Security Council resolution 1247 (1999) [on continuation of the multinational stabilization force (SFOR) and extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH)]
[Continuation of the multinational stabilization force (SFOR) and extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH)]
Symbol: S/RES/1247(1999)
Date: 1999-06-18
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/54 [64] STABILIZATION FORCE
S/54 [63] UN MISSION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
S/54 [62] BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SITUATION
S/54 [61] INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE
S/54 [60] FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SITUATION
Subjects: International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991|High Representative for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina|Stabilization Force|Stabilization Force. Commander|UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina|International Police Task Force|Peace Implementation Conference (1998 : Madrid). Ministerial Meeting|Agreement on Implementing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995)|General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995)|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|AIRPORTS|AIRSPACE|LAW ENFORCEMENT|COURTS|POLICE|RECONSTRUCTION|BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA|BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SITUATION|STAFF SECURITY|FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT|PROFESSIONAL STAFF|SANCTIONS|COOPERATION BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS|FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SITUATION|TRANSIT|TRAINING PROGRAMMES|EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
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/1247 (1999)
                                                               18 June 1999




                               RESOLUTION 1247 (1999)

               Adopted by the Security Council at its 4014th meeting,
                                   on 18 June 1999


    The Security Council,

     Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions concerning the conflicts in
the former Yugoslavia, including resolutions 1031 (1995) of 15 December 1995,
1035 (1995) of 21 December 1995, 1088 (1996) of 12 December 1996, 1144 (1997) of
19 December 1997, 1168 (1998) of 21 May 1998, 1174 (1998) of 15 June 1998, and
1184 (1998) of 16 July 1998,

     Reaffirming its commitment to the political settlement of the conflicts in
the former Yugoslavia, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
all States there within their internationally recognized borders,

     Underlining its commitment to supporting implementation of the General
Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Annexes thereto
(collectively the Peace Agreement, S/1995/999, annex),

     Emphasizing its appreciation to the High Representative, the Commander and
personnel of the multinational stabilization force (SFOR), the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General and the personnel of the United Nations
Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), including the Commissioner and
personnel of the International Police Task Force (IPTF), and the personnel of
other international organizations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina for
their contributions to the implementation of the Peace Agreement,

     Noting that the States in the region must play a constructive role in the
successful development of the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and
noting especially the obligations of the Republic of Croatia and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia in this regard as signatories to the Peace Agreement,

     Emphasizing that a comprehensive and coordinated return of refugees and
displaced persons throughout the region continues to be crucial to lasting
peace,



99-18081 (E)                                                                   /...

S/RES/1247 (1999)
Page 2




     Taking note of the declaration of the Ministerial meeting of the Peace
Implementation Conference in Madrid on 16 December 1998 (S/1999/139, annex) and
the conclusions of its previous meetings,

     Noting the reports of the High Representative, including his latest report
of 5 May 1999 (S/1999/524),

     Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 11 June 1999
(S/1999/670),

     Determining that the situation in the region continues to constitute a
threat to international peace and security,

     Determined to promote the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in
accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations,

    Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

                                       I

     1.   Reaffirms once again its support for the Peace Agreement, as well as
for the Dayton Agreement on implementing the Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina of 10 November 1995 (S/1995/1021, annex), calls upon the parties to
comply strictly with their obligations under those Agreements, and expresses its
intention to keep the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and the situation
in Bosnia and Herzegovina, under review;

     2.   Reiterates that the primary responsibility for the further successful
implementation of the Peace Agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and
Herzegovina themselves and that the continued willingness of the international
community and major donors to assume the political, military and economic burden
of implementation and reconstruction efforts will be determined by the
compliance and active participation by all the authorities in Bosnia and
Herzegovina in implementing the Peace Agreement and rebuilding a civil society,
in particular in full cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia, in strengthening joint institutions and in facilitating returns of
refugees and displaced persons;

     3.   Reminds the parties once again that, in accordance with the Peace
Agreement, they have committed themselves to cooperate fully with all entities
involved in the implementation of this peace settlement, as described in the
Peace Agreement, or which are otherwise authorized by the Security Council,
including the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, as it carries
out its responsibilities for dispensing justice impartially, and underlines that
full cooperation by States and entities with the International Tribunal
includes, inter alia, the surrender for trial of all persons indicted by the
Tribunal and provision of information to assist in Tribunal investigations;

     4.   Emphasizes its full support for the continued role of the High
Representative in monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement and
giving guidance to and coordinating the activities of the civilian organizations

                                                                              /...

                                                              S/RES/1247 (1999)
                                                              Page 3




and agencies involved in assisting the parties to implement the Peace Agreement,
and reaffirms that the High Representative is the final authority in theatre
regarding the interpretation of Annex 10 on civilian implementation of the Peace
Agreement and that in case of dispute he may give his interpretation and make
recommendations, and make binding decisions as he judges necessary on issues as
elaborated by the Peace Implementation Council in Bonn on 9 and
10 December 1997;

     5.   Expresses its support for the declaration of the Ministerial meeting
of the Peace Implementation Conference in Madrid on 16 December 1998;

     6.   Recognizes that the parties have authorized the multinational force
referred to in paragraph 10 below to take such actions as required, including
the use of necessary force, to ensure compliance with Annex 1-A of the Peace
Agreement;

     7.   Reaffirms its intention to keep the situation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina under close review, taking into account the reports submitted
pursuant to paragraphs 18 and 25 below, and any recommendations those reports
might include, and its readiness to consider the imposition of measures if any
party fails significantly to meet its obligations under the Peace Agreement;

                                       II

     8.   Pays tribute to those Member States which participated in the
multinational stabilization force established in accordance with its resolution
1088 (1996), and welcomes their willingness to assist the parties to the Peace
Agreement by continuing to deploy a multinational stabilization force;

     9.   Notes the support of the parties to the Peace Agreement for the
continuation of the multinational stabilization force, set out in the
declaration of the Ministerial meeting of the Peace Implementation Conference in
Madrid;

     10. Authorizes the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the
organization referred to in Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement to continue for a
further planned period of 12 months the multinational stabilization force (SFOR)
as established in accordance with its resolution 1088 (1996) under unified
command and control in order to fulfil the role specified in Annex 1-A and
Annex 2 of the Peace Agreement, and expresses its intention to review the
situation with a view to extending this authorization further as necessary in
the light of developments in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and the
situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

     11. Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraph 10 above to take
all necessary measures to effect the implementation of and to ensure compliance
with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, stresses that the parties shall continue
to be held equally responsible for compliance with that Annex and shall be
equally subject to such enforcement action by SFOR as may be necessary to ensure
implementation of that Annex and the protection of SFOR, and takes note that the
parties have consented to SFOR’s taking such measures;


                                                                            /...

S/RES/1247 (1999)
Page 4




     12. Authorizes Member States to take all necessary measures, at the
request of SFOR, either in defence of SFOR or to assist the force in carrying
out its mission, and recognizes the right of the force to take all necessary
measures to defend itself from attack or threat of attack;

     13. Authorizes the Member States acting under paragraph 10 above, in
accordance with Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, to take all necessary measures
to ensure compliance with the rules and procedures established by the Commander
of SFOR, governing command and control of airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovina
with respect to all civilian and military air traffic;

     14. Requests the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to cooperate with
the Commander of SFOR to ensure the effective management of the airports of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the light of the responsibilities conferred on SFOR
by Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement with regard to the airspace of Bosnia and
Herzegovina;

     15. Demands that the parties respect the security and freedom of movement
of SFOR and other international personnel;

     16. Invites all States, in particular those in the region, to continue to
provide appropriate support and facilities, including transit facilities, for
the Member States acting under paragraph 10 above;

     17. Recalls all the agreements concerning the status of forces as referred
to in Appendix B to Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement, and reminds the parties of
their obligation to continue to comply therewith;

     18. Requests the Member States acting through or in cooperation with the
organization referred to in Annex 1-A of the Peace Agreement to continue to
report to the Council, through the appropriate channels and at least at monthly
intervals;

                                    *    *    *

     Reaffirming the legal basis in the Charter of the United Nations on which
the IPTF was given its mandate in resolution 1035 (1995),

                                        III

     19. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMIBH, which includes the IPTF, for
an additional period terminating on 21 June 2000, and also decides that the IPTF
shall continue to be entrusted with the tasks set out in Annex 11 of the Peace
Agreement, including the tasks referred to in the Conclusions of the London,
Bonn, Luxembourg, and Madrid Conferences and agreed by the authorities in Bosnia
and Herzegovina;

     20. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed
on the work of the IPTF and its progress in assisting the restructuring of law
enforcement agencies and UNMIBH’s progress in monitoring and assessing the court
system, and to report every three months on the implementation of the mandate of
UNMIBH as a whole;

                                                                            /...

                                                              S/RES/1247 (1999)
                                                              Page 5




     21. Reiterates that the successful implementation of the tasks of the IPTF
rests on the quality, experience and professional skills of its personnel, and
once again urges Member States, with the support of the Secretary-General, to
ensure the provision of such qualified personnel;

     22. Reaffirms the responsibility of the parties to cooperate fully with,
and to instruct their respective responsible officials and authorities to
provide their full support to, the IPTF on all relevant matters;

     23. Reiterates its call upon all concerned to ensure the closest possible
coordination between the High Representative, SFOR, UNMIBH and the relevant
civilian organizations and agencies so as to ensure the successful
implementation of the Peace Agreement and of the priority objectives of the
civilian consolidation plan, as well as the security of IPTF personnel;

     24. Urges Member States, in response to demonstrable progress by the
parties in restructuring their law enforcement institutions, to intensify their
efforts to provide, on a voluntary-funded basis and in coordination with the
IPTF, training, equipment and related assistance for local police forces in
Bosnia and Herzegovina;

     25. Also requests the Secretary-General to continue to submit to the
Council reports from the High Representative, in accordance with Annex 10 of the
Peace Agreement and the conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held
in London on 4 and 5 December 1996 (S/1996/1012), and later Peace Implementation
Conferences, on the implementation of the Peace Agreement and in particular on
compliance by the parties with their commitments under that Agreement;

    26.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.


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