United Nations Security Council Resolution 970

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 3487th meeting, by 14 votes to none, with 1 abstention (Russian Federation), on 12 January 1995

The Security Council,

Recalling all its earlier relevant resolutions, and in particular resolution 943 (1994) of 23 September 1994,

Welcoming the measures taken by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), in particular those detailed in the annex to the Secretary-General’s letter of 4 January 1995 to the President of the Security Council (S/1995/6), to maintain the effective closure of the international border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goods except foodstuffs, medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs, and noting that those measures were a necessary condition for the adoption of the present resolution,

Stressing the importance of the maintenance by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) of the effective closure of that border, and of further efforts by them to enhance the effectiveness of that closure, including by the prosecution of persons suspected of violating measures to that end and by sealing border crossing points as requested by the Mission of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY),

Expressing appreciation for the work of the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee of the ICFY and of the ICFY Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), and stressing the importance it attaches to the availability of all necessary resources for the work of the Mission,

Noting that paragraph 9 of resolution 757 (1992) of 30 May 1992 remains in force,

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

1. Decides that the restrictions and other measures referred to in paragraph 1 of resolution 943 (1994) shall be suspended for a further period of 100 days from the adoption of the present resolution;

2. Calls upon all States and others concerned to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and international borders of all States in the region;

3. Reaffirms that the requirements in paragraph 12 of resolution 820 (1993) that import to, export from and transshipment through the United Nations Protected Areas in the Republic of Croatia and those areas of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the control of Bosnian Serb forces, with the exception of essential humanitarian supplies including medical supplies and foodstuffs distributed by international humanitarian agencies, shall be permitted only with proper authorization from the Government of the Republic of Croatia or the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively, apply to all shipments across the international border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

4. Requests the Committee established by resolution 724 (1991) urgently to expedite its elaboration of appropriate streamlined procedures as referred in paragraph 2 of resolution 943 (1993), and to give priority to its consideration of applications concerning legitimate humanitarian assistance, particular applications from the International Committee of the Red Cross and from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other organizations in the United Nations system;

5. Requests that every thirty days the Secretary-General submit to the Security Council for its review a report as to whether the Co-Chairmen of the ICFY Steering Committee certify that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) are effectively implementing their decision to close the international border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to all goods except foodstuffs, medical supplies and clothing for essential humanitarian needs, and are complying with the requirements of paragraph 3 above in respect of all shipments across the international border between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and further requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council immediately if he has evidence, including from the Co-Chairmen of the ICFY Steering Committee, that those authorities are not effectively implementing their decision to close that border;

6. Decides that if at any time the Secretary-General reports that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) are not effectively implementing their decision to close that border, the suspension of the measures referred to in paragraph 1 above shall terminate on the fifth working day following the report of the Secretary-General, unless the Security Council decides to the contrary;

7. Decides to keep the situation closely under review and to consider further steps with regard to measures applicable to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the light of further progress in the situation;

8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.