S/PV.3173 Security Council

I should like to inform ;:. /i the Council that I have received a letter krdm,,;!the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative 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. Raauz (Bosnia and Herzeaovina) took a place at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. 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 recalls all relevant resolutions of the Council and its statement of 25 January (S/25162) concerning the provision of humanitarian relief in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It notes with deep concern that, notwithstanding the Council's demand in that statement, relief efforts continue to be impeded. It condemns the blocking of humanitarian convoys and the impeding of relief supplies, which place at risk the civilian population of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and endanger the lives of personnel delivering such supplies. It remains deeply concerned at the reports of pressing humanitarian need in the Republic of Bosnia and : Herzegovina, particularly in the eastern part of the country. "The Council reiterates its demand that the parties and all others concerned allow immediate and unimpeded access to humanitarian relief supplies. It further demands that the parties and others concerned give the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees the guarantees she has sought that they will abide by the promises they have made to comply with the Council's decisions in this regard, and thus facilitate the resumption of the full humanitarian relief programme, to which the Council attaches the greatest importance." The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meetina rose at 6.55 D.m.