United Nations Security Council Resolution 982

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 and reaffirming in this context its resolution 947 (1994) of 30 September 1994 on the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and subsequent relevant resolutions,

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 Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Welcoming the continuing efforts of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia,

Welcoming also the efforts of Member States, in particular those of the Contact Group, and emphasizing the utmost importance of the work of the Contact Group in the overall peace process in the area,

Welcoming the acceptance by the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Contact Group peace plan,

Welcoming also the agreements between the Bosnian parties on a cease-fire and on the complete cessation of hostilities in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded on 23 December 1994 and 31 December 1994 (S/1995/8), and the essential role UNPROFOR plays in implementation of these agreements, and stressing the importance it places thereupon,

Wishing to encourage UNPROFOR’s efforts, as part of its activities to facilitate an overall settlement of the conflict in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as detailed in paragraphs 30 to 32 of the above-mentioned report of the Secretary-General (S/1995/222 and Corr.1), to help the parties implement the Washington agreements regarding the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Recognizing the need for Member States to take appropriate steps to enhance the capacity of UNPROFOR in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to execute its mandate as set out in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including providing the Secretary-General with all the resources authorized by previous resolutions of the Security Council,

Reiterating the importance of maintaining Sarajevo, the capital of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a united city and a multicultural, multi-ethnic and pluri-religious centre, and noting in this context the positive contribution that agreement between the parties on the demilitarization of Sarajevo could make to this end, to the restoration of normal life in Sarajevo, and to achieving an overall settlement, consistent with the Contact Group peace plan,

Noting that UNPROFOR plays an essential role in preventing and containing hostilities thus creating the conditions for achieving an overall political settlement, and paying tribute to all UNPROFOR personnel, especially those who have given their lives for the cause of peace,

Noting also that the mandate of UNPROFOR expires on 31 March 1995, in conformity with resolution 947 (1994),

Noting further the letter of 29 March 1995 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (S/1995/245),

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 continued presence of UNPROFOR in the Republic of Croatia,

Paying tribute to the UNPROFOR personnel in the performance of the mandate of UNPROFOR, in particular in assisting the delivery of humanitarian assistance and monitoring the cease-fires,

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 of UNPROFOR and its freedom of movement for all its missions, and to these ends, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, as regards UNPROFOR in the Republic of Croatia and in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

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

2. Decides to extend UNPROFOR’s mandate in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina for an additional period terminating on 30 November 1995 and further decides that all previous relevant resolutions relating to UNPROFOR shall continue to apply;

3. Authorizes the Secretary-General to redeploy before 30 June 1995 all UNPROFOR personnel and assets from the Republic of Croatia with the exception of those whose continued presence in the Republic of Croatia is required for UNCRO or for the functions referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 below;

4. Decides that UNPROFOR shall continue to perform fully the functions envisaged in the implementation of the Cease-Fire Agreement of 29 March 1994 (S/1994/367) and the Economic Agreement of 2 December 1994 (S/1994/1375) between the Republic of Croatia and the local Serb authorities and all relevant Security Council resolutions, including the functions identified in paragraph 72 of the report of the Secretary-General of 22 March 1995, and to facilitate the delivery of international humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the territory of the Republic of Croatia until the effective deployment of UNCRO or 30 June 1995, whichever is sooner;

5. Decides that UNPROFOR shall retain its existing support structures in the Republic of Croatia including the operation of its headquarters;

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

7. Reiterates the importance it attaches to full compliance with the agreements between the Bosnian parties on a cease-fire and on a complete cessation of hostilities in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; calls upon them to agree to a further extension and implementation of these agreements beyond 30 April 1995 and to use that period to negotiate an overall peaceful settlement on the basis of the acceptance of the Contact Group peace plan as a starting point; and further calls upon the Bosnian Serb party to accept this;

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

9. Calls on all parties and others concerned to comply fully with all Security Council resolutions regarding the situation in the former Yugoslavia to create the conditions that would facilitate the full implementation of UNPROFOR’s mandate;

10. Notes with satisfaction the progress made in the discussions between the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations referred to in paragraph 49 of the report of the Secretary-General of 22 March 1995, and urges the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide suitable radio broadcasting frequencies and television broadcasting slots at no cost to the United Nations for the purposes described in paragraphs 47 to 51 of that report;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed on progress with regard to the implementation of UNPROFOR’s mandate and to report, as necessary, on any developments on the ground, the attitude of the parties and other circumstances affecting the mandate of the Force, and in particular to report within eight weeks of the adoption of this resolution taking into account, inter alia, the concerns raised by the members of the Council and issues raised by the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

12. Urges the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement fully the provisions of the status of forces agreement of 15 May 1993 between that Government and the United Nations;

13. Decides to remain seized of the matter.