyed or rendered inoperable.
Under the plan, the region shall remain free of military weapons or ammunition and military or paramilitary organizations, except those of UNTAES and those militia personnel authorized by the Transitional Administrator. The demilitarization involves the removal, storage and destruction of all: tanks and armored vehicles; artillery pieces; defence and anti-aircraft weapons; infantry-served weapons including machine-guns above 12 mm and mortars; small arms; anti-tank weapons; munitions for the above weapons.
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Land-mines pose challenge
The UNTAES area of operation contains approximately 650,000 land-mines which constitute a danger to civilians especially in view of the anticipated population movements of returning refugees. The United Nations has set up a Mine Action Centre (MAC) in the region, with a staff of eight deminers. MAC is mainly responsible for collection and dissemination of information on landmine contamination in the region and for mine awareness training of UNTAES personnel. So far, mine-clearance is being carried out by the UNTAES Slovak Engineer Battalion and by the Croatian and Serb Army Units whose work is monitored by the UNTAES Belgian Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
On 11 April, the UNTAES Force engineer informed Serb and Croatian representatives to the Subcommittee on Railways that Generals Loncar and Decak had reached agreement concerning demining operations to start on 12 April from the Croatian side and on 15 April on the Serb side. The operations would require approximately 14 days and be supervised by UNTAES.
As at 26 June, UNTAES had organized, with the support of its engineering elements, the demining and clearing of 7 kilometres of the Zagreb-Belgrade highway that passes through the region. It also supervised the demining of the main railway line between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, where it runs through the region between Vinkovci and Tovarnik. As at 16 July 1996, the first phase of reconstruction and clearing of mines started in Lipovac and was to be extended shortly to other villages in the pilot programme. In mid-August, demining operations commenced at the Djeletovci oilfield.
The Secretary-General reported on 28 October 1996 to the Security Council that the first four pilot project villages have been demined, and reconstruction was at at stage where Croat displaced persons might return in the month of November 1996. In the central part of the region, demining has commenced in several villages for returns expected in the spring of 1997.
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Current strength: 2,847 mission total as at 30 September 1997: 2,346 troops, 404 police, 97 military observers, provided by 30 nations
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AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 1997
Thirty Countries Provide Personnel to UNTAES
As at 30 September 1997, the total strength of UNTAES military and police personnel stood at 2,847.
Thirty countries were providing 2,346 troops, 404 civilian police, and 97 military observers:
Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine and the United States.
UNTAES Force Commander, Chief Military Observer and Police Commissioner
Major-General Willy Hanset of Belgium serves as UNTAES Force Commander, succeeding Major- General Joseph Schoups, also of Belgium. Brigadier-General Purwadi of Indonesia is the Chief Military Observer. Brigadier Walter Fallmann of Austria is UNTAES Police Commissioner.
Deployment of 100 Military Observers
On 29 January 1996, the Secretary-General advised the Security Council that 100 United Nations military observers would be needed for a period of six months to enable UNTAES to supervise and facilitate the demilitarization provided for in the BASIC AGREEMENT. The military observers task was to identify the units and equipment to be demilitarized, monitor and verify the implementation of the DEMILITARIZATION process and report on developments relevant to the maintenance of peace and security in the region.
Extension of deployment
On 31 January 1996, by adopting resolution 1043(1996), the Security Council authorized the deployment of 100 military observers as part of UNTAES for a period of six months. The costs for the 100 observers were estimated by the Secretary-General at $2.3 million for an initial six-month period.
By adopting resolution 1069(1996) on 30 July 1996, the Security Council authorized the extended deployment of the 100 UNTAES military observers for an additional period of six months, until 15 January 1997.
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General Assembly appropriates $94,2 million
to UNTAES for first six-months of 1996
The General Assembly decided on 7 June 1996 to appropriate $94,269,700 gross ($93,073,300 net) for UNTAES for the period 15 January through 30 June 1996 (Resolution 50/242). The Assembly also appropriated, as an ad hoc arrangement, an addditional $64,769,700 gross ($64,036,200 net) for UNTAES for the same time period.
On 4 December 1996, the Secretary-General, in a report to the General Assembly, estimated the cost for the maintenance of UNTAES and the liaison offices at Belgrade and Zagreb for the one-year period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 at $274,993,600 gross ($265,657,900 net), representing a 0.7 per cent decrease to the previous budget due mainly to reduced requirements for helicopters. The budget provides for the deployment of 100 military observers, 556 civilian police, 477 international staff, 721 local staff and 100 United Nations volunteers. In resolution 51/153 of 20 January 1997, the Assembly decided to appropriate S140,484,350 gross ($136,087,550 net) for maintaining UNTAES from 1 July 1996 through 30 June 1997.
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Geography of Eastern Slavonia
The UNTAES area of operation is located at the easternmost tip of Croatia, bordering the Serbian province of Vojvodina. The region extends approximately 30 kilometers from East to West and 140 kilometers North to South, its main cities being Vukovar, Beli Manastir, Darda, Tenja, Klisa and Vinkovci. (see map below)
Geographically, the region is divided by the Drava river which has only one crossing on the Osijek-Bilje road. The northern area is generally flat with numerous waterways, forested parts and some swamps. It is dominated by a high ridge line running east to west from Beli Manastir to Batina. The southern area is open and flat, without forested areas. The region is agriculturally one of the richest in Croatia, although much of the production has been disrupted during the fighting. Wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflowers, alfalfa, and clover are the main crops. There are oil deposits in the area.
Eastern Slavonia is covered by Basic Agreement
After Croatia declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in June 1991, Serb forces seized about 30 per cent of Croatian territory, including the region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. (forthwith referred to as "Eastern Slavonia") In a major military offensive in 1995, Croatia retook Western Slavonia in May and the Krajina region in August. However, the remaining Serb-held area of Eastern Slavonia was subject of the BASIC AGREEMENT signed by the Croatian Government and the local Serb authorities on 12 November 1995, which called for the peaceful transition to full Croatian sovereign control.
Demography of the region and refugee situation
The region's demographic composition has changed since 1991, with an estimated 70,000 Croats and others leaving and some 75,000 Serbs, mostly refugees from other parts of Croatia moving in. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, about 160,000 people live in UNTAES mission area, including refugees and internally displaced persons. Sixty- to seventy thousand displaced persons could return to the region under the terms of the Basic Agreement. However, thies are estimates. There is no definitive population count at this time. (click here for HUMANITARIAN ACTION).
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MAP OF EASTERN CROATIA
click on map to enlarge
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Effective 1 August 1997, the Secretary-General appointed William Walker (United States) as the new UNTAES Transitional Administrator, taking over from his predecessor Jacques Klein. Before his new appointment, Mr. Walker was Vice-President of the United States National Defense College and before then, US Ambassador to El Salvador from 1988 to 1992. Immediately preceding that appointment, Mr. Walker served as Deputy Assistant-Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, with responsibility for Central America and Panama. In his 34 years as a Foreign Service officer, Mr. Walker served in Peru, Japan, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras and Bolivia. He holds a Master of Arts in Latin American studies from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Mr. Walker is maried and has four children.
Joint Implementation Committees
The Transitional Administrator has established the following Joint Implementation Committees (JICs) in consultation with the Croatian and local Serb parties:
The Committees are set up in consultation with the Croatian and local Serb parties. They may include representatives from other international agencies.
UNTAES Civil Affairs Offices
Five regional UNTAES Civil Affairs offices have opened at Beli Manastir, Osijek, Erdut, Vinkovci and Ilok. The Transitional Administrator is supported by:
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Civil affairs update
Croatian State Commission for UNTAES mandate area established
On 1 May 1997, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman announced the creation of a State Commission for the Establishment of the Constitutional-Legal Order of the Republic of Croatia In The Areas of Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Sirmium Counties Which Are Currently Under The Administration Of UNTAES. Mr. Jure Radic, Minister for Development and Reconstruction, was named Head of the Commission. The State Commission will cooperate with UNTAES to coordinate and oversee the work of all government bodies - county, city and municipal - as it relates to peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium into Croatia.
Security Council addresses human rights
situation in Croatia, citizenship question
On 19 March 1997, in a Presidential Statement, the Security Council expressed its concern that, at that time, there was too little progress with regard to the return of Croatian Serb displaced persons and refugees. The Council called upon the Government of Croatia to accelerate its efforts to improve conditions of personal and economic security, to remove bureaucratic obstacles to the rapid issuance of documentation to all Serb families and to promptly resolve property issues. It called upon Croatia to resolve uncertainty about the implementation of its amnesty law, and to put an end to arbitrary arrests, particularly of Serbs returning to Croatia. The Council stressed the importance of the effective implementation of those measures for promoting confidence and reconciliation in Croatia as well as the peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium into Croatia.
In a Presidential Statement of 7 March 1997, the Security Council underlined that it was in the best interest of the Serb community in Eastern Slavonia to collect their citizenship documents, to participate fully in the 13 April elections, and to take part in Croatian political life as equal citizens. The Council stressed that the long-term success of peaceful reintegration would be determined by the commitment of Croatia to ensuring that those Serbs who were currently residents in the region would enjoy equal rights as Croatian citizens. It urged the Government of Croatia to cooperate closely and without delay with UNTAES and UNHCR on implementing the return of displaced persons and confirming their equal rights regardless of their ethnicity.
Joint Implementation Committees begin work;
Civil Affairs offices open
Joint Implementation Committees (JICs) on police, return of refugees and displaced persons, and the restoration of public services meet on a regular basis. Agreement has been reached on formation of a temporary police force in the region, composed of Croatian and Serbe police officers.
UNTAES Civil Affairs activities fall in three broad categories:
UNTAES Civil Affairs organizes family reunions
UNTAES Civil Affairs and the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) have organized familiy reunions on a regular basis at the Sarvas-Nemetin UN-checkpoint. As at 6 August, family reunions brought together over 9,000 persons.
Police matters
The Secretary-General reported on 5 August 1996 to the Security Council that 442 civilian police monitors of an authorized 600 have been deployed in the mission area. Their main task is to monitor the Transitional Police Force, which is envisaged to have a total strength of 1,300 personnel.
Financing the local civil administration
The Secretary-General reported on 5 August 1996 that the most immediate concern was to obtain funding for the local administration of the region until such time as sustained Croatian financing became available, possibly for a period of up to six months. As of 9 September 1996, partial funding has been made available by the Croatian Government.
UNTAES marketplace for peace, successful All Saints' Day celebrations
In August 1996, UNTAES created an open-air meeting area and marketplace for family reunions and commerce, located on the road between Osijek and Klisa. By March 1997, some 140,000 people had attended and reunited at the UNTAES market days without incidents. Also, the celebration of All Saints' Day on 1 November was an unequivocal success of UNTAES' planning. About 5,000 Croatian displaced persons visited grave sites in 30 villages in the region on All Saints' Day. It showed that peaceful co-existence between Croats and the local Serb population was possible. On 2 November, 83 local Serbs visited cemeteries of family members in the towns of Pakrac, Nova Gradski and Daruva. These visits, also organized by UNTAES, were equally successful.
On 8 August 1996, the signing of the Agreement on Interim Co-Financing of Public Services on the Territory Administered by UNTAES, By The Government Of the Republic Of Croatia provided that Croatia would pay 4,500 000 kuna (about $850,660) for the regular monthly co-financing of public services in the area administered by UNTAES. These public services include health and social welfare, education, police, administration, operating costs and related administrative expenses.
Croatian personal documents issued
The first of three initial offices for the issuance of Croatian personal documents to residents of the region became operational on 20 August in the municipality of Beli Manastir in the Baranja. On the first three days, 281 people registered for citizenship (domovnica); and 250 for both birth certificates and citizenship.
The Transitional Administrator reported on 24 March 1997 that three new document offices were opened in the preceding week with the number of applications increasing accross the board. The daily issuance of documents stood at some 1,400. Nonetheless, only two of 24 document offices were working at full capacity. As at 20 March 1997, they had issued 88,601 domovnicas and 64,022 identity cards.
UNTAES marketplace for peace, successful All Saints' Day celebrations
In August 1996, UNTAES created an open-air meeting area and marketplace for family reunions and commerce, located on the road between Osijek and Klisa. By March 1997, some 140,000 people had attended and reunited at the UNTAES market days without incidents. Also, the celebration of All Saints' Day on 1 November was an unequivocal success of UNTAES' planning. About 5,000 Croatian displaced persons visited grave sites in 30 villages in the region on All Saints' Day. It showed that peaceful co-existence between Croats and the local Serb population was possible. On 2 November, 83 local Serbs visited cemeteries of family members in the towns of Pakrac, Nova Gradski and Daruva. These visits, also organized by UNTAES, were equally successful.
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Secretary-General appoints Jacques Klein
UNTAES Transitional Administrator
On 17 January 1996, the Security Council approved the Secretary-General's appointment of Mr. Jacques Paul Klein of the United States as UNTAES Transitional Administrator with overall authority over the military and civilian components of the mission.
On 19 January 1996, Mr. Klein stated that during his meeting with the Presidents of Croatia and Serbia in the region, he found both sides interested in resolving the problem. "There is no doubt that there is an international boundary--that Eastern Slavonia is part of Croatia--and that the role of the United Nations is transitional, from Serb control to Croatian sovereignty over a period of time," Mr. Klein pointed out.
Biographical information on Mr. Jacques Klein
Mr. Klein is a career member of the American Senior Foreign Service of the Department of State. He is a Major-General in the United States Air Force Reserves. He served in several capacities in the Office of Southern European Affairs. Before taking up his current appointment, Mr. Klein served since 1993 as Political Adviser to the Commander in Chief, United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Mr. Klein attended the National War College and also served with the United States Department of Defense, most recently as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. He was born in Alsace, France.
UNTAES command structure
In accordance with the BASIC AGREEMENT, the Transitional Administrator oversees and coordinates the military and civilian activities of UNTAES, as well as the work of other UN agencies in the mission area. The Force Commander, the Police Commissioner, and the Chief Administrative Officer report to the Transitional Administrator, who in turn reports directly to the Secretary-General and to the Security Council.
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Humanitarian action supports the peace process
A main objective of the United Nations presence in Eastern Slavonia, apart from the critical process of DEMILITARIZATION, is to alleviate the difficult humanitarian situation in the area in order to normalize civilian life. In addition to ensuring respect for human rights, agencies of the United Nations are working to provide food and shelter, health, education, community services, protection and confidence-building activities targeting well-defined vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly amongst the refugee population.
UN Humanitarian Interagency Appeal requests $60 million for the Region
The 1997 United Nations Consolidated Interagency Appeal for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, launched on 29 November 1996 in Geneva, requested some $60 million for humanitarian projects in Croatia, most of which was earmarked for Eastern Slavonia.
UN seeks $825 million for humanitarian action
On 1 March 1996, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs issued a Revised Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the territories of the former Yugoslavia, including Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. The revised financial target for the entire former Yugoslavia covering calendar year 1996 amounted to $825 million. As of 29 April 1996, total funds available for the operation stood at $291 million, leaving a shortfall of $534 million.
Coordinated effort of agencies of the UN system
Numerous United Nations agencies, international and regional organizations, as well as NGOs, are active in the UNTAES mission area to address the difficult humanitarian and human rights situation, including serious human rights violations:
Non-UN organizations assisting in humanitarian aid coordination include the Office of the High Representative of the multinational implementation force (IFOR), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and numerous local NGOs.
Work of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), based at the Hague, is responsible for prosecuting war-crimes committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, including Eastern Slavonia (click here for INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA (ICTY): ACTIVITIES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA).
Following is a directory of activities of the United Nations system concerning human rights and humanitarian aid in Eastern Slavonia:
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The General Assembly, by adopting resolution 50/193 of 22 December 1995, condemned in the strongest terms all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by parties to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and demanded that all parties refrain from destroying, altering, concealing or damaging any evidence of such violations and preserve evidence. The Assembly had recognized the right of refugees and displaced persons freely to return to their homes of origin in safety and dignity.
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Under the Dayton Peace Agreement, UNHCR is the designated lead agency to oversee repatriation of returning refugees and internally displaced persons in the former Yugoslavia and is entrusted with UN inter-agency coordination. During 1996, UNHCR to provided food assistance to approximately 42,000 displaced persons in the region.
Update on refugee situation
Agreement of Working Group on Returns ratified by Croatia
The Agreement of the Working Group on the Operational Procedures of Return, which detailed a programme of return of Croatian citizens to their homes throughout Croatia was signed by Croatia on 27 April 1997 and transmitted to the Security Council the following day. The mechanisms provide equal access and equal treatment for all Croatian citizens regardless of ethnicity, asigning to all of them the identical legal status of "returnee". ((UNTAES 770)) Under the Agreement, Croatia will, with the cooperation of the international community, organize an agency for mediation in selling or exchanging property for legal owners who no longer wish to inhabit their property. The "Land Bank" concept is to be developed by the Working Group. Croatia, UNTAES and UNHCR will seek international funding for the implementation of the return mechanisms.
Joint meeting results in agreement
on refugee issues in Eastern Slavonia
At a joint meeting on 21 March 1997 between Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, UNTAES Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, President Tudjman reaffirmed the right of all refugees and displaced persons to return to their home of origin, to live in conditions of safety and security, and to recover their property. Among others, the Croatian President made the following commitments:
UNTAES and UNHCR sign Terms of Reference for cooperation on refugee returns
On 29 July 1996, UNTAES and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed an agreement on Terms of Reference of UNTAES-UNHCR Cooperation on Returns. Under the agreement, UNTAES and UNHCR undertake to cooperate within their mandated responsibilities and share all relevant information as regards refugee return movements to and from the region, as well as political, security and civilian information that affect their mutual operations.
Joint meeting results in agreement
At a joint meeting on 21 March 1997 between Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, UNTAES Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, President Tudjman reaffirmed the right of all refugees and displaced persons to return to their home of origin, to live in conditions of safety and security, and to recover their property. Among others, the Croatian President made the following commitments:
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Human rights update
Security Council addresses human rights
situation in Croatia, citizenship question
On 19 March 1997, in a Presidential Statement, the Security Council expressed its concern that, at that time, there was too little progress with regard to the return of Croatian Serb displaced persons and refugees. The Council called upon the Government of Croatia to accelerate its efforts to improve conditions of personal and economic security, to remove bureaucratic obstacles to the rapid issuance of documentation to all Serb families and to promptly resolve property issues. It called upon Croatia to resolve uncertainty about the implementation of its amnesty law, and to put an end to arbitrary arrests, particularly of Serbs returning to Croatia. The Council stressed the importance of the effective implementation of those measures for promoting confidence and reconciliation in Croatia as well as the peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium into Croatia.
In a Presidential Statement of 7 March 1997, the Security Council underlined that it was in the best interest of the Serb community in Eastern Slavonia to collect their citizenship documents, to participate fully in the 13 April elections, and to take part in Croatian political life as equal citizens. The Council stressed that the long-term success of peaceful reintegration would be determined by the commitment of Croatia to ensuring that those Serbs who were currently residents in the region would enjoy equal rights as Croatian citizens. It urged the Government of Croatia to cooperate closely and without delay with UNTAES and UNHCR on implementing the return of displaced persons and confirming their equal rights regardless of their ethnicity.
The Secretary-General reported on 5 August 1996 to the Security Council that UNTAES had commenced human rights training in the region. A human rights training seminar sponsored by the Council of Europe and a local NGO was conducted by the Joint Implementation Committee on Human Rights at Osijek, Croatia. Delegates to all joint implementation committees were invited to the Seminar, the first such training for middle-level civil servants in the region and its immediate environs. Other similar training programmes are envisaged.
The Special Rapporteur for the former Yugoslavia of the Commission on Human Rights, Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, reported on 14 March 1996 on human rights conditions in the UNTAES mission area after a visit in December 1995 (for report symbol click here on REFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS)
Adoption of amnesty law by Croatia
Croatia informed the Council on 20 May 1996 that it had adopted a law granting amnesty to all persons who had committed crimes between 17 August 1990 and 1 June 1996 in the territory currently under UNTAES administration. The act excluded those persons suspected of violations of international humanitarian law. The Council called upon Croatia to make this amnesty comprehensive as soon as possible, stressing its importance for public confidence and stability.
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WFP has the primary responsibility for the supply of food, targeting 30,000 displaced persons in Eastern Slavonia. In 1996, the WFP food requirements for the region 1996 totalled 54,930 metric tons valued at $2,044,360, including transport. The agency delivered food supplies at a rate of 458 metric tons per month to Eastern Slavonia, meeting over 70% of estimated requirements during January and February 1996.
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With the severe disruption in health systems, in January 1996, WHO has begun a one-year advisory role for needs assessment and coordination within the health sector on behalf of the Transitional Administration.
WHO activities help victims of war, refugees and displaced persons, primarily in capacity building, outreach to the primary health care system, implementation of community-based rehabilitation centres, and the establishment of group homes for physical rehabilitation patients. WHO is assisting local health authorities in management reform and training within the health sector by using a community-based methodology to define priorities and strategies. Technical contacts are being built between health professionals in Eastern Slavonia and other parts of Croatia in primary health care management by organizing workshops and meetings.
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UNICEF reports that, of the population in Eastern Slavonia, 70,000 are refugees and displaced persons. Of the 40,000 beneficiaries of humanitarian aid, 14,500 are children.
In early 1996, UNICEF delivered blankets and winter clothes for 1,000 children, as well as baby food, hygienic and educational materials valued at $60,000 under its winterization programme. With the help of UNHCR logistical support, UNICEF delivered further medical and educational supplies worth $47,000 in May. The Agency participated in various meetings of the Joint Implementation Commission (JIC) on Health, which is headed by UNTAES and WHO. A conflict/peace education project was conducted at the beginning of the school year in Fall 1996.
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UNESCO will aid the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the educational system in the UNTAES area following the DEMILITARIZATION phase. UNESCO will organize "peace and tolerance" and educational management activities.
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Resolution 1037(1996) requests cooperation between UNTAES and ICTY
The International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), based at the Hague, is prosecuting war-crimes committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, including Eastern Slavonia. Security Council resolution 1037(1996) of 15 January 1996 requested UNTAES to cooperate with ICTY in the performance of its mandate including the protection of sites identified by the Tribunal's Prosecutor and persons conducting investigations for the Tribunal. Click here for more information on ICTY
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Second Donors' Meeting in Zagreb raises $21.8 million
On 14 March 1997, UNTAES hosted a second Donors' Meeting in Zagreb, attended by some 200 representatives of Embassies, capitals, NGOs and international organizations, as well as the Croatian Government and local authorities. Donors present confirmed their pledges of $37 million made at at the first Donors' Meeting in December 1996. Additional pledges of $21.8 million were received from the United States, Norway, Belgium, Italy and other parties.
On 15 October 1996, at UNTAES headquarters at Vukovar, the Government of Croatia and local Serb authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Croatian Government financing of fall planting in the region. The MOU, facilitated by UNTAES, aimed at encouraging a viable economic activity in the agricultural sector. Two contracts covered by the MOU specified financing for 25,000 hectares with a total value of some $3,728,019. UNTAES has also assisted diplomatic and NGO representatives in identifying economic and cultural projects for funding by their respective Governments and organizations.
The Secretary-General stated on 5 August 1996 that the revenue base of the local administration has been deteriorating steadily since the closure of the Djeletovci oil field in April. The local administration has been unable to pay the salaries of some 3,600 civil servants, including teachers, health workers and police, as well as general operational costs. This precarious financial base for administering the region, together with the presence of significant numbers of demobilized and unemployed ex-combatants, was undercutting the public confidence in UNTAES that had been created in the early months of the Mission.
Among bilateral and multilateral aid earmarked for the area under UNTAES administration, the European Commission allocated $7.85 million for water supply, electricity, removal of ruins and restoration of police stations, and $5 million return-of-refugees programmes and demining. Belgium donated $1.5 million for reconstruction, of which $1 million was for rebuilding the port of Vukovar; $50,000 for the UNTAES Trust Fund; and $400,000 for the Belgian Red Cross. Belgium also pledged $2,3 million for other UNTAES projects.
Economic rehabilitation as basis for peace
The UNTAES Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein has emphasised the importance of the economic reconstruction of Eastern Croatia to lay the basis for lasting peace and reconciliation. According to the Administrator, economic development and reconciliation between Serbs and Croats are being even more important than the military equation, given four years of economic devastation marked by a rapidly declining gross national product and massive unemployment. Overall, the region's economic activities have been largely destroyed by the conflict. From pre-war levels, production is down 50--70 per cent.
UNTAES organized or facilitated significant initiatives towards economic development of the region. Among them were the:
Furthermore, UNTAES soldiers provided support in preventing the illegal removal of resources from the region, including the interdiction of the transport of illegally cut timber by train. As of 21 May 1996, when demilitarization commenced, telephone lines had been reconnected between the towns of Osijek and Beli Manastir. UNTAES soldiers provided support in preventing the illegal removal of resources from the region, including the interdiction of the transport of illegally cut timber by train.
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Security Council mandates UNTAES public affairs element
Security Council resolution 1037(1996) of 15 January 1996, which established UNTAES, mandated the mission to maintain "an active public affairs element". The Transitional Administration aims at counteracting certain local media reports which fuel the propaganda machine that fed insecurity in the first place. "People should not listen to rumour-mongers, those who profit from suffering. Give us an opportunity to prove we can do what we came to do", Mr. Klein urged at a briefing on 10 April 1996.
It is likely that between 60,000--70,000 displaced persons, mostly Croats, could return to the region under the terms of the Basic agreement. During this period, the process of ensuring the security of the local population, organization of elections and the eventual transfer of authority require a constant flow of information to the populace in order to achieve success.
UNTAES public information campaign in support of peaceful reintegration
A principle task of the public information campaign is to cultivate public awareness of the main purpose of the Transitional Administration: To achieve the peaceful reintegration of the region into the Croatian legal and constitutional system through implementation of the Basic Agreement.
UNTAES Public Affairs ensures constant flow of information
UNTAES includes a Spokesman's office, a broadcast radio unit, a public information/community relations unit and a publications unit.
UNTAES began Radio broadcasting on 28 March 1996 over Radio Vukovar. By the end of April, the UNTAES radio programme was being broadcast five times a day on Radio Vukovar and the radio station of the Belgian Battalion. The Transitional Administrator and other senior UNTAES officials give regular interviews on television, as well as press conferences at Vukovar and other places. A production studio has been established at UNTAES' Vukovar headquarters. UNTAES has also organized a media seminar at Klisa on 10 April 1996 to brief journalists on the various aspects of the mission.
On 5 March 1997, the local television transmitter provided by Croatian Television began broadcasting three channels of television; a Serb channel, a Croatian channel, the third being the UNTAES television channel. UNTAES television airs one hour of programmes nightly. At other times, the channel also carries three hours of Serbian and Croatian programmes daily.
Currently, UNTAES produces, three times a month, 50,000 copies in Croatian and Serbian languages of a two page UNTAES BULLETIN, which has established a large readership. Early issues were devoted to explaining the Basic Agreement, Security Council resolutions and the UNTAES mandate. A special issue of 100,000 copies was devoted to the demilitarization process. Several thousand posters were also distributed.
The Secretary-General reported on 28 October 1996 to the Security Council that UNTAES radio expanded its broadcasting capacity to three hours daily, during prime time, on Radio Vukovar. This enabled the mission to disseminate more effectively feature stories of particular relevance to the local population, including on the ongoing weapons buy-back programme. In addition, the UNTAES market days (see below) have continued to be a useful avenue for enhanced dissemination of UNTAES information products.To assist the local population in the region to understand the procedures for obtaining Croatian documents, UNTAES public affairs has produced a "Questions and Answers" brochure containing comprehensive explanations of relevant regulations and requirements. Distribution of 15,000 such brochures has begun. In preparation for the Donors' Conference that was held on 6 December 1996 in Zagreb, UNTAES Public Affairs produced a photo exhibition and television presentation on the reconstruction needs in the region.
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Following is an overview of relevant events, agreements and actions by the United Nations, such as the adoption of key-Security Council resolutions, that led to the creation of UNTAES, as well as a brief summary of the United Nations involvement in the former Yugoslavia
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LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE TRANSITION
12 November 1995: Croatia and local Serbs sign Basic Agreement
After Croatia declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in June 1991, Serb forces seized about 30 per cent of Croatian territory, including the region of Eastern Slavonia which came to be known as Sector East. In a major military offensive in 1995, Croatia retook the Krajina region in August and Western Slavonia in May. On 12 November 1995, the Republic of Croatia and the local Croatian Serb authorities in Eastern Slavonia signed the Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, providing for a peaceful reintegration into Croatia of this region. However, when the Basic Agreement was signed, Sector East remained under Serb control.
United Nations requested to set up Transitional Administration
The United Nations Security Council was requested to establish a Transitional Administration to govern and to maintain peace and security in the region during the transitional period. The transitional period of 12 months could be extended by the same duration at the request of either of the parties. The Basic Agreement commits the parties to the DEMILITARIZATION of the region within 30 days after full deployment of UNTAES and would include all military forces, weapons and police, except for UNTAES forces and for police operating under the supervision of, or with the consent of the Transitional Administration.
The demilitarization period, which had begun on 21 May 1996, was completed within the 30-day time frame on, 20 June 1996. On 15 April 1996, the Transitional Administrator had signed the "Schedule and Procedures for the Demilitarization of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium", which layed out in detail the procedures and timetable for the demilitarization of the area and the demobilization of the personnel of the Serb armed forces.
Basic Agreement calls for respect of human rights
Under the Basic Agreement, the Transitional Administration would facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons under secure conditions, assuring them the same rights as all other residents. UNTAES should also reestablish the normal functioning of all public services in the region without delay, to establish and train temporary police forces, build professionalism among the police and confidence among all ethnic communities. It was emphasized that the highest levels of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms should be respected in Eastern Slavonia. The Agreement further provided for the restoration of, or compensation for, property that was unlawfully taken during the war (click here for HUMAN RIGHTS).
UNTAES charged with organizing elections
Not later than 30 days before the end of the transitional period, elections for all local government bodies, including municipalities, districts, councils and a joint council of municipalities for the Serbian community, were to be organized by UNTAES. International organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were requested to oversee the elections. During the transitional period, the Croatian Government authorized the presence of international monitors along the international borders of the region to facilitate the free movement of persons across existing border crossings. The agreement was signed by Mr. Milan Milanovic for the Serb Negotiating Delegation, and Mr. Hrvoje Sarinic for the Croatian Government and witnessed by United States Ambassador Mr. Peter W. Galbraith and the United Nations Mediator Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg.
UNTAES commemmorates Basic Agreement Anniversary
On 12 November 1996, UNTAES hosted a celebration for the Zagreb diplomatic corps, international and local media as well as other guests, commemorating the first Anniversary of the Basic Agreement. Among them, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, a key-mediator of the agreement, attended. On the occasion, the United States Ambassador to Croatia announced the formation of an International Monitoring Commission as envisaged in the Basic Agreement.
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21 November 1995: Signing of Dayton Peace Agreement
On 21 November 1995, in the city of Dayton (United States), the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia initialled after four years of war the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, collectively known as "The Peace Agreement". Sometimes referred to as the Dayton-Paris Peace Accords, the Agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995. It envisaged a new multinational implementation force IFOR deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, authorized by the Security Council, to implement the military and regional stabilization aspects of the Peace Agreement, as well as a civilian police operation throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina (click here for UNTAES AND THE MULTINATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (IFOR). The Agreement also aimed at resolving the situation in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium.
London Peace Implementation Conference
mobilizes international community
On 8 and 9 December 1995, the Peace Implementation Conference convened in London and adopted the "London Conclusions" to mobilize the international community in support of a new peace initiative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Conference agreed that the peace accord should result in the successful implementation of the BASIC AGREEMENT on Eastern Slavonia. No effort should be spared to find and deploy quickly adequate international forces required for the transitional period in Eastern Slavonia.
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In its resolution 1025(1995) of 30 November 1995, the Security Council decided that the mandate of UNCRO would terminate by 15 January 1996 or when the Council decided on the deployment of UNTAES, whichever was sooner. The Council requested the Secretary-General to prepare a report on all aspects of the establishment by the Council of the transitional administration and peace-keeping force to implement the BASIC AGREEMENT.
Secretary-General submits report on Basic Agreement
The Secretary-General's report submitted to the Council on 13 December 1995, noted that the signing of the Basic Agreement was a landmark achievement. It provided for the peaceful reintegration into Croatia of the region previously known as Sector East and also opened the way for the voluntary return to their homes of all refugees and displaced persons from the region. The Agreement removed an impediment to the prospects for mutual recognition between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro). In the framework of the Dayton Peace Agreement, it fostered peaceful transition and decreased tensions in an area where renewed fighting would have potentially grave consequences for the prospects of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Demilitarization is key element of Basic Agreement
A key element of the Basic Agreement was that an international force would maintain peace and security in Eastern Slavonia and would ensure the DEMILITARIZATION of the whole area within 30 days of deployment. The Secretary-General concluded that, given the failure of earlier attempts to demilitarize the sector under a UN peace-keeping operation, only a substantial military force could generate the mutual confidence necessary for the parties to take the difficult steps to implement the agreement.
Purpose of UNTAES is peaceful reintegration
of Eastern Slavonia into Croatia
The Secretary-General underlined that the clearly understood purpose of the Transitional Administration was to achieve the peaceful reintegration of the region into the Croatian legal and constitutional system following four years of war and hostility which had created deep apprehension, fear and distrust between the local Croatian Government and the local Serbs.
By the end of the transitional period, the region should be demilitarized and secure under the sovereign control of the Government of Croatia. It should be multi-ethnic in character, with all displaced persons enjoying the right to return freely to their homes. Free and fair local elections were to be held within this period.
Success of UNTAES requires sustained Security Council support
According to the Secretary-General, the success of the UNTAES mission required the active sustained political support of the Security Council and particularly of those Member States who played a vital part in concluding the Basic Agreement, as well as the immediate provision by Member States of the necessary troops and guarantees that the needed financial resources would be made available.
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In a letter from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General dated 21 December 1995, the Council agreed that the UNTAES force should operate under an appropriate mandate and be provided with the necessary protection. Both the transitional administration and the international force should be components of a UN operation. The Council urged the Secretary-General to speed up discussions with possible troop contributors.
15 January 1996: Basic Agreement enters into force
The Basic Agreement entered into force when the Security Council, on 15 January 1996, adopted resolution 1037 (1996). By that resolution, the Council reaffirmed that the territories of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium were integral parts of the Republic of Croatia and stressed the importance of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in those territories. It decided to establish for an initial period of 12 months a United Nations peace-keeping operation under the name United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES). The Council requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Transitional Administrator with overall authority over the civilian and military components of UNTAES.
Security Council decides on 30-day demilitarization period
The Security Council further decided that the DEMILITARIZATION of the region should be completed within 30 days from the date the Secretary-General informed the Council that the military component of UNTAES has been deployed and was ready to undertake its mission. The Council decided to reconsider the mandate of UNTAES if at any time it received a report from the Secretary-General that the parties had significantly failed to comply with their obligations under the Basic Agreement. The Secretary-General set 21 May 1996 as the date for the demilitarization process to begin, which was completed within the prescribed time frame by 20 June.
Security Council authorizes 5,000 troops for UNTAES;
Member States may give air support and defend the mission
The Council decided that the military component of UNTAES should consist of a force of 5,000 troops. Its mandate would be to supervise and facilitate the demilitarization as undertaken by the parties to the Basic Agreement, and to monitor the voluntary and safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their home of origin in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Council decided that UNTAES would operate under robust rules of engagement and contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the region.
The Council determined that Member States, nationally or through regional organizations may, at the request of UNTAES, take all necessary measures, including close air support, in defence of UNTAES and, as appropriate, assist in the mission's withdrawal.
UNTAES civil police and administration
UNTAES' civilian component would be responsible for a wide range of tasks. It would establish a temporary police force, develop a training programme; oversee its implementation; and monitor the treatment of offenders and the prison system. UNTAES civilian police monitors do not have executive police functions; they are unarmed and do not have the power to arrest. However, they can independently conduct investigations and patrols. The second course for a mixed group of Croat and Serb police officers at Budapest, Hungary was conducted during the first week of May 1996 with 50 officers attending. The third group left for Budapest on 11 May. Four UNTAES CIVPOL monitors attend each such course.
The civilian component is also charged with undertaking tasks relating to civil administration and public services; to facilitate the return of refugees; to organize elections, to assist in their conduct, and to certify the results; (click here for CIVIL AFFAIRS); and to maintain an active public affairs element (click here for PUBLIC INFORMATION.
UNTAES to ensure human rights and cooperate with ICTY
Under resolution 1037(1996), UNTAES is charged with monitoring the Croatian and Serb sides' compliance with their commitments, as specified in the Basic Agreement, to respect the highest standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms, promote an atmosphere of confidence among all local residents irrespective of their ethnic origin (click here HUMANITARIAN ACTION). UNTAES was asked to cooperate with the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the performance of its mandate, including the protection of sites identified by the Tribunal's Prosecutor and persons conducting investigations for the Tribunal. (click here for INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA (ICTY): ACTIVITIES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA).
The UNTAES--IFOR relationship
The Council requested that UNTAES and the multinational implementation force IFOR authorized by the Council in resolution 1031(1995) of 15 December 1995 cooperate with each other as well with the European Union (EU) High Representative for the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Carl Bildt (click here for UNTAES AND THE MULTINATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (IFOR)).
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15 December 1995: Security Council authorizes establishment of IFOR
Following the signature of the Peace Agreement in Paris, (click here for UNTAES AND THE DAYTON-PARIS ACCORDS: THE BROADER FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE the Security Council, by its resolution 1031(1995) of 15 December 1995, authorized Member States, acting in cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to establish the Multinational Implementation Force (IFOR) under unified command. The resolution terminated the mandate of UNPROFOR on the date on which its authority would be transferred to IFOR, which took place on 20 December 1995.
While IFOR's mandate did not extend to Croatia, it was clear that IFOR should provide close air support and withdrawal capability for UNTAES if necessary. Upon delegation by the Transitional Administrator, the Force Commander of UNTAES has the authority to request close air support by IFOR aircraft in support of UN forces against parties or against targets which demonstrate hostile intent or conduct a hostile act against UN forces, in addition to assisting in the withdrawal of UNTAES, if required. IFOR's dependence on a corridor through the UNTAES area of operation for logistical support could serve as a significant deterrent to armed action.
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25 September 1991: Security Council imposes arms embargo
against Yugoslavia
The United Nations first became involved in the former Yugoslavia on 25 September 1991 when the Security Council, in resolution 713(1991), expressed concern at fighting in the country and imposed a general and complete arms embargo on the then Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia. Following a referendum in May 1991, Croatia had declared independence in June. Tension rose in Croatia as the Serb population, supported by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), opposed independence. A full-fledged armed conflict soon erupted.
21 February 1992: Security Council establishes UNPROFOR
On 21 February 1992, the Council established and authorized deployment of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) to create conditions of peace and security required to settle the Yugoslavia crisis within the framework of the European Community's Conference on Yugoslavia. UNPROFOR's mandate and force strength were subsequently enlarged by the Council in 1993 and 1994.
31 March 1995: Security Council replaces UNPROFOR with UNCRO,
UNPROFOR (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and UNPREDEP
On 31 March 1995, the Security Council replaced UNPROFOR with three separate missions:
These three missions operated under the single command of the United Nations Peace Forces (UNPF), headquartered at Zagreb. The Security Council, on 30 November 1995, terminated the mandates of UNCRO and UNPROFOR while extending the mandate of UNPREDEP through 30 May 1996.
Security Council establishes three new missions
in the former Yugoslavia
The Security Council then set up three new missions in the former Yugoslavia:
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A/50/757-S/1995/951 of 15 November 1995
S/1995/964 of 14 November 1995
S/RES/1023(1995) of 22 November 1995
S/RES/1079(1996) of 15 November 1996
(Extension of UNTAES mandate through 15 July 1997
A/50/790-S/1995/999 of 30 November 1995
S/1995(1028) of 13 December 1995
S/1995/1053 of 21 December 1995
S/1995/1028/Add.1 of 15 January 1996
S/1996/472 & Add.1 of 26 June 1996
S/1996/622 of 5 August 1996
S/1996/883 of 28 October 1996
S/1997/148 of 24 February 1997
S/RES/1037(1996) of 15 January 1996
S/RES/1069(1996) of 30 July 1996
S/PRST/1996/26 of 22 May 1996
S/PRST/1996/30 of 3 July 1996
S/PRST/1996/35 of 15 August 1996
S/PRST/1997/4 of 31 January 1997
S/PRST/1997/10 of 7 March 1997
S/RES/1031(1995) of 15 December 1995
S/RES/1035(1995) of 21 December 1995
S/1996/648 of 12 August 1996
S/1997/341 of 28 April 1997S/1997/343 of 29 April 1997
(Secretary-General communicates election results
to President of the Security Council)
A/50/696/Add.4 of 13 March 1996
A/50/696/Add.5 of 29 March 1996
A/50/903/Add.1 of 6 May 1996
A/50/909 of 1 April 1996
A/50/909/Add.1
A/50/967 of 4 June 1996
A/RES/50/242 of 7 June 1996
A/51/520 of 17 October 1996
A/51/520/Add.1 of 4 December 1996 of 17 October 1996
RES/51/153 of 20 January 1997
Blue Helmets
A Review of United Nations Peace-keeping
published in December 1996
Sales No. E.96.I.14
(click here for SALES AND PUBLICATIONS)
E/CN.4/1996/63 of 14 March 1996:
Situation of Human Rights in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
United Nations Revised Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Repblic of Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Slovenia of 1 March 1996
World Food Programme in the Former Yugoslavia
Assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons and other war-affected
populations: Situation Report No.20 of March 1996
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