S/PV.3159 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Raquz (Bosnia and Herzeqovinal and Mr. Burcuo&lu (Turkey) took Places at the Council table. consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have received photocopies of letters dated 8 January 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations and the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, which will be issued as Security Council documents under the symbols S/25074 and S/25077 respectively. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council is profoundly shocked to learn of the killing of Mr. Hakija Turajlic, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by Bosnian-Serb forces, while he was under the protection of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). "The Council strongly condemns this outrageous act of terrorism which is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a flagrant challenge to the authority and the inviolability of UNPROFOR, as well as to the serious efforts undertaken with the aim of achieving'an overall political settlement of the crisis. "The Council urges all parties and others concerned to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from taking any action which might further exacerbate the situation. "The Council requests the Secretary-General to undertake a full investigation of the incident and to report to it without delay. Upon receipt of that report the Council will consider the matter forthwith. "The members of the Security Council extend their sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Turajlic and to the people and the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina". The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meetina rose at 9.20 p.m.