B4-0061, 0069, 0075, 0080, 0097, 0098 and 0102/96

Resolution on the implementation of the peace agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Reconstruction and Development Plan for the former Yugoslavia and on the Dayton Peace Agreement, and in particular its resolution of 14 December 1995 on the former Yugoslavia ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 1(b).)),

- having regard to the results of the conferences of London, Brussels and Bonn on the implementation of the peace agreement,

A. alarmed by recent attacks on civilians and IFOR troops as well as the abduction of civilians by Bosnian Serb units in the city of Sarajevo,

B. deeply concerned by recent acts of violence started by extremist elements of the Croat population in the city of Mostar, which endanger the possibilities of a future united city, as well as the future of the Croat- Muslim Federation, of which the structures should be set up as soon as possible,

C. noting that the whole of the city of Sarajevo should, according to the terms of the peace agreement, be put under control of the Bosnia-Herzegovina government by 19 January 1996,

D. emphasizing that every effort should be made to restore the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious character of the city of Sarajevo and noting that a massive exodus of Serb citizens from the city of Sarajevo would endanger these efforts,

E. regretting that ethnic cleansing continues in some regions, particularly in the Banja Luka area, which may jeopardize the peace process,

F. whereas the High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Mr Carl Bildt, should devote his attention to the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as suggested by the European Parliament as a means of promoting dialogue and reconciliation, a precondition for the physical and moral reconstruction of civil society throughout the former Yugoslavia,

G. noting that many European governments are at this moment considering programmes for a rapid and forced return of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina to their homes,

1. Appeals to all parties concerned to cooperate fully in the implementation of the peace agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina; warns that non-compliance with the terms of the peace agreement might lead to a resumption of the humanitarian disaster in Bosnia-Herzegovina;

2. Insists that the reconstruction plan should be used to restore the social, ethnic and political situation in accordance with the political criteria laid down in its aforementioned resolution of 14 December 1995, and urges the Commission to check and verify that within the reconstruction plan all parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina are involved according to their needs as long as the conditionalities are satisfied;

3. Gives its full support to the activities of the High Representative, Mr Bildt, and calls on the other partners to make available as soon as possible the necessary financial means for carrying out his duties;

4. Emphasizes that it should be able to exercise effective political control over the High Representative's activities and that the role of the Commission should be recognized;

5. Supports the action of the EU administration in Mostar and calls for its continuation and for the rapid setting up of the necessary structures of the Croat-Muslim Federation and the dismantling of the existing separate structures;

6. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to exert pressure on President Tudjman to restrain the Croat forces in Mostar;

7. Emphasizes the special significance of the success of the restoration of authority of the Bosnia-Herzegovina government over the city of Sarajevo by 19 January 1996 and therefore calls on all parties and especially on the Bosnian Serb forces to adhere to the provisions of the peace agreement;

8. Is of the opinion that an excessively rapid and forced return of refugees might destabilize the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina and therefore calls on all European governments to develop a very careful policy of return, which should be directly linked to the implementation of the reconstruction plan and should take account of the priorities set by the UNHCR;

9. Calls for the deployment of the international monitoring force to be speeded up in order to strengthen security and control over the trouble spots;

10. Insists that elections take place in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the purpose of establishing democratic, representative and multi-ethnic authorities in the country, within the deadline set in the peace agreement, and urges the European Union, in cooperation with the High Representative, to take the requisite measures to allow the functioning of the civic structures and free press and media necessary for this purpose;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia and the High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia-Herzegovina.