S/PV.3327 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 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. Misic´ (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 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. Members of the Council have before them document S/1994/15, which contains the text of a letter dated 6 January 1994 from the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting the text of a letter of the same date from the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina addressed to the President of the Security Council. 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 expresses its deep concern at the continuing widespread hostilities in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It deplores the failure of the parties to honour the agreements they have already signed, in the context of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, to implement a cease-fire and to permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It condemns the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law which have occurred, for which it holds the perpetrators personally responsible. "The Security Council condemns any hostilities in the United Nations-designated safe areas, especially in the Sarajevo area. In particular it strongly condemns the continuing military pressure on and the relentless bombardment by Bosnian Serb forces of the capital city, Sarajevo. It demands the immediate end to attacks against Sarajevo, which have resulted in a high number of civilian casualties, seriously disrupted essential services and aggravated an already severe humanitarian situation. In this regard, the Council once again reaffirms its commitment fully to implement all its relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 836 (1993). "The Security Council strongly deplores the abhorrent practice of deliberate obstruction of humanitarian relief convoys by any party and reiterates its demand that there be unimpeded access of humanitarian relief assistance to their intended destinations. The Council further demands that all (Mr. President) parties fully abide by their commitments in this regard and facilitate timely delivery of humanitarian aid. "The Security Council also condemns recent attacks against the personnel of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) as well as of UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations. It reiterates the demand that all parties ensure the safety and security of UNPROFOR, as well as all other United Nations personnel and those of non-governmental organizations, and their unimpeded access throughout the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "The Security Council calls on all the parties to cease hostilities throughout the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to honour the commitments they have entered into. It calls upon them to negotiate in earnest in the framework of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia to achieve an early settlement. "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 Security Council resolutions." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1994/1. 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 meeting rose at 8.55 p.m. (The President)