Agreements on Bosnia signed: Croatia restores control over its territories. Peace remains highest priority. Situation still volatile.

United Nations efforts in the former Yugoslavia continued in an environment characterized by "vicious cycles of cease-fire violations, human rights infringements, physical destruction and death", Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali declared on 22 August

The Organization was carrying out a "multiplicity of mandated responsibilities" that spanned humanitarian, military and political tasks, he stated in his annual report (A/50/1) to the General Assembly.

The hallmarks of the crisis - unceasing conflicts, entrenched hostilities, violation of agreements and a "genuine lack of commitment and good faith" - gave the impression "either that not enough is being done to find a peaceful resolution or that fundamental questions and issues that divide the parties are insurmountable", Mr. Boutros-Ghali said.

For too long, he lamented, from the start of the Yugoslav military confrontation in 1991, "all efforts aimed at reaching a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflicts and outstanding issues have been in vain". Nevertheless, the UN and its agencies were devoting the "highest priority to bringing peace to the region and alleviating the suffering brought about by the conflict", he stated.

Setbacks and

disappointments

Mr. Boutros-Ghali's assessment reflected setbacks and disappointments that the UN and the international community had experienced in attempts to end the four-year-old Yugoslav crisis - the largest and most violent armed confrontation in Europe since the Second World War. His comments also underscored the volatility of the situation on the ground, especially in view of the dramatic events of July, August and September 1995.

Most notable among them: the Bosnian Serbs' forced takeover of the Srebrenica and Zepa "safe areas" in July; a major offensive by Croatia against its predominantly Serb-populated areas (the so-called Krajina region) in the beginning of August, forcing some 200,000 Croatian Serbs to flee the country; shelling by the Bosnian Serbs of the Sarajevo market on 28 August; massive retaliatory air strikes by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against the Bosnian Serbs' military targets; and the 8 September Geneva statement and agreements on principles to negotiate an end to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Geneva accords, particularly, were an "important milestone in the search for peace", the Foreign Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) - FRY - declared in a joint statement (A/50/419-S/1995/780). While not constituting an end to the tragedy in the Balkans, the principles contained many significant points that "govern the difficult negotiations to come", the Foreign Ministers stated.

The Joint Statement and Agreed Basic Principles were negotiated under the auspices of the Contact Group: France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

On 14 September, the Bosnian Serb party signed the Framework for a Cessation of Hostilities within the Sarajevo Temporary Exclusion Zone.

In a follow-up to those accords, an agreement providing for free, fair and direct elections in Bosnia was reached by Bosnia, Croatia and the FRY on 26 September in New York.

Replace UNPROFOR?

"There may be credible prospects for a viable and lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina if all parties are at last ready to forgo the military option", the Secretary-General stated (S/1995/804) on 18 September. However, if the current peace initiative did not succeed and more enforcement action was needed, the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) should be "replaced with a multinational force", he suggested.

As of 29 September, a UN spokesman announced, UN peace-keepers continued their work "to the extent they can", although operating only in parts of Bosnia which were controlled by the Bosnian-Croat Federation.

The peace initiative, led by the United States since the beginning of August, was currently aimed at securing a Bosnia-wide cease-fire, he stated.

Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali on 22 September, in meeting with United States Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, expressed strong support for Mr. Holbrooke's efforts in the former Yugoslavia, taken on behalf of President William Clinton.

With regard to Croatia, its forced reintegration of the former Sectors West, North and South had "eliminated the need for a substantial UN military presence", the Secretary-General said. However, two infantry, battalions of the UN Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO) were to stay in Sector East to help re-establish the regime of the 29 March 1994 cease-fire.

Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) also made a step towards resolving their differences. In a 13 September Interim Accord, they agreed that FYROM would cease to use the symbols displayed on its national flag, and Greece would terminate the trade embargo imposed in 1994.

Throughout July, August and September, the Security Council met formally on 17 occasions to consider the situation in the former Yugoslavia, adopting 6 resolutions and issuing 10 presidential statements.

Also actively involved in negotiating, peace-keeping, peace enforcement and humanitarian relief efforts in that troubled part of the world were: the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY), NATO, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

From 1 July to 30 September, some 1,259 violations of the ban on military flights, imposed under Council resolution 816 (1993), were reported - 178 less than in the previous three months, bringing to 6,970 the total number of apparent violations since monitoring began in November 1992 under resolution 781 (1992).

Events in Bosnia

On 11 July, Bosnian Serb forces had overrun the safe area of Srebrenica and by 14 July evicted thousands of Muslim refugees, while detaining Muslim men, whose fate is still unknown", as well as UNPROFOR troops from the Netherlands, the Secretary-General reported (A/50/1) on 22 August.

Other violations of international humanitarian law, the Secretary-General said, included: arbitrary mass detention of men and boys; abductions and disappearances; summary executions, as well as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

In a 30 August report (S/1995/755), he said: "While Bosnian Serb authorities continue to deny these violations, their failure to provide adequate access to affected areas ... serves only to reinforce the conclusion that significant abuses occurred."

Further investigation, particularly of the allegations of "mass executions in Karakaj and Kasaba, as well as those missing and detained, is clearly warranted", he stressed.

By 25 July, the Bosnian Serbs had taken control of Zepa - another UN safe area. Local sources reported that some 4,800 of 6,700 inhabitants, mostly women, children and the elderly, had been evacuated. However, about 1,500 men of military age, possibly accompanied by family members, had taken to nearby hills and woods.

Also in the Zepa enclave, both sides had "threatened to kill UNPROFOR troops from Ukraine: the Bosnian Serbs, if NATO air strikes were used against them; and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, if NATO air assets were not used", Mr. Boutros-Ghali reported.

Resolution 1004:

Srebrenica

The Security Council on 12 July asked the Secretary-General to use "all resources available" to him to restore the status of Srebrenica, as defined by the 18 August 1993 Agreement for the demilitarization of that area signed by the Bosnian Government and the Bosnian Serb party.

By unanimously adopting resolution 1004 (1995), the Council also demanded that the Bosnian Serb forces immediately "cease their offensive and withdraw from the safe area" of Srebrenica, and "immediately and unconditionally release unharmed all detained UNPROFOR personnel".

In expressing grave concern at the "deterioration in the situation in and around" Srebrenica, the plight of the civilian population there and a "great number of displaced persons" within the safe area at Potocari, especially the lack of essential food supplies and medical care, the Council condemned the Bosnian Serb offensive against Srebrenica and the detention of UNPROFOR personnel.

It demanded that all parties: respect fully the status of Srebrenica, UNPROFOR safety and "complete freedom of movement, including resupply"; allow unimpeded access to the area for UNHCR and other international humanitarian agencies to "alleviate the plight of the civilian population"; and cooperate on the restoration of utilities.

Forced relocation

condemned

On 14 July, the Security Council expressed deep concern about the "ongoing forced relocation of tens of thousands of civilians" from the Srebrenica safe area to the Tuzla region by the Bosnian Serb party, as well as reports of "grave mistreatment and killing". It was equally concerned about reports that "up to 4,000 men and boys have been forcibly removed".

In a statement by Council President Gerardo Martinez Blanco of Honduras, it also demanded that the Bosnian Serb party immediately release them and allow unimpeded access to the civilian population of Srebrenica by international humanitarian organizations.

In addition, the Bosnian Serbs were told to "respect fully the rights of those civilians who wish to remain in the safe area", and cooperate with efforts to ensure that those willing to depart were allowed to do so with their families "in an orderly, safe way in conformity with international law".

The Council also demanded that both sides allow the "unhindered movement of humanitarian relief" and cooperate with efforts to provide food, medicine, facilities and housing to the displaced.

In paying tribute to all UNPROFOR and UNHCR personnel, the Council noted that the "presence and bravery" of the troops had "undoubtedly saved the lives of many civilians" in Srebrenica.

Concern over Zepa

Deep concern over the situation in and around Zepa was expressed by the Security Council on 20 and 25 July. In a presidential statement, the Council on 20 July condemned in the strongest possible terms the offensive by the Bosnian Serb forces against that safe area. It demanded that those forces "refrain from any further action" that would threaten the safety of civilians and other persons protected under international humanitarian law.

In addition, the Bosnian Serb authorities were told to give UNHCR "unhindered freedom of movement and access" to Zepa, and cooperate with all efforts, including evacuation, to "ensure the safety of the civilian population", particularly its most vulnerable members.

On 25 July, in restating its condemnation of the Bosnian Serb offensive against the safe areas, the Council demanded that their forces withdraw from Srebrenica and Zepa.

In a statement by its President, Foreign Minister Delmer Urbizo Panting of Honduras, the Council also demanded that UNPROFOR and international humanitarian agencies be provided with "immediate and unhindered access" to Zepa, and that the ICRC be permitted to "register any persons detained against their will, and visit them immediately".

In welcoming the efforts of UNPROFOR and other humanitarian agencies to achieve a safe evacuation of civilians who wish to leave, the Council asked the Secretary-General to "use all resources available to him to that end" and called on the parties to cooperate.

London conference 

Those dramatic developments and "measures, including air power, to deter further attacks on the safe areas" were discussed at a 21 July international conference in London, attended by the Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group and representatives of troop-contributing countries.

Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali said the meeting was a "turning point in the international community's efforts to control and resolve the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia".

Although no formal conclusions were reached or decisions taken, participants were unanimous in calling for UNPROFOR to remain in Bosnia. They also shared the view that continuation of the status quo was unacceptable, and conditions had to be created in which the Force could exercise its mandate effectively.

Resolution 1010:

Access demanded

Immediate access for international humanitarian agencies to persons displaced from Srebrenica and Zepa, who were within the areas of Bosnia under the Bosnian Serb control, was demanded by the Security Council on 10 August.

By unanimously adopting resolution 1010 (1995), the Council also demanded that the Bosnian Serb party permit ICRC representatives to visit and register any persons detained against their will, including any members of the Government forces.

Deep concern was expressed at reports of grave violations of international humanitarian law in and around Srebrenica, since many of its former residents could not be accounted for, as well as the "plight of the civilian population and other persons protected under international humanitarian law, originating in the Zepa area".

In demanding that the Bosnian Serbs fully respect the rights of all such persons and ensure their safety, the Council urged that "any persons detained be released".

On 19 August, the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia were called upon by the Council "immediately to remove all impediments" and give clear undertakings concerning the freedom of movement and provision of facilities for the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF), established by the Council on 16 June to reinforce the UN peace-keeping effort in Bosnia.

In a statement by its President, Nugroho Wisnumurti of Indonesia, the Council also expressed deep concern regarding the "continued impediments" to RRF functioning and deployment, and called upon the two Governments to resolve forthwith, within the existing Status of Forces Agreements, "any outstanding difficulties" with relevant UN authorities.

On 7 September, the Council once again condemned the Bosnian Serb party's failure to give the international humanitarian agencies immediate access to persons displaced from Srebrenica and Zepa. In A statement by its President, Francesco Paolo Fulci of Italy, the Council also stressed its determination that the fate of those displaced be established.

In taking note of the investigations being conducted by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia - established under resolution 827 (1993) - the Council reiterated that all those who had committed violations of international humanitarian law would be held "individually responsible".

UNCRO area

Following an attack by the Bosnian Army's Fifth Corps against Krajina Serb-controlled territory in Sector North in Croatia, the Croatian Serbs on 19 July had launched a "major counteroffensive", the Secretary-General reported (S/1995/650). That had caused some 8,000 civilians in and around Bihac to "abandon their homes to escape the fighting", creating "extremely serious humanitarian situation", be said.

Croatia on 20 July warned that displacement of the Bihac population would be considered a "serious threat to its security and stability". On 22 July, the Presidents of Croatia and Bosnia signed the Split Declaration, which committed Croatia to assist Bosnian forces militarily in the Bihac pocket.

The Secretary-General on 1 August, in appealing to the Croatian parties to "stop and reflect about the choice" which faced them, urged the path to negotiations "rather than war".

However, Croatia on 3 August rejected a seven-point paper prepared by ICFY Steering Committee Co-Chairman Thorvald Stoltenberg, despite the Croatian Serbs' inclination to accept it as a "useful basis for progress". Croatia stated that the proposal did not address its "fundamental concern for the Krajina Serbs to be reintegrated under the Croatian Constitution and Laws".

Croatia: Major offensive

In his August reports (S/1995/666 and S/1995/730), the Secretary-General stated that on 4 August the Croatian Army had launched a major offensive against the Krajina region (Sectors North and South), overrunning a total of 98 UN observation posts and creating a "refugee crisis of major proportions".

The onslaught had forced tens of thousands of Serbs to flee the area. On two occasions, UN troops and Serb prisoners had been used as "human shields" and the UN had suffered 18 casualties, of which 3 were fatal.

In parallel, the Bosnian Army Fifth Corps had started a cross-border attack against the Krajina Serbs, "linking up with the Croatian Army in the area of Rakovica".

Also, a sanctioned convoy of displaced people from Sector North had been attacked by a mob of Croatian civilians in Sisak on 9 August and Croatian police had intervened "only after pressure from United Nations civilian police monitors", he said. "War will not resolve the issues at stake in Croatia", the Secretary-general declared on 4 August. Distressed by the Croatian offensive, in which "more Eves will now be needlessly lost", and condemning Croatian Army's "deliberate targeting" of UNCRO positions, he called on the Government and the Krajina Serbs to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table.

"The deliberate reopening of large-scale conflict flouts the cease-fire that has provided the opportunity to search for a peaceful settlement", Mr. Boutros-Ghali stressed.

By 7 August, Croatia had taken control of Sectors North and South. Some 200,000 of the Krajina Serb inhabitants, or 95 per cent of the whole population, had fled to Bosnian Serb-held areas in western Bosnia or the FRY (Serbia and Montenegro). Also, more than 600 UNCRO personnel had been dislodged from their positions by the fighting, a UN spokesman stated on 8 August

On 11 August, the overall situation in all sectors in Croatia was said to be stable, including Sector East, although a "high level of tension" was reported.

However, a "backlash against the Croatian minority" had developed in the Banja Luka area of Bosnia, in response to the displacement of Krajina Serbs from Croatia, with several thousand Bosnian Croats being pushed across the Sava River into Croatia.

`Unacceptable

escalation'

The Security Council on 4 August, "deeply concerned at the resumption of hostilities" in and around Croatia, strongly deplored the Government's decision to launch a "broad military offensive", thereby "unacceptably escalating the conflict, with the risk of further consequent attacks by whatever party".

In a presidential statement, the Council also demanded that all military action cease immediately and condemned any shelling of civilian targets. Full respect for civilians' human rights was urged.

In strongly condemning attacks by Croatian Government forces on UN peace-keeping personnel - which had resulted in casualties - the Council demanded that such attacks "cease immediately" and that all detained personnel be released.

Expressing deep regret at the breakdown of talks, which had begun in Geneva on 3 August, the Council also called upon the Croatian Government to return to negotiations.

A similar presidential statement had been made by the Council on 3 August.

Resolution 1009:

Offensive must stop

On 10 August, the Security Council demanded that Croatia "cease immediately all military actions" and fury comply with all its relevant resolutions.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1009 (1995), it also demanded that Croatia: respect fully the rights of the local Serb population, including their "rights to remain, leave or return in safety"; allow access to them by international humanitarian organizations; and create conditions conducive to the return of those who had left their homes.

Croatia was also reminded of its responsibility to allow access for ICRC representatives to detained members of the local Serb forces.

In condemning in the strongest terms the "unacceptable acts" by Croatian Government forces against UN peace-keepers, including the deaths of one Danish and two Czech members of the UN forces, the Council demanded that Croatia fully respect the status of UN personnel, refrain from any attacks against them, bring to justice those responsible for each attack, and ensure the safety and freedom of movement of UN staff.

The parties and others concerned were urged to exercise "maximum restraint in and around Sector East" - a Serb-populated enclave in Eastern Croatia.

Also, in calling for a "negotiated settlement which guarantees the rights of all communities", the Council urged the Government to resume talks under the auspices of the ICFY Co-chairmen.

`Mass exodus'

Deep concern at the grave situation of refugees and persons displaced during the Croatian offensive in August and at reports of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the "burning of houses, looting of property and killings", was expressed by the Security Council on 7 September.

In a presidential statement, the Council agreed with the Secretary-General's view that the "mass exodus of the local Serb population" had created a "humanitarian crisis of significant proportions". In that regard, it demanded that the Croatian Government immediately investigate all such reports, take appropriate measures to put an end to such acts, and fully respect the rights of the local Serb population.

Be Council also called upon all Member States to provide urgent humanitarian relief and assistance to those refugees.

`Very different demands'

In view of the "radically changed situation" in Croatia, UNCRO faced "three very different demands", the Secret-General reported (S/1995/835) on 29 September. First, UN tasks in Sector East should continue to facilitate development of a peaceful solution, towards which both parties had "strongly indicated their willingness to cooperate and undertake negotiations".

Second, the continuing reports of human rights abuses, as well as of looting and burning of houses, had created a climate not conducive to the return of Serb refugees; UNCRO and UNHCR could play a valuable role in that regard, the Secretary-general said. Third, Croatia had asked the UN to monitor its border with both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the FRY.

In addition to monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula, in accordance with Council resolution 779 (1992), UNCRO could assist in implementing the 29 March 1994 Cease-fire Agreement between Croatia and the local Serb authorities in Sector East and relevant sections of the 2 December 1994 Economic Agreement, the Secretary-General suggested.

By the end of September, UNCRO strength was to be reduced to 4,190 personnel, with further reductions to some 2,500 scheduled for October.

Sarajevo shelling

On 28 August, Bosnian Serbs shelled the Sarajevo Markeli market, killing 33 and injuring 84 people.

On the same day, Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali, in expressing his outrage that the attack had occurred in an "area where there is no military target", said he had instructed the military commanders on the ground to "take appropriate action without delay. The continued and senseless shedding of blood in Bosnia and Herzegovina is totally unacceptable", he stressed.

Later in the day, it was announced that the UN had authorized NATO to conduct air strikes against Bosnian Serb military targets, in order to deter further attacks on Sarajevo and other designated safe areas in fulfilment of resolution 836 (1993).

NATO air strikes

An "unprecedented number of air strikes " - 256 during 816 sorties, including cruise missiles - was launched on 30 August by NATO against Bosnian Serb military targets in Bosnia. The UN Peace Forces (UNPF) Commander, Lieutenant-General Bernard Janvier, in Zagreb said that the RRF had backed the NATO action by firing heavy artillery on Serb positions around Sarajevo. The operation would not end "until the threat to Sarajevo and the other safe areas has been completely removed".

In New York, Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali stressed that the UN was "not at war" with the Serbs. "We wish them to work with us to resolve this long-running tragedy. But if they persist in their unacceptable attacks upon civilians, the United Nations will continue to support NATO's use of air power", he said.

Withdrawal by the Bosnian Serbs of all heavy weapons from the 20-kilometre "exclusion zone" around Sarajevo, cessation of hostilities and a halt to all threats of attacks against any of the remaining UN-proclaimed safe areas would be the first step towards a negotiated and durable settlement" of the Bosnian conflict-a "conflict that has raged for too long and has already cost too many lives" - Mr. Boutros-Ghali stated.

On 30 August, the Russian Federation expressed its concern to the Secretary-General over the scale of NATO air strikes in Bosnia and the safety of the Russian battalion stationed in a Bosnian Serb-controlled area of Sarajevo.Re strikes were "not in conformity with the relevant Security Council resolutions", it mentioned.

Mr. Boutros-Ghali on 5 September expressed hope that the Bosnian Serb leadership would seize the opportunity created by the United States peace initiative to achieve an end to the conflict. "The alternative is a continuation of the NATO air operation, with consequences the Bosnian Serbs fully understand", he stated.

Weapons withdrawn

On 20 September, UNPF Commander Janvier and Admiral Leighton Smith of NATO jointly announced in Sarajevo that the Bosnian Serbs had withdrawn heavy weapons from the Sarajevo "exclusion zone" and, therefore, the resumption of air strikes is currently not necessary". The Bosnian Serbs had expressed willingness to discuss a cessation of hostilities agreement at any time", they said, urging all parties to join and finalize such an accord.

Any subsequent attack on Sarajevo or any other safe area, or other noncompliance with the "exclusion zone" could lead to the resumption of air strikes, they warned.

A UN spokesman reported that some 250 heavy guns from around Sarajevo, including four anti-aircraft weapons, had been either withdrawn or destroyed by the Bosnian Serbs.

Agreement welcomed

The Security Council on 8 September welcomed the Joint Statement and Agreed Basic Principles for a peace accord signed by the Foreign Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) in Geneva. In a presidential statement, the Council strongly urged the parties to "negotiate in good faith and expeditiously on the basis of that Declaration", with the aim of achieving a "lasting peace throughout the region".

Agreed principles included: an understanding that Bosnia would continue to exist with its current internationally recognized borders, and consist of two entities - the Bosniac-Croat Federation and a Serb republic called Republica Srpska; the holding of elections under international auspices; establishment of commissions on human rights and on displaced persons; and setting up of an arbitration system for the settlement of disputes between the two entities.

In debate, delegates pondered the outcome of the Geneva meeting. "We may be at a turning point in the bloody conflict that has ravaged the former Yugoslavia", the United States declared. With the signing of the Joint Statement and Agreed Basic Principles, the basis was laid for an end to the war in Bosnia. Although the threat of war was still looming, the accords had opened a "narrow and precarious window of opportunity for peace".

As for the air strikes, the United States went on, the international community had had "no choice but to respond forcefully" to the 28 August Bosnian Serb attack on the Sarajevo market-place. The strikes would end as soon as the Bosnian Serb leadership complied with Council resolutions.

The Russian Federation demanded an immediate end to "these acts of force". NATO's air attacks and the RRF's shelling of the Bosnian Serbs were "not strengthening, but, rather, undermining efforts to reach a political settlement". Those acts went "beyond the decisions of the Security Council", changed the peace-keeping character of the UN operation in Bosnia, and involved the international community in a "conflict against one of the parties".

China said that in light of the agreement on basic principles, the air strikes should cease immediately. A similar view was expressed by the FRY.

However, most speakers - including Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United Kingdom-viewed the recent UN/NATO action as appropriate and justified.

Resolution 1016:

End of hostilities urged

All parties and others concerned in Bosnia and Herzegovina were called upon by the Security Council on 21 September to refrain from violence and hostile acts and "reach immediately a cease-fire and a cessation of hostilities" throughout the country.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1016 (1995), the Council demanded that the parties negotiate "in good faith" on the basis of their Geneva declaration of principles, with the aim of achieving lasting peace throughout the region.

Member States involved in promoting an overall peaceful settlement in Bosnia were called upon to intensify their efforts to "ensure that they take no advantage from the current situation and show utmost restraint". Me Council also urged intensified humanitarian efforts to alleviate the plight of refugees and displaced persons.

On 18 September, in deploring the "rapidly escalating military situation on the ground" in Bosnia, the Council expressed "deep concern about the blight of the civilian population resulting therefrom".

In a presidential statement, it also demanded an end to offensive military activities and hostile acts in Western Bosnia, and full respect for the rights of the local population. The Council urged all parties "not to take military advantage of the present situation" and reiterated that there could be "no military solution" to the Bosnian conflict.

Resolutions 1015, 1003:

Further suspensions

A further suspension, until 18 March 1996, of some sanctions imposed on the FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) was authorized by the Security Council on 15 September. That suspension, originally enacted under resolution 943 (1994) of 23 September 1994, applied to: restrictions on air travel; impoundment of vessels, vehicles and aircraft; maritime traffic; sporting events; and cultural exchanges.

Initial wide-ranging sanctions against the FRY, including an air embargo, had been imposed under resolution 757 (1992) of 30 May 1992. On 17 April 1993, these were tightened to prevent diversion of commodities and products "said to be destined to other places" and to freeze funds held in other States.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1015 (1995), the Council also decided to maintain the arrangements provided for in resolution 988 (1995) of 21 April 1995, namely, an immediate report of any evidence that FRY was not implementing its decision to close its border with Bosnia and Herzegovina or was permitting "substantial diversion of goods, except foodstuffs, medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs", through Croatia to the Bosnian Serbs. If any such violation was reported, all suspended sanctions were to be reimposed.

On 5 July, the Council had extended the partial suspension of sanctions against the FRY for 75 days, until 18 September 1995. In adopting resolution 1003 (1995) by 14 to none, with 1 abstention (Russian Federation), it also renewed its call for "early mutual recognition between the States of the former Yugoslavia within their internationally recognized borders".

Compliance certified

The FRY was "continuing to meet its commitment" to close its border with the areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina under Bosnian Serb control, and there had been "no commercial transshipments across the border", Carl Bildt and Thorvald Stoltenberg - Co-chairmen of the ICFY Steering Committee - reported (S/1995/865) on 11 October.

Mr. Bildt a former Swedish Premier, had been appointed by the European Union to replace Lord David Owen as a Co-Chairman in June, following the latter's resignation.

The ICFY Mission - deployed since 14 September 1994 - had 206 international observers on duty as of 6 October 1995. It continued to enjoy freedom of movement within the FRY and its cooperation with that country's authorities continued to be good, the report said.

FRY compliance had also been certified by the Co-chairmen on 6 September (S/1995/768) and 3 August (S/1995/645), as they continued to report every 30 days on border closure measures, pursuant to resolution 943 (1994).

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 724 (1991) to monitor the implementation of the arms embargo against the former Yugoslavia - the Sanctions Committee - on 15 August invited the Government of Hungary to "ensure the suspension of further deliveries of natural gas at the Hungarian-Yugoslav border until appropriate and lasting agreements on the unhindered supply of gas to all users are reached and adequate guarantees provided".

Committee Chairman Emilio J. Cardenas of Argentina said the decision was taken after Bosnia and Herzegovina had informed it on 13 July of "disruptions and, since the end of May 1995, a total halting by Bosnian Serbs of supplies of natural gas to Sarajevo" from the Russian Federation through Hungary and the FRY.

In hailing international efforts towards peace in the former Yugoslavia, High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata on 29 September warned that millions of people would remain dependent on humanitarian aid through the coming winter.

She also urged that respect for human rights and humanitarian principles, particularly the right of refugees to return home, be "included in any discussions on an overall peace plan". Such provisions were "crucial for a sustainable peace and recovery in the region", Mrs. Ogata stated.

Srebrenica evictions:

`Most blatant example'

"Brutal violations of basic humanitarian principles" by Bosnian Serb forces in treating tens of thousands of civilians in Srebrenica was condemned on 13 July in the strongest possible terms by High Commissioner Ogata.

"Innocent and terrified civilians have been forced to cross front lines, some of them at night", she said. Families have been forcibly separated. For months, aid has been blocked."

In Tuzla - another UN safe area, to which "thousands of weary and traumatized people" from Srebrenica were coming - UNHCR, UNPROFOR and other agencies were working "around the clock" to ease the plight of the refugees, UNHCR reported on 15 July.

Summary executions

Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur Tadeusz Mazowiecki on 22 August reported there was "significant direct and circumstantial evidence" that summary executions had taken place following the Bosnian Serb take-over of Srebrenica.

Mass executions might have occurred, he went on, although further investigation, particularly of the alleged sites of mass graves, was still necessary before any conclusion could be drawn. Some other human rights violations included "physical abuse and inhuman and degrading treatment".

In his final report (E/CN.4/1996/9) on the human rights situation in the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Mazowiecki, who resigned in July, having served the Commission since August 1992, also expressed "great concern for the thousands still reported missing", as well as the "mental suffering and anguish which has heedlessly been inflicted on the Bosnian Muslim population of Srebrenica".

On 29 September, Elisabeth Rehn - a Member of the European Parliament and Finland's former Minister of Defense and Minister for Equality Affairs - was named as new Special Rapporteur on human fights in the former Yugoslavia.

Interim Accord signed by

Greece and FYROM

In welcoming the Interim Accord, signed by Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) ON 13 September at UN Headquarters the Security Council urged the parties to implement fully the pact, which it believed would "promote the strengthening of stability in the region."

In a 15 September presidential statement, the Council also encouraged Greece and FYROM to continue efforts to resolve their remaining differences, primarily over the latter's name, stressing that it looked forward to the establishment of a "new relationship" between the parties based on "international law and peaceful, friendly relations".

The Accord - negotiated under the auspices of the Secretary-General, with the assistance of the United States - provided, among others things, that the two neighbouring sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, and confirmed their common existing frontier as an "enduring and inviolable international border."

Also, FYROM was no "cease to use in any way the symbol in all its forms displayed on its national flag", and Greece was to terminate the trade embargo imposed in February 1994 against its neighbour.

Some other provisions related to; resumption of the unimpeded movement of people and goods humanitarian and cultural rights of the two peoples; "good-neighbourliness" and a commitment to settle disputes exclusively by peaceful means; international, multilateral and regional institutions; and economic, commercial, environmental and legal relations.

The parties were also to continue to negotiate, under the Secretary-General's auspices, with a view to reaching a permanent agreement on their differences.