S/PV.3137 Security Council

The Security Council will now resume its consideration of the item on the agenda. Mr. (India): Let me first of all associate my delegation with those that have complimented you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency for this month. We look forward to working under your leadership and we are confident that, with your vast experience and with your tremendous skills, the Council will achieve very substantial results luring this month. Let me also pay a very well-deserved tribute to Ambassador M&rim&e, who presided over the Council with such distinction last month. The tragedy that has befallen the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina so soon after its emergence as an independent State Member of the United Nations and the intolerable suffering to which its people are being subjected have shocked the conscience of the entire world. The images of this grotesque dance of death being played out in the cities , villages and detention centres in the countryside have bee:% brought by the international media into our own living-rooms, touching each and every one of us. The State of Bosnia and Herzegovina itself is threatened with disappearance. My delegation therefore welcomes this debate in the Security Council. For too lorq the international community concentrated on the military. peace-,keeping aspect, ignoring the political, peacemaking aspects of the crisis. Cease-fires were repeatedly negotiated only to collapse before the ink had even dried. Humanitarian conditions worsened while the parties resorted to such abominable practices as "ethnic cleansing" in their attempts to jockey for the political and military high ground. My delegation had pointed out on numerous occasions that determined efforts towards a political settlement were the key to a solution, though they must nevertheless go hand in hand with peace-keeping efforts. Only the confidence of the parties, based on a political settlement, would serve to underpin any mutually agreed cease-fire. India therefore welcomec¶ the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in London last August. A few of the comprehensive set of decisions, agreed to by all participants, which emerged from the Conference have been implemented so far, backed by Security Couuc11 decisions. Qthers are under active study in negotiations between the parties and the Steering Committee end its Working Groups in Geneva. We should like to pay a high tribute to Secretary Vance and Lord Owen, Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee, and to the Chairmen of the Working Groups, for their immense efforts to find a solution to the situation in Bosnia and l?erzegovina. On the political side, my delegation hao been impressed by the very considerable work that has been done on constitutional arrangements for Bosnia and Herzegovina, As I have said earlier, in these lies the key to a resolution of the tragic situation. My delegation is of ths opinion that any attempt to impose constitutional arrangements from outside would be a recipe for future disaster. But the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina have reposed their faith in the International Conference, and the international community has offered its hand to help them in working out their own constitutional arrangements. My delegation was encouraged to hear from Lord Owen, in his statemesA to the Council on 13 November, that all the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina have agreed to use the draft outline constitution as a basis for negotiating a political settlement, that counter-proposals are being made and that negotiations are continuing, It is against this background that my delegation (Mr,) can go along with operative paragraph 1 of the draft resolution before us, which urges the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee and on the basis of the draft outline. On the military side, the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) has repeatedly been burdened with increased mandates, so much so that it has become, since the adoption of resolution 786 (1992), the largeat United Nations peace-keeping OperatioU ever. It contfnuee to operate not only in Croatia but also in Rosnia, under traditional rules of peace-keeping - that is, with the consent and cooperation of all parties. It has operated under heavy odds, often in dangerous situations, and has suffered tragic casualties. Its mendate, in Part, has included political negotiations. This has been the case in Croatia and also in Bosnia, where very commendable negotiations have been carried out for the reopening of the Sarajevo airport in the past and, more, recently, in the context of the Mixed Military Working Group. This Group, at the level of military ~omanuer~, reached an understanding for a cease-fire in Bosnia only a few days ago. It is our fervent 'nope that this can be consolidated and built upon. My delegation would like to pay a sincere tribute to General Nambiar, the overal commander of UNPROFOR, and his staff for their efforts, their determination and their courage in this difficult and dangerous task. One concern that my de?egation has expressed on several occasions has been that the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole should retain full authority and responsibility over the execution of actions authorised by the Council. My delegation worked with the sponsors in the present instance to provide for effective coordination, through the Secretary-General, of the actions that Member States may take for the inspection and verification of shipping in the Adriatic and on the Danube, under paragraphs 12 and 13 of the draft resolution. The cooperation of the sponsors in amending paragraph 14 of tk.e draft resolution to this effect has mat our concern to a considerable extent and will make it possible for us to support the draft resolution. While on the subject of the draft resolution, let me state that my delegation has no reservation with respect to paragraphs 9 and 10 dealing with some specific commodities. As my delegation understands the matter, the intention and the effect un3erlying these provisions is to further tighten the existing regime of s3nctiors to plug loopholes for their evasion. Resolution 757 (1992) has already eatablished a comprehensive sanctions regime against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Serbia and Montenegro. The humanitarian situation in Bosnia is, to say the least, disastrous. Unfortunately, the vulnerability of the civilian population has often been exploited by ail sides as a weapon of war. As the draft resolution before us points out, the provision of humanitarian assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina has become an important element in the Council's effort to restore peace and security in the region. We heard from Mrs. Ogata last Friday about the efforts being exerted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bosnia, despite growing obstacles and obstructions. As Mrs. Ogata pointed out, major routes used by UNHCR convoys cross front lines that are constantly shifting, and there are worrying signs that humanitarian aid is being targeted by all parties, each for its own different reasons. My delegation would like to record its particular apprecia:ion for the work being done against such difficult odds by UNHCR, as well as by the International Committee of the Red Cross. UNPROFOR has also been involved in humanitarian work, notably for the protection of humanitarian convoys across Bosnia. Its full deployment and its cooperation with UNHCR are important elements in this task. The Council heard a statem.:nt from Mr. Masowiecki, the Special Rapporteur for Yugoslavia appointed by the Commission on Human Rights on the violations of international humanitarian law in the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia. It is my delegation's position, which it has expressed in the past, that the ramnnrtt.,o ,-runno~an,-aa of i-b-a m+j~r nrnana ef F_hp (In4 4-uA Uattrrnea ehn,.lA hn ” --=----.- 1--‘r- -c---- - - =---- --e---v -.---e--s .,*----... WV strictly respected. Human rights reports of this nature should rightly be presented to and examined by the competent organ, in this case the Commission on Human Rights and the Gereral Assembly. Yet, we have noted that the enabling resolution appointing the Special Rapporteur specifically included reporting to the Security Council. Furtiler, the Bosnian situation is unprecedented in its multidimensionality. It has become well-nigh impossible to separate the political, military and humanitarian aspects of the crisis. Thus, while we must take into consideration these gross violations of international humanitarian law in the findings and decisions of the Council, where they directly impinge on the political-military situation, as the Council has done in resolutions 771 (1992) and 780 (1992), wo must not lose track of the fact that the organs competent to act on the Special Rapporteur's recommendations remain the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights. The parties in Bosnia must not lose faith that the international community is determined to isork towards a just and fair solution. Some of the most distinguished and eminent personalities are devoting themselves to this end within the framework of the International Conference. This Council is ready to work in consonance with them to give its authority and weight to their decisions. Indeed, the United Nations is an equal participant in the International Conference. The parties must not forget that Bosnia is their lanh. It belongs to all of them, and in the final analysis it is they who have to find a solution acceptable to all of them. The Pm (interpretation from French:,: I thank the representative of India for his kind words addressed to me. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Hungary. "..-*ar-. -,rrrr -S&L m--e r&L,, *A..-&-:..- I.. ,L- Car..rXC.. l-.w*er:1 UP, 1 U..ayU.J, urva47.J ".b.. ""IIG YC..GL +"uub.AY" *A. L..” Y-b-c.--= w”-..w-^, ---- before the assault launched against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the siege of Sarajevo, had drawn the Council's attention to the potential dangers inherent in the situation in that Reuublic, not only for the rogion, but also for (me President) international peace and security, We also stressed at that time the need to take adequate preventive measures to prevent the extension of the conflict already raging in other parts of the defunct Federation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other regions of the former Yugoslavia. We had stressed the increased role that the United Nations should play there and the importance of deploying observers of the world Organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere. We put forth these ideas as a country which, by virtue of its reographical proximity and for historical and economic reasons, has been and remains one of the most affected by the crisis in what was once Yugoslavia. Hungary, well aware of the ethnocentric nationalist motivations that played an important role in the outbreak of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia in 1991, was not taken wholly by surprise by the repetition oE this .* aggression, wt~s mutandig, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, nor by the re-enactment of a familiar scenario that was well tested during the early phases of the conflict. Our public opinion was none the less greatly shacked by the events that later took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The massacres, the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of refugees obliged to quit their homes, the pictures of concentration camps with detainees behind barbed wire, and the deliberate acts of destruction reminded us of the darkest pages of contemporary European hiatory. And yet, in 1945, after the end of the Second World War, the peoples of the United Nations expressed their resolve to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and undertook to do their utmost to ensure that such horrors were never repeated. Thus, it is a tragic paraciox chat, 4T years iater, the Sdme horrors dre Ltl--Qme:Lijj;~4~ lir 6 EiiCGFE which, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the adoption of the Charter of Paris, had finally succeeded in transcending the divisions of four decade3 (-President) and had decided to opt for the path leading to the establishment of a free, united and democratic European continent. The crisis in the former Yugoslavia, and particularly the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, continue seriously to imperil international peace and security. They are grounds for extremely serious concern. We belie,ve that the nay in which international organizatfons react to this growing crisis at?' the way in which they demonstrate their capacity and readiness to act are increasingly assuming the character of a crucial precedent. It is vital for the international forums addressing the problems of the former Yugoslavia to yield tangible results, for otherwise the international community would merely be sending an extremely equivocal message, fraught wit,h dire consequences. to fomenter9 of unrest around the world. We should also bear in mind the fact that, in the eyes of the international public, the hopes focused on the United Nations effectiveness in conflict settlement appear today to be well justified on the basis of the achievements of the world Organization in the recent past. in particular in the area of the United Nations contribution to putting down aggression, (Theeresident) Since the beginning of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia the Security Council ha8 repeatadly addressed the i88ue, adopting a large nur&er of resolution8 on it. The International Conference on the Former Yugoelavia offered u8 the right frtmework for the achievement of a lasting political svttlement of the conflict. The efforts of the two Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the Conference are praiseworthy, and the progress made in the difficult and delicate negotiation8 should be properly appreciated. We must note, however, that many important Security Council reaolutions remain dead letters, and that the decisions of the International Conference continue to be ignored. Serb nationali-, both within and outside Serbia, and regular and irregular forces of that nationalism undoubtedly bear the hoavieet burden of responsibility for the outbreak of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and its extension to other regions. All the peoples, all the nationalities, living in those land8 are victim8 of this conflict - Bornian Mu8lim8, Croats, Serbs and othera, who throughout hiistory have woven close tier vith Hungarians, and whose rufferings we therefore feel deeply. One could hardly bs more convinced than ve are, a8 inhabitants of that region of Europe, that this kind of extreme nationalism cannot serve the interests of the Sorbs themselves, wherever they may live, and that they must find their path to salvation in a difbercnt policy. The international community has stated and restated that any acquisition of terrieory by force is illegal. and unacceptable. It must reject and isolate those who champion such policies. We are deeply concerned about the peroiotent, massive and systematic violations of human rAght8 and international humanitarian law, documented in great detail in the reprt of Mr. Maaoviocki, Special Rapporteur of the Coacaiasion on Human Rights, and in his statement to tha Security Council. &uagary vigorously condeaum effort8 to bring ahout thm creation of so-celled nation-Statea through “ethnic cl~anaing~ and the elrtabli8haant of “ethnically purmc’ territorima. Wa denounce the atrocitima corPaittmd for thi8 purpoam and the expuSaion of national or religiou8 ainoritius. The alrmady tenam situation in this tvgard threatens to engulf other territories in the north and nouth of Serbia and bmyond. Jn a region such a8 Central and Eastern Europe it demonstrates incredible ignorance or criminal irre8ponsibility to seek to achieve such objactives, for that uould drag the whole region into an apocalyptic chain of event8 , with incalculable consmquonces, The auabar of pmople in Bo8nia and Barsegovina who have had to leave their homes &as risen to 2 million, and, with tha continued “otbnic clmansing” operations and coatinued fighting, fresh wavea of refugees and displaced perrons may be expected. Hungary, a neighbouring country which wa8 among the firot to feel and abaorb thm effect8 of this war* ha8 fraa thm heghning taken a~ active part in the international effort8 to give refuge to those who have fZrd the fighting and degradation. Theft number in Hungary ir now apprortimately 80,000. With the approach of winter, the human tragedy unfolding before our very eyes will take on even more disastrous diaeasions. The intarnatfonal cosununftp, and the Security Council fn particular, must remain permanently and actively aeioed of this problem, unprecedented in Europe since the sad of the Second World War. We are fully *ware t-k&t_ St Ir &esssCL?k ts =5&t=: &At p=51,~ of Zosci and Hersegoviaa by onclueively humanitarian means, that it is unthinkable to restore peace in the country simply by feeding ‘the population and healing its wounds. But Hungary believes that in view of the alarming humanitarian aituatlon it ia vital to take practical steps without dalay to overcoine the imminent dangers and the immediate difficulties by setting up safe areas for humanitarian purposes in various regiona of Bosnia and Rernegovina. These areas could serve as safe havens for the civilian population, regardless of ethnic or religious background. The struggle for the survival of the Republic of Bosnia an0 Herzegovina continues. The international community has not yet succeeded in halting the aggression againat this country. On tha contrary, two thirds of its territory have been occupied by the aggressors, who continue to benefit rrom cross-border complicity and who no longer bother to disguise their strategic territorial ambitions. After reflecting on this question, we believe that we must avoid the fundamental error of equating an aggressor that continues to trample underfoot its international commitments and a victim striving, with the means at its disposal, to depend itself, striving to exist. We are profoundly concerned over the failure of international efforts to end the despicable, abhorrent policieo being pursued in Bosnia and Reroegovina. X11 the -igns are that everything we have done is far from being enough. We must take much more vigorous actiolr to dispel the illusion tnat seems to prevail in some quarters that the world accepts the policy of fait. We must think of the consequences of a resolute and consistent attitude by the community of nation8 for other parts of the planet suffering bloody conflicts. Hungary believes that, faced wiih a worsening of the crisis in Bosnia and S~orzegavina and other regions of the fo~mar Yufpslavia, k.htm Socurit~ Council must act with the necessary resolve. It should pursue even more vigorously its activities to ensure respect for its resolutions by all parties; strictly apply the sanction0 regimes that have been imposed# bring about a cessation of hoatilitieet condemn any attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina; call for an end to all foreign interference in the country1 bring to justice those responsible for violations of human rights and humanitarian international laut assist humanitarian operationa; and conr:rAbute to an overall political settlement of the conflict. I nov retwmo my functions as President. The next speaker is the representative of Italy. I invite him to take a place at the Couucil table and to make his statement. m (Italy) (interpretation from French): It is a sincere pleaaure for me, Sir, to congratrlate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I should alno like to conqra+ulate the Permanent Representative of France ora the highly effective way in which he conducted the Council~s business la8t month. (-1 Italy welcome6 and fully supports the emphasis which the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom placed on the important role played by the European Community in the search for a political solution t0 the Yugoslav criris. Italy has made a significant contribution to these efforts - particularly in the fields of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and humanitarian relief - Sustaining, moreover, the 1088 of a number of Italian officer5 am3 airmen. Furthermore, as a rengired sign of our determination to do our best to help in relieving the terrible humanitarian problems that confront the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced last Thursday our WillingneS8 to provide asylum to several hundred refugees from the region, in addition to those already admitted in the past few month5, and in particular to person8 held in detention camps. Deeply concerned over the dramatic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and even more 80 over the inhuman practice of "ethnic cleansing", which recalls some of the darkeat page8 of European history, the Italian Government uelcmes tbe draft outline constitution propoaed by the co-chairmanship of the Geneva Conference, which, while guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Bosnia and IOersegovina, offer8 to all the ethnic componenta of that country a coacreta possibility of re-establishing the peaceful coexistence that prevailed aaumg them for centuries. As Chairmen of the Council of th3 Weetern European Union (WEU), Italy has been loading the operations of joint patrolling and monitoring in the Adriatic Sea, vhile coordinating 'whose activities with the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). For that reason vo welcome the provirionr of the draft rerolution to be adopted by the Security Council concerning the strengthrning of the enforcement of sanctions against the Poderal Republic of Yugoslavia and in particular the authoriootion to halt all inward and outvard maritime shipping in order to inspect end verify their cargoas and dmtinaticuw . We are convinced that tbeae new rules will greatly enhance the effoctiveaeeo of the embargo, helping the naval forcoa of the WEU and #AT0 in the Adriatic Sea euccerafully to discover end defeat any attempt to violate or circumvent by oea the provisions of resolutions 713 (1991) and 757 (1992) and there of the draft resolution to be adopted by the Council. In thir connection I wish to inform the Council that I have taken due note of the oomevhst l urprining and certainly totally unexpected allegations contained in the 8tatement of the Permanent Representative of the United Statea. The Italian Government, as noon a8 it is provided, through the Sanctions Committee, with all necessary data, will, I assure you, conduct the most thorough inveatigetion in order to ascertain the facts. Shoulcl the aaid allegations be confirmed, my Government will immediately initiste the proper judiciary procedurea in order to punish the culprits. TbkPREsrDENT (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Italy for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker on my list is the representative of Qatar. I invite him to take a place at the Council table end to make his statement. * Mr. (Qatar) (interpretation from Arabic): Allow me at the outset to extend to you, Sir, our congratulations on your assumptio:! of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I also wish to r,xpress my heartfelt thanks to your predecessor the Permanent Representative g,f Prance, Mr. Jean-Bernard MtirimGe, for hia able and excellent leadership of the Council’s work last month. I em pleased to extend to you, Mr. President, our thanks for your commendable invitation to convene this meeting in response to thr appeal by the Contact Group of the Drganiaation of the Islamic Conference i,rd in light of the existing dangera that may lead to a further deterioration af the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The State of Qatar, like every other State that respects hman rights, and I do not apeak of the Islamic States only. is alarmed at tki suffering that has been the lot, for many months , of the pOpUlatiOU of Btdania and Hersegovina. The situation there is reminiscent of the horror: of the atrocities of the Second World War. We had hoped that such hrlr.:o;a had disappeared for good id’ our times, in a world where the principYos of the United Nation8 Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Ri!;hts prevail. It is a source of shame for the international community that :.t has been unable so far to put a halt to the ma8sacres and an end to the tragedy of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina whose land has been violated in gross aggression and against whom the crime of ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity are being perpetrated. The consequences of such Crimea have -L .-----.L.- L_ -,&I-_L_ p*cJvctu M$Noar”+a LO UlrrryIra. As the United Nations Special Rapporteur has noted, the Moslems of Bosnia and Rerzegovina are being the target of ma88 extermination. Although the Security Council adopted resolution 781 (1992) which bans military flights in the airapace of Bosnia and lierzegovina, lierbiaa aircraft have continued to breach the terms of that resolution and have continued to bomb Bosnia and Her8egovina and vent their wrath on its people with impunity, without any fear of the international community. Heavy Serbian guns continue to shell civilian target8 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the fact that Serbian troop8 have agreed to lay down their heavy weapon8 and place them under the SUpt3rViSion of the United Nation8 Protection Force 0lNPROFOR). Boanien defence force8 are unable to repel such aggression for lack of ammunition and because it in impossible for them to obtain new weapons thanks to the resolution's embargo on victim and aggresclor alike. The matter fa extremely aerious. I do not exaggerate when I say that the application of the embargo to victim and aggressor alike is cynical and preposterous and that it goes, against the human COnSCienCe. Self-defence is a principal right enshrined in the United Nations Charter. We are in duty bound to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to defend itself as long as the international community is unable to ward off the Serbian aggression by recourse to the provioiona of the Charter, lacking as it doe8 authentic re8olve and real determination. The international community has a duty to repudiate the Serbian aggreeaion. The aggressor is a stronger and larger party end the victim of aggression is a smnller and weakor neighbour and a Member of the United Nations. Aggression must be prohibited in all casea. Aggression cannot be permitted in certain ease8 and prohibited in others. The Government in Belgrade, which csatinues to organise and engineer aggression against the Republic oi Bosnia and Har!aegovina, tbo smeller and weaker party. auat derirt. Every State, large and amall, strong and weak, must abide by the provisiona of the United Ration8 Charter through unanimous adherence to the principles of international law and by settling dieputes by legal means. (Hr. Al-WI 'msh.W) This would buttresu the pillara of international legality and lay the foundations of a world imbued with tolerance, justice and peace. My delegation fully supports the adoption by the Gecurity Council of a resolution that would lift the embargo on the export of weapons to Bosnia and Herzegovina. So long as the intsrnatPona1 coiarPunity remains unable or hesitant to deter +he aggreaoor by force, to restore usurped rights end to put a halt to the horrora heaped upon the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Continuation of the wm@mm embargo, in the case of Bosnia snd Herzegovina, amounts to support for the aggressor. We cannot believe that the international connunity and the Security Council would accept that or turn a blind eye to) it,. We therefore join the other States that have called upon the Security Council to adopt a resolution to that effect without delay, for otherwise the aggressor will persist in its recalcitrance and aggression, snd the international conxnunity will continue to appear to be impotent in the face of that continuing aggression, !l'hirr ia something you would not accept and is not acceptable to tho peace-loving psopleo of the world. The (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Qatar for the kind words he addressed to me. The next rpeaker is the representative of Comoros. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to mske his statement. Mt. (Comoros): The delegation of the Fedora1 Islamic Republic of the Comoro8 joins the dmlegations that have preceded it in erto&i~ cangrntulations to YOU, Sir, aa the President of the Council for the month of November. We are confident that, under your able guidance, the Council will successfully carry out ita responsibilities. My delegation would also like to thank Ambassador Jean-Bernard Merimee, the Permanent Representative of FranCO, for his remarkable stcwsrdship of the Council during the month of October, My delegation is pleased that at long last the Council has agreed to the request of the member States of the Organisation of the Islamic. Conference for the holding of these meetings, which we consider to be very important. Wo regret the delay; however, it is better late than never. The human suffering caused by the aggression carried out againsp the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Serbia and Montenegro through its puppet Serbian nationalists, with the object of "ethnic cleansing", has been allowed to continue too long. It is about rime Member States were given the opportunity to air the deep feelings of their peoples on an issue that has caused too much pain and suffering and aroused deep emotions, anxiety and desperation in the Islsmic community throughout the world. It is our intention to air the innermost feeling6 of the defennceless victims of the aggression - the young. the women, the weak and all those who are suffering and whose voicer cannot be heard, and the feelings of many Muslims who helplessly witness the unjustifiable elimination of their brothers and sisters. In doing so, we will at times use expressions that are less diplomatic, and language that might be offensive or unpalatable to some+ To those we might offend, we ask their forgiveness, understanding and eympathy. It is proper for us to begin by erpreasing our deep gratitude to imbassador Exiwerd Perkins, tne Permanent Representative of the United States of America, for the tone and the contents of his statement to the Council last Friday. Mr. Ambaesador, the people for whom we speak appreciate the steadfast position of your Government, that Of tbt? United Stat88 Of &88rfCB, 022 tb8 crisis of tbhs Balkans. We are conviacsd that if the Council had adopted Ambassador Perkin'S ton8 from tbe beginning of the crir~iS, instead of the piecemeal, toothless, half-hearted measures it adopted, the situation in Bosnia an& Herlegovina would not be what it is today. We can only hope that time is still on our aide, and that tbe Cowacil will have the political will to take tbe serious steps that are necessary to reverse the situation. Iha moment bae arrived for the Security Council, acting on behalf of tbo international coaxnunity, to prove wrong the perceptions held by our uninformed Murlim masse8 on the double Standards of the United Nations in dealing witb aggression. The imprerrion ir that tbe Council has not done enough to stop the aggresoion agaiaat Boenia and Retaegovfna. It is true that the Council has devoted considerable time to the question. However, it is our opinion that it has tailed to address the fundamental issue, which is aggression. Moat of the resolution8 adopted by the Council deal 4th the humanitarian aspect8 of the problem, which, a&bough very important, are not at the core of the problem. The main issue of the aggression by Serbia and Montenegro against tbe people of Bosnia and Heraegoviaa has not been adequately addreaaed by tbe Council. Our people fait to comprehend the attitude of some member6 of the security Council who are adamantly opposed to the forceful implementation of LL- -a PI-- maea ,- UID rrv-**s e"uY a- "-"..a- -.. ---a - =*A g!$rrgyv_i n*, uhara the Serbs uS8 fiqbter planes to decimate the people of Boani%, in spite of the fact that this is a crucial element of the London Accords. Our lesa educated brothera who are not well versed in the intricacies of international affairs are justifiably pusolod by the apparent double standards. The same Powers that were so compassionate and underetanding and eager to enforce the no-fly zone in Iraq in order to stop Muslims from killing Muslims - a consnendable attitude for which we are grateful - do not seem to have the same compassion and eagerness when it comes to stopping t.M Berbs from killing Muslims. Unfortunately this kind of attitude can be wrongly construed in the minds of the Islamic Umma to mean that the international community is silently conspiring or acquiescing in the final elimination of the Muslim8 from the corner of Europe. At this juncture I believe it would be proper for me to quote from Lord Owen.8 statement before the Council last Friday: "The Islamic world, rightly, would accuse us of racism againrt the Bosnian Muslims and hold it against us for centuries to come.* (-1 (Mr.1 It is now up to the Security Council to take bold rteps to atop Serbian aggrewion against the Boanian peoplo in order to put to rest and eliminate that perception by tha Islamic uMnas vhich represents more than a billion human beings. We believe that in this crisis, the States memberu of the Eurowan Community have a moral obligation to protect the territorial integrity and the unity of the States that were part of the former Yugoalavia. They encouragd the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, and thur they should protect those who decided to break away. Consequently, they have a moral duty to protect the people of Bosnia and Bersegovina by all means, including the use af iorce. Act now bofore it is too late, lest your hesitations come back to haunt you in the future. Thoae who suffered under Rasism should know full well that "ethnic cleansing" can neither be acquiesced to nor tolerated. My delegation is grateful for the statement of Mr. Tadeusa Manowiecki, Special Rapporteur of the Conmni?sion on Human Rights. liia revealing report on the human rights situation in the former Yugoslavia has helped us all to comprehend the true nature of the problem we are dealing with. We ahould also like to pay homage to Mrs. Sadako Ogata, the United Rations High Commissioner for Refugees, for the truly magnificent efforts she and her dedicated staff have made for the benefit of the millions of people who have been rendered homeless in the former Yugoslavia. Y= *t-*---A -(*u n+onb 4ncnrart ta the statements of Mr. Cyrus Vance and --"-sm..- ..--- a---- -_~--~~~ Lord Owen, co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, who ptesentek us with two outstanding reports. We cannot but be grateful for their untiring efforts to find a peaceful ao2utinsi to the tragedy in Yugoalavla. They ahould be commended for their efforta and uaeful suggestions e We wish them well in their moot difficult and tbsnklesr task. My delegation wiia highly impressed by their well-presented arguments against the partial and selective lifting of the arms embargo on Yugoalavia imposed by Security Council resolution 713 (1391). Because of their position aa co-Chairmen of the fnt8ruatiOnsl Conference, we appreciate their sentiments on the issue. However, we beg to differ with them and with tboae who share their analysis of the subject. We are firmly convinced that the Council ia duty-bound to lift the embargo in order to allow the Stat8 of Bosnia and Heraegovina to import the heavy arms it needs to defend itself. Tt is true that in moat cases prohibiting arms sales tenda to dampen conflict, while pushing anus sales deepens it. However, in the cas8 of aggression such as is taking place in Bosnia and Heraegovfna, where the aggressor outguna its victim, it cannot but have a positive impact on thti m%ralm of the victim of aggression and be dissuasive to the aggressor - particularly when the two Co-Chairmen have not informed us that they perceive even sn atom of desire on the part of the Serbian aggressor to settle the matter at the negotiating table. The Setbiaus always sign cease-fire agreements and bucome the first to break them. From what we have heard during this debate, wu aro further coovincrd that the Serbian aggteaaots have as their ringle goal the elimination of Muolfms from Bosnia at sny coat. Therefore, we should not fool oUrselves into believing that the Serbs will understand the civilised language of iiC~Oiii5tiGiib. Seep inside, aii members are convinced, sa we are, that the only language the Serbs understand is force. Have then the courage and the political will to take decisions towards that end. It is only when the Serba realise that their goals are unattainable by force that they will have an incentive to search for a peaceful solution to the problem. The only lanquaqs bullies and aggressors understand in brute force, and since, as Lord Owen remarked, those who have the power to deter aggression by massive military intervention do not have the will to act, does not the Council then have th., moral responsibility and obligation to give a fighting chance to the victims of aggression? We have no right to put the aggressor and the victim on an equal footing, particularly when we all aqrea that the aggressor happens to be the one with heavy weaponry. What moral justification does the Council - which is the organ eatrusted with the maintenance of peace and security and which i8 supposed to protect the weak from the strong - have to withhold from the weak, aggressed people bf Bosnia and Heraegovina the right to defend themselves, particularly when the Council lacks the political will to help them? Pn tb8 name Of the dead an& dying heroes of Bosnia, in the name of the futut8 martyrs of Bosnia, in the name of the young children and WOIPR?~, in the nams of tb% orphans and tb8 widows of Bosnia and Heraegovina, in the nam8 of all those who suffer morally becaus8 of their inability to alleviate the pliqbt of their brothers and sisters in Bosnia, and to all those for whom we are duty-bound to speak out because their voices cannot be heard, we urge and call upon the Security Council to lift without further delay the a+ma embargo on the State of Boauia and Iiaraegoviaa. We furth%r request that those who ara iE. B sfftf;= tt ;a2 p&.*.= b&t -1" c,= py=-.+!e -nm-r4rta ege(et+t~+, which -cc--c----- will help the Bosnians to deter Serbian aggression, hasten in doing so. In conclusion, we have to state that time is running out for this lofty body to act. The fatal hour is upon UB, and therefore we must take decisions (MeMownin.) tbat will not allow history to judge us harshly. The credibility of the Security Council aud that of tba Unitad Matiorrs is bsing tarted. For more than six montb8, we have allowed the Serbs to kill and displace Boanian MU5lilUS. A catastrophic war ha8 been raging in Bosnfa and Hsrtegovina, an8 the conflagration threatenr to apill owl: to the other partm of the former Yugoslavia, all because of the Serba' derrire for a greater, ‘pureH MC homogeneous Serbian territory. The time ha8 come for the Council to rend a firm and unanabiguour meraago to the Serbs tbat tbm patience of tbo international cornunity bar run out, and to Qo so by adopting nma8ure8 that will duter the Serbs from their aggreaaive behaviour, with tba clear mandate of enforcing those mba8uroa by all mean8 available, includiaq the ume of Corm. (Mr.) Bealiainq that the Council might ignore our pleas. and in line with it5 international responsibilities. my Government will continue to support all efforts to reach a peaceful settlement. We firmly support the new proposal for a constitution for Bosnia rind Herzegovina baaed on the principle3 of democracy, the protection of human and minority rights and tho rejection of all plans baaed on ethnic or religious separation. The restoration of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Bosnia and Heraegovina is the only basis for an acceptable peaceful solution. We cannot end cur statement without paying a deserved tribute to the United Nations Protection Force, from its co.mmander to it? base units, and to all those who are helping to alleviate suffering in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The (interpretation from French)r I thank the representative of Comoro8 for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Norway. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mt. (Norway) (interpretation from F+ench)r Mr. President, I extend to you my gteetinqs and congratulations. (Win The atrocities committed against the civilian population in Soania and Hetaeqovina call for our unanimous condemnation. We strongly support the call for an immediate ceaaation of all hoatilitiea. It is necessary to continue to search for a politic&l aolution and to act jointly irr thq spirit of aal4aaPity. The continuing involvement of the Security Council emphaaiaea the grave concern of the world community and the need for a peaceful negotiated settlement. The principal tools in our efforts ~111 be the sanctions imposed by the Security Council, along with persuasion and mediation. It is our firm conviction that the implementation of the London Agreement and the ongoing Geneva International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia under the most able leadership of its Co-Chairmen, Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen, with its broad-based approach, represents the best and perhaps the last chance to settle the conflict by political means. It must continue to have our wholehearted support. We would also stress that all parties to the conflict share responsibility for establishing peace if the Geneva process is to succeed. We must encourage the forces of moderation in all camps and those willing and able to look ahead and take responsibility for finding a peaceful solution. No attempt to redraw existing borders by means of force must be ;aermitted, and an administrative redivision along purely ethnic lines resulting frvm "ethnic cleansing" must be avoided. The Muslim population of Bosnia and Herzegovina today faces a critical security and supply situation. The tragic flood of refugees and &isplaced persons poses a challenge to the international community as a whole. We must do our utmost to assist them in terms of both humanitarian aid and security. This is of particular importance in connection with the approaching winter in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the human suffering which might follow. It is vitally important thet the Office of the :fnitcd Nations High Commissioner for Refugees be given the necessary support. Meeting the basic needs of refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina serves a double purpose, in that it also acts as a barrier to the znPamous practice of "ethnic cleansing". We aro deeply concerned about the human-rights situation in Bosnia and Heraegovina. In her address to the General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Brundtland called for the establishment of an international tribunal to uunish all those respona.ble for war crimes. Security Council resolution 780 (1992), providing for the establishment of an impartial Coan\ission of Experts, is an important step in this context. This initiative should be followed up and supplemented. We commend Lord Owen's proposal to bring the Council of Europe in to exercise international judicial control of reapect for human rights and a future constitution for Bosnia and Hermkgovina. Let me also drav attention to the report of the Conference on security and Cooperation in Europe under the so-called Moscow Human Dimension Mechanism Mission to Croatia, and the proposal that a committee of experts from interested States be convened as loon as possible in order to prepare a draft treaty establishing an international ad hoc tribunal for certain crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia. We commend this proposal to the international community for appropriate action. Our efforts in connection with the registration and documentation of violations of hvman rights must be expedited. There should be no doubt that we are all working energetically together to secure respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. In a situation with an almost complete breakdoun of trust, where the parties act on their worst suspicions, the rapid deployment of United ??ations observers on Bosnia's borders is particularl? important and has our full support. The proposed strengthening of sanctions is a clear message to all those involved in contraband activities that the breaking of tho United irations-imposed sanctions will not be tolerated by the world community. The draft resolution before the Council represents an important step to ensure effective implementation of the sanctions. Its unanimous adoption by this Council would be a timely mesaap to all those who bear responsibility for the present tragedy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today we join other8 in calling on the parties to stop the hostilities, reBpect the cease-fire and commit themaelves to a political aettlement. w (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Norway for the kind words he addreslsed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Lithuania. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. M. (Lithuania): I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month, and I wish you great success during the Council's deliberations on extremely important and difficult issues. Please allow me also to express my appreciation for this opportunity to address the security Council, the most important body of the United Nations, entrusted with the weighty task of maintaining peace and security in our interdependent world. The Lithuanian delegat.ion wishaa to Voice its views on the critical issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina because of the apprehensioti of Lithuania's Government and people over the dire consequences of successful aggression against that country. If the Serbian conqueste and the tragic results of "ethnic cleansing" are allowed to stand, it will set an unfortunate precedent for all potential aggreeaors around the world. We slready see certain aspects of Serbian aggression re-enacted in the Dnieater region of Moldova and Abkhaaia in Georgia. It is not difficult to foresee that there will be more to come, since Serbian aggression in Bosnia and Hereagovine has to date been a low-cost, low-risk campaign with high yields. Even though Bosnian Serbs may have valid political aspirations, nothing can justify the ariled aggression, massive expulsions and killing of innocent civilian populations taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Y~vertholeoa, we understand that there may be valid reasons why the Security Council, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other international bodies find it impossible or inadvisable to intervene in order to defend Bosnia and Herzegovina from aggression. However, if the international community cannot provide effective defence, it cannot morally deny the right of self-defence to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The right to self-defence is an inherent right of any sovereign State. It is one of the fundamental principles of international law, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. No international body has the right to tlke it away or to curb it, especially if it cannot or will not provide an adequate defence for the victimised. To continue to impose a stranglehold on a victim engaged in a life or death struggle ia morally and legally unacceptable, just as is the non-differentiation between aggressor and victim. For those reasons, Lithuania urges the Security Council seriously to consider the lifting of the arma embargo against Bosnia and Herzegovina so that that sovereign State can at the very least defend itself from the ruthless onslaught of aggressor forces. s (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Lithuania for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Croatia. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his stetemnt Mt. (Croatia): My country is honoured by the opportunity to address the Security Council for the first time. Let me express our special and deepest admiration for you, Mr. Presidoat, for the Secretary-General, for the Co-Chairmen of the Conference on the Yormer Yugoslavia, for the Special i?apPorteur on human rights in Yugoslavia and for the Bigh Commissioner for Refugees for their brave efforts to reatore peace and bring an end to human suffering. Croatia is grateful for all the efforts that the Security Council bes made to atop the aggression against two State8 Member8 of the United Nations - the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are also grateful to the troop-contributing countries, which are sparing no effort and no risk in order to help. In hia recent letter to the Secretary-General, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Franjo Tudjman , welcomed the indisputable results that the United Nations Protection Force WNPROFOR) had achieved in putting an end to the war in Croatia and in initiating the withdrawal of the Yugoalav army from the occupied territories south of Dubrovn?k. Unfortunately, implementation of the existing Vance plan is still being seriously delayed and the situation in the occup5ed areas is continuously deteriorating. These disturbing facts have been officially confirmed by the highest officials of tz Ated Nations and of UNPROFOR. At this moment we are witnesaiug the COnSiSt%nt militarisation of the United Nations Protected Areas in spite of the fact that all the Serbian inaurqsnts and paramilitary forces should have been disarmed and disbanded a long tim ago. Refugees and displaced Persona still are not able to return to their homes in the United Nations Protected Areas8 the Croatian Government is still not allowed to establish it8 control inside the "pink zones"; big parts of the Croatian international boundaries - recoqnixed by the international conununity - are not yet under the control of UNPROFOB authorities; essential conditions for establishing a framework for the reintegration of all the occupied territories - through inrplemntation of the constftutioeaI Law on Minaritieo and the Law on Abolition - have xmt ba*n met. Thereforer Prarideat Tudjman has propoard the consintent and imediate implementation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions, and has asked for the rtrmagthaning of the UNPROFOR mandate in accordance with Chapter VII and Chapter VIII of the Cbartor of the United Hations. Croatia fiudr it aeceaoary to raquira enforcement of the UNPROFOR actions 80 that all paremilitary fonaatiouo inaide the United Hationo Protected Areas can be dioarmd, the l opuloion 02 tho non-Serb population halted and the unbaarablo saorchy in the United Plationo Protected Areas brought to aa l ad. He should lik to 880, through implementation of Sacurity Council resolutions and broatlening of the mandate of UNPNWOR, the eottrbliohment of the conditioao for the gradual reintegration of the Unitod Nations Protected Areas into tie legal, politioalr l coacmic o&d oocial syotam of the Rcpuhlic of Croatia. Wo beliovo it is nacoooary to underline the osriou8 deterioration of the Vanao plo& becauoo what is happening in the United Uationo Protacted &earn cannot bo separated fran the political, military aad humanitarian situation in ~ighbourtng Bosnia aad fieraegovina. If tha United latiooe poace plan ia Croatia is not ioiplome8ated. that will decreaoe chanceo far the o~~~e8o of the evom more complex peace plan in l?oooio. t?urthermoia, failure of the peace-keeping plan io the Republic of Croatia voaald opata the door for tocogaitioa of thr fruito ot tbo qgrooaion lauuchod ogaiaot Bosnia and 8erregoviaa. Xew militarisation of the U&ted Istioas Protects8 Areas has resulted in inataaoi@g Serbian firepower being oupplied across the territory of 80soia aod Heroegovina. The wmkaeoo of UXPROFOR an8 its lack of detemixmtion are providing fruitful soil for the rise of aa aggreasive Serbian policy, which was bluntly demonstrated in a recent attempt to proclaim the unification of the occupied territories in Croatia and in Bosnia and Hersegovina into a Serbian artificial State entity - the final goal being to become a part of greater Serbia. Therefore, ougoing preparation8 for the plebiaeite for the unification of these territories should be condemned by the Security Council aud prevented by UNPROPOR. Freeaing the ongoing situation inside the United Nations Protected Areas has enabled Serbian forceo to transfer the majority of their manpower to the battlefront in Bosnia and Iier80gOVfBa. From the occupied territories in Bosnia end Herzegovina new attacka are being launched on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, and a constant glow of supplies ir making possible the ongoing occupation of Croatian soil. At the same time, people in Bosnia and xeroogovina are starving to death because the emential humanitarian corridoor - provide& for in Security Council resolution 776 (1992) - have not yet bveB established. Intensified Serbian aggression and constant Hethnic cleansing” are making *ho already catastrophic oituation oven worse. New tfder of rafugeus are putting on Croatia an even bigger burden than the sanctions imposed by Security Council resolution 757 (1992) have put on Serbia and Uoeteaegro . The Republic of Croatia was smong the firrt countries in the world to recognize the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, In defending Bosnia and Bereegovina from aIrairu -rrrrlnn mA 4~3 dtmIt114~~ Elnrn4n*r e-h--- rrrr*1r rrl FIIICr 1” “ss--- -99------- -- -- --e------o -----P - ‘-‘..~.“--, s-VI”-” WV “.“Y.” “Y Bosnia and Heraegovina have done more than all the other countries combined. The total number of refugee8 in the Republic of Croatia - 750,000 - is almost equal to the number of people employed in that country. The result has been devastating inflation and such a aerioua detmrioratios of the standard of living in my country that tbo majority of the population is facing the danger of malnutrition. In the tattftoty of weatetn Hatragovina, uhsre Croats make up 90 pet cent of t&e total population, thmro are today aoto bhslin8 tefugeer than Croat reridonts. Areas u&or tbo control of tbo Croatian Defence Council ato the only part of Bosnia and Hettsgovina where #u~lims can feel safe and secure from the Sotbfan onslaught. In spite of that. while the world passively watch08 the Serbian conquests and contiwatien of “ethnic cleansing'9 in Bosnia and Pmrnegovlna, Croatia is ctiticizod for its unufllingness to tecoivo every aaew uavm of tmfugoea. Croatia has alrrady proposed l rtsblishiag aafe son08 for tha refugees in Bosnia end Horaegovina as the most efficient and, from a political point of view, the mo8t valuable approach to this appalling situation. These safe aones should primarily be organioed in and around major besieged towns in Bosnia and Reraegovina by lifting the Serbian sieges and by opening permanent humanitarian corridors through to them. Any other solution would only contribute to the ongoing Serbian "othnfc cleansing". The international c-unity also launches enormous diplomatic and media prersuro against Croatia whenever tbe defence and rurvival of Boanfa and Herregovina are at otake. Croatia has - ia accordance with the Joint Agreements signed by the Presidents of tbe two Republics - offered military help to the Croats in Bosnia and Bersegovina and to the Bosnian Government force8 in am effort to pfevent, or at lea8t to aase, the terrifying conrequences of tb0 genocidal policy of “ethnic cleansing" tbat is being executed by the Serbian 8ide. Despite this fact, Croatia has constantly been accurad of invading and occupying Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatia has been nauad a traitor to the Mualimsr and accused of holding secret negotiations with the Serbs on tbe partition of %osnis anb Herzegovina, awn though Croatian forces have beOn bravely defending Bocanski Brad, hopelessly waiting for the international bumanitarien corridor to be established along that route. Hot only bar the U&ted Nations Protection Force never opened the corridor, but neighbouring cities in Croatia. particularly Slavonakf Brod, were shelled, barbarously, for months. The Croatian units have therefore been forced to retreat. We faced tbhe same challenges and doubts oncw normaliaatfon of Croatian-Serbian relatrons began under the auspices of the Geneva conference, because uwny tried to interpret tbia, unjustifiably, as a betrayal of the (Mr.1 Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, no further progress has been made in this regard so far , owing to the lack of decisive international pressure on the Belgrade authorities. There has been no change in the policy of the Republic of Croatia with regard to the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatia, and Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were the first to support the constitutional framework proposed by Co-Chairman Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen at the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia. We also strongly support the negotiations in the Mixed Military Working Group and a common political and defence alliance between Muslims and Croats aimed at achieving a cessation of hostilities and providing political solution8. Peace and post-war recovery are our prioritiest we would certainly not like to be drawn into the endless bloodshed in Bosnia and Aeraegovina. But we r8main determined in supporting a constitutional and political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina that will also afford equal rights for the Croatian people. In that regard, we are ready to accept any negotiated eolutfon agreed b8tween the three constituent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatia has made a significant effort to stop the diStr8sHing, though isolated, incidents between Croatian and Muslim forces in some areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These incidents have largely been orchestrated attempts to split the Croatian-Muslim alliance against Serbian aggression, or reflected the then differing views of Muslims and Croats concerning the constitutional future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To our great discontent, we must stress that Croatia has time and again been used as a scapegoat for the mounting human tragedy that is spreading throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. We do not think that the way towards peace (Mr.1 is to say that the aggressor and his victim are both equally guilty. There is no doubt that in the horrible war in the former Yugoslavia, the Serbian side is the aqqresaor and Croats, Muslims and other non-Serbs are the victims.. It is high time for determined action by the Security Council. It is time to halt the aggression and isolate and punish the aggressor. It is time to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to assume its legitimate right of self-defence. It is time to force the Serbian insurgents in Bosnia and iieraeqovina and in Croatia, and their Belgrade masters, finally to accept the principles and decisions of the International Conference on the Forr..er Yugoslavia. Croatia wants Bosnia to have peace and to retain its integrity, not only for the sake of the legitimate rights of the Croatian population in our neighbouring States, but also for th6 rake of the historical. geopolitical. economic and strategic ties between tbe two countries. In urging the Security Council to create the necessary conditions for UKPROFOI? to conclude its mandate in Croatia successfully we are trying to enable the United Nations to transfer the br%ve and noble peace-keeping forces to the Pepublic of Bounia and Herzegovina, where Serbian aggression is still continuing. Croatia’8 ultimate goal remains firm bilateral relations and continued friendship with Bosnia and Herzegovina baaed on a constitutional solution fully acceptable to all three of the constituent nations of that country. The_PBEGTDENT (interpretation from French): Z thank the representative of Croatia for his kind words addressed to ma. The next speaker on my list is the representative of Azerbaijan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. (Azerbaijan) (interpretation from Russian): Allow me, Sir, to begin by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council during November. We are sure that your enormous experience and authority will ensure the aucce5a of the Council's work and will 5erve the cause of strens'hening peace and security in our world. I should also like to make special mention of the work done by the President of the Security Council il October, the Parmanent Representative of France, Ambaaaador Jean-Bernard t&i&e. Under his able guidance, the Council showed its determination to find way5 to resolve the protracted conflict in former Yugoslavia. For a long time now, the attention of the world community has been focused on events in former Yugoslavia , whose territory haa become a hotbed of constant tension in Central Europe. The United Rations and the Security Council in particular have never been indifferent to the tragic course of the conflict, and today we express our gratitude to Mr. Cyrus Vence and Lord Owen, the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, and also to Mrs. Sadako Ogata, the Unite& Nations High Commisnioner for E&fugees, and Mr. Tadeuaa Maaowiecki, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nationa Conxnia5ion on Human RLghta, for their ceaseless effort5 to resolve the problem and to ease the suffering of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been forcibly sucked into the tragic maelstrom of the events taking place in the Republic of Bosnia and Heraegovina. The end of the cold war, eliminating the division of the world into two opposing campsr has removed the threat of global military confrontations. Totalitarian empires have fallen, and the world community ha5 been joined Sy (Mr.1 new independent States, the overwhelming majority of which are trying to resolve the problem of strengthening their national sovereignty and security in Leaping with the prdnciples of democracy and peaceful coexistence. At the same time, we must acknowledge with regret that the transformations that began in the territory of the former Soviet Union have not yet led in E&stern and Central Europe to the creation of a stable syatem of collective mecurity in that vast region. The leaders of certain countries have made aggressive nationalism aud terrf.torial expansionism the cornerstones of their policies toward8 their former fellow citizens. As a result, we have witnesred the rebirth of the horrendoua practice of "ethnic cleanrlng” at a time when the victory of universal human values seemed so close. For more than six months now, we have witnessed how Lhe Serbian separatist forcee supported by Belgrade have effectively dismembered the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Xt is therefore important that the Security Council should qive its assessment both of the actions of Belgrade - which has interfered in the internal affairs of a neighbouring sovereign State - and of the actions of the Serbian separatist armed units uhich are undermining from within the integrity of Bosnia and beroegovina es a State. It is very imprrtant for the international coinmunity, through the United Nations and the Security Council in particular, to demonstrate resolve and determination in the face of this situation, so that not only the Scrbian leaders but all those who are planning and attempting to carry out the military expansion of their territories at the expense of ethers will understand that the world will not accept any alteration of borders through violence or force of arms. Only strict adherence to this principle can restore the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Heraegovin, and put an end to the massive and forcible expulsion of innocent civilians from their homes. The Republic of Azerbaijan is confident that one of the key elements of a comprehensive approach to the settlement of this conflict is the fundamental principle of territorial integrity. The Republic of Azerbaijan adds its voice to previous appeals to all parties to the conflict to respect the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and does not intend to recognize any national territorial formations that might be proclaimed unilaterally, nor any muchanisms that might be imposed in violation of the territorial integrity of that State or of any other State. The Republic of Azerbaijan fully supports the call for an immediate end to any interference from outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzeriovina, including infiltration into that country by irregular armed units and forces. In conclusion, our delegation appeal5 to the Security Council to take all necessary steps, under Chapter VII of the 'United Nations Charter, to achieve a complete cessation of hostilities in that region; full restoration of the State sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; a eomplete halt to the inhuman practice of "ethnic cleansing", which contravenes all norms of human conduct: and a condemnation of the acts of tbo Serbian soparatirts - citieens of the Republic Of Bosnia and Harsegovina - seeking to dismember that State, on the undarstanding that the international caereunity will never tolerate the policy of fait regarding the & fact-p division of the country or any attempts forcibly to alter internationally recognieed boundaries. The Council should also give comprehensive assistance to the refugees and displaced persons and help them to return to their homes. Them (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Aaerbaijan for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Kuwait. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make hia statemerrt. Mr. (Kuwait) (interpretation from Arabic): I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for thin month. We are quite confident that your outstanding qualities will guarantee the success of our work. You represent Hungary, a friendly country that has the closest ties with my country, Kuwait. I should like also to Pay tribute to your predecessor, our friend Ambassador Jean-Bernard M&i&e, the Permanent Representative 0:: France, for his wisdsm and ability in conducting the work of the Council last month. Although Security Council resolutions 770 (1992) and 771 (1992) were adopted a long time ago and the London Conference on the settlement of the question of the former Yugoslavia concluded its work more than seventy days ago, no significant Progress has been made in implementing the Gecurity Council resolutions on Bosnia and Herzegovina or the recommendations of the London Conference. The pe>Ple of Bosnia and Herzegovina still face a war of extermination at the hL,lds of Serbian forcea and the forces backed by Serbia and Montenegro. As A result, thousands of innocent people have been killed and great numbers have been displaced from their homeland and forced to abandon their properties. The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (IJNHCR) and the Rapporteur of the Economic and Social Council have prepared a detailed report on the grave violations of human rights in the former Yugoslavia. I quote from the report submitted to us in document s/24766. date& 6 November, 19911 "The military conflict in Bosnia and Heraegovina, which is aimed at achieving 'ethnic cleansing', remains a matter of particular and most urgent concern. Consequently, and in accordance with resolution 1992/S-1/1 of the Commi8sion on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur ha8 decided to prepare the prerant periodic report in order to draw the attention of the Commission on Human Rights, a8 well a8 the Security Council, the United Nation8 High Commissioner for Refugee8 and all Governments and COnCernod international organixatfons, to the most compelling problems associated with the policy of ethnic clean8ing". (U) The international community aeems to believe that the "ethnic cleaneing" now being pursued in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Serbian fOrf208 is not a rouult of the war but is rather one of it8 objectivea. In actual fact, the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina are threatened by extermination unless the international community takes specific mea8ures to r88Cue them. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a State Member of the United Nations. The Security Council ha8 adopted more than one resolution emphasising the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Heraegovina. in an attempt to limit the fighting, the Council has adopted a number of resolutions whose provisions include banning military flights over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the placing of heavy artillery and weapons under international control, the release of all prisoners and detainees, the closing down of concentration camps and the halting of the policy of "ethnic cleansing”. Regrettably, however, these resolutions have not been implement&i. What we have seen is the violation of the ban on military flights, and the consequent prevention of the arrival of the vital humanitarian assistance to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All this constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles and provisions of international law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the United Nations Charter. The tragic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a matter of deep concern to us, as are the Belgrade Government's reneging on the commitments it made at the London Conference and the absence of a permanent follow-up mechanism to those commitments. We believe that the war in Bosnia and Hersegovina is not a civil war but rather a war of extermination perpetrated against the people of an independent State and a brasen occupation of its territories. Wo therefore call upon the Security Council to take all the necessary maanuras provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter to implement its roaolutionr which imposed a ban on military flights by the warplanes of Serbia and Montenegro in the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina the latest of which wan resolution 766 (1992). and to ensure the withdrawal of the Serbian regular and irregular troops from those territories. We call upon the international community to provide all necessary material, military and moral support to enable the Government of Bosnia and lierregovfna to exercise its legitimate riqht of self-defence. This requires that the embargo on weapons supplies to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, should be lifted especially in the absence of a collective defence. Kuwait hoperr that the meeting of the Council will lead to the adoption of a resolution that would lift this embargo on weapons supplies. We also believe that those who have committed serious breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention should be pursued and put on trial, in accordance with Security Council resolution 771 (1992) and other relevant resolutions. We support the right of the people and Goverrtllent of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ask Serbia and Montsnegro for just compensations for damage and loos of life and property. The tragic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for emergency measures. Priority should be given to the protection of the right of man to life and to the protection of human beings. In view of the tragic nature of the situation in Bosnia an+ Herzegovina, it is incumbent on th% internationai community to increase humanitarian assistance and to give priority to opening up routes for humanitarian relief to all the beseiged parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All these measures constitute immediate and urgent measures to halt the Serbian aggreasion &gainst Bosnia and Werzegovina and to implement the Council's resolutions and the conclusions of the London Conference. The Security Council has had marked success in establishing a foundation for peace in various parts of the world, especially through shaping the concept of collective security, which imparts credibility to the Council, through the enforcement of its resolutions. We hopr? that the Security Council's resolutions on Bosnia and Herzegovina will be implemented and complied rith so that that people may enjoy its human right to life in its own homeland in peace and stability. ThsPHEGIDENT (interpretation from French)r I thank the representative of Kuwait for his kind words addressed to my country and to me. The next speaker is the representative of Afghanistan. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr.GHAFOORZ~ (Afghanistan): At the outset, Sir, may I congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of Norember. We wish you a successful presidency, especially when a very important matter, namely the grave situation in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is under consideration. We also commend the outstanding leadership the Permanent Representative of France provided the Council during the month of October. Raving listened carefully to the Presentations of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord David Owen, as well as the insightful remarks of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Mazowiecki, and the information provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Ogata, it is obvious that a clear line divides the oppressor from the oppressed. Bosnia baa lost three quarters of its territory to the Serbian aggression, and its population is being systematically "cleansed" on the basis of their etbnicity. As is evident from Mr. Mazowiecki's report contained in document S/24766, widespread human rights violations are taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina concurrently with the negotiations and commitments taking place in Geneva. The report specifies: “As a result of those violations, a great number of people are suffering and have lost their lives. Thousands more find their lives threatened and their human dignity violated. Unless immediate action is taken, many of them will not survive the coming winter. As indicated in the first report, the Muslim population are the principal victims and are virtually threatened with extermination." (S/24766, oara. 3) While my delegation welcomes the heroic and exhausting work of the United Nations Protection Force, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the aforementioned individuals, we strongly believe that more and immediate action must be taken before it is too late for the people of Bosnia. Afghenistan, having itself experienced a terrible war of aggression not too long ago, shares and understands the pain, frustration and suffering of the people of Dossia and Herzegovina. We know how it feels when a foreign aggressor, equipped with modern weapons of death and destruction, invades one's territory and subjects an innocent nation to untold sufferings and inhuman atrocitieo. Our oppooition to the aggression against national sovereignty, territorial integrity, fundamental humau rights nud the national unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only on the basis of Islamic solidarity. To the Islamic State of Afghanistan it is a matter of principle to stand in defence of the oppressed against the oppressor and aggressor. It matters not whether the oppressed is a Muslim or non-Muslim nation, The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a clear case of conflict between justice and injustice, between right and wrong, and between reapect for and disregard of fundamental human rights. That is why we consider it our moral duty to stand firm for the principles for which the Oryanization has fought for decades. Certainly, the United Nations. through the Council, has maUe commendable contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security and has indeed prevented thousands of innocent people from perishing in hotbods of tension around the globe. In the case of Bosnia and Hersegovina, however, the Organisation has been the source of uome disappointment for all those who believe in international justice and those who have placei their hope and trust in the Organization. This may be particularly true for those who question the validity and justifiability of the arms embargo against the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which seriously hamper their just and inherent right to self-defence. Let uu examine the rationale of such a claim. Security Council resolution 713 (1991) provides ample, sufficient and conclusive proof that the Council has not imposed an embargo on Bosnia and Herzegovina. In fact, resolution 713 (1991) dealt with the conflict between two parties, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro, at a time when Bosaia and Herzegovina wa.z) not even an issue. Indee&, in no legal or technical sense does Security Council resolution 713 (1991) pertain to Bosnia and Rerzegovina, for the resolution was adopted in September 1991, whLle the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina aroae in April of 1992. The nearest that Security Council resolution comes to being applicable to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is ita operative paragraph 6, which states that the Security Council *Decide8, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, that all States shall, for the purposes of establishing peace and atability in Yugoslavia, immediately implement a general and complete embargo on all deliveriea of weapons and military equipment to Yugoslavia until tha Security Council decides otherwise following consultations between the Secretary-General and the Government of Yugoslavia." It may be clear from that text that the Security Council re$olution imposed sanctions on what was called Yuqoulavia in September 1991, when Serbia and Uontenegro was at war with Croatia. One thing is obvious, and that is that in November of 1992 the Republic of Bosnia and Ueraegovino is not the Socialist Pederel Republic of Yugoslavia of 1991. Prom the legal standpoint it seems senaeiess to contend that thrt sovereign State of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be subject to en arma embargo and sanctions because it was once part of tha Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Furthermore, the Republic of Bosnia -nd Herzegovina, after democratically electing its Government in early 1992, declared its indepandence in February 1.992 and was subsequently recognirsd by the international community as a sovereign State, being admitted to the United tiations upon recognition of the lbgitimacy of its Government. Acceptance of the notion that the sovereign State of Bosnia and Heraegovina is subject to political dictates that affect the former Yugoslavia may contradict our own announcement of recognition of 3osnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign State. It is even more painful to note that the embargo on arms shipments benefits the Serbian side, which has the active support of the former Yugoslav arm& forces, while placing the Bosaian side at a great disadvantage. Moroovor , the sanction5 are not being decisively implemented. The hanbaasador of the United states has cited some of the violations in the course of this debate. In our view. every one of the principle6 set forth on the first page of the Charter of the Or-Miaation have been violated with regard to Bosnia and Ileraogovina, with the resul'. that 70 per cent of the territory of that small, aovordgn anU indep 8dent member of the world famfly is sllegally occupied and held captive and hundreds of thousands of the country’s innocent Muslims and Croats have been oxpelled from their homes and subjected to the ebhorrent policy of ggethnic cleansing*' , which has subjected the Muslim population of the country to untold suffering and threatens them with oxtermination. We hear some express fears that the lifting of the arms embargo could further escalate the conflict. We would have preferred their suggesting an effective and action-oriented alternative to present the extermination and annihilation of a nation and the total destruction of a young Member of this Organisation. (Mr.1 We have entered into a nev phase in uorld relations. We have Usnounced aggrsasion and have taken a united atand in the face of ita u8e against roveraign States. Europe long ago pledged its determination to safeguard and promote peace. The horrifying memorias of the holocaust are still vith us but, rurpriaingly, the uorld community baa yet to take resolute action in the face of naked aggression against a sovereign State - nt the least to remove the unjustifiable arms embargo, thus enabling this victimised nation to defend itself. It is really unfortunate to see the principles of respect for soverefgaty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affrlrs of Statea, which are the cornerstone sf the Organisation and of the Movement of #on-Aligned Countries, constantly being violated by Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montensgro), which once, as one of the founders of the Wovomeat, helped to inutall them 80 one uf its basic elemants. Serbia and Moneenegro could revive the rp&rit of the former Yugoslavia by submitting to julltice and to the call of the international community. We believe that the draft resolution to be adopted after the present debate should do more than 8chO the previous resolutions adopted by the Council on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it should set out an action-oriented policy aimed at ending the calamity in that country. The draft resolution should clearly and unequivocally waen the Serbian aggreasors and their backers that the world will not sat still and that their crime8 will not go unpuntahed. What we need today is not more reaolutione similar to those already adopted but, rather, a resolution foe positPve action, one that will not put the people of Bosnia to further strain and at greater disadvantage. My delegation, while supporting the idea of creating safe havens for the refugees within the territory of Bosnia and advocating a tougher no-fly aone for military aircraft over Bosnian airspace, also supports the efforts of the United Nations, its various agencies and the non-governmental organizations currently assisting the Borrnian people. Houevec, ore feel that there is more to be done to defend the Bosnians and to help then to defend themselves. while we appreciate i:he peace-keeping efforts of the world body, we believe that, in view of the fact that the embargo has increased the imbalance to the advantage of the aggressors, a unilateral lifting of the embargo is necessary for the Bosnians to exercise their right to self-defence. The (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Afghanistan for hits kind words addrerrsed to me. The next apeakor io tho reprerentative of Tunisia. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. & RHO- (Tuaisia)(ioterpretation from Prench)r My delegation is particularly pleased to see you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council. That a diplomat of your talent, representing a friendly country, Siungaty, is guiding our deliberations today is of itself a guarantee of auccenu a8 well as an assurance that this important United Nations body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security will do its utmost to respond to the hope8 vested in it, not only by the people of Bosnia and Peraegovina but by the whole of the international community. As we offer you our congratulations, my delegation wishes also to convey to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of France, Ambassador Jean-Bernard tirim&e, our warm appreciation for the competent and stylish way in which he presided over the Council last month. t-1 My delegation has listened with great interest to the statements by the two Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen, as well as to the statements by Mr. Masoweicki, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, and Mrs. Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. My delegation wishes to express its great appreciation for the work they are doing with such patience end dedication. I also tako this opportuuity to pay tribute to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), which is devotedly carrying out its functions under extremely difficult circumstances. At the meeting of the African Regional Conference, on 2 November 1992, in Tunisia, in preparation for the Vienna International Conference scheduled for 1995, His Excellency Mr. Eiue El Abidine Ben Ali, the President of the Tunisian Republic, made on inaugural statement. He referred to the tragedy in Bosnia cud Hersegovina in the following termsr "In vieu of our commitment to upholding human rights as an indivisible whole, irrespective of the creed, nationality, identity or culture of any indivi2ua1, we express our profound consternation at the forced e&odusa exp2usioa and extermination to which the people of Bosnia and Beraegoviaa are being subjected in contempt of the most elementary of humanitarian values and principles. Our eupport for that people and the concern wa share about their future stem from our deep-seated faith that (Mr.) respect for th8 will ot peoples and the preservation of their cultural identity and their free choice is the healthy and appropriate foundation on which to create and maintain a sound human-rights environment in all the latitudes of the planet." The report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Ruman Rights dated 6 November 1992 (S/24766) speaks of the extermination of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and evokes the same feelings of consternation and indignation, The members of the Council have DO doubt noted in that report certain facts reminscent of a bygoce period of history. The report stats8 that the wretched Victims of the violations are beyond number, and that many have lost their lives. "Thousands more find their lives threatrened and their human dignity violated. Unless immediate action is taken, many of them will not survive the coming winter." (-Pare. The report goes on to state that the principal objective of the military conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the setting up of ethnically homogeneous regions. The "ethnic cleansing” does not appear to be the consequence of the war, but rather ita goal, L goal that has in part been achieved. The report also speaks of the appalling conditions in the camps, in which people who hoped to flee from "ethnic cleansing" have gathered. It states that Sarajevo, the capital, is a dying city. The population of Bosnia and UoraPnAdnn (GJ &sur=t* =-A, hub= *r-c -11 hop= cfi --1---e*-- ------7- _--- -“#aI “+a YUI-UCIYM. c;;=; t;=;-s &er; reported of people dying of hunger and exhaustion in the streets. Furthermore, the population has lost all confidence in the effectiveness of international assistance. Given this tragic situation, the report concludes that only an immediate cease-fire can save the population of Sarajevo and that of other besieged towns. The report, then, uaderscores the word "extermination". And this is more than just a statement of fact. It is terrifying testimony to what can happen in today's world when, at tae same time, the international community is loudly rejoicing in the advent of a new era of promotion of human riqhta, democracy ane fundamental freedoms. We are entitled to ask what these concepts and values can possibly mean to the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when 100,000 people have been killed so far in the former Yugoslavia; when a million people are in flight, refugees without refuge; when 400,000 are threatened with death from hunger and cold this coming winter. And this, alas, seems likely to continue given the constantly worsening situation. This is a harsh reality, and full of challenges. And who will be responsible for facing up to ouch challenges? The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are conrmitted body and soul to facing these challenges. They lack neither courage nor faith in the juotics of their cause. It is the means of providing for their protection that are in short supply. Bosnia and Herzegovina has attained the status of being subject to international law as it has acceded to the membership of the United Nstionn end has become committed to the Organization's Charter. Thus it is entitled to demand the protection conferred by international law. The ststemsnt made by the delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina last Frfday before this Council proved that the Esith of its Government in the principles of the Organisation is firm, but the report Proin which I have just quoted gives the improssion that the Bosniau people are beginning to have some doubts about the value of the principle6 articulatsd in the United Nation5 Charter. It is up to US, and today it is up to the Security Council in particular to dispel such disquieting doubts. It is the fate cf a people which faces ortormination that is now at stake. This is a very grave r8spOnsibilfty that *-ho Security Council has to face up to by adopting resolutions that are couHnonsurate with the gravity and urgency of the situation in aCCOr&anCo with the universal principles that guiUe its actions. It is incumbent upon the Council immodiatoly to put a halt to tho hostflitios and to onmure respect for the COaso-fir0 on the part of those part&W that wish to gain time in order to impose their own designs once and for sll. Proceeding from this, it is essential. as stated by the Chairman of the Arab Group before the Council, tor restore the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the status; put an end to the reprehensible practice of "ethnic cleansing", which, we thought, had ‘jecome a thing of the past; enable all the displaced and deported persons to return to their iC!!wiz implement the relevant United Nations resolutions and in particular Security Council resolutions 771 (1992) and 781 (1992), in a context of respect for international legality1 see to it that the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) secure8 effective control over all heavy weapone; and to ensure that all paramilitary forces withdraw from Sarajevo and that the other demilitariaed towna are placed under the protection of the United Nations. What is at stake in actual fact, is tho restoring of international peace and security through their imposition on the ground, in accordance with the mandate entrusted to the Security Council by the Charter of the United Nations. Wh%t we need to do here is to aend % firm and solemn message from this Council, a message that will say: "Enough is enough!", a message that will once agein recall to all of us the pertinent provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter and in psrticular those of Article 42 and of Article 51 relating to the inherent right of self-defence. The (iI.terpretation from French): I thank the ropresentatfve of Tunisia for the kind words he addressed to me. fn accordernce with the decision taken at the 3135th meeting of the Security Council, I invite His Excellency Mr. Ilija Djukib, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to take a place %t the Council table and to make his statement. p~ininte~ As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, I have been entrusted by my Government with the tsok of addressing today's Security Council meeting. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ia fully committed to bringing about, and is making every effort and using all its influence to bring about, the end of uar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has fully accepted all the decisions and principles of the London Conference and considers that their consistent implementation iq the only way to stop this senseless and bloody war. In that context, we should like to point out in particular the importance of abiding by the following principles , which the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has fully and consistently complied with: the reaching of a conprehensive solution to the Yugoslav crisis by peaceful means with the awbtance of the United Nations, the European Community and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CiiCE)z with respect to Bosnia and Herregovina, the ooarch for a peaceful solution on the basis of full agreement botwoen it8 t.hroe constituent peoples - t4uslima, Serbs and Croatsr the inviolability of the existing borders between former Republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , with the exception of the changes brought about by peaceful arrangementst the observance of internationally rocognized human-rights and fundamental-freedoms atandardut the condemnation end ceeration of the practice of "ethnic cleansing" by whoever it ir committed and uhorevor Ft occurs; the provision and unhampered urgent delivery of humanitarian aaristancet and, last but certainly not least, compliance with all relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Our basic and primary goal is to achieve lasting peace. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia offers its good offices in order to bring an end to the war and bloodrhed in this former Yugoslav Republic. In this respect, we have already taken the following steps: The Governmuat of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is strongly and persistently purauing effort8 aimed at helping end the military operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has invested great efforts in, and made a considerable contribution to, lifting the siege of Sarajevo under the aupervirion of the United Rations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). it supported the decision that a mired military working group be in permanent seasion. It fully supported the statement of the Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Conference on Yugoslavia of 13 October 1992. During the recent talks botween PresSdent Cosi6 and Prime Minister PaniC with the Co-Chairmen, Mr. Vance and Lord Owen, in Selgrade, Yugoslavia otrongly supported the gro\*nding of all military planes and other aircraft of tbo Serbian side in Bosnia and Hersegovinn at the %anja Luka airfield, also under UNPROFOR supervioion. To dirpel any allegation8 of its involvement in any military operations in the war in %osaia and Hercegovina, the Federal Republic of YugOslWia has inrirted rriace last July that United Nations monitors be placed at all airfield8 of the former Socialist Federal Republic OQ Yugoelavia and along the border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, am well as between Bonn&a and Herzegovina and Croatia. Regrettebly, this ha8 not yet been accepted. The P?&er+l R-public of Yugoelavie has exerted all its influence to bring about an agreement between the Bosnian Serbs and UNPROFOR on deploying United Nations observers at 11 locations around Sarajevo in order to place the heavy artillery of the Bosniaa Serbs under URPROPOR supervision. The last member of the Yugoslav Army was withdrawn in May 1992. This has been confirmed in the Secretary-General's report and by the European Community. The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Federal Government have issued orders with the effect of fully preventing the creation of paramilitary forces and their movement frnm the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within his action for peace, Prime Minister Panic visited Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo) twice; he made public appeals for an end to the conflict and explicitly stated that ho is opposed to any change of borders by force. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has no territorial claims against Bosnia and Iieraegovina. That was clearly stated in the Declaration of the Yugoslav Federal Assembly of 27 April 1992 and in the joiirt statement of 19 October 1992 by Presidents Cosfc and Izetbegovic reaffirming their commitments on the inviolability of the existing bordern, except for changes reached by peaceful agreement. Moreover, they reaffirmed that a comprehensive political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be found between the three constituent peoples within the International Conference at Geneva. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has strongly condemned the concept and practice of "ethnic cleansing", committed by any side, as a crime against humanity. Throughout the Ydgoslov crisis and the ensuing war, "ethnic cleansing" perpetrated againat one side has invariably triggered "ethnic cleansing" against the other. We are opposed to each and every +ct nf Qthr?ic cleansing" by any side. We have been witness to horrible crimes committed by all warring parties. There is plenty of evidence of flagrant violations of human rights and breaches of humanitarian law. I take this opportunity to point out only some of the drastic examples of the crimes committed again&t Serbs, because they have largely been ignored. Particularly appalling are the well-known masaacrea of Serbs on the Mount Kupres Plateau in the village of Milici, Bratunac. Brutal "ethnic cleaasisgq* wan carried out in the Neretva Valley and in western Herzegovina, which is now virtually %leansed" of Serbs, The very same has occurred on the territory of the Republic of Croatia controlled by the Government in Zagreb. A8 for Bosnia, there are distressing examples of the inhuman conditions of civilians, ostly of Serb origin, in detention camps in the Bradina tunnel, Tomislavgrad, Sarajevo, Konjic and Mostar. historical monuments representing the landmarks of Serbian civilisation there have been razed to the ground throughout Bosnia and IIetxtegovina. We should like to extend our full support to the Commission of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 780 (1992). The relevant report of the Government of Yugoslavia has already been submitted to the Secretary-General on the violation of humanitarian law in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. By distorting and ignoring the facts, a false picture has, unfortunately, been prtajected to the international public, which does not help the resolution - -. OP Cni GXiifiCE. TbOZ;; -;fO CC11 fcr *k- ~~~hm~nntion of only one side assume --_ --_.__~ au enormous responsibility. What we need, instead, is the unequivocal support of all three parties to the conflict for the efforts made by the Co-Chairmen and by all the participants in the Geneva Conference to find a lasting and just solution acceptable to all. (ForedanMinigter D-1 Yugoslavia is making great efforts to alleviate the suffering af the innocent population affected by war, irrespective of their national, religious or other origin. Even under a total and unjust blockade imposed on US, it is doing its utmost to ensure the necessary conditions for a large number of refugees and displaced persons. More than half a million refugees, mainly from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 40,000 of them Muslims, have found refuge in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We continuously deliver humanitarian relief, consisting of foodstuffs and medical supplies, to the entire population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have opened humanitarian corridors from Belgrade to Sarajevo, and other corridors are also being used. We consider, however, that all that has been accomplished thus far cannot lead to an early achievement of the deeired goal of eatallishing peace in the territory of Bosnia and Heraegovina if account is not taken of some basic facts. The heart of the matter is that the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an ethnic, religious and civil war. Three sides within Bosnia and Herzegovina ace taking part in it. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia cannot be rerponsible for either its outbreak or its continuation. The aggressor in ~osnie -qd Herzegovina can only be the Republic of Croatia. Its regular and well-an.,%8 forces, numbering between 40,000 and 60,000 troopa, are at present fighting in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It ia therefore imperative that all of ua condemn such behaviour, which is a breach of the fundamental norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nationr, Great responsibility .‘zr the ongoing bloodeh3d has been borne, no doubt, by the leadera who were determined to create a national State at any cost. Mr. Alija Isetbegovic, the leader of the Party of Democratic Action, has done all he could to create a unitary State dominated by the Muslims, who represent 41 per cent of! the population. As early a8 1990, when he had already bacorna President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Heroeqovina, he mado this goal public once again by publishing his book w.Ielamic_ in Sarajevo. Let me quote only one paragraph from itr "First and foremost of these conclusions is certainly the incorrpatibility of Islam with non-Islamic systems. Thore can be neither peace nor coexistence between the Islamic religion and non-Islamic oocial and political institutions." In view of tbe content and the practice envisaged in the Declaration. his statements that Bosnia and Kierzegovina, as a unitary State, would be a democratic, civic State fully guaranteeing human rights to the non-Muslim, that is, Chrirtian, population constituting the majority in Eoonia and Herzegovina are simply untenable. That was the reason vhy, in their plebiscite, the Serb people of Bosnia and Herregovina ovorwhelmiagly opted aqainat forceful receorion from Yuqorlavia. The immediate cause for this decision was a dramtic and flagrant violation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Heraeqovina by a part of ito leadership that did not include representatives of the Serbs, as required by the current Constitution. It is ironic that the very benm Constitution vas adopted immediately after Mr. Iaetbegovic became Head of State of 8oonia ana Fieraegovina and was directing it8 affairs. Had due account boon taken of the Constitution of Bosnia aad Hetoegovina -.w r44ll In enrea. -e-- -_--_ -- ----_, ~h!~h previaen that no decisian sf vital importance to Bosnia and Hsraogovine may be taken without the consent of elf three pooplec - Serbs accounting for abcut 32 pet cent of the populatiO& Muslims about 41 per cent and Croats about 17 or 18 per cent - we would not have ouch a bloody war in Europe today. The only goal that Mr. Izetbegovic publicly subscribes to is military victory, with overt calls for the international community to intervene militarily on the side of the Muslims. The international community has been given plunty of opportunities to see for itself. The premature recognition of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the European Community, which has been publicly admitted by many, including Lord Carrington and Cyrus Vance, only deepened the crisis and war and dramatically increased the suffering of the people and the number of victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The present phase of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been further aggravated by the foreign mercenaries from a number of Islamic countries. Their engagement may have unfocesooable consequoncos for Bosnia and Elerzegovina ana the Balkans as a whole. Let me remfna the Council of the talks between President Cosic and President Iaetbegovic on 19 October 1992 at Geneva, where Mr. Iaetbegovic committed himaelf to eliminating ~11 paramilitary groups, criminals and mercenaries, no matter where they came from. However, the most important question now is how to get out of this nightmare. My Government firmly believes that a peaceful settlement ir the only true solution to the problem of Bosnia and Heraogovina. We are convinced that through concerted effort8 by all of us, a8 we have stated on many occasions, the three parties to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina rhould reach a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of the Conference on the Former Yugoslavia. My Government stands ready to honour and support fully me.. r..rk rrl ..e 4 Ayyz -w-.. Y---b-s... We are, at the same time, increasingly alarmed at the repeated requests for international military intervention, It is cnly too obvious that Bosnia and Herzegovina is replete with arms. Those who advocate additional arma Supplies for any side in Bosnia and Herzegovina are pouring oil on the flaiMS. We cannot but warn, with profound concern, of the unforeseeable harmful effecta of ths ContmaeU sending of merceaariea, violations of the arma embargo and the ever more evident prospects of this conflict turning into a full-scale religiow war. As for my Government, it has already transmittw3 to the Secretary-General and the Security Council the memorandun~ on violstfoaa of the arms embargo iqosed under Security Council resolution 713 (1991). (Foreion) The Government of Yugoslavia ha8 fully complied with the conunitmente made at the London Conference, and has withdrawn its army from the territory around Dubrovnik and from end around the Prevlaka peninsula. Immediately after the withdrawal of the Yugoalav army the Croatian army launched large-scale operations against Serbs in Herzegovina, particularly around Trebinje. The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Prime Minister, in their recent letter8 to the Secretary-General, have warned of the serioua consequences of these operations for the maintenance of peace and security in the region. Alongsiue these breaches of the agreement, Presidents Tudjman and Izetbegovic proceeded to activate their military alliance directed against the Serbian people in Bosnia and Heroegovina. They even went 80 far ac to inform the United Nations Security Council of this on 2 November this year. Thie is a moment when decisions are to be taken that have a bearing on Pease, and not only in Bosnia and Heraegovina, All peoples of the forzner Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have suffered enough in this war. What is now needed is both efficiency and wisdom, as wsll as resolve and responsibility. We must not allow oursrlvea to be guided by one-sided attitudes and em0tionS. We must think twice before passing judgement and be peacemakers. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been subjected to harsh sanctions, which we deeply believe to be one-sided and unjust. 6anctions have never been known to solve problems. s’hey can hardly stop the war in Bosnia snd Herzegovina. Sanctions are hittina the most vulnerable strata of the population. In such circumstances, about half a million refugees accepted in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have also been punished, including 300,000 refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. By lifting sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Unit& Nations would prove that justice and humanity can prevail. That would also serve to encourage the efforts of the Government of thv Federal Republic of Yugoslavia towards historical and democratic changes. In concluding my statement, I: would like to etreas once again the readiness of my Government to do its utmost to help b?=ing about peace to our region, because it is in our vital interest. too. We are profoundly convinced that the military option is not the solution. But we clearly cannot re-establish peace sinqlehaudedly. We therefore rely on the United Nations, and we have no doubt that the Security Council has not only the power. but also the wisdom, the obligation and the political sense to find the right solutions on the basis of truth and jut&ice. Also, there is no doubt that the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Soutros-Ghali, and the Co-Chairmen of the Conference 0x1 the Former Socfalfst Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen, have a major role to play, which we certainly support and will continue to support. Mr. SNPyhSi (Morocco) (interpretation from French): Allow me first, Sir, to congratulate you oz your accession to the presidency of the Council an% to wish you every success. We would also like to say how appreciative the Couacil was of the presidency of knbassador tirimie, whose level-heededness, firmness, courtesy an% wfsdom won the admiration of all. We are near the end of e long an% difficult debate, in trhieh we have listens% with a great deal of emotion and sadness to representative8 of States Wembers of the United Rations and high officials of our Grgaaization. Representatives havr? deplore% the same crimes, oruo?.ey and behaviour. They have all co&%emned the violations of human rights, the torture and the human tragedy experienced by millions of people - already more than 2 million - who are on the roads without food and without transport. We were diaturbed by vhat Mrs. Ogata said about them on Friday, when she spoke with great restraint about the thousands of problems experienced daily by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee0 (UNHCR) in carrying out its mission. Its staff and trucks have also become a target of the Serbs, because they are carrying aid to processions of thousands of displaced persons. High officials have confirmed that massacres of Muslims have taken place and are continuing. We vere even told that at this rate the Muslims are threatened with extermination. Deportations are still in full swing and armu ere pouring in - more so than ever. Some 20 resolution8 have been adopted to date. They should in principle have prevented any further excesseu, but to our very unpleasant surprise they have almoat remained a deat letter. A daily challenge is thus posed to our valuea, principlau and deciaiona. fn thia hell of fire, blood and horror.. humanitarian organisations are continuing tireleesly to carry out their noble task, putting at risk the lives of men and women who are transporting and distributing aid and convoying refugees and the Jounded. The United Netiona Protection Force WNPROFOR), UNHCP, the faternational Committee of the Red Cross (XCRC) and certain private organiaatims deserve our admiration for the spirit of self-sacrifice with which they are carrying out their missions. Regrettably, this remarkable work will be made more difficulwith the winter that is already setting in. We had hoped that the London Conference would put an end to the tragedy suffered by the people of Bosnia. Unfortunately, we have 80 far received only confirmation of the obstinacy of the other party. which ie gaining time and is still adding to the list of doad and other victims. Succersive speakers have confirmed our apprehensions, underlining the fact that “ethnic cleansing” is continuing its crimes, that some concentration camps ate still in operation, that there have beon countless violations of human rights and that the increasingly asrious problem of refugees reguires an urgent solution. They mat be protected in the placss to which t.hey are brougbt , or, rather, where they are condemned to be concentrated, It is no accident that everyone has spoken of the right to self-defence; the most delicate and senaitive aspect of tbe whole discussion ia the right of the Bosnians to defend themselves. The tragedy visited upon the village of Satche, the most recent such occurrence, has given ua an even clearer idea - if that were needed - of the extent of the savagery and obstinacy of a Ci>UntEy coldly carrying out a plan. That village fell because the powerleus Croatian farces withdrew their assistance, bec~uso no one defended it and because, no matter what is aaid, na one was able to provide it vfth weapons and ammunition to defend it8 children, old people and woman. Yet another village came under the yoke of Serbia, increasing the areas it controls. Sixty per cent of Boanian territory is now in Serbien ha&r. Xn current circumstances the idea of safe areas is simply F etopgap temporary nwtasutei . bike many others, my Goveramont, as a 3ast resort, supported this course, without tegsrd~ng it as an end fn itself. We have clearly reetisad the danger, which has been described to ua, of facilitating more “ethnic cleansing” as now practised. If the members of the Organizatioa of the Islamic Conference insisted on this point, it was tb attend to the most urgent mattars first and to uoa# extent meet the wncerae of the UNHCR and the ICRC . Clawly, YO would like to have men thsae hundreds of thousands of ploplm protected agaiaat the inhumau hordes invading their homes and land. Of cours8, ue would have liked the intetnstional cornunity to have had somo IMMS of thvartfag and doterring them. Some havo said already that we have knom how to stop other invadera, so why lrot those? Tho latest draft resolutioa before us today establishes nev principles which ought to act as warnings atld safeguards. If it prevents 08~ entities befag created at th8 8Xp8USe Of hSUia and H8rs8gOViU& it should in principle Ueter this headlong breakout of the Serbs and their frenzied derire to lnaSSact8 )tuslims so as to build on the ruins of their villages. If it makes a clear reference to Bf3lgtade’s forCe8, Lt is to ensure that responsibilities are once and for all fully shOuld8ted and estsblished. The draft reSOlUtiOU shows - if such were necessary - that the Council is fully aware of the violations of all resolutions and embargoes. It will, in any case, have sought by every ineans to put an effective brake on them. The memb8rs Of the Islamic COllfereaCO, Of vbich we are OU8, wi8hed to alert tbhe international community, and its head, the Security Council, once again. They have Underlined the confidence they are continuing to place in these bodies t0 08801V8 +&e SeriOUS problems being 8XperienCed by tb8 Xualim community in on8 of its m0lQbets. Is it not terrifying to see all these genocides, slaughters aad concentration camps justified, B Poateriot&, by so-called Muslim ideologies and patties that have n8V8r seen the light of day? The time bas come to say that it is vital for these would-b8 dictators to be deterred et all costs. It is also urgent for those who have been calling on u8 for help for more than a year to be protected. The cry of despair of the Islamic community is sincere, and its message im clear. Them are othoc Bosnia and Herxegovina rituations appearing on the horimon. Wo must be on our guard if we want to continue to give cause for hope and to show that we are atill capable of resolving problems and not letting things go beyond the point of no return. The: I thank the representative of Morocco for his kind word8 addresaed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Ukraine. I invite him to take a ueat at the Council table and to make hia statement. m. BATIOUK (Ukraine): At the outset, I should like to congratulate you, Mr. Preaident, on your exemplary performance of your high rrrponribilities as President of the Security Council duriq the month of Rovembor, and express my conviction that, under your able leaderahip, the Security Council will be successful in dealing with the issues before it. Our delegation is grateful to you for providing us with thitr opportunity to take part in the Couacil'a discurrsion of one of the most urgent and acute problems among those of which the Security Council is seized. The delegation of Ukraine finds that the deliberations have been very much assisted and lent substance by the extremely informative introductory statements made before the Council last Friday by Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen, the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, and by those of Mr, Tadeusa Mezowiecki, the Special Rapporteur of the Conmibsioo on Hum&~ Rights, and Mrs. Ogeta, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In addressing the present situation in lomia and Herzegovina as well as in other parts of the former Yugoslavia, the delegation of Ukraine expresses once more ito profound anniety end concern ebout the ongoing military conflic in the area. We appreciate the efforts of the international community aimed at extinguishing tho fires of war, the cessation of the bloodshed and at a peaceful settlement in the former Yugoslavia. The atepe taken in this connection within the framework of the recent London Conference and during its Geneva atage are especially noteworthy. Undoubtedly, the decisions by the United Nations and Jts Security Council are continuing to play a key role in all these endeavours. Ukraine fully supports all these decisions and is doing its utmost to enaufo their implementation. From various quarters, we have often been asked tbe same queetiont what is to bo done in order to untie the Yugoalav knot of violence and the suffering 5.t causes? It tteema that all the unwera have already been foundt they are contained in the appropriate resolutions and actions of the Security Council and the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. If the long-awaited peace and concord do not reappear in this part of Europe, it will be only because the measure8 provided for by the Security CoUnCil Mb the relevant agreenwnts between the parties fnvolved in their imPlementatlon - ad in the cane of turning ovar all boavy weapons to the effective control of the United Nations Protection Force - are not carried out by a party to the cunflict. The fulfilment ot the provisions of the Security Council resolution8 ie of pdrMlottt2t hporta.tx%t to the 8uccoaa of the United Nations efforts fn the former Yugoslavia. Compliame with thoae provisions by all aides should be encouraged by setting definite deadlines for their implementation. Territorial gains resulting f 1 4 military aggression or from "ethnic cleansing" are completely unacceptable in today'8 Europe guided by the United Nations Charter and the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The Ukrainian delegation is convinced that a peaceful and just resolution of this conflict will be conditional upon strict observance of the United Nations Charter, the provisions of international law and the gufdiug principles of the CSCE. First and foremost, this implies safeguarding the territorial integrity of States and ensuring thn inviolability of borders, the settlement of disputes by peaceful, political means and rerpoct for human rights and the rights ol minorities. The latter needs special emphasir. Ukraine, like all other Statea, is alarmed by the situation in this regard. The horrible practice of "ethnic cleansing" ia inadmissible. We have learned, with revulsion and anxiety, of acts of violence and arbitrariness, including against the Ukrainian national minority in Yugoslavia, and of brutal violntions of basic human right0 and freedoms. The Ukrainian delegation condemns all these atrocities and strongly favours the urgent rectification of the existing situation. We expect the Security Council to take all the st0pJ needed to emure the proper protection of the national minorities in Bosnia and Heraegovina. Until peace and civil order are restored in the area, the efforts of the international contmunity in providing humanitarian assistance will be of extreme importance. The unhindered and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian assistance will be especially necessary during the forthcoming winter cold, which will aggravate many time8 over the hardships of the people who are the involuntary victims of this conflict. (Mt.) Ukraine ir making itr contribution to the concerted action by the iatera8tioaal cmunity. Ita battalion ir trying to help solve the humaitnrian problems by partic%pating in the Ursited fiations Protection Force WRPROFOR) in the Sarajevo sector. T&m decision of the Parliament of Ukraine to dispatch to Rosaia and Xeroegovina a volunteer contingent of its armed fOrCea at tb0 request of the Security Council was dictated by a sincere desire to assist in the quickest porsible resolution of tbo conflict, ubicb has ClakU the lives of 8coroP of tboumands of the people of this onto-pcrscoful land. Under l xtraue conditioor, tbe URPROPOR units aro doing everything porriblo to guarantoa the 8ecurity of Ssrajevo airport in order to eaablo aircraft carryinq humnitarian as8iat:onrco to be unloaded and the sr;SistamJ to be oafoly distributed. While pvrforminy this humanitarian mission iu Buaaia and liernoyovina the soldiers in bluo helmets sometimom have to pay too hiyh (1 price. The representative of Prance, Ambassador U&i&o, reminded us that nino French servicemen perished in the former Yugoslavia in this action. Three servicemen from the smaller Ukrainian forcea in Sarajevo were also killed, and 15 persons were wounded. Other UNPROFOP battalions also cuffored loasos. We believe that the Security Council will use all its authority to prevent the recurrence of hostile acts against the United Nations ptiace-koopers, whose fate in Sarajevo somotfmes resembles that of hostages. The latest dovolopmonts in tho political life of tho former Yugoslavia testify to tho fact that those who try to frustrate the peaceful rottlomont of the coaf lict in this region have not abandoned their designs. The Council’8 decision must thorofore be strong in order to be effective. It should envisage all the necessary steps to strengthen the effoctiveneas of the arms embargo and othor sanctions imposed by the Council. In thir connection, the Ukrainian delegation codaiders that the draft rosoluticn to be adopted by the Security Council will servo the purpose of having a tangible political impact on the war-minded circles involvod in tho bloody Bosnian conflict. If those concerned treat the draft resolution properly, it might mean the immediate cessation of hostilities in Bosnia and Hotaegovina and the full implementation of the Csuncil’s previous resolutions on this matter. Curtailing the period involved in executing Council resolutions and agreemoats snonaored by the parti+c $nv~l-& f= tf;; =tnf::ef would renult in shortening the suffering8 of the peoples in the former Yugoslavia. (Mr,) In conclusion, I expresr our hope that common se2180 will prevail thin time and that within a limited time-frame, through coacerted actions, peace will be restored in Bosnia and Herzegovina 80 that the extreme measures available to the Security Council under the Charter will not be resorted to. s (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of tho Ukraine for the kind words he a&dressed to me. Thr next speaker is the representative of the United &rab Emirates. I invite him ta take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. w (United Arab Emirates) (interpretation from Ar%biC)t It i8 a pleasure for me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on behalf of the United Arab Emirate6 on your aseumption of the presidency of the SOCUrity Council for this month. We are completely convinced that your competence in internatfonal affair8 will contribute to the strengthening of the work of the Council so that it may achieve positive results. May I l aprerr my appreciation to your predece8aor, life ExCellanCy the kabasrador of France, for his efforts in guiding the work of the Security Council last aronth. May I also express siucere thank6 to Mr. Cyru5 Vancor Lord David Dwen, the Special Rapporteur Mr. Maaontecki and the United Nationr High Commhaioner for Refugees, Mrs. Clgata, for their statements which reflect the reality of the tragic situation in the Republic of Bosata and Herzegovina. The Smcurity Council meets to consider one of the queationa of which it ha8 boon sieoed for a long time ROW , namely thr altustioa in Bosnia and Z~~;reguiitiIa* -.. -----a*-- ----ta-, La-.- A&I prcrrurirrj D~9Pab~‘LP ..Y.” LIYVV s-w -es...- -- b-r l -PU&-AI*I 5% g~resdng the gravity of the aituatioa in that republic and in highlighting its political, (Mr. Emirates) economic * melal and human consequences which arise from the occupation and the acts perpetrated by the armed forces of Serbia and Montenegro against the paople an13 the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the past few months, the world was severely shocked by the atrociousness of the mea8urea and abominable practices which have resulted in horrendous human and material losses. Thousands of innocent civilians of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. including women, children and the elderly, have boen killed because of their ethnic identity or religious affiliation. In addition, there has been massive arbitrary destruction of historic, religious and archaeological sites regardless of the enormous international efforts made and the role of the United Nations Protection Porte (UNPROFOB). Events over the past few decades have demonstrated that the use of force and aggression for political gain are doomed to failure. The Article8 of the Charter prohibit the use Of force and mandate the Security Council to deter aggression and prevent the aggressor from profiting from its acts of aggreoafon. It is therefore up to the Security Council fully to assume its rerponribility for tha maintenance of the independence and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. which im a Member State of the United Nationa. The Council must oppoee the plan of genocide and entermfaation that the Serbian force&i are trying to carry out through their continued aggression. Events have shown that the resolutions and the measurea that have been adopted were not sufficient to deter the aggressor from occupying further territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina or from perpetrating further massacres and acts of enpulsion from their territory against the population. The Security CouncPl murt assume th!.s basic responsibility if it in to maintain its credibility. Otherwise, aaraller and weaker Statea will be haunted by doubts. Thoy will wonder what guarantees are there that further aggroosion will ba deterrod in future. Today’s world, which, we had hoped, was qoiag to be a world of peace and atability after the and of the cold war, is far from being a world of peace, justice and security because of the emergence of uew fo:ms of conflict and aggression, interference in the internal affairs of other States, and State policiar characterised by hegemonistic designs, ethnic conflict6 and new forms of racfam and nationalistic fervour. The tragic situation facing the people of Bosnia end Herzegovina is a sad and painful ex8mplc of thi8 new situation. b4y country has condemned these abominable crinres and has adhered to the rosolutiona of the Security Council. It has provided to the poplo of Bosnia all possible material and moral assistance. The President of the Republic of 0osnia last month visited my country and was welcomed by Hi8 Efghneor tha Prr8iUent of Stato. ID thla way, we expressed our position and our faith in the jurtfce of their cause. My country has eetablirhed a nun&or of aid centror and our Red Craacent has played a basic role in providing humanitarian aasiotance in support of the Bosnian people. (Hr.) While the international comaunity ha8 conQeaned Serbian aggreasfon and the abominable practice of "ethnic cleanaiagW au0 has called for an imediate end to all breacheo of the principle8 of Pnternatfonal law, the suffering in Bornia sad Beraegovina goes bn and ir even worseningr arrests continuel binding resolutions adopted by the Security Council are not yet fully implementedr thourands of ?efugeea are driven out of their homer and face a~ uncertain future; and famine and disease threaten those who live in the ruin8 of cZtieo which, as fo evidenced by archaeological monuu+entb, ueed to be prorperoun ad civilised. & winter approaches, the need to ensure c' foty and shelter for tho population becosneo more urgent than ever. A rpecial mi88i0n irOD my COtMXy visited a number of regions of Bosnia and Hernegovina and saw at firrt hand the suffering of the Bornian people and the i&man treatuumt to which they are daily subjected through 8ctc that run counter to the very fundamental rule8 of international conduct. The SOCrotatpGOnoral’s report on the human-rights lrituatiou in the former Yugoslavia - document 8024766. dated 6 November 1992 - and the information and evidence provided by regional and international organisations furthtiw COnfirm the perpetration of atrocities by the Serbs. My &legation welconmr the Security Council reuolutioa aimed at eatablirhing a group of enpettr to consider and report on human-righte violation8 in %osnis. In thir context, the people who are responsible for thoao arimes must be brought to It is also important that the concentration camps be dismantled and that safety zoues be created in order to ensure that thome who have been deported and tbore who are without shelter can return to their homes. Thm fZaourity Council h;u adorted many re8olution8 l irrd 8t putting an end to Sorbian aggaearion and at protrcting tha indopendance an& maintaining the territorial integrity of tta Bo8nian State. All the roporta ahou that the50 rorolutio~ bavo not baon fuLly inplwuntmd aab tbat tboy bava not baon rufffaient to deter aggramrion by Serbia an3 Ibntenagro. m tbaraforo believe that it in nocersary to tafu ~amfo8 under Chapter VII of the Cbaitar in particular, under articlao 41 and 42 ~- to put an end ta thin aggre8sion. We ask in particular that safety %ones under tha protection of Unitad lbtiona foroo8 bm sstablirhed in &8nia and IImroegouina. mo Unitad k?ationu forcar 8bould bo IMW rted to taka all nocorrary mmMuro8 to provrnt t.b@ Serb8 from violating thm ao-fly ro8triotionr. The Seautlky Council e&argo was sinrd at tha aggrerror - in OthO8 wOrd8, Serbia and #oatmmgro. That 8t8tO i8 th6 &JQrOMOS Md tOlotinW8 t0 b0 thC aggresaer to this vary day- It rUfUsa to iMplent tb61 reaOlUfiOn8 that have baon adl0Qt.d in thill context. Tbtetore, wtm are rucprirad tbat the State which 18 the victim of aggrmroion - Eomia - in boiay troeed in the, mma way 88 tlm uggromror St&c:. from tba standpoint of juatico and eguality, a policy that uould provont Bomia fmmi obtaining military ar8istancr to enable it to exercise its lagitimsti right to $elf-Uafeoce ie nntanablo. It is0 up to u8 all, including the Security Council, to tm8ure that e~ciotanc6 of 811 typ*a - silit8ry or material - is provi&d to 0omia so that it oc-'P dafond itmlf agaie8t aQgre8cion. Th01 rolution8 that ue rdvouate are in accordmaca 4th international law and f&e United Hatioa8 Charter aad are in Piecppiag witb the oover6igaty 8ad territorial integrity of Otatcpu Wa reject the mot&n of qg8~reioa ant3 the 8cguioition of twritory by foocri. Thersfooe wa 8uppa8t the rtatewnt of #Sat3 Secretary-General coutainod in tho report that is boforo tho Council, and uo attach special importance to tho constitutional arrangenents rtonuaing from the International Conference on Yugoslavia , on tho basis of the rrjection of partition of the Republic of Bo8nia and IIorregovina and of roopoct for its territorial integrity. I should liks, in conclusion, to asouro tho Council that, on the bamim of our faith in tho role of the United Uations - a faith that rtems from our confidence in our oun policy, which is baaed on the settleneat of dispute8 by peaceful means sud through dialoguo, 4th due rorrpect for the rpirit and lotter of the Unitod Uatioem Chartor and the fundamental principles govorning international law - wo believe that the maintenance of international peace and security and atability is a collective rerponaibility and that the Security Council play6 a principal role in this rompect# particularly with regard to the situation in 8asnia and Hernegovina. The (interpetation from French): I thank the representative of the United Arab Emiratea for him kind wordm addremood to me. The nezt speaker on my list 18 the representative OF Gremce. I invite him to take a meat at the Council tablo and to make hi8 statemant. Mr. (Greece): Xt give8 rse plearure to ccngratulate your Sir, the Permanent Peprosentative of Xungary, on your ersumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We ara confident that under your wine and enporienced guidance the Counc51 will ruccerrfully carry out itm ramaanmihillH*g, m * gw UnrAm nC rt%rrrr~4nt4~m -*a m-cabcm -.---- -- -==--------- --_ -------- _I Ambassador Mhide of PrzJnce for the valuable vork (18 accomplished during October. I should also like to join other representatives in thanking the High Cdaaioner for Refugees, Nra. Srdako Ggeta, the Special Rapporteur of the Coiuaiaaion on Human Righta, Ms. Maoouiecki. Secretary Cyrus Vance cud &ord Gwen, Co-Chairmen of the Steering Cosuuittee of the International Conference OB the Former YUgOalaVia, for 8Otting the appropriate framawork for our debate. I want to express a\y Gover&uWat*a gratitude and full support for the excellent and skilful way ia which Secretary Vance aud Lord Owen carry out their delicate, difficult and principled task. Greece will spare no effort in aupporting end aemiatiug them in their endeavours. It ia now time for the international comaunity to stand firm end put an end to violence. bloodshed, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including children, elderly people and uoam the ahelling of hospitala, the exi8tence of detention cempa. the forced erpulaions aimed at the establishment of ethnically homoq~eoua areas . and thw destruction of houaea, mosque8 and churches. The suffering, agony an8 despair of all the peoples in the former Yugoslavia ia imaoaautable. There i8 no altornativo to peace. Greece unequivocally condemn3 the practicoa of “ethnic clean8ing", whOtOV0r they occur, the serious breaches of huaranftarian lav and the Geneva Conventions, the forced erodus of refugeea, the alteratfon of demogrsphfc cmpoaftion, the aeiaure of territory by force aad the uae of force againat the torritoriel integrity of any State, including Bosnia u iisraegov~na, I. . . ~. -.-a ---*L,-- ARAB PrlACA~AOU wr.b.r"u ii'ikiiiiii fPiZi flrt Gr,v‘ftf;-, tC the use of force in settling diaputea. from the rejection of &its eccsmgLin and fra our long-standing policy of seeking negotiated solutions of disputes on the basis of international law. We fully suppart the strong call contained in t& draft resoluti~ to ba eUoptaU to&y that tha territorial integrity or ltomia Mu tkrragoviorr k raryaotad. W8 ~180 iully 8upport the affimeikion that my ontitiar unilatarally doaluad in conrtrevention of rdavant Swxuity Council r~~olutfosm will not k urcoptad. Tim Ralkmu have a long and blttor history of confliatr. The intarrutional corunity runt rcrt swiftly to atop the war beforo it is toa lath for tha U8nger8 of *pill-over are rorl. Heighbouring countrie8 have a primmy rarpoaribility to &vort 01) a8calation of tin confliot. Greece strongly and oolemnly appeals to all its Balkan neighbours to dfrplay reatruint and work collectively 50 that our region may become a zone of peace in Europe. We also endorse an8 support tho demand included in the draft reoolution that all forms of oxternal interference kn Bosnia and Beraogovina cease imnodiately. The Gromk Govsmneat believes that the efforts of the International Conforonce on the Pormor Yugoslavia to achieve a negotiated solution to all aaprcta of the crisis should be intensified. It also firmly believes that the principlea to whPch all Yugoalav parties have been committed. and which have beon endorsed by all participants in the London Conference, including the principle of non-recognition of the alteration of borders by force and of v, must constitute the cornerstone to the solution. The situation prevailing in Rosovo gives rise to serious concern. There is a great danger that, if the conflict should also spread to this part of the former Yugoslavia, it will be very difficult to contain it and to avoid a spill-over to othor areaa of the former Yugoslavia as well a8 to neighbouring eoumtr iota. Graoco supports the Co-Chairmea of the Geneva follow-up of the Lundan Conference in their affOrtS to achieve through dielogue a solution to the problems of this area. The principle8 contained in the statement endorsed by the London Conference, including the rejection of the alteration of borders by force.. apply an thPs case too, Regarbing our neighbour, the former Yugooslav Republic of Macedonia, let me recall that Greece and its European Community partners have considered its bordere 88 ia~iolsble and guaranteed. The Declaration on the forzxur Yugoslavia which wan adQDte% by the Eurogeen Comxunity an% its member States at the European summit meeting held in Lisbon on 26 and 27 June 1992, was circulated as Security Council docuueat S/24200 of 29 June 1992. at the raguest of Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. In this Doclarationr "The European Council reiterates the position taken by the Community and itu member States in Guimaraes on the request of the former Yugoslav ~opublic of Mauedoaia to be recognised as an independent State. It expresses its readiness to recognise that republic within its existing borders according to their Declaration on 16 December 1991 under a name which does not include the term Macedonia. It furthermore considers the borders of this republic as inviolable and guaranteed in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of Pari8.H t-n. Greece, guided by t!.e sincere will to live together in peace with others aa good neighbour8, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, a6 vol.1 as by its earnest desire for the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, has recently proposed that all countries contiguous to the former Yqoslav Republic of Macedonia - that is, Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria - guarantre the inviolability of that Republic's frontiers, Purthermor~) in an official statement issued at Athens on 10 Nove;kber 1992, we raconfirmed that1 "Guided by the principles of good neigbourlineas and the desire for ensuring peace and stability in our region, as well as the territorfai integrity of this former Yugoslav Republic, Grectce considers its borders to the lattes as inviolable and guaranteed, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Charter of Paris." This initiative was welcomed by the Goverriinonts of Albania, the Feds&al Republic of Yugoslavia and Eulgaria, For its part. the Greek Government stands ready to extend formal recognition to Skopje atd to help support end assist that neighbouring Republic, provided that it abides by the Lisbon declaration and the declaration on Yugoslavia adopted by the European Comnunity in Rrussolm on 16 Dscember 1991. Let me now come to the cases which the Permanent Representative of the United States deemed it necessary to mention during his statement last Friday regarding the alleged involvement of Greek shipping companies in violating the oil embargo - allegations made without taking the normal channel of the Sanctions Committee referred to in Security Council resolution 757 (1992). First, ha regard8 the Maltese-flagged w Tritg& an investigation by the competent Greek authorities has ao far resulted in establishing the following facts. The said vesrel sailed into the port of Pfraeu8. Greece, from England on 8 J~iy 1992. It sailed frc.m Piraeus in ballast - that is,, empty - on 16 October 1992, for Aghioi Theodoroi near Corinth. where it was loahed as follows: on 20 October, with 25 million litres of diesel in bulk, as well as with 99 million litres of dieael in barreln: on 20 October - the aame day - with 19 million litres of gasoline origfnating from RomanPat on 2 November, with 20 million litres of fuel oil; on 2 November - the ssme day - with 4.5 million litres of gas oilr and again on 2 November, with 14 million litres of gas oil (transshipment) originating from Russia. From the relevant shipping documents, it appaars that the declared destination of the said cargoes was Austria via Trieste. If, instead of it8 declared destination the said vessel sailed into the port of Bar, the responsibility rests, according to the internationally accepted norms , with the country of the flag. Secondly, 08 regards the tanker thita Vol99p9, an investigation by the competent Greek authorities has so far established the following facts. The vessel sailed from Augusta, Sicily, on 10 October 1992, loaded with 1,596 metric tons of soda caustic and destined for Ploce/Rar, Yugoslavia. According to the relevant shipping documents. the suppliers are Metmar Trading and Shipping Ltd. and the ro~oi~oro are D.P.Birac, o company in Bosnia and Herrogovina, whore the cargo was to be transported in tran8it from Bar, It appears from all this that the glare of publicity reserved for these case8 wa8, to say the least, unwarranted and that any criticise against Greece prior to any inquiry through the Sanctions Committee is unacceptable. Allow me to recall that the Sanctions Committee has repeatedly commended the Greek autiwrities for their vigilance, alertness and prompt responses in investigating alleged violations. Furthermore, I wish to remind the Council that on 21 August lP2, Greece unilaterally suspended all exports of oil products through the northern borders of the country, in spite of the heavy toll it hod already paid because of its full compliance with the sanctions. 170vortholo8sr lot everyone be assured that my authorities are still thoroughly investigating those ca8es and that prompt legal action will be taken against say individual or company should it be proved that it bears rerponsibility in violating the sanctions. In concluding, I wish to reiterate in the most emphatic way my Government’0 con&Want to tbo strict implementation of the sanctions agairrst Yugoslavia (Serbia and MOntenegrO) and its full adherence to the relevant Security Council resolutions. m (intorprOtatiOn from French): I thank the representative of Greece for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of tilta. I invite him t0 t&e a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. CAMLtEEBI. 04tlta)r My delegation welcomes this opportunity to address the Security Council on the tragic events in the region of the former Yugoslavia, and especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under your able presidency, Sir, we have every confidence that the Council will find the necessary courage aud wisdom to accomplish the heavy duties which lie before it. (ME.) On thie occasion my delegation wiehee al80 to recall the iaprerrive canner in which the Council's work va8 eanaged under your predeceaaor, Ambassador Jeen-Bernard Wdrftio of France. Thm otatenwnta already made in thio debate underline the determination of the international comnunfty to perrevere in its effort6 to bring oanity and logality back to the tragical-y troubled region of former Yugoelavfa. The Government of Malta ia fully committed to making itr fullest contribution to that eodaavour. The Council has heard from the Co-Chairmen of the Stooring Comitteo of the Internationel Conference on the Former Yugoslavia and fmm other speakers of the diplomatic efforta that have been and continue to be undertaken in the aearsh for a peaceful rolution. We ehiaro the sen:immt ergrerrrd by the Peramnont Reprerentattve of the United Kingdom that the situation would be much uotae today vere it not Por the United Ratioar peace-keeping efforts through the United Rationa Protoctivn Force (UNPRQPOR), the Unitad Uatfons humanitarian effort led by the Office of c& United Mationr Righ Cotnmi8sioner for Refugees (UUHCR) and other internatfon=l etforts, in particular those of the European Coe8wnity. In thir time of trial we salute all those vho, at great personal risk, are iu the forefront of international actfaa to bring relief 50 the suffering people of Rwnia and Fferrugcvlna. We have also tc2en note of the cautioue optimism of Mr. Vow@ and othgrg about the r-ease-fire dmclared recently, on 15 Yove&er, under the &uspices of ,luD~f-.~~tlO k.. bl.A rat l&r-u r---a-..- UP CL- LL--- ----.- - ---..a-- *- -- --.. "-*- -"- -3 -= "-- '1'--- --"-a 1 -wm YYY c " -'C &ii-+ 'r‘ar,~.‘a *~LLBM, ,,.-3,.,L~5c3 aLI ,,.Si~J,,Yci. (m-) We ham alrro hoard, howovor, the disturbing reports of Mrs. Oqeta and Mr. Marrowiocki. Mrs. Ogata tells us that rarely have the violations of human rights and humanitarian lav, the violence and the destruction reached the levels we are currently witnessing in former Yugoslavia. Mr. Maaowiecki 8treSms that the violation of the right to life and other fundamental human rights is massive and grave and that it stems from the practice of "ethnic cleaaMnq~', which is l s8entially not a consequence but an objective of this war. Mot only are we reminlled that aufferiag and the flouting of humauitarian law aro atill occurring in Eoenia and Xorzogbvinar wo are also warned of the possibility of an enlargement of tke conflict. Mr. Vance speaks of the highly charged situation in Tosovo and the festering situation in Macedonia, and of tiae frightening pmrpects of neighbouring countries becoming engulfed in the coof lict . This is thW4tfOra 8 time that tCstS to the liatit the recently generated i~ternatioaal resolve for collective action in tbe dofence an3 promotion of the eroentia: principle6 of the Uaited Nations Charter. That resolve must find expression primarily in the international community's unswerving determinatfon to ezercire ell opt&on8 ogen to it under the United Nations Charter, with tbo objective of bricqinq the aqgreasion in Bosnie and Cferseqovfna to a halt a8 the first step towards reaching a peaceful tlettlement . That determination must continue to be backed by a clear message to t&8 perpetrators of crimmi si~i&iSt hiuiztftttfe:: Itv, rrnA +pcfally those responsible for the unacceptable policy and practices of “ethnic cleansing”, that, both individually and collectively, they will be held accountable for their actions. In this context, the Government of Malta strongly shar*s the view that a strongthsni3g of the sanctions regime is a primary objective at this stage. We are as outraged as 0thera at reports of violations of the sanctions regime, especially tbrough the abuse of transshipment exemptions, and we are fully coruraiLted to all efforts hind at bringing these violations to an imnediate end. On Friday the representative of the United Stat.6 made assertions in this regard that concern ala:, ships carrying the Maltese flag, My Government was informed of them0 arcertiona only last week. The United States Government was informed that the alleged abuses verb being referred to the competant maritime authorities for invortigation and appropriate action, In our viev, the statement on Friday by the representative of the United Stater would thus have been more factually complete and objective if it bad acknowledged these facts iaatead of limiting itself to the basic allegations. The Haltess aUthOritie8, in fact, reacted immediately to the information that vas provided and prior to last Friday had officially notified the ownera of the veesel8 in question that they voald rscontmend t&e closure of the vessels’ regfrtry should the allogations that had been made prove tia be correct. There asticer vere also brought to the attention of the registessd mortgageor. Mdlta’l adherence to the decisione of the Security Couilcil has been consistent and unequivocal throughout. Malta is determined to continue its (Mr.1 support and cooperation in the implementation of measures taken by the Security Council to bring an end, it is hopod, to the many violation8 of the right to life and other fundamental human rights that the international corfimunity is witnerrsing in Bosnia anC %*regovina. s (interpretat; from French): I thank the representative of Malta for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the repreeentative of Algeria. Z invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make hi8 St8teIIiOnt~ &m (Algeria) (interpretation from French)r It is my great pleasure to extmd to you, Sir, ths sincero congratulations of the Algerian delog8tiOu on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. Your outstanding personal quxlitieo and your long diplomatic experience are sure guarantees that you will sffectivoly guide tbs work of the Corurcil, We alro congratulate your predecessor, His Excellency Ambassador tiri&e of France, on the skilful manner in which he guided the Council's work last month. The initiative of the Org~izatfon of the Islamic Conference that led to thi8 debate wa8 important and timely. In his moving statement, the Peraanent Pepreeentatlve of Bosnia and Reraegovina, Ambassador Sacirbey, described objectively, with restraint and without exaggeratiorr the full scope of the current tragedy of tbc people of Bo8nia bd Hsrzrgc JS 3~ e Since tlu Augr.;r-: resumption or the forty-&&h ----*-- m.IY*"u rf zi6 ckiiet~: A88einbly EQ addrew the aituatioa in Bosnia and Herregovina, the situation has greatly deteriorate&, and nou constitutes a challenge to the United Nations and, above all, to the Security Council in their mandate to maintain international peace and security. The situation in the political, military, humanitarian and human rights spheres is unacceptable. Algeria, which since last April has been informing the Security Council of the gravity of the situation and the possible risk of escalation, is following with emotion and indignation the painful events in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which grow worse daily. We have come to the inevitable conclusion that the measures the Security Council has taken thus far has tempered neither the clear aggression and unspeakable suffering imposed upon the people of thnt republic nor the mistreatment and serious human-rights violations, particularly the intoletable practice of %thnic cleansing". (Mr.) The agreements and cease-fires which were no painstakingly negotiated by the European Community and the United Nations have been ignored. Even humanitarian aid has been deliberately impeded* which, with the Onget Of winter, may well exacerbate the already catastrophic situation of the people of Bosnia. Without wishing in any way to minimire the complexity of the 8ituation Of the importance of the decisions already taken by the Security Council. it ir clear that further, even more decisive step8, are required if we intend to pur an end to the battles which have already cau8ed thousand8 of deaths as well a8 the displacement of populations to an extent already affecting 40 per Cent of the inhabitants of Bosnia and heraegovina. Not only the Organisation of the tslemic Conference but alto world public opinion expect the Security Council to provide effective support for the people of Bosnia and Heraegovina in their resi8tance to aggremion and in l n8uring that an end ir put to the odious crime8 which have been perpetrotod there. Similarly, the Council ha8 the duty of rejecting anything which has been gained by aggression and to guarantee respect for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Heraegovina and the sovereignty of this State Member of the United Nations. In the light of the fearful tragedy of the people of Emnia, it i8 also essential that every step be taken to meet the challenge of providing and transporting essential basic products. The draft resolution submitted by the States members of the OrgMitatiOn of the I8hmkC Conference cover most of these elements and should be given favourable consideration. (Mr.1 It is now up to the Security Council to take all necersary steps to end the tragedy of the people of Bosnia and to avert the threats to peace and security in the region. The (interpretation from French)% I thank the representative of Algeria for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Bangladesh. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. gBBLB (Bangladeshlt I have pleasure in expressing warm felicitations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the office of President of the Security Council for the month of November. I also take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Ambassador Jean-Bernard M6rfm6e of France for his commendable conduct of the work of the Security Council in October. We appreciate the endeavourn of Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Owen, co-chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia in discharging 80 well their onerous responsibility. We alan welcome the report of Mr. Tadsust Mazowiecki, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, which affords us a clear picture of the factual state of human rights in Bosnia and Heroegovina. Frarn the time of the bsutal aggression of Serbia against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have witnessed the Security Council initiate measures to restore peace in tbe region and ameliorate the sufferings of the victims of the conflict. We shall be remiss if we do not acknowledge the selfless devotion of the personnel of the United Nations Protection Force and the dedicated humanitarian service rendered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It io obvious, however, that much mote needs to be done to bring an end to this cruel conflict. (Mr,) Tho report of the Special Rapporteus reveals that a peaceful resolution of the crisis does not S88m imminent and, in his words, the principal objective of the military conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the sstab~ishment of ethnically homogenous regions. *@Ethnic cleansing" appears to be not the consequence of the war but rather its goal. This goal, to a large extent, has already been achieved thtJugh killing, torture, rape and other forma of atrocities. Conservative estimates indicate that over 100,000 people have been killed in Sarbian attacks and that nearly half a million are likely to perish from 8XpOSUr8 and starvation during the coming winter. If this were to happen, we need to ponder seriously over the recent comment of the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr, Haris Gilajdaie, in Germany thatr @'Bosnia and Retzegovina ia the beginning of the end of peace and order in post-war Europe". The need has become even more imperative in the face of Serbia's brazen violation of the resolutions of the security Council and the London Peace Accords on the former Yugoslavia. In hie letter of 4 November 1992 to the President of the Security Council, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia an& Herzt+ovina pointad out that the Serbian violation of their commitments, their intensification of "ethnic cleansing", particularly of Muslims, their maintenance of concentration cemp8, the retention and application of heavy weapons for inflicting civilian casualties on civilian townships, the increasing number of air attacke, the deliberate disruptions of heating, gas, electricity, and supply lines. and the intersification of efforts for the conquest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a view to completing their abhorrent plan of "ethnic cleansing" before a negotiated and COnstitut;onal arrangement is concluded (Mr.) under international pressure. According to Lord Owen, some vested interests were using the "gaping holes" in the present embargo to supply Serbia with petroleum products down the Danube, across the Romanian, Bulgarian and Macedonian border, or from the Adriatic Coast. We are now facing a situation whereby, through the brutal use of force and the despicable policy of "ethnic cleansing" and other atrocities, Serbia has acquired over 70 per cent of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would be regrettable if the Security Council remained a silent spectator while Serbia continue3 to flout the Council's decision by persisting in its policies of aggrandizement and genocide. Bangladesh firmly believes that the Council must display political determination to enforce its decision to reverse Serbian aggression by taking appropriate measures under Chapter VII of the Charter. Bangladesh cannot accept any seizure of territory by force. The solution to the crisis must ensure the sovereignty, independenca and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Heraegovina. So great has been the anguish and disappointment in the worsening tragic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the people of Bangladesh have expressed profound indignation at the unacceptable turn of events in that tragic country. In view of the sensitivity of public opinion in my country on the issue, the Bangladesh Parliament discussed it at length recently and condemned the aggression against Bosnia. in a resolution the Parliament urged the Security Council to adopt appropriate measures to end Serbian atrocities against the men, women and children of Bosnia. The aanctions already imposed muat, of course, be strictlv enforced so that a clear message is sent to Serbia that the international community wishes to see an end to its abominable policies, The loopholes in the sanctions rigime must be closed. A strong aignal should be conveyed to the Serbians from this debate that they must release all prisoners and detainees from the concentration camps and abolish all such camps immediately. Serbia must be made to realise that by pursuing the policy of "ethnic cleansing" it has violated the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and that it will therefore be held respoaaible for its crimes againat humanity. My delegation, like other delegations, etrongly advocates that the Security Council seriously consider and create safety zones, land corridors aad no-fire aone under United Nations protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina where refugees would be supported with relief assistance and food. The Security Council should also consider expansion of the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and an increase in its strength to enable it to protect the personnel of the Office of the United Nations High Comnissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the laternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other relief agencies in the fulfilment of their humanitarian responsibilities. Successive resolutions by the Council have failed to contain Serbian expansionist design8 and its policy of "ethnic cleansing". Although the raaolutian on an arms embargo against former Yuqoslavia was meant for the aggressor, its effect on t% victims of aggression ha8 been disastrous. In the face of the heavily equipped Serbs and their organized means of obtaining arms and ammunition supplies, the Bosnian minorities have remained helpless targets of extermination. To prevent their total extinction they must be permitted to exercise their inherent right of self-defence against their enemy in accordance with Article 51 of the Unit.ed Nations Charter. We therefore share the views of other delegations that have espoused partial and selective lifting of the arms embargo in resolution 713 (1991). That would enable the Bosnians to defend themselves and deter the Serbi.ns from pursuing a policy of expansionism, and it would also induce the latter to sit down at the negotiating table to find a political settlement. At the same time, if ;he Serbs continue their blatant violation of Security Council resolutions and the London Peace Accords my delegation feels that the Council should consider, sooner rather than later, the inevitability of taking collective enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the Council's decisions. Agreement to take such a decision may be a difficult one to achieve, but once reached, it would be a giant forward step towards deterring expansionism by bigger nations at the expense of weaker and smaller neighbours. Even aa we debate this issue here and now, the Bosnians' miseries continue, not just from the cold and bitter winter but from the tightening of the Serbian stranglehold as well. The events in Bosnia are not merely a sad commentary on our times. The situation there mey become an unhappy reflection of the Security Council'8 capabilities at a time when the world community is putting increasing confidence in its ability to be more effective in the cause of peace and security. When in the recent past we 8aw the Council act in unison to uphold order with justice, our hope in the system was raised. We cannot and must not allow it to dissipate. Our faith will surely wither with the mounting sorrows of Bosnia. The Council has no option but to act resolutely and to act now. It must adopt a strong and effective resolution and implement it with determination. To reinvigorate our trust in the Council, this human tragedy must be brought to a speedy end. The Council has an opportunity to do 80. My delegation has every confidence that the Council will not let it pass. The (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Bangladesh for the kind words he addressed to ma. The next speaker on my list is the representative of Senegal. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mt.CIGSE (Senegal) (fnterpretacion from French) : Sir, your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council is % real source of Satisfaction to my delegation, both because of your personal qualities and because of the excellent relationa that exist between Hungary and Senegal. I should like to begin, therefore, by extending to you my warmest congratulations and by expressing my appreciation to your predecessor, Ambaeaador Jean-Bernard M&im6e, Permanent Representative of France, for the important work accomplished during the past month. The considerable efforta exerted by the international community and the numerous resolutions adopted by the Security Council on the tragic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not prevented it from deteriorating and verging on the intolerable and the unacceptable. For more than six montha that country, a Member of the Organisation, has been a victim of outright and unpunished aggrassisn. of all kinds of violations of its sovereignty and of the moat fundamental human rights. Today, we are witnessing the gradual annihilation of tho Bosnian people by killings, imprisonment and the dispersal of refugees wherever they can gain entry. In the name of human solidarity, respect for intarnational morality and the Charter of our Organioation, the Senegalese delegation expresses its complete solidarity with that abused and battered country. The Bornfan people can no longer be aatiefied with our cocrdolencss and sxprersiona of compassion while they continue to be the victims of collective killings. of detention in the conditions we know prevail in the persecution camps and of forced erpulaioas from their territory. Those sufferings have been compounded by the unacceptable practices of "ethnic cleansing", reminiscent of one of the most calamitous periods in human histery. Furthermore, the people of Bosnia cannot understand - nor can the dologation of Senegal - how the Security Cevncil, the guarantor of international peace and security, can fail to provide them with the means to exercise, in accortlaace with Article 51 of the Charter, their right to relf-defence when the aggressor, generously and regularly supplied with weaponu in violation of the embargo te which it is, in principle, subject, is daily stopping up the destruction of Boenia and Herzegovina and its defeneelers populations. In this connection it is regrettable that, despite the relevant provision8 of Security Council resolution 781 (19921, the city of Jajce, befieged on 26 and 27 October 1992, has now been occupied, its inhabitants compelled to abandon their homes and possessions and forced to swell the ranks of Posniaa refugee@ now exposed to hunger, cold, disease and misfortune. la addition, kccordiag to the most recent estimentes of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international observers, some 400,000 Bosnians could die because of hareh winter weather. As things are going, that estimate could well prove to be optimistic. For its part the European Economic Community has been making important efforts on behalf of Bosnia and Heraegovina, but we are unfortunately forced to acknowledge that the results achieved are not yet commensurate with the gravity of the situation. For all there reasons, and given that tbe aggression against Bosnia sod Heraegoviaa continue8 in utter contempt for resolutions 752 (1992) and 757 (1992), it is the view of the Senegal delegation that the Security Council should urgently take the necessary measures, first, to reaffirm the need for all States strictly to respect the territorial integrity and full sovereignty of the people of Bosnia and Hersegovinat and, secondly, to authorise the Boanisn people to exercise, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter, its inherent right to self-defence and enable it, through lifting the arms embargo now in effect, to obtain the necessary means to ensure its survival. It is recognised that the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina are receiving all the weaponry they need from outside. To deprive the Boanian people of equal opportunity is tastiunouut to letting it be annihilated. I am of the opinion that lifting the embargo is a factor that could discourage the aggressors or contain their destructive aeal. I understand those who oppose such a measure. Hone the leas, between the rich of conflicts spinning ou: of control and getting werae and the risk of witnessing the physical disappearasce of a country and its people, my preference is for the lesser evil: safeguarding the Boanian people and seeking the means of preventing the lifting of the embargo from broadening the scope of the conflict. In conclusPoo I would reiterate my delegation’s appreciation of the consistent attention the Security Council and the Secretary-General are giving the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time I wish to thank IJUPRO?OR, the specialised agencies of the United Uations and Mr. Cyrus Vance and Lord Oven for their total commitxonC to the restoration of peace in Bosaia and Herzegovina. Peace will come only when all the prisonera and refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina can return to their homes and see their right0 restored, when "ethnic cleansing" and its conaequeoces have disappeared, and when a Constitution recognizing the territorial integrity of that country has been established. The Security Council has a complex task before it. That is why we feel such anguish. The (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Senegal for the kind words he addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Botnia and Heraegovina. I call upon him. klr. w (Boonia and Herzeyovina): Allow me, Mr. president, to extend my deep appreciation to you for convening 'these meetings of the Security Council in respect of the horrific situation in my country. Allow me also to express my gratitude to the Contact Oroup of the Organization of the Islamic Conference for its role in bringing about there meetings. Finally I wish to empress my deep appreciation to all delegations, from that of Afghanistan to that of Zimbabwe, that have spoken in our zupport at these meetings. Let me also say that my delegation wa8 deeply puaoled by the participation of a representative of the so-called government of the so-called Federal Republic of Yugoctavia in the work of this body, ezpecLally when one considers the conclusions of tbe Security Council in its resolution 777 (1992) s.nA ~norel! Arrao&ly resolution M/242. --- There appears to be no legal precedent or procedure that would atlow the delegation in question to participate in these discussions, and we believe that this was done by the c'ouncil strictly out of yood will. But it seems to me that good will towards the Belgrade rigime has again failed to pay. Mr. Djokic told this Council what his Government has done so far to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the war in Bosnia. The word "wnr" is an innappropriate notion. It caunot be called a mar when heavily armed forces are fighting barehanded civilians. He has obviously confused notions. He has triad to camouflage terrorism and introduce it as though it were simply a war. That is nothing auprising. In fact Mr. Djokic told the Council what his Government has promised to do. If Mr. Djokic's Goverment fulfilled its promises, the aggression in Bosnia and Eesaegovina would already be over. In addition, he did not tell the Council anything that his Government has even tried to do. Instead of choosing a conciliatory approacha instead of being an envoy who is a little self-critical who coaveya messages of good will if not of good deeds, he has repeated moat of the old Snsinuationa used by Serbian propagandists and their masters since the onwt of the crisis in former Yugoslavia. To blame Bosniaa Muslims, Croats and Ebanian leaders, Mr. Djokic has again*elaborated old, uufouuded accusations that the Belgrade leaders used as justification of their aggression, abhorrent "ethnic cleansing" and genocide in Bosnia and Hersagovina. Indeed, he has ofEered some new and alas again distorted “facts”, fabricated and signed with the same hand that has left its bloody signature in the Bosniaa wounds. Allowing Mr. Djokic to address the Security Council today, I am afraid that we in this Chamber all got more than we bargained for. The (interpretation from French): Members vi11 have received copies of a revised text of the draft resolution eponsored t?y Belgium, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, contained in document S/24888/Rev.l. 1 should like to draw the attention of member6 to a changb in C.he text: all reference6 to Bosnia and Herzegovina 6hould be understood to refer to the Republic of Bosnia and Heraegovina. It is my understanding that tbe Council i6 nov reaby to vote on the revised draft resolutior\ before it. UnleS6 X hear any objection, I shall now put the draft rerrolution to the vote. Zt fa 60 decided. I shall now call upon those representative6 who would like to make a statement before the vote. ti. LI Paom (China) (interpretation from Chinese)r With regard to the present situation in Bo6nia and Xerzegovfna, our persistent position is that various partie in Bosnia and Herzegovina must immediately cea6e fire. The conflict in Bosnia aud Her2egovina should be settled peacefully through dialogue and negotiations among all ths parties concerned. We are not in favour of the use of force 50 whatever form. In our view, all the international effort6 should be coaducive to an early negotiated settlement of the differences and di6putes rather than complicating the situation. We are in favour of urging all the parties in Bosnia asd Herzegovina immediately to cease their hostilities and seek a political solution to the conflict through negotiations. Wo support the poaitivu offortr made by tha Intarnational Confaranca on tha Formar Yugoslavia, and arpacially tia Co-Chairman of tha Steering Coamittaa. Wa are also in favour of calling for tha imediata cessation of all forms of interference from outside Bornia and Haraagovina and the ca8aation of -11 violation8 of international humanitarian law. (Mr. Li DaQyu, C&E%) We appreciate and support all the humanitarian relief efforts made by the international community and urge all parties and others concerned to cooperate fully with a view to ensuring the smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance and the safety of United Nations and other personnel engaged in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Some of the elements included in the draft resolution contained in document S/24808, which will be put to the vote, are in conformity with tha foregoing position of China and are acceptable to us. However, some of the conterits of the present draft resolution are aimed at further strengthening the sanctiona against Yugoslavia. It is known to all that on the occasion when Security Council resolution 757 (1992) was adopted, the Chinese delegation pointed out that sanctions would not help solve the problem, that they would, on the contrary, further aggravate the situation in the former Yugoslavia and create serioue consequences affecting the lives of the people in the region and the economy of the neighbouring States. Therefore, we cannot accept such contents. It also needs to be pointed out that it is inappropriate for the draft resolution to refer to the report of the Special Rapporteur on buman rights, Xt is not within the purview of the Security Council to handle the human-rights issue. Since the draft resolution mataim both elements acceptable to us and :lements unacceptable to ua, the Chinese delegation will abstain in the voting on this draft resolution. Finally, X should like to reiterate once again that the Chinese -e--q- Coverrunaui. Gi ~U~AW attor;glj~ ztg= tll *-k p?nrtlop ~nncerned in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act in the interest of all the people there, turn swords into ploughshares and replace hatred with reconciliation, and, with ths help of the international community, find an appropriate and fair solution to their conflict within the framework of the International Conference. Mr. (Zimbabwe): On 30 May 1992, when this council considered the adoption of resolution 757 (1992), Zimbabwe expressed serious doubts about the validity of the underlying assumptions that led to the adoption of that resolution. Put crudely, the atiisumption was that the relationship between the Bosnian Serbs and the Serbian Serbs was that of the puppet and the puppeteer. On this assumption, it was therefore logical that the best way to irauobflise the puppet was to exert pressure on the puppeteer through a tough regime of economic and other sanctions. Those who have worked closely on efforts to resolve the crisis in Bosnia and Hernegovina over the past sin months can testify that the Bosnien Serbs are anything but the puppets of Belgrade. Of course this is not to say that Belgrade is totally devoid of influence. But, then, there is an important distinction between the ability to control and the ability to influence. As we all know, the ability to influence has its limitations. If this Council were to impose punitive sanctions on all countries that are perceived to have influence on one party or the other in the various conflict situations around the globs, we would have a very long list indeod. The irony of the present situation is that the country targeted for punitive measures, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, withdrew its forces from Basaia and Herzegovina some six months ago. Yet, as we consider further measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the draft resolution before us, there are thousands of foreign troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have repeatedly defied the resolutions of the Council calling for their withdrawal. lo punitive measures are being considered by the Cou11ci.1 in spite of this continuing act of defiance. All that the Council is prepared to do 13 reaffirm its call for elements of the Croatian army to be withdrawn. The evolution of the crisis in Bor.nia and Eiersegovina over the part six months has done nothing to erase our original doubts. In fact, available evidence does not make it possible for my delegation to adopt a position on the draft resolution before us different from the position we took on resolution 757 (1992). My delegation therefore will abstain on this draft resolution. The (interpretation from French): I shall now put to the vote the %raft resolution contained in document 8/24808/Wev.l, as orally revised, in its provisional form. bv aa of w . Znfavourt Austria, Belgium, Cape Verde, Ecuador, Prance, Hungary. India, Japan, Morocco, Russian FederatPoa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vene2uela Aaainat: None Bbatainfna China, Zimbabwe The (interpretation from French): There were 13 votes in favour, none against and 2 abstentions. The revised draft resolution, as orally revised, in its provisional form, has therefore been adopted a8 resolution 787 (1992). I shall now call on representatives who wish to make a statement following the voting. Mr.w (Austriajt Austria voted in favour of resolution 787 (1992) because it contains a number of necessary elements. One is a reaffirmation of previous deman%s by the Security Council addressed in particular to the Serbian side. Another is the tightening of the sanctions regime. Sanctions are not aimed at the population of Serbia and Montenegro; they are designed to bring about a change of policy in Belgrade. Todpy's decision of the Eouncil skould also contribute to mOre effective implementation of sanctions. The resolution also reflect8 the Austrian proposal to create safe areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The rapid establishment of such areas would be a decisive contribution to alleviating the problem of refugees and displaced persons, which has reached such dramatic proportions that it has largely exhausted the capacities of other States to provide even lnmporary refuge. Once such safe areas are established, they should not only provfde safety for their present inhabitants but al80 encoutage others to return to their former homes. Today we have invited the Secretary-General to study the possibility of and the requirements for such areas. Obviously, in the light of the horrendous plight of the population concerned, this cannot he an academsc exercise. Consequently, we hope that the Secretary-General will urgently examine this issue and report to the Security Council as soon as possible in order to enable UII to take the oecesaary decisions before it irr too late. The pe (interpretation from French): There are no further names on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seiaed of the matter. me&.& rose at 7.40 etm .