S/PV.3231 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Croatia, 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. Nobilo (Croatia) 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: "Having examined the situation in the United Nations Protected Areas (UNPAs) in the Republic of Croatia, the Security Council is deeply concerned by the failure of the Krajina Serbs to participate in talks on the implementation of its resolution 802 (1993) which were to be held in Zagreb on 26 May 1993. It deplores the interruption of the dialogue between the parties, which had recently produced encouraging signs of progress. "The Council stresses its support for the peace process under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia and urges the parties to solve all problems which might arise by peaceful means and resume the talks immediately with a view to the rapid implementation of resolution 802 (1993) and all other relevant resolutions. The Council expresses its willingness to help ensure the implementation of an agreement on this basis reached by the parties, including respect for the rights of the local Serb population. "The Council reminds the parties that the UNPAs are integral parts of the territory of the Republic of Croatia, and that no action inconsistent with this would be acceptable. "The Council reiterates its demand that international humanitarian law be fully respected in the UNPAs. "The Council urges the Government of the Republic of Croatia, in cooperation with other interested parties, to take all necessary measures to ensure the full protection of the rights of all residents of the UNPAs when the Republic of Croatia exercises fully its authority in these (The President) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under . the symbol. S/25897. 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 meetincr rose at 7.55 p.m. (The President)