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/* ---------- "GA ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA" ---------- */
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For further information, please call 283 1144.

Forty-sixth General Assembly                          GA/8327
Plenary                                               25 August
1992 91st Meeting (AM)

  GENERAL ASSEMBLY URGES SECURITY COUNCIL TO ACT UNDER CHAPTER VII
  OF CHARTER

		   TO END FIGHTING IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA


		   Condemns Practice of 'Ethnic Cleansing',
	      Demands Withdrawal of Yugoslav and Croatian Forces


     The General Assembly urged the Security Council to consider,
as a matter of urgency, taking further appropriate measures, under
Chapter VII of the Charter, to end the fighting and restore the
territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

     It took that action by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to 1
against (Yugoslavia), with 5 abstentions (Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi,
Namibia and the Russian Federation).  (For details of the vote,
see Annex.)

     By the terms of the resolution, the Assembly demanded that
units of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and elements of the
Croatian Army in Bosnia and Herzegovina either be withdrawn,
placed under Bosnian authority, or be disarmed with their weapons
placed under international supervision.

     The Assembly, further, condemned the violation of the
sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as massive
violations of human rights and international law -- particularly,
the "abhorrent practice of ethnic cleansing".  It demanded an end
to that practice, and that urgent steps be taken to stop the
"massive and forcible displacement" of that country's population.
States are to be held accountable for violations of human rights
which their agents commit on the territory of another State, the
Assembly affirmed.

     The representative of Yugoslavia said he supported the
resolution's call for a peaceful solution to the conflict and an
end to "ethnic cleansing".  However, he voted against the
resolution because it failed to reflect concerns such as the
plight of the Serbian population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  He
expressed astonishment over the fact that the resolution had
called for the JNA to withdraw from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  As
the Force Commander of the United Nations Protection Force in
Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) had confirmed, not a single JNA soldier
remained in that country.

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     No action was taken on an amendment to the resolution,
proposed by the Russian Federation.  The decision to take no
action was taken by a non-recorded vote of 69 in favour to 9
against, with 50 abstentions.  The proposed amendment would have
added a reference to Croatian military units in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, in a preambular paragraph of the resolution.

     Statements in debate were made by Peru, Afghanistan,
Colombia, Israel, Jordan, Ecuador, United Arab Emirates, Algeria,
Nigeria, Djibouti, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Azerbaijan.
The observers for the Organization of the Islamic Conference,
Palestine and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
also spoke.

     Statements in explanation of vote on the resolution were made
by the representatives of India, Japan, United States, Uruguay,
Russian Federation, Bolivia and Zimbabwe.  Turkey, Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Senegal spoke on the amendment proposed by the
Russian Federation.

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     Assembly Work Programme

     The General Assembly met this morning to continue its debate
     on the
situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  (For background, see Press
Release GA/8325, of 24 August.)

     A 28-Power draft resolution before the Assembly (document
     A/46/L.76) would have it urge the Security Council to
consider, on an urgent basis, taking appropriate further measures
under Chapter VII of the Charter to end the fighting and restore
the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

     The Assembly would demand that units of the Yugoslav People's
Army (JNA) and elements of the Croatian Army now in Bosnia and
Herzegovina either be withdrawn, placed under Bosnian authority,
or be disarmed with their weapons placed under international
supervision.  The Assembly would further condemn violations of the
sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as massive
violations of human rights and international law -- particularly
the "abhorrent practice of ethnic cleansing".  It would demand an
end to that practice, and demand that urgent steps be taken to
stop the "massive and forcible displacement" of that country's
population.

     The Assembly would reaffirm its support for the Government
and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their "just struggle to
safeguard their sovereignty, political independence, territorial
integrity and unity".  It would affirm that "States are to be held
accountable for violations of human rights which their agents
commit upon the territory of another State."

     By another provision of the draft resolution, the Assembly
     would demand that the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) be granted immediate, unimpeded and continued access
to all places of detention within the territory of the former
Yugoslavia, and would further demand unconditional repatriation of
refugees and deportees.  It would call upon all States and
international organizations not to recognize the consequences of
the abhorrent practice of "ethnic cleansing" and the acquisition
of territory by force.

     Also by the text, parties to the conflict would be urged to
secure the safety of the United Nations Protection Force in
Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) and all other United Nations personnel and
to support ongoing efforts to facilitate the delivery of
humanitarian assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The Assembly
would also decide to remain seized of the matter and to continue
its consideration of the issue at its next session.

     The draft resolution is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania,
Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Comoros,
Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi
Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and United Arab
Emirates.

     Also before the Assembly is a draft amendment (document
A/46/L.77) to a preambular paragraph of the text.  By the draft
resolution's terms the Assembly would, in that paragraph, recall
the report of the Secretary-General

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contained in document S/23900 in which he states that "all
international observers agree that what is happening is a
concerted effort by the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the
acquiescence of, and at least some support from the Yugoslav
People's Army, to create 'ethnically pure' regions in the context
of negotiations on the 'cantonization' of the Republic in the
Conference of the European Community on Bosnia and Herzegovina".

     The draft amendment, which is sponsored by the Russian
Federation, would add, at the end of the paragraph above the
following sentence:  "as well as his report of 30 May 1992
(document S/24049) in which he states that 'international
observers do not, however, doubt that portions of Bosnia and
Herzegovina are under the control of Croatian military units,
whether belonging to the local Territorial Defence, to
paramilitary groups of to the Croatian Army'".

     Financial Matters

     The President, Samir S. Shihabi (Saudi Arabia), drew
     attention to a
letter addressed to him from the Secretary-General (document
A/46/868/Add.4, to be issued) indicating that Benin had made the
necessary payments to reduce its arrears below the amount
specified in the Charter.  The Assembly took note of that letter.

     Discussion of Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

     RICARDO V. LUNA (Peru) said the conflict in former Yugoslavia
     was
essentially a European problem.  It was up to European
institutions and machinery to address the problem.  The United
Nations must also be incorporated into the process.  The laudable
efforts of such organizations as the Security Council, the
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference had played a critical role
in the negotiating process.  The conflict might spread; failure to
observe international law and human rights violations might
persist.  The abhorrent policy of "ethnic cleansing" was an
affront to humanity.

     ABDUL RAHIM GHAFOORZAI (Afghanistan), condemning the
aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, said his country, too,
had been a victim of the policy of aggression in the last decade.
He also condemned the mass violations of international
humanitarian law, the summary arbitrary executions, forced
disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment being committed
against innocent civilians by Serb nationalists, supported by the
JNA.  At a time when the international community was consolidating
its efforts aimed at the eradication of the abhorrent policy of
apartheid, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina were being
subjected to the unjustifiable and cruel policy of "ethnic
cleansing".

     He said that Afghanistan's opposition to the aggression
against Bosnia and Herzegovina was not only based on Islamic
solidarity; it was a matter of principle to defend the oppressed
against the aggressor.  "We consider it our moral duty to stand
firm and play our sincere role in the implementation of
resolutions set forth by this world body, towards putting an end
to such an illegal situation", he said.

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     Despite United Nations resolutions on the gravity of the
situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, international pressure did
not seem to be having the desired effect.  The situation was
worsening and the fighting was escalating.

     The clear intention of the Serb nationalists to solve the
crisis in an unjust way through forced displacement of the
population, and the disparity in arms available to both sides, put
the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in an inferior position, he
said.  The General Assembly should send a clear signal that
measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter would be
applied, if necessary, to end the challenge to international law
and restore peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

     The draft resolution, if approved, would be an effective
first step towards the withdrawal of all military and paramilitary
forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and would enable its people to
enjoy democracy, social justice, peace and friendly relations with
all its neighbours.  If the aggression ended and the people of
Bosnia and Herzegovina were left alone, different ethnic groups
could live beside each other in peace and understanding, he said.

     On the issue of succession of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia to the seat of the Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, he said that if Serbia-Montenegro improved its
unfavourable attitude regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, the issue
could be settled by the United Nations.  An immediate end to the
present unlawful situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina would create
an atmosphere in which all the republics of the former Yugoslavia
could settle the matter.

     LUIS FERNANDO JARAMILLO (Colombia) said that the most
elemental human rights had been violated in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.  Intolerable acts had been committed by forces from
Serbia and Montenegro, including elements of the army of the
former Yugoslavia.

     Colombia had supported all United Nations actions aimed at
     ending that conflict.  Bosnia and Herzegovina had repeatedly
requested the most basic international support.  The time had come
to find a speedy solution to the crisis.  Any action taken by the
Organization towards that end should strictly respect the letter
of the Charter.

     Colombia supported the draft resolution before the Assembly
and deplored the deterioration of living circumstances in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, which had been caused by paramilitary forces from
Serbia and Montenegro.  Bosnia and Herzegovina must be allowed to
exercise its right to self-defence; that might entail excluding
Bosnia and Herzegovina from, or require the lifting of, the arms
embargo called for in the resolution.

     The role of the former Yugoslavia in the United Nations must
be redefined.  The presence of representatives of Serbia and
Montenegro in the Assembly did not imply that Colombia accepted
that State as the successor to Yugoslavia.

     YORAM ARIDOR (Israel) said that on 3 July 1936, Stefan Lux, a
Jew from Germany who had fled Hitler, committed suicide while
sitting in the press

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gallery of the League of Nations in Geneva.  His briefcase was
found to contain letters which called upon the nations of the
world to open their eyes to what was happening to Jews in Germany.
But the League of Nations continued to go about its business as
usual, and thus ensured its own demise.

     The United Nations had heard the gunshots and seen the
pictures on television, he said.  But only deeds, not words, would
stop the suffering in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Israel was shocked
by the events in the Balkans, and had sent humanitarian aid to
Bosnia and Herzegovina under the auspices of the United Nations.
Israel had also agreed to positively consider contributing to the
supervision of heavy weapons in that country in the event that
such a task was to be added to the existing mandate of UNPROFOR.

     Reports of "ethnic cleansing" and detention centres in Bosnia
and Herzegovina had horrified all the people of Israel, he said.
Such practices were abhorrent and despicable, and should be halted
at once.  Yet it seemed as if the world had not learned from the
events of history; terror continued in parts of Bosnia.  The
United Nations should fulfil its duty, he concluded.

     ABU ODEH (Jordan) said the General Assembly should adopt the
draft resolution on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The
Assembly would not have met today had it not been for the fact
that repeated efforts of the Security Council had failed.  The
Assembly met to prompt the Council to discharge its responsibility
by taking additional, relevant measures under Chapter VII of the
Charter to restore the territorial integrity of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.

     The acts of aggression, inhuman behaviour -- notably "ethnic
     cleansing"
-- and political instability -- in the former Yugoslavia gave
impetus to the Assembly's work.  The world had addressed the
situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the provision of
humanitarian aid.  THe UNPROFOR had undertaken valiant efforts to
deliver aid to civilians.  On a diplomatic level, efforts had been
made to achieve peace.

     However, the United Nations was dealing with the effects of
the aggression, not its causes, he said.  The root problems must
be tackled.  Much had been said about Bosnia and Herzegovina, but
the aggressor seemed to feel that the Security Council was not
serious about halting aggression in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  To
make use of the Council's power and authority in certain
situations and not in others, was untenable.

     A Member State was suffering from external aggression, he
     stated.  The arms embargo had not served its intended
purpose; the victim State must have recourse to defend itself
under the provisions of the Charter.  It was high time to secure
the welfare of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

     JOSE AYALA LASSO (Ecuador) said policies of "ethnic
cleansing" and the deportation of refugees deserved vigorous
condemnation.  Ecuador supported any measure aimed at ending the
conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  No measure would be excessive
in defence of peace.  However, disagreements must be resolved
peacefully, if possible.  Territorial acquisition by the use of
force was null and void.

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     Regional solutions must be supported, he said.  Success would
depend on the will of the parties concerned to end the conflict.
However, hostilities must cease immediately.  The ICRC must be
given access to all refugee camps.  Members of UNPROFOR and all
other humanitarian organizations must be protected.

     Ecuador welcomed the Assembly's debate on the situation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina and would support the draft resolution, he
said.

     ALI THANI AL-SUWAIDI (United Arab Emirates) said that
civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina had been forced to leave their
homes because of the racist policy of "ethnic cleansing".  The
crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina demanded that solutions be found
within the framework of international law.

     The United Nations must dedicate itself to allowing the
people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to return to their homes and
property.  Bosnia and Herzegovina had a right to defend itself in
accordance with the Charter; that meant that the arms embargo
against that country should be lifted.

     Despite the fact that international efforts in Bosnia and
Herzegovina had not deferred aggression, the efforts of the United
Nations, especially its High Commissioner for Refugees, the ICRC
and other non-governmental organizations and Governments were
praiseworthy.  The United Arab Emirates had provided assistance to
Bosnia and Herzegovina in the form of medical personnel and
equipment.

     The United Arab Emirates was a co-sponsor of the draft
resolution before the Assembly, he said.  He hoped that it would
be adopted by consensus.

     RABAH HADID (Algeria) said the international community must
show effective support for a peaceful settlement of the crisis and
an end to human rights violations in the former Yugoslavia.  Given
the continued aggression and untold suffering persisting in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Algeria had taken several steps to isolate the
former Yugoslavia, including the recall of the Algerian
Ambassadors to Belgrade and observing the embargo.  Algeria had
also provided humanitarian relief to the people of Bosnia and
Herzegovina.

     He said the Assembly must express support for the people of
Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The international community must not
recognize the acquisition of territory by force.  The challenge of
providing humanitarian relief must be met through the urgent
actions of the international community.

     IBRAHIM A. GAMBARI (Nigeria) said the events taking place in
Bosnia and Herzegovina stood in striking contrast to the
principles and purposes of the United Nations.  It was a matter of
extreme concern that they were occurring in the presence of one of
the largest peace-keeping operations ever mounted by the
Organization.

     Nigeria was deeply concerned that the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of a Member State of the Organization was
being violated with such impunity and its people subjected to
untold suffering and hardship.  He condemned the aggression
against Bosnia and Herzegovina and deplored the massive violation
of human rights in that country.  Nigeria unequivocally

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rejected the policy of "ethnic cleansing" and the undisguised
attempt to create ethnically-pure areas.  Its own experience as a
multi-ethnic and multi-religious country was a living repudiation
of such an odious policy.

     He urged all the parties concerned to seek a peaceful
solution, and welcomed Security Council resolutions 770 and 771,
which aimed at ensuring that humanitarian assistance reached all
parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that international
humanitarian agencies had unrestricted access to imprisonment
camps and detention centres.

     However, much more needed to be done, he continued.  The
fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina had intensified and the death
toll was rising.  The longer it went on, the more intractable the
situation became and the greater was the danger of the conflict
widening to other areas.  All efforts to acquire territory by
force, and all attempts to change the ethnic composition of the
various areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, must not only be rejected
but the perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions,
he said.  All deportees and displaced persons must be accorded
safety and the right to return to their homes and their
confiscated properties returned to them.

     With firmness of purpose, the international community could
meet the challenge and act to restore international peace and
security not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in other
areas of conflict such as Somalia, he said.  The new world order
should not tolerate aggression and repression but should protect
and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter as well as
respect for the rule of law and the defence of the fundamental
human rights of all peoples.

     DYSANE ABDALLAH DORANI (Djibouti) said the entire world was
horrified by the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  For several
months, that nation had suffered international armed aggression by
elements of the former Yugoslav army.  Those soldiers were in the
pay of Serbian leaders who were "thirsty for blood and power".

     The aggressors not only sought power, but sought to
exterminate an entire people, he said.  Despite repeated promises
from Serbian authorities, humanitarian aid missions continued to
come under attack.  The resolutions on Bosnia and Herzegovina,
adopted by the Security Council, must be obeyed.

     Bosnia and Herzegovina had an inherent right to self-defence
     under the provisions of the Charter, he continued.  Bosnia
would only enjoy peace when the guns were silenced and all the
peoples of that territory could return home to live in peace.

     SLAVI PASHOVSKI (Bulgaria) said his country had been among
the first to draw attention to the abhorrent practice of "ethnic
cleansing", which was a gross violation of international
humanitarian law and also a destabilizing factor in the Balkans.
He called on the international community to strongly condemn all
violations of human rights, including forced mass expulsions and
abuse in detention centres.  "It is our obligation, under Article
1 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, not only to respect but also
to ensure strict

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respect for international humanitarian law by others", he said.
The question of human rights violations in the former Yugoslavia
should also be considered by the Council of Europe, which had
mechanisms and procedures to deal with such situations.

     There was a need to stop the fighting as well as to find a
mechanism for an overall solution to the complex problems of the
Balkans, he went on.  The Minister for Foreign Affairs of his
country had proposed the idea of convening a Balkan Forum for that
purpose.  He expressed appreciation for the efforts of UNPROFOR
towards ending the bloodshed, easing the suffering of the people
and ensuring the supply of humanitarian assistance.  Bulgaria, in
keeping with its policy of not sending armed forces or armaments
into neighbouring countries, would refrain from providing military
personnel and equipment for peace-keeping operations in the former
Yugoslavia.  He urged Balkan States to adhere to the same
principle.

     CARLOS A. BIVERO (Venezuela) said the vile policy of "ethnic
     cleansing" must be condemned.   The Serbs had violated
international law and human rights.  Such practices must be
vigorously denounced by the Assembly.  Full respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms must be ensured.

     A diplomatic, political settlement could only emerge in the
     context of the London conference, he continued.  Efforts must
aim to promote dialogue among the conflicting parties.  Venezuela
had recognized the independence and sovereignty of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and had pledged to safeguard its rights.

     CRISTIAN TATTENBACH (Costa Rica) said his delegation shared
the anguish of the international community regarding the situation
in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The international community could not
condone violations of the sovereignty and the independence of a
Member of the United Nations.  The purpose of those violations was
"ethnic cleansing", a flagrant violation of humanitarian law.  He
supported the resolutions adopted by the United Nations bodies on
the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

     The best solution to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
was to establish a cease-fire and initiate negotiations among the
parties to the conflict, he went on.  A solution based on ethnic
cantons was not appropriate, he stressed.  Bosnia and Herzegovina
should not be deprived of its right to defend itself, a right
which was guaranteed by the Charter.

     HASSAN AZIZ OGLY HASSANOV (Azerbaijan) said that over the
past few months unceasing aggression had been carried out against
a Member State of the United Nations.  The suffering continued and
"ethnic cleansing" was being practiced to the horror of the
international community.  The sovereign rights of a State were
being violated; the aggressor must be condemned.

     Despite the emergence of international cooperation and the
universality of human values, some Governments still sought to
expand their territory at the expense of others, he continued.
Globalism and nationalism should not be viewed as mutually
exclusive.  In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, religious and
political factors had clouded the essential character of the

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conflict, which involved aggression by one well-armed State
against another, he said.  The Assembly must call on the Security
Council to take all necessary measures to restore the territorial
integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and end forced expulsions and
"ethnic cleansing".  Refugees must be compensated and allowed to
return home.

     The draft resolution deserved the Assembly's full support, he
     concluded.

     NANGUYALAI S. TARZI, Observer for the Organization of the
     Islamic
Conference, said Bosnia and Herzegovina had been subjected to a
violent and repressive campaign launched by Serbian extremists
with the support of the Yugoslav federal army clearly aimed at
subverting its political independence and territorial integrity.

     Bosnia and Herzegovina was the innocent and unarmed victim of
     foreign aggression, he continued.  It should be exempted from
the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council.  As an
independent State, Bosnia and Herzegovina had a legitimate right
to self-defence.

     The Organization of the Islamic Conference strongly condemned
the atrocities being committed against the innocent and
defenceless Muslims and Croats, he said.  The "ethnic cleansing"
campaign by the Serbian elements was a crime against humanity, and
raised horrible memories of similar revolting activities conducted
in Europe in the recent past.

     He said that his Organization had requested the Islamic
Development Bank to arrange for a special allocation of funds for
assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The Bank had already
allocated $21 million for humanitarian relief and reconstruction
assistance for that country.

     He urged all States not to recognize the succession of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to the seat
of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, until it
fully complied with Council resolutions concerning Bosnia and
Herzegovina and recognized the independence, sovereignty,
territorial integrity and unity of that country.  The question of
succession should await an agreement on the issue between the
States that constituted the former Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia.

     RIYAD H. MANSOUR, Observer for Palestine, said that when
Yugoslavia divides into separate republics, many countries,
including Palestine, had recognized the constituent republics as
independent States.  The United Nations had also granted those
republics membership in the Organization.

     The hope had been that those changes would take place
peacefully, but the situation had turned out differently, he said.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, aggression by the former Yugoslav army
had taken a toll on the civilian population.  The territorial
integrity of that country had been violated.

     Recent Security Council resolutions, together with the draft
before the Assembly, sought to find a just solution to the
situation in Bosnia and

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Herzegovina.  That problem was an important test for the United
Nations.  The Organization had to determine whether Member States
would fulfil their duties under the Charter without exception.

     All organs and agencies of the United Nations should dedicate
themselves to securing the freedom, unity and territorial
integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina within internationally
recognized borders.  Palestine fully supported those efforts.

     PETER KUNG, the representative of the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC), said since the beginning of the conflict,
his organization had protected and assisted the civilian
population; visited prisoners and enabled them to return home once
released; and provided medical emergency supplies to hospitals.

     The ICRC, in its capacity as an impartial, neutral and
independent institution, had invited representatives of all
parties to initiate a dialogue and find solutions to the
humanitarian issues.  They had agreed to comply fully with the
provisions of the Geneva Conventions, particularly the Third and
the Fourth Conventions relating to the protection of prisoners and
civilians.

     Over a hundred ICRC staff in the former Yugoslavia had so far
been allowed to visit more than 20,000 detainees and to assist
tens of thousands of displaced people and other vulnerable
groups.

     Despite formal commitments by the parties, "international
humanitarian law has remained almost a dead letter", he said.  The
humanitarian situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was terrible.
The civilian population was not spared, and prisoners were
ill-treated.  Hospitals and medical installations were attacked
and the Red Cross emblem was not respected.  The ICRC staff had
not been able to see all prisoners for lack of security.  The
civilians were subjected to an unacceptable policy of forced
transfers and arbitrary measures, accompanied by ill treatment,
harassment, arrests and even killings.  Those were serious
breaches of international humanitarian law.

     Continuing, he said that faced with a humanitarian situation
     of such magnitude, the ICRC could not remain silent and had
appealed to the international community on several occasions, and
reminded them of their collective responsibility under the Geneva
Conventions to ensure respect for the principles of those
Conventions in all circumstances.

     International solidarity was indispensable to the ICRC which
was ready within the limits of its mandate, to cooperate with the
United Nations, he said.  Its first priority, however, would still
be independent efforts to improve the treatment of prisoners and
of civilians.

     The ICRC had taken note of the decision by the Security
Council to have humanitarian convoys protected if necessary by
armed escorts.  It was hoped that those would be temporary
measures and that the parties to the conflict would soon realize
that it was in their own interest to allow humanitarian convoys to
cross lines and travel safely in areas under their control.

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History had shown that respect for civilians and humane treatment
of prisoners often constituted the first step toward peace and
reconciliation.  Humanitarian assistance could in no way be a
substitute for a political settlement and in that connection he
hoped that the upcoming London conference would pave the way for
peace.

     Action on Draft Resolution

     Before action on the draft an amendment to it was proposed by
     YULIY
VORONTSOV (Russian Federation).

     MUSTAFA AKSIN (Turkey), on a point of order, spoke on behalf
of the co-sponsors of the draft resolution.  He said that the
co-sponsors had carefully considered the amendment proposed by the
Russian Federation.  They had concluded that to refer to the
presence of Croatian military units in the territory of Bosnia and
Herzegovina as the amendment proposed would be inappropriate.
Preambular paragraph 11 of the draft resolution to which the
amendment was being proposed, dealt with "ethnic cleansing".

     Operative paragraph 3 of the draft resolution, he said,
already contained
a reference to the Croatian army in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The
proposed amendment was, therefore, unnecessary.

     The report of the Secretary-General of 30 May, referred to in
the Russian amendment, contained references to a great many
elements, most of which related to the Yugoslav People's Army in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.  To quote selectively from that report
would be misleading.

     He then proposed that no action be taken on the proposed
amendment to the draft.  That rule states that during the
discussion of any matter, a representative may move the
adjournment of debate on the item under discussion.

     IVAN MISIC (Bosnia and Herzegovina) said the motion to take
no action on the proposed amendment deserved support.  The
proposed amendment involved "rather obsolete information", he
said.  The Croatian military units in Bosnia and Herzegovina were
composed of local Croatians who were opposed to the aggression.  A
former lack of coordination between Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina had been ironed out.  Croatian forces were now a part
of Bosnia and Herzegovina's defence, under the terms of a
friendship and cooperation agreement signed on 21 July.

     MAME BALLA SY (Senegal) said he, too, supported the motion.
The proposed amendment was not relevant.  The important thing was
to put an end to atrocities as well as to take measures for
humanitarian assistance to reach those who needed it.  The
amendment lumped together two facts which had no connection.

     The motion to take no action on the proposed amendment was
adopted by a non-recorded vote of 69 in favour to 9 against, with
50 abstentions.

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     Action on Draft

     The representative of India, speaking before action on the
     draft
resolution, said the disintegration of former Yugoslavia had been
a cause for sadness.  The atrocities being perpetrated against
innocent civilians were outrageous.  Certain ethnic groups had
carried out deadly manoeuvres to expand their territory and also
used the policy of "ethnic cleansing".  India condemned such
practices and fully supported Bosnia and Herzegovina's right to
territorial integrity.  The Security Council must take urgent
action, not excluding the use of force.  However, force should be
resorted to only under extreme conditions and directly under
United Nations control.  India would support the draft
resolution.

     The representative of Japan said that one could not but be
appalled at the treatment of civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He hoped that the London Conference would bring about a peaceful
resolution of the conflict.  Japan would support the draft
resolution before the Assembly, but that support was without
prejudice to Japan's legal position regarding Bosnia and
Herzegovina, he said.

     The representative of Yugoslavia supported the call contained
in the draft resolution, for a cease-fire and an end to the policy
of "ethnic cleansing".  However, preambular paragraph 6, which
referred to the succession of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
to the seat of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, had
no connection to the item under discussion.

     Further, he said, preambular paragraph 7, which referred to
the deterioration of the living conditions of the people in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, did not mention the Serbs in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.  Why had they been excluded? he asked.  He was
astonished that operative paragraph 3 requested the JNA to
withdraw from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  As the
UNPROFOR Force Commander had confirmed, there was not a single JNA
soldier in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The draft was partial and,
therefore, unacceptable.

     He had done his best to allow the Assembly to adopt the draft
resolution
by consensus.  However, his concerns had not been reflected in the
draft and he would have to vote against it.

     The President announced that the following countries had
joined in
co-sponsoring the draft:  Colombia, Peru, Germany, Italy, Austria,
Netherlands, Micronesia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Malta,
Niger, Marshall Islands, Qatar, Guinea-Bissau and El Salvador.

     The draft resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 136 in
favour to
1 against (Yugoslavia) with 5 abstentions (Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi,
Namibia and Russian Federation).

     (For details of vote, see Annex.)

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     Speaking in explanation of vote, the representative of the
United States said that by making a recommendation on matters
under consideration by the Security Council, the General Assembly
exceeded the limits set in Article 12 of the Charter.  (That
article states that the Assembly shall not make any recommendation
with regard to a dispute or situation under consideration by the
Security Council, unless the Council so requests.)

     However, the urgency of the situation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina compelled the United States to support the resolution,
he said.

     The representative of Uruguay said the events in Bosnia and
Herzegovina were offensive and horrific as they involved genocide
in the name of "ethnic cleansing".  Uruguay had closed its embassy
in Belgrade in the light of Serbia's culpability in events in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.  It was necessary for the General Assembly
to address the situation in that country.  Moreover, he had
hesitated in voting in favour of the resolution as its terms were
not in line with previous resolutions of the Security Council.
However, the draft could induce the Council to take positive
action in the future.  So, Uruguay had supported the resolution.

     The representative of the Russian Federation said that, in
principle, his country supported the aims of the resolution.  Yet,
the amendment his country had proposed in an attempt to balance
the text, had been blocked.  The Russian Federation, therefore,
had not supported the resolution.  It did support, however, the
cessation of hostilities and strict measures against those
violating international humanitarian law.

     The representative of Bolivia said that his delegation
profoundly respected international law and commiserated with the
people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  It was a cornerstone of
Bolivian foreign policy to reject the acquisition of territory by
force.

     Bolivia repudiated violence and racial discrimination by
     anyone.

     The representative of Zimbabwe said that although his country
     was gravely
concerned about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it had
serious doubts about preambular paragraph 7, on the deterioration
of the living conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and operative
paragraph 3, on the withdrawal of Yugoslav and Croatian military
forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the resolution.

     It did not help to blame any one party for the crisis in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially since the reports of the
Secretary-General had stated that all parties to the conflict bore
some responsibility for the situation, he said.

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				     ANNEX


     Vote on Resolution on Bosnia and Herzegovina

     The resolution on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(document
A/46/L.76) was adopted by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to 1
against, with
5 abstentions as follows:

     In favour:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina,
     Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain,
     Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia,
     Bosnia/herzeg, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria,
     Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China,
     Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia,
     Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador,
     Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia,
     Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Grenada,
     Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary,
     Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel,
     Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia,
     Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
     Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands,
     Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar,
     Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway,
     Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
     Portugal, Qatar, Rep of Moldova, Republic of Korea, Romania,
     Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the
     Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore,
     Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syria,
     Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda,
     Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United
     Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet
     Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

     Against:  Yugoslavia.

     Abstaining:  Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Russian Fed.

     Absent:  Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burundi,
     Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic People's
     Republic of Korea, Dominica,
     Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Haiti,
     Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia,
     Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Samoa,
     Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon
     Islands, Somalia, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
     Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zaire.

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