S/PV.3433 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.

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: "The Security Council is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation in the safe area of Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has included increased levels of armed violence, deliberate attacks on UNPROFOR troops and on humanitarian flights, severe restrictions on public utilities, and continued restriction on the flow of transport and communications. It notes that normal life has not been fully restored to Sarajevo, as called for in its resolution 900 (1994). "The Security Council expresses concern at the deliberate interruptions of utilities and communications to the civilian population in Sarajevo, as well as the extended period of closure of Sarajevo airport to humanitarian flights and the route across that airport "It condemns in particular the deliberate attack on 22 September 1994 on UNPROFOR troops in Sarajevo, just one of a number of attacks which clearly suggest a deliberate pattern. The Council also notes with alarm, and condemns without reservation, the reported statements of the Bosnian Serb leadership that the Bosnian Serb party would target UNPROFOR activities in retaliation for the passage of a Council resolution tightening sanctions against the Bosnian Serbs. It warns the Bosnian Serb leadership against any retaliatory action, whether against UNPROFOR or any other party, and, in that context, welcomes efforts to support UNPROFOR troops. "The Council fully supports UNPROFOR’s efforts to assure compliance with measures designed by the international community to improve conditions in Sarajevo. It advises both parties, and in particular the Bosnian Serbs, to comply with those measures. "The Council strongly condemns any provocative actions in Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina by whomsoever committed and demands immediate cessation of such actions. "The Council encourages the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNPROFOR to explore as a matter of priority proposals for the demilitarization of Sarajevo. This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1994/57. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.