United Nations Security Council Resolution 981

Adopted unanimously by the Security Council at its 3512th meeting, on 31 March 1995

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions on the conflicts in the territory of the former Yugoslavia,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 22 March 1995 (S/1995/222 and Corr.1),

Affirming its commitment to the search for an overall negotiated settlement of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the States there within their internationally recognized borders, and stressing the importance it attaches to the mutual recognition thereof,

Reaffirming its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, including its rights and obligations in respect of control over its international trade,

Welcoming also the continuing efforts of representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States of America to facilitate a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Republic of Croatia, and reaffirming its call upon the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities to enter into the negotiations, urgently and without preconditions, for such a settlement, making full use of the plan presented to them by those representatives,

Recognizing that major provisions of the United Nations peace-keeping plan for the Republic of Croatia (S/23280, annex III) remain to be implemented, in particular those regarding demilitarization of the areas under the control of the local Serb authorities, the return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes, and the establishment of local police forces to carry out their duties without discrimination against persons of any nationality in order to protect the human rights of all residents, and urging the parties to agree to their implementation,

Recognizing also that major provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 871 (1993) and 947 (1994), still remain to be implemented,

Noting that the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force in the Republic of Croatia expires on 31 March 1995, in conformity with resolution 947 (1994),

Noting also the letter from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia of 17 March 1995 (S/1995/206) regarding his Government’s views on the establishment of a United Nations peace-keeping operation in the Republic of Croatia,

Emphasizing that improved observance of human rights, including appropriate international monitoring thereof, is an essential step towards restoration of confidence between the parties and building a durable peace,

Reaffirming its determination to ensure the security and freedom of movement of personnel of United Nations peace-keeping operations in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, and, to these ends, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 22 March 1995 (S/1995/222 and Corr.1), and in particular approves the arrangements in paragraph 84;

2. Decides to establish under its authority the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia, which shall be known as UNCRO, in accordance with paragraph 84 of the above-mentioned report for a period terminating on 30 November 1995 and requests the Secretary-General to take the measures necessary to ensure its earliest possible deployment;

3. Decides that in accordance with the report of the Secretary-General (S/1995/222 and Corr.1), and based on the United Nations peace-keeping plan for the Republic of Croatia (S/23280, annex III), relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the Cease-Fire Agreement of 29 March 1994 (S/1994/367) and the Economic Agreement of 2 December 1994 (S/1994/1375), UNCRO’s mandate shall include:

(a) Performing fully the functions envisaged in the Cease-Fire Agreement of 29 March 1994 between the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities (S/1994/367);

(b) Facilitating implementation of the Economic Agreement of 2 December 1994 concluded under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (S/1994/1375);

(c) Facilitating implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, including the functions identified in paragraph 72 of the above-mentioned report;

(d) Assisting in controlling, by monitoring and reporting, the crossing of military personnel, equipment, supplies and weapons, over the international borders between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) at the border crossings for which UNCRO is responsible, as specified in the United Nations peace-keeping plan for the Republic of Croatia (S/23280, annex III);

(e) Facilitating the delivery of international humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the territory of the Republic of Croatia;

(f) Monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula in accordance with resolution 779 (1992);

4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his consultations with all concerned on the detailed implementation of the mandate outlined in paragraph 3 above, and to report to the Council not later than 21 April 1995 for its approval;

5. Decides that UNCRO shall be an interim arrangement to create the conditions that will facilitate a negotiated settlement consistent with the territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia and which guarantees the security and rights of all communities living in a particular area of the Republic of Croatia, irrespective of whether they constitute in this area a majority or minority;

6. Decides that Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, may take, under the authority of the Security Council and subject to close coordination with the Secretary-General and the United Nations Theatre Force Commander, using the existing procedures which have been agreed with the Secretary-General, all necessary measures to extend close air support to the territory of the Republic of Croatia in defence of UNCRO personnel in the performance of UNCRO’s mandate, and requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Council on any use of close air support;

7. Emphasizes the responsibility of the parties and others concerned in the Republic of Croatia for the security and safety of UNCRO and in this context demands that all parties and others concerned refrain from any acts of intimidation or violence against UNCRO;

8. Calls upon the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities to refrain from the threat or use of force and to reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful resolution of their differences;

9. Invites the Secretary-General to report as appropriate and not less than every four months on progress towards a peaceful political settlement and the situation on the ground including UNCRO’s ability to implement its mandate as described above, and undertakes in this connection to examine without delay any recommendations that the Secretary-General may make in his reports and adopt appropriate decisions;

10. Calls upon Member States to consider favourably requests by the Secretary-General for necessary assistance to UNCRO in the performance of its mandate;

11. Stresses the importance of the necessary arrangements, including agreements on the status of forces and other personnel, being concluded by the Republic of Croatia, calls upon it to agree to such arrangements without delay, and requests the Secretary-General to inform the Council of progress on this issue in the report mentioned in paragraph 4 above;

12. Urges the Government of the Republic of Croatia to provide suitable radio broadcasting frequencies and television broadcasting slots at no cost to the United Nations as described in paragraphs 47 to 51 of the report of the Secretary-General of 22 March 1995;

13. Decides to remain seized of the matter.