Security Council resolution 1252 (1999) [on monitoring of the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula by UN observers]
[Monitoring of the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula by UN observers]
Symbol: S/RES/1252(1999)
Date: 1999-07-15
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/54 [68] UN MISSION OF OBSERVERS IN PREVLAKA
S/54 [60] FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SITUATION
S/54 [65] CROATIA SITUATION
Subjects: UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka|Stabilization Force|Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1996)|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|DEMILITARIZED ZONES|INTERNAL SECURITY|PREVLAKA PENINSULA|DISPUTES|NEGOTIATION|CROATIA|YUGOSLAVIA|FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SITUATION|CROATIA SITUATION|MILITARY PERSONNEL|STAFF SECURITY|FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT|CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: BAHRAIN
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CANADA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GAMBIA
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NAMIBIA
vote: yes
country: NETHERLANDS
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SLOVENIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

UNITED
NATIONS                                                                        S
                 Security Council
                                                               Distr.
                                                               GENERAL

                                                               S/RES/1252 (1999)
                                                               15 July 1999




                               RESOLUTION 1252 (1999)

               Adopted by the Security Council at its 4023rd meeting,
                                   on 15 July 1999


     The Security Council,

     Recalling all its earlier relevant resolutions, in particular its
resolutions 779 (1992) of 6 October 1992, 981 (1995) of 31 March 1995,
1147 (1998) of 13 January 1998, 1183 (1998) of 15 July 1998 and 1222 (1999) of
15 January 1999,

     Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 8 July 1999
(S/1999/764) on the United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP),

     Recalling also the letters to its President, from the Chargé d’Affaires of
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of 18 June 1999 (S/1999/697) and from the
Permanent Representative of Croatia of 25 June 1999 (S/1999/719), concerning the
disputed issue of Prevlaka,

     Reaffirming once again its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia within its internationally
recognized borders,

     Noting once again the Joint Declaration signed at Geneva on
30 September 1992 by the Presidents of the Republic of Croatia and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, in particular articles 1 and 3, the latter reaffirming
their agreement concerning the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula,

     Reiterating its concern that longstanding violations of the
demilitarization regime by both parties continue, including the standing
presence of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia military personnel and the occasional
presence of Croatian military elements in the demilitarized zone, and at
limitations placed on the free movement of United Nations military observers by
both parties,

     Expressing its concern about more recent, additional violations of the
demilitarized zone, in particular the presence there of troops of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia,

99-20856 (E)                                                                   /...

S/RES/1252 (1999)
Page 2


     Noting with satisfaction that the opening of crossing points between
Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Montenegro) in the demilitarized
zones continue to facilitate civilian and commercial traffic in both directions
without security incidents and continue to represent a significant confidencebuilding measure in the normalization of relations between the two parties, and
urging the parties to utilize these openings as a basis for further confidencebuilding measures to achieve the normalization of relations between them,

     Reiterating its serious concerns about the lack of substantive progress
towards a settlement of the disputed issue of Prevlaka in the continuing
bilateral negotiations between the parties pursuant to the Agreement on
Normalization of Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia of 23 August 1996 (S/1996/706, annex), and calling upon
the parties to resume discussions,

     Reiterating its call upon the parties urgently to put in place a
comprehensive demining programme,

     Commending the role played by UNMOP and noting also that the presence of
the United Nations military observers continues to be essential to maintain
conditions that are conducive to a negotiated settlement of the disputed issue
of Prevlaka,

     1.   Authorizes the United Nations military observers to continue
monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula, in accordance with
resolutions 779 (1992) and 981 (1995) and paragraphs 19 and 20 of the report of
the Secretary-General of 13 December 1995 (S/1995/1028*), until 15 January 2000;

     2.   Reiterates its calls upon the parties to cease all violations of the
demilitarization regime in the United Nations designated zones, to take steps
further to reduce tension and to improve safety and security in the area, to
cooperate fully with the United Nations military observers and to ensure their
safety and full and unrestricted freedom of movement;

     3.   Requests the Secretary-General to report by 15 October 1999 with
recommendations and options further to develop confidence-building measures
between the parties aimed, inter alia, at further facilitating freedom of
movement of the civilian population;

     4.   Urges once again that the parties abide by their mutual commitments
and implement fully the Agreement on Normalization of Relations, and stresses in
particular the urgent need for them to fulfil rapidly and in good faith their
commitment to reach a negotiated resolution of the disputed issue of Prevlaka in
accordance with article 4 of the Agreement;

     5.   Requests the parties to continue to report at least bi-monthly to the
Secretary-General on the status of their bilateral negotiations;

     6.   Requests the United Nations military observers and the multinational
stabilization force authorized by the Council in resolution 1088 (1996) of
12 December 1996 and extended by resolution 1247 (1999) of 18 June 1999 to
cooperate fully with each other;

     7.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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