S/PV.3210 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from 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 Councii, 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. 7 There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Sacirbey (Bosnia and Herzecrovina) took a place at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security 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. It includes a number of revisions, agreed upon by Council members, to the draft text now before members. "The Security Council, recalling its statement of 21 April 1993 (S/25646) concerning the atrocities and killings in areas north and west of Sarajevo, expresses its grave concern at the major new military offensive launched by Bosnian Croat paramilitary units in the areas of Mostar, Jablanica and Dreznica. "The Security Council strongly condemns this major military offensive launched by Bosnian Croat paramilitary units which is totally inconsistent with the signature of the Peace Plan by the Bosnian Croat party, for the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council demands that the attacks against the areas of Mostar, Jablanica and Dreznica cease forthwith; that Bosnian Croat paramilitary units withdraw immediately from the area and that all the parties strictly comply with their previous commitments as well as the cease-fire agreed to today between the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Croat party. "The Security Council also expresses its deep concern that the UNPROFOR battalion in the area has been forced under fire to redeploy as a result of this latest offensive and condemns the refusal of the Bosnian Croat paramilitary units to allow the presence of United Nations military observers, in particular in the city of Mostar. "The Security Council once again reiterates its demand that UNPROFOR personnel be allowed unimpeded access throughout the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, in this particular case, demands that the Bosnian Croat paramilitary units ensure the safety and security of UNPROFOR as well as all United Nations personnel in the areas of Mostar, Jablanica and Dreznica. In this connection, the Council expresses its deep concern at the increasing hostile attitude of Bosnian Croat paramilitary units towards UNPROFOR personnel. "The Security Council calls upon the Republic of Croatia, in accordance with the commitments under the Zagreb agreement of 25 April 1993 (S/25659), to exert all its influence on the Bosnian Croat leadership and paramilitary units with a view to ceasing immediately their attacks particularly in the areas of Mostar, Jablanica and Dreznica. It further calls on the Republic of Croatia to adhere strictly to its obligations under Security Council resolution 752 (1992), including putting an end to all forms of interference and respecting the territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Security Council once again reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the unacceptability of the acquisition of territory by force and the practice of 'ethnic cleansing'. "The Security Council remains seized of the matter and is ready to consider further measures to ensure that all parties and others concerned abide by their commitments and fully respect relevant Council decisions". This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol 5125746. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meetins rose at 7.15 p.m.