United Nations Security Council Resolution 908
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
908, adopted unanimously on March 31, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in the former Yugoslavia
and in particular Resolution 871
(1993), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force
(UNPROFOR) until September 30, 1994 and declared its intention to increase the number of personnel in the peacekeeping
force.
The Security Council welcomed the ceasefire between Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the Bosnian Croats
and the framework agreements between the two. It was important also that the Bosnian Serbs were involved in the negotiations. The ceasefire between Croatia
and the local Serb authorities in the United Nations Protected Areas was welcomed as were the talks between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro
. Welcoming the progress in Sarajevo
, the Council noted that a strong and visible presence of UNPROFOR was essential to consolidate such progress, though the situation in Maglaj
remained precarious. There were ongoing efforts to reopen Tuzla International Airport
for humanitarian purposes. Also welcomed were a European Union
fact-finding mission to Mostar
to investigate conditions in the city and a joint civil mission to Sarajevo by the governments of the United Kingdom
and United States
. Throughout the process, the safety and freedom of movement
of UNPROFOR personnel was reiterated.
After extending UNPROFOR's mandate, the Council decided to increase the size of the mission by up to 3,500 additional troops with a review by April 30, 1994. UNPROFOR's plan for the reopening of Tuzla Airport for humanitarian purposes and its request for additional assistance were approved. It was decided that Member States should, in cooperation with the Secretary-General and UNPROFOR, provide air support in Croatia.
All parties were invited to co-operate with UNPROFOR in Croatia on confidence-building measures, including in the United Nations Protected Areas, and to revive the Joint Commission process which would see communication links and economic issues would be resumed and resolved. The Secretary-General was requested by the Council to keep it informed about the implementation of the United Nations peace plan for Croatia and the outcome of the negotiations. Based on these principles, the UNPROFOR mandate could be reviewed at any time. The appointment of an official by the Secretary-General to restore public services
in Sarajevo was welcomed. In accordance with Resolution 900
(1994), a voluntary trust fund was established to contribute toward this process.
The Security Council expressed with appreciation the steps taken by the United Nations, UNPROFOR and international humanitarian organisations to restore normal life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All parties were called upon to meet their commitments, particularly for the Bosnian Croat party to release infrastructure equipment and material for humanitarian use. The presence of UNPROFOR and humanitarian aid
in Maglaj has welcomed in promoting the well-being of its citizens while concern was expressed at the situation there. The Security Council demanded that the Bosnian Serbs end the military operations against the town of Maglaj and lift its blockade
. The Secretary-General suggested that the town be incorporated into the United Nations safe areas
, which was noted by the Council.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
908, adopted unanimously on March 31, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in the former Yugoslavia
Former Yugoslavia
The former Yugoslavia is a term used to describe the present day states which succeeded the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia....
and in particular Resolution 871
United Nations Security Council Resolution 871
United Nations Security Council Resolution 871, adopted unanimously on October 4, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions Resolution 713 and Resolution 743 and subsequent resolutions relating to the situation in the former Yugoslavia and United Nations Protection Force , the Council expressed concern...
(1993), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force
United Nations Protection Force
The United Nations Protection Force ', was the first United Nations peacekeeping force in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav wars. It existed between the beginning of UN involvement in February 1992, and its restructuring into other forces in March 1995...
(UNPROFOR) until September 30, 1994 and declared its intention to increase the number of personnel in the peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
force.
The Security Council welcomed the ceasefire between Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and the Bosnian Croats
Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina form one of the three constitutive nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.There is no precise data regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina's population since the last war. Ethnic cleansing within Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s saw the vast majority of Croats move and take...
and the framework agreements between the two. It was important also that the Bosnian Serbs were involved in the negotiations. The ceasefire between Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and the local Serb authorities in the United Nations Protected Areas was welcomed as were the talks between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro was a country in southeastern Europe, formed from two former republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Serbia and Montenegro. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was established in 1992 as a federation called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
. Welcoming the progress in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, the Council noted that a strong and visible presence of UNPROFOR was essential to consolidate such progress, though the situation in Maglaj
Maglaj
Maglaj is a town and municipality in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is situated in the northern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the Zenica-Doboj canton. The city lies south of the city of Doboj, the regional trade, education, culture, entertainment, and business centre. The municipality of Maglaj is one of...
remained precarious. There were ongoing efforts to reopen Tuzla International Airport
Tuzla International Airport
Tuzla International Airport is an airport near Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The airport is a civilian airport and a military airbase. Its operating hours are from 06:00 to 20:00 LT for commercial air carriers and 06:00 to 17:00 LT for general/corporate aviation with a possible...
for humanitarian purposes. Also welcomed were a European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
fact-finding mission to Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
to investigate conditions in the city and a joint civil mission to Sarajevo by the governments of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Throughout the process, the safety and freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
of UNPROFOR personnel was reiterated.
After extending UNPROFOR's mandate, the Council decided to increase the size of the mission by up to 3,500 additional troops with a review by April 30, 1994. UNPROFOR's plan for the reopening of Tuzla Airport for humanitarian purposes and its request for additional assistance were approved. It was decided that Member States should, in cooperation with the Secretary-General and UNPROFOR, provide air support in Croatia.
All parties were invited to co-operate with UNPROFOR in Croatia on confidence-building measures, including in the United Nations Protected Areas, and to revive the Joint Commission process which would see communication links and economic issues would be resumed and resolved. The Secretary-General was requested by the Council to keep it informed about the implementation of the United Nations peace plan for Croatia and the outcome of the negotiations. Based on these principles, the UNPROFOR mandate could be reviewed at any time. The appointment of an official by the Secretary-General to restore public services
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
in Sarajevo was welcomed. In accordance with Resolution 900
United Nations Security Council Resolution 900
United Nations Security Council Resolution 900, adopted on March 4, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council discussed the restoration of essential public services and normal life in and around the capital Sarajevo.The Security Council noted...
(1994), a voluntary trust fund was established to contribute toward this process.
The Security Council expressed with appreciation the steps taken by the United Nations, UNPROFOR and international humanitarian organisations to restore normal life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All parties were called upon to meet their commitments, particularly for the Bosnian Croat party to release infrastructure equipment and material for humanitarian use. The presence of UNPROFOR and humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
in Maglaj has welcomed in promoting the well-being of its citizens while concern was expressed at the situation there. The Security Council demanded that the Bosnian Serbs end the military operations against the town of Maglaj and lift its blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
. The Secretary-General suggested that the town be incorporated into the United Nations safe areas
United Nations Safe Areas
United Nations Safe Areas were areas established in 1993 in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council....
, which was noted by the Council.
See also
- Bosnian WarBosnian WarThe Bosnian War or the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and December 1995. The war involved several sides...
- Breakup of Yugoslavia
- Croatian War of IndependenceCroatian War of IndependenceThe Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 901 to 1000 (1994 – 1995)
- Yugoslav WarsYugoslav warsThe Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...