Prevlaka Peninsula
|
|---|
UNMOP |
|---|
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
|---|
Prepared by the Peace and Security Section
|
|---|
| UNMOP |
15 January 1999: Security Council resolution 1222(1999), extends
Observer Mission for further six months through 15 July 1999
Most recently, UNMOP's mandate authorization - until 15 July 1999 - was approved of by the Security Council in resolution 1222(1999) , adopted on 15 January 1999. Prior to that, the Council had, extended UNMOP's mandate until 15 January 1999 in resolution 1183(1998) of 15 July 1998 (see below); until 15 July 1998 by adopting resolution 1147(1998) on 13 January 1998; until 15 January 1998 by resolution 1119(1997) of 14 July 1997; and through 15 January 1997 under the terms of resolution 1093(1997). In the first decsion of extending UNMOP, the Mission was authorized to continue its mandate up to 15 January 1997 by Security Council resolution 1066 (1996), which was adopted on 15 July 1996.
6 January 1999: Secretary-General, noting MIssion's pivotal role in maintaining
atmosphere conducive to seriously negotiate the Prevlaka dispute, recommends
further six-month extension of UNMOP - until 15 July 1999
On 6 January 1999, the Secretary-General submitted to the Council report S/1999/16 report on the situation in the Prevlaka peninsula and on progress made by the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia towards a settlement which would peacefully resolve their differences on the disputed issue. To date, however, the parties have not yet made substantive progress on a settlement. They have expressed their intention to continue their discussions through further meetings of their expert teams and through other bilateral contacts.
According to the report, the most significant long-standing violation in the demilitarized and UN-patrolled zone was the continued presence of Yugoslav Army troops in the north-eastern part of the zone. Due to constraints imposed by the Yugoslav authorities on the movement of United Nations military observers, UNMOP remained unable to ascertain the exact strength and armament of these units. The Yugoslav authorities, while denying unrestricted access to that area, did allow escorted visits, along the main road only, when given a minimum of six hours' notice. Until recently, Croatia had denied the United Nations military observers unrestricted access to positions in the north-western portion of the demilitarized zone. In December 1998, the Croatian authorities advised the UNMOP Chief Military Observer to allow in the future foot patrols to areas which had been previously subject to restrictions. Patrols have since been conducted without obstruction. In addition, the Croatian authorities have taken steps to enable direct communication between UNMOP and the local military commander. However, the long-standing violations of the demilitarization regime in the United Nations-controlled zone, continued, with some 30 Croatian Special Police located at three positions and one checkpoint, and approximately 10 Yugoslav (Montenegrin) Border Police remaining at one position and one checkpoint.
The Secretary-General observed UNMOP's continuing fulfilment of its mandate, thereby helping to create the necessary conditions for the commencement of the bilateral talks. In light of the MIssion's pivotal role in maintaining an atmosphere conducive to serious negotiations, he recommended a further six-month extension of the UNMOP mandate until 15 July 1999, without change to its current concept of operations. The Secretary-General urged the parties to take full advantage of the currently favourable conditions for progress on this issue, and to constructively and expeditiously pursue their negotiations towards securing a mutually acceptable and lasting solution to the Prevlaka dispute. The whole set of instruments of the United Nations, including his good offices, was at the disposal of the parties should they require this assistance in their search for a peaceful settlement.
As at 4 January 1999, UNMOP comprised of 28 military observers, provided for by Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine
20 April 1998: Restrictions on UNMOP movements lifted
The UNMOP Chief Military Observer reported on 20 April 1998 the operationally significant fact of the removal of restrictions by the Yugoslav authorities on UNMOP patrols to Ravni Brijeg in the northern part of the demilitarized zone and the expressed intention of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to conduct a comprehensive mine sweeping operation along its border with Croatia.
2 February 1998: UNMOP Chief Military Observer reports demining progress
On 2 February 1998, the UNMOP Chief Military Observer reported the delivery by the mission of a letter of appreciation to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia regarding the mine clearance in Cipavica, full access to Border Police positions and full freedom of movement along the road between Kameno and Krusevice. A protest letter pertaining to a naval vessel violating the UN-controlled zone on 23 January 1998 was also handed over to the Yugoslav authorities. A main development was the completion on 5 December 1997 of the Croatian demining exercise inside the UN-controlled zone, during which 67 mines were lifted. As of 23 December 1997, United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs) were for the first time able to patrol all roads inside the UN-controlled zone.
Resolution 1147(1998): Security Council extends UNMOP through 15 July 1998
By adopting resolution 1147(1998) on 13 January 1998, the Security Council authorized UNMOP to continue monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula until 15 July 1998. The Council urged the parties to take concrete steps towards a negotiated resolution of the disputed issue of Prevlaka in good faith and without delay.
30 December 1997: Secretary-General observes frequent violations as Prevlaka
dispute constitues security issue for Croatia, and territorial issue for Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia. With UNMOP essential promoting negotiations, further extension
of mandate until15 July 1998 is recommended
In a report to the Security Council dated 30 December 1997 (S/1997/1019), the Secretary-General stated that long-standing violations of the demilitarization regime in the United Nations-controlled zone (the so-called "Blue Zone") continued, caused by the presence of some 30 Croatian Special Police, located at two positions and one checkpoint, and of approximately six Yugoslav (Montenegrin) Border Police, located at one position and one checkpoint. In addition, the waters of the United Nations-controlled zone were frequently violated by Croatian police boats. The Croatian authorities continued to grant civilians, including journalists, unauthorized access to the northern part of the zone, close to the Prevlaka compound. The most significant long-standing violation in the demilitarized zone (the so-called "Yellow Zone") was the continuing presence of Yugoslav Army troops in the north-western part. Owing to the restriction imposed by the Yugoslav authorities on the movement of UNMOs in that area, UNMOP has not been able to ascertain the strength and armament of these Yugoslav Army troops. After Croatia ordered the clearing of a minefield along a road inside the United Nations-controlled zone, a total of 67 mines were cleared during November and December 1997. Upon the completion of this project, the Croatian authorities closed three positions of the Special Police inside the United Nations controlled zone. These actions represented the first substantial progress towards implementation of the practical options since June 1996. Subsequently, the Yugoslav Army conducted a mine-searching operation along a road inside the United Nations-controlled zone and confirmed that the road was free of mines. As a result, UNMOs were now able to patrol all roads inside the zone without risk to their safety.
In his observations, the Secretary-General noted that the parties continued to indicate in their contacts with UNMOP that they retained their divergent interpretations of the Prevlaka dispute. For Croatia, it was a security issue, whereas the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia regarded it as a territorial issue. While both parties reiterated their firm commitment to a negotiated resolution of the Prevlaka issue in accordance with their Agreement on Normalization of Relations, substantive negotiations have not started and, in discussions with UNMOP, Croatian and Yugoslav officials held out no prospect of an end to the long-term violations in the United Nations-controlled zone. These violations, together with the continuing divergence of views on the exact delimitation of the United Nations-controlled and demilitarized zones, provided a constant irritant which should be removed in the relations between UNMOP and the local authorities. The Secretary-General concluded that UNMOP played an essential role in maintaining conditions conducive to negotiations, and he therefore recommended a further six-month extension of the UNMOP mandate until 15 July 1998.
14 July 1997: Security Council adopts resolution 1119(1997);
extends Mission to 15 January 1998
By adopting resolution 1119(1997) on 14 July 1997, the Security Council authorized the United Nations military observers to continue monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula, effectively extending their mandate through 15 January 1998. In that resolution, the Council renewed its call upon the parties to abide by their mutual commitments, and to implement fully the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of 23 August 1996. The Council called on them to adopt the practical options proposed by the United Nations military observers for the improvement of safety and security in the area, cease all violations of the demilitarization regime and military or other activities which may increase tension and cooperate fully with the UNMO's and ensure their safety and freedom of movement, including through the removal of landmines.
1 July 1997: Secretary-General observes frequent violations of the United Nations
controlled zone; considers continued presence of UNMOP essential for path to a negotiated dispute settlement
In a report to the Security Council dated 1 July 1997 (S/1997/506), the Secretary-General stated that the waters of the United Nations-controlled zone continue to be violated frequently by Croatian and Yugoslav fishing boats, as well as, occasionally, by Croatian police boats and Yugoslav navy ships. The Croatian authorities continued to grant civilians access to the United Naions-controlled zone, close to the Prevlaka compound. These violations increased the possibility that incidents might occur between the parties.
The Secretary-General regretted that the parties have failed to make any progress in adopting the practical options. In particular, the minefields in the demilitarized zone remained in place, including those laid beside routes patrolled by UNMO's. The five permanent Croatian positions and the two permanent Yugoslav positions that violate the United Nations-controlled zone were also still in place. The unresolved dispute over Prevlaka has obstructed progress towards opening the international border crossing at Debeli Brijeg, which lies within the demilitarized zone. At meetings in April and June 1997, Croatian and Yugslav representatives were unable to reach agreement on the status of the crossing.
The Secretary-General observed that Croatia regarded the dispute as a security issue to be settled by an arrangement that would provide security for each State within existing borders. In the view of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the dispute centred upon territorial possession of the Prevlaka peninsula. Both parties confirmed their positive assessment of the role of UNMOP in lessening tension and maintaining stability in the region. In the circumstances, the Secretary-General believed that the presence of UNMOP continued to be essential to maintain conditions that were conducive to a negotiated settlement of the dispute. He therefore recommended a further six-month extension of UNMOP until 15 January 1998.
|
UN PEACEKEEPING LINKS
|
|---|
 |
United Nations News: |
| | Resolutions, Reports, Statements: |
