MONUSCO took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) – on 1 July 2010. It was done in accordance with Security Council resolution 1925 of 28 May to reflect the new phase reached in the country.
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The new mission has been authorized to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate relating, among other things, to the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.
The United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (also referred to under its acronym FYROM) is the first mission in the history of United Nations peacekeeping to have a preventive mandate. UNPREDEP's unique preventive mandate derives from several Security Council resolutions since December 1992. The mission's aim is to prevent disputes in its mandate area from turning into serious conflicts. UNPREDEP uses a variety of means to accomplish this task, including troop deployment, mediation, negotiation, conciliation and other peaceful means.
UNPREDEP's main mandated task is to monitor and report any developments in the border areas which could undermine confidence and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and threaten its territory. The mission serves as an early-warning source for the Security Council, helps to strengthen mutual dialogue among political parties and assists in monitoring human rights as well as inter-ethnic relations in the country. Thus, UNPREDEP covers political action and good offices, troop deployment, and the human dimension. UNPREDEP also assists in the country's social and economic development along with other agencies and organizations of the United Nations system. UNPREDEP maintains close cooperation with the Monitoring Mission in Skopje, FYROM's capital, of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and enjoys an excellent relationship with the host Government.
The mission has demonstrated that preventive deployment is an effective form of peacekeeping and that results can be achieved even with a small, almost symbolic deployment of United Nations peace-keepers, if it is done at the right time and with a clear mandate. In November 1995, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that the fundamental objective of the operation, that the conflict in the former Yugoslavia be prevented from spreading, had been achieved. He noted, however, that the causes that led to the establishment of the United Nations preventive deployment operation had not ceased to exist and that the continued presence of UNPREDEP remained vital to the maintenance of peace and stability in the country.
The Secretary-General, in a message to the International Workshop "An Agenda for Preventive Diplomacy: Theory and Practice" (Skopje, 16-19 October 1996), stated that "preventive diplomacy requires the constructive engagement of the international community. Rhetoric must be matched with deeds, theory must be closely linked with practice, and goodwill has to prevail over prejudice. Few will doubt that, in terms of human and material resources, prevention is less costly than cure. The challenge is to summon the political will to act. UNPREDEP remains the first and only United Nations preventive peacekeeping operation. It is a demonstration of what can be accomplished in the realm of conflict prevention when good offices and troop deployment are put to effective use. Experience has taught us that postponing action to avert conflict is often a recipe for disaster. If we are to have any hope of ending human suffering and material destruction, preventive diplomacy must remain a prime objective of the United Nations."
UNPREDEP's achievements
UNPREDEP, as the first preventive diplomacy and deployment operation of the United Nations, has contributed to stabilize the host country's security security situation through patrolling its northern and western borders. The mission has been recognized as a significant instrument for facilitating dialogue, restraint and practical compromise between different segments of society.
From UNPROFOR to UNPREDEP:
Evolution of a mission
On 21 February 1992, the Security Council, by resolution 743 (1992), established the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) for an initial period of 12 months to create the conditions of peace and security required for the negotiation of an overall settlement of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. The Security Council authorized the full deployment of the Force by resolution 749 (1992) of 7 April 1992. UNPROFOR was first deployed in Croatia. Subsequently, its mandate was extended to Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, widely known by its acronym, FYROM.
On 11 November 1992, the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia requested the deployment of United Nations observers in view of his concern about the possible impact of fighting elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia. On 9 December 1992, the Secretary-General recommended to the Council an expansion of UNPROFOR's mandate and strength to establish a United Nations presence on the republic's borders with Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The mandate would be essentially preventive, to monitor and report any developments in the border areas which could undermine confidence and stability in the republic and threaten its territory. The enlargement would comprise a battalion of up to 700 all ranks, 35 military observers, 26 civilian police monitors, 10 civil affairs staff, 45 administrative staff and local interpreters. The headquarters would be in the capital, Skopje.
The Security Council authorized the establishment of UNPROFOR's presence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by its resolution 795(1992) of 11 December 1992 as "UNPROFOR's Macedonia Command". Its mandate was to:
Subsequently, on 18 June 1993, the Council welcomed the offer by the United States to provide about 300 troops to reinforce UNPROFOR's presence in the republic and, in its resolution 842(1993), authorized the deployment of the additional personnel.
On 31 March 1995, the Security Council decided to replace UNPROFOR by three separate but interlinked peacekeeping operations. Within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council decided, by adopting resolution 983(1995), that UNPROFOR would be known as the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) with mandate, responsibilities and composition identical to those in place.
On 18 December 1998 (S/1998/1191; S/1998/1192), Fernando Valenzuela-Marzo of Spain was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Before that, UNPREDEP was headed by Henryk Sokalski (Poland). The Force's initial military commander was Brigadier-General Juha Engström (Finland), who was subsequently replaced by Bo Lennart Wranker (Sweden) in March 1996 as UNPREDEP Force Commander.
Formally established by the Security Council in resolution 983(1995) of 31 March 1995, the Security Council, on 30 May 1995, by adopting resolution 1058(1996), extended UNPREDEP's mandate for a further six-month period through 30 November 1996. On 1 February 1996, the Security Council concurred with the Secretary-General's recommendation that UNPREDEP become an independent mission. By its resolution 1046(1996) of 13 February 1996, the Council authorized an increase in the Force's strength by 50 military personnel and approved the establishment of the position of Force Commander of UNPREDEP. In March 1996, Brigadier-General Bo Lennart Wranker (Sweden) took up those functions. On 30 May 1996, the Security Council extended UNPREDEP's mandate through 30 November 1996. By adopting resolution 1082(1996) on 26 November 1996, the Council extended the mission's mandate for a further six month period through 31 May 1997 and decided on a reduction of its military component by 300 all ranks by 30 April 1997. The situation changed with developments in the neighbouring Kosovo Province of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which saw violent ethnic clashes during the summer and fall of 1998.
The Security Council called on 24 August 1998 (Press Release SC/6562) for an immediate ceasefire in Kosovo, emphasizing the need for the achievement of a political solution to the conflict by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanians. The Council reiterated the importance of the implementation of its resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March, by which it banned the sale or supply to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, of arms and related materiel of all types. By that resolution, it also decided that States shall prevent arming and training for terrorist activities in Kosovo. The Council reaffirmed the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
On that date, the Council also considered the report of the Secretary-General on the Kosovo situation (S/1998/712), which stated report that while all organizations contacted stated their readiness to contribute actively to the monitoring of the prohibitions imposed by resolution 1160 (1998), the overall resources pledged by them would not allow for the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring regime as envisaged in the resolution. Nonetheless,their proposed contributions, coupled with that of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), would provide a useful framework for reporting on violations of the prohibitions and for assisting the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) in discharging its mandate. The Committee, consisting of all Council members, was established to facilitate implementation of the arms embargo.
The report noted that through the adoption of resolution 1186 (1998) on 21 July, the Council had authorized an increase in the troop strength of the UNPREDEP and an extension of its current mandate for a further six months, until 28 February 1999, including the tasks of monitoring the border areas and reporting to the Secretary-General on illicit arms flows and other activities prohibited under resolution 1160. In the absence of an integrated coordinating mechanism, representatives of participating organizations, UNPREDEP and the Secretariat must exchange information on the monitoring of those prohibitions.
By adopting resolution S/RES/1186/1998 of 21 July 1998, the Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and decided to authorize an increase in the troop strength of UNPREDEP up to 1,050 and to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP for a period of six months until 28 February 1999, including to continue by its presence to deter threats and prevent clashes, to monitor the border areas, and to report to the Secretary-General any developments which could pose a threat to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including the tasks of monitoring and reporting on illicit arms flows and other activities that were prohibited under resolution 1160 (1998).
As of 30 November1998, the Mission' total uniformed personnel strength stood at 906; comprised of 846 troops, 35 military observers and 25 civilian police. As of that date, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States were contributing military personnel to UNPREDEP.
In a report dated 29 April 1998 (A/51/508/Add.3), the Secretary-General submitted a revised budget for the maintenance of UNPREDEP for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 in the amount of $49,474,800 gross ($47,937,600 net).The budget provided for 35 military observers, 1,050 troops, 26 civilian police, 76 international staff and 127 locally recruited staff. It included non-recurrent costs totalling $1,206,500. Expenditures for UNPREDEP covering the period 1 July 1996 through 30 June 1997 amounted to $$50,405,200 gross ($49,593,700 net) (A/52/768).
On 26 June 1998, the Assembly appropriated $21.1 million to maintain the force from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 (Press Release GA/9425).
RETURN TO UNPREDEP MAIN DIRECTORY
25 February 1999: UNPREDEP's mandate not renewed beyond 28 February 1999
as Council does not adopt draft on six-month extension due to veto by China
China, on 25 February 1999, used its veto in the Security Council to prevent a renewal of UNPREDEP in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Press Release SC/6648) . By a vote of 13 in favour, to one against (China), with one abstention (Russian Federation), the Council failed to adopt the eight-nation draft resolution (S/1999/201), sponsored by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, United Kingdom and the United States that would have extended UNPREDEP's mandate for another six months. Speaking after the vote, the Chinese delegate said his Government had always maintained that UN peacekeeping operations, including preventive deployment missions
should not be open- ended. The situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had
apparently stabilized in the past few years and its relations with neighbouring countries had improved. Several United Nations member States addressed the Council expressing regret at China's veto. They argued that there could be a spillover of the tensions from Kosovo across the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement after the Council vote that a new approach would have to be adopted by the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its neighbours, in consultation with regional organizations. In his latest report before the Council vote, the Secretary-General had recommended that UNPREDEP be extended for another six-month period - through 31 August - as taken up in draft resolution S/1999/201 considered on 25 February 1999. The Force's extension was likewise requested by FYROM in letter S/1999/108 of 29 January 1999 addressed to the Secretary-General based on concern over the danger of a spillover of the Kosovo conflict, increased tensions on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, the unstable situation in Albania itself- which burdened FYROM's efforts to prevent arms trafficking to Kosovo - and the lack of progress in the demarcation of the country's border with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
12 February 1999: As peace and security in UNPREDEP mandate area
largely depend on external factors, mission's presence deemed necessary
by Secretary-General
On 12 February 1999, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on UNPREDEP's activities and developments in the mission area since 14 July 1998, pursuant to Council resolution 1186(1998) of 21 July 1998, by which the Council had extended UNPREDP until 28 February 1999 with an authorized increase in its troop strength of up to 1,050. The report said that peace and stability in FYROM continued to depend largely on developments in other parts of the region, in particular in Kosovo. Adding tensions, relations between FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have been strained after UNPREDEP's host country's decision to authorize the deployment of the NATO Extraction Force on its territory. This decision prompted a strong protest by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Neither did progress materialize in the border demarcation task between the two countries. The Joint Border Commission, after a hiatus of six months, had yet to resume its deliberations. On 30 January 1999, S/1999/99 , the Secretary-General already expressed increasing concern that the spread of violence and the nature of the attacks in Kosovo could lead to a situation of all-out civil war in the province, which might have unpredictable repercussions for the entire region. Thus, it was a matter of satisfaction , the Secretary-General stated on 12 February 1999, that as of then, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has not been adversely affected by the Kosovo conflict. However, the potential serious repercussions that continued violence in Kosovo could have upon the external and internal security of the country must not be ignored given the large proportion of ethnic Albanians in the population of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UNPREDEP contributed successfully to preventing the spillover of conflicts elsewhere in the region to the former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia. By promoting dialogue among the various political forces and ethnic communities in the country, the mission had a stabilizing effect in the terrain. The confidence inspired by its presence has defused tensions that could have arisen as a result of the continued crisis in Kosovo. The increase in UNPREDEP's military component by 300 all ranks, authorized by Security Council resolution 1186(1998), was completed by the beginning of January, thus bringing its strength to 1,050 troops.Also pursuant to resolution 1160(1998), UNPREDEP undertook the new tasks of monitoring and reporting on illicit arms flows and other activities prohibited by that Council decision. Newly set up UNPREDEPmobile reaction teams responded to sighted smuggling activities by moving quickly to continue observation and provided more accurate information on whether arms, ammunition or explosives were involved. On average, UNPREDEP military personnel conducted some 400 patrols per week, including 300 border and community patrols, established 80 temporary observation posts (from 3 to 24 hours), and conducted 15 helicopter patrols. The civilian police monitors, in addition, conducted approximately 100 patrols per week.
18 December 1998: Fernando Valenzuela-Marzo of Spain new Special Representative
On 18 December 1998 (S/1998/1191; S/1998/1192), Fernando Valenzuela-Marzo of Spain was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, succeeding Henryk J. Sokalski of Poland.
24 October 1998: Security Council demands full compliance by Belgrade on Kosovo agreements
Concern about a possible spill-over of the Kosovo conflict into FYROM due to its shared border directly concerned UNPREDEP, which mandate comprised patrolling that border area. By the adoption of resolution 1203/1998 on 24 October 1998, the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, endorsed and supported the agreements signed in Belgrade on 16 October 1998 between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the OSCE, and on 15 October 1998 between the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO, concerning the verification of compliance by the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia and all others concerned in Kosovo with the requirements of its resolution
1199 (1998), and demanded the full and prompt implementation of these agreements by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Bigadier-General Stromberg new UNPREDEP Force Commander
On 15 September 1998, the Security Council took note of the Secretary-General's intention to appoint Brigadier-General Ove Johnny Stromberg of Norway as the new UNPREDEP Force Commander,
24 August 1998: Security Council calls for end of violence in Kosovo;
mentions role of UNPREDEP in the region
The Security Council called on 24 August 1998 (Press Release SC/6562) for an immediate ceasefire in Kosovo, emphasizing the need for the achievement of a political solution to the conflict by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanians. The Council reiterated the importance of the implementation of its resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March, by which it banned the sale or supply to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, of arms and related materiel of all types. By that resolution, it also decided that States shall prevent arming and training for terrorist activities in Kosovo. The Council reaffirmed the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
On that date, the Council also considered the report of the Secretary-General on the Kosovo situation (S/1998/712), which stated report that while all organizations contacted stated their readiness to contribute actively to the monitoring of the prohibitions imposed by resolution 1160 (1998), the overall resources pledged by them would not allow for the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring regime as envisaged in the resolution. Nonetheless,their proposed contributions, coupled with that of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), would provide a useful framework for reporting on violations of the prohibitions and for assisting the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) in discharging its mandate. The Committee, consisting of all Council members, was established to facilitate implementation of the arms embargo.
The report noted that through the adoption of resolution 1186 (1998) on 21 July, the Council had authorized an increase in the troop strength of the UNPREDEP and an extension of its current mandate for a further six months, until 28 February 1999, including the tasks of monitoring the border areas and reporting to the Secretary-General on illicit arms flows and other activities prohibited under resolution 1160. In the absence of an integrated coordinating mechanism, representatives of participating organizations, UNPREDEP and the Secretariat must exchange information on the monitoring of those prohibitions.
21 July 1998: Resolution 1186(1998) increases UNPREDEP
troop strength to 1,050 personnel;
extends mission mandate until 28 February 1999
By adopting resolution S/RES/1186/1998 of 21 July 1998, the Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and decided to authorize an increase in the troop strength of UNPREDEP up to 1,050 and to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP for a period of six months until 28 February 1999, including to continue by its presence to deter threats and prevent clashes, to monitor the border areas, and to report to the Secretary-General any developments which could pose a threat to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including the tasks of monitoring and reporting on illicit arms flows and other activities that were prohibited under resolution 1160 (1998).
14 July 1998: Secretary-General reports on UNPREDEP
On 14 July 1998, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council his recent most report on the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (S/1998/644).
15 June NATO air exercises over FYROM aim at assisting the country
to maintain stability and integrity; NATO defense ministers condemn violence
in Kosovo and support continuation of UNPREDEP
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in FYROM reported on 15 June 1998 that, following NATO's decision to carry out a military air exercise over FYROM and Albania as a demonstration of the Alliance's firm stand on the ongoing crisis in Kosovo, approval was given after intense consultations by the FYROM government. Defense Minister Lazar Kitanovski emphasized that the air exercise proved NATO's determination to assist FYROM in maintaining its integrity and stability. Some 85 NATO planes carrying live ammunition participated in the 15 June air exercise "Determined Falcon". On 11 June in Brussels, NATO defense ministers condemned the violence in Kosovo and extended support for the continuation of UNPREDEP and provision of possible support for UN and OSCE monitoring powers.
Kosovo crisis affects mission area; 1 June report of the Secretary-General
includes Security Council option to extend UNPREDEP through 28 February 1999
In a report of 1 June 1998 to the Security Council on UNPREDEP (S/1998/454), the Secretary-General stated that, according to Security Council resolution 1110(1997) of 28 May 1997, the phased reduction of the UNPREDEP military component by 300 all ranks was completed by 30 November 1997, bringing its strength to 750 troops. At the same time, the total number of observation posts was reduced from 19 to 8, all of which are situated at strategic locations along the border with Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In response to the crisis in Kosovo, UNPREDEP has increased its patrols along the border with Yugoslavia, using both ground and air assets. It has also established temporary observation posts for 24-hour monitoring and reporting on activities at the border throughout the area of operation. Patrolling by boat has also commenced at Ohrid and Prespa Lakes. Such intensive monitoring, however, could not be sustained over a long time with the current troop strength.
Pursuant to the last report of the Secretary-General of 20 November 1997 (S/1997/911), his Special Representative convened in Skopje a consultative meeting of the United Nations system present in FYROM (10-12 March 1998). Twenty-two participating UN entities and sixteen government ministries agreed on a programme of action for a consolidated approach to developmental issues in FYROM:
Participants welcomed the forthcoming establishment of a UNDP country office to continue and expand the social action programme of UNPREDEP.
The Secretary-General observed that the overall climate of inter-ethnic relations has been negatively affected by the imprisonment of the ethnic Albanian mayor of Gostivar, Mr. Rufi Osmani, whose sentence was recently reduced from 13 years and 8 months to 7 years. His subsequent imprisonment sparked a series of protest marches launched by ethnic Albanians in FYROM.
Overall, the Secretary-General observed that recent developments in Kosovo have highlighted the danger of renewed violence in the area and he serious repercussions such violence can have upon the security situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The slow progress in implementing some civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the return of refugees and displaced persons caused concern that could affect regional peace and security. The presence of UNPREEP has so far contributed successfully to preventing the spillover of conflicts elsewhere in the region to FYROM. During the past few months, UNPREDEP has been particularly important in diffusing tensions that could have arisen as a result of the crisis in Kosovo.
The Secretary-General stated that the FYROM Foreign Minister had in a letter of 15 May 1998 (S/1998/401) referred to the changed circumstances in the region which spoke against weakening international presence in the country. Concern was expressed as to the negative developments north of the border, especially in Kosovo, the yet unmarked border between FYROM and Yugoslavia, and tensions along the border between Albania and Yugoslavia. Thus, peace and security in FYROM could be endangered and a security gap would arise should UNPREDEP's military's component be wtihdrawn after 31 August 1998. Against this background, the Secretary-General noted that one possible option the Security Council might wish to consider was to extend the mission with its mandate unchanged for a further period of six months until 28 February 1999.
8 April 1998 marks fifth anniversary of FYROM's UN membership
The eight of April 1998 marked the fifth anniversary of FYROM joining the United Nations. Addressing the nation on that occasion, FYROM President Kiro Gligorov pointed out that membership in the world organization provided an opportunity to pursue regular diplomatic contacts to seek international recognition and increase economic and political cooperation with other nations. Addressing neighbouring countries, he highlighted FYROM's constitutional provisions relating to non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, full cooperation with its neighbours and the renunciation of all territorial claims.
Joint declaration of youth organizations supports tolerance in FYROM
A joint declaration of 8 youth organizations of political parties in support of tolerance in FYROM was signed in Skopje on 2 April 1998. By the declaration, the youth organizations underlined importance of the inviolable development of individual rights, irrespective of gender, age, religion or nationality; resistance to any ideas of mutual intolerance; the need to develop an economic basis and to achieve the standards of advanced democracies.
11 February 1998: Joint statement by FYROM's political parties
underlines UNPREDEP's important role
A joint statement issued on 11 February 1998 by six of FYROM's eight political parties assessed that UNPREDEP played an important and positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Republic of Macedonia as well as in the broader neighbouring region. In view of the security situation in the immediate surroundings of FYROM, particularly the non-demarcated border with the former Yugoslavia and the developments in Kosovo, the parties saw a continuing need for the presence of a preventive mission with a military component in FYROM.
RETURN TO UNPREDEP MAIN DIRECTORY
Covering preceding budget requirements, $51,6 million gross ($50,1 million net) were appropriated by the General Assembly for UNPREDEP for the period 1 July 1996 to 39 June 1997 (report A/52/768 of 16 January 1998). By adopting resolution 51/154 B on 13 June 1997, the General Assembly decided to appropriate $46,506,700 gross ($44,969,500 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. By adopting resolution 51/154 B on 13 June 1997, the General Assembly decided to appropriate $46,506,700 gross ($44,969,500 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.The General Assembly, on 16 December 1996, appropriated a total of $25,373,400 gross ($24,615,600 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, inclusive of $632,400 for the support account for peacekeeping operations (resolution 51/154). In so doing, the Assembly took into account the amount of $26,296,200 gross ($26,296,200 net) already appropriated for UNPREDEP for the period 1 July through 31 December 1996 in resolution 50/243 of 7 June 1996.
RETURN TO UNPREDEP MAIN DIRECTORY
14 July 1998: Secretary-General report on UNPREDEP
recommends mandate extension and strengthening of Force
On 14 July 1998, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council his recent most report on the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (S/1998/644) . The Secretary-General stated that, since the start of the Kosovo crisis, UNPREDEP has intensified patrols along the borders with Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and has also established temporary observation posts for 24-hour monitoring and reporting on activities at the borders throughout its area of operation. The imposition of these additional tasks has come at a time when the fulfilment of UNPREDEP's existing responsibilities have already stretched the reduced strength of the operation to the limit.
The Secretary-General recommended thus that the Security Council might consider the extension of UNPREDEP's mandate for a further period of six months, until 28 February 1999. In view of the constraints placed on UNPREDEP in monitoring and reporting on developments along the borders, including the Kosovo stretch of the border, the Council might also consider increasing UNPREDEP's troop level by 350 all ranks. The majority of these troops, 230 in total, would be deployed at nine new permanently manned observation posts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia along the Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and Albanian borders. The troops would, in accordance with resolution 795 (1992), monitor and report on developments in the border areas, including those developments that would have a bearing on the implementation of the relevant provisions of resolution 1160 (1998). A reserve of two platoons composed of approximately 60 soldiers would perform limited ground and air patrolling duties. Due to the important confidence-building role played by the military observer and the civilian police elements of UNPREDEP, the Security Council might consider increasing their strength by an additional twelve and twenty-four personnel respectively. The strengthened military observers and civilian police elements would intensify community and border patrols as well as monitoring and reporting of the situation at border crossing stations.
15 June NATO air exercises over FYROM aim at assisting the country
to maintain stability and integrity; NATO defense ministers condemn violence
in Kosovo and support continuation of UNPREDEP
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in FYROM reported on 15 June 1998 that, following NATO's decision to carry out a military air exercise over FYROM and Albania as a demonstration of the Alliance's firm stand on the ongoing crisis in Kosovo, approval was given after intense consultations by the FYROM government. Defense Minister Lazar Kitanovski emphasized that the air exercise proved NATO's determination to assist FYROM in maintaining its integrity and stability. Some 85 NATO planes carrying live ammunition participated in the 15 June air exercise "Determined Falcon". On 11 June in Brussels, NATO defense ministers condemned the violence in Kosovo and extended support for the continuation of UNPREDEP and provision of possible support for UN and OSCE monitoring powers.
Kosovo crisis affects mission area; 1 June report of the Secretary-General
includes Security Council option to extend UNPREDEP through 28 February 1999
In a report of 1 June 1998 to the Security Council on UNPREDEP (S/1998/454), the Secretary-General stated that, according to Security Council resolution 1110(1997) of 28 May 1997, the phased reduction of the UNPREDEP military component by 300 all ranks was completed by 30 November 1997, bringing its strength to 750 troops. At the same time, the total number of observation posts was reduced from 19 to 8, all of which are situated at strategic locations along the border with Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In response to the crisis in Kosovo, UNPREDEP has increased its patrols along the border with Yugoslavia, using both ground and air assets. It has also established temporary observation posts for 24-hour monitoring and reporting on activities at the border throughout the area of operation. Patrolling by boat has also commenced at Ohrid and Prespa Lakes. Such intensive monitoring, however, could not be sustained over a long time with the current troop strength.
Pursuant to the last report of the Secretary-General of 20 November 1997 (S/1997/911), his Special Representative convened in Skopje a consultative meeting of the United Nations system present in FYROM (10-12 March 1998). Twenty-two participating UN entities and sixteen government ministries agreed on a programme of action for a consolidated approach to developmental issues in FYROM:
Participants welcomed the forthcoming establishment of a UNDP country office to continue and expand the social action programme of UNPREDEP.
The Secretary-General observed that the overall climate of inter-ethnic relations has been negatively affected by the imprisonment of the ethnic Albanian mayor of Gostivar, Mr. Rufi Osmani, whose sentence was recently reduced from 13 years and 8 months to 7 years. His subsequent imprisonment sparked a series of protest marches launched by ethnic Albanians in FYROM.
Overall, the Secretary-General observed that recent developments in Kosovo have highlighted the danger of renewed violence in the area and he serious repercussions such violence can have upon the security situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The slow progress in implementing some civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the return of refugees and displaced persons caused concern that could affect regional peace and security. The presence of UNPREEP has so far contributed successfully to preventing the spillover of conflicts elsewhere in the region to FYROM. During the past few months, UNPREDEP has been particularly important in diffusing tensions that could have arisen as a result of the crisis in Kosovo.
The Secretary-General stated that the FYROM Foreign Minister had in a letter of 15 May 1998 (S/1998/401) referred to the changed circumstances in the region which spoke against weakening international presence in the country. Concern was expressed as to the negative developments north of the border, especially in Kosovo, the yet unmarked border between FYROM and Yugoslavia, and tensions along the border between Albania and Yugoslavia. Thus, peace and security in FYROM could be endangered and a security gap would arise should UNPREDEP's military's component be wtihdrawn after 31 August 1998. Against this background, the Secretary-General noted that one possible option the Security Council might wish to consider was to extend the mission with its mandate unchanged for a further period of six months until 28 February 1999.
8 April 1998 marks fifth anniversary of FYROM's UN membership
The eight of April 1998 marked the fifth anniversary of FYROM joining the United Nations. Addressing the nation on that occasion, FYROM President Kiro Gligorov pointed out that membership in the world organization provided an opportunity to pursue regular diplomatic contacts to seek international recognition and increase economic and political cooperation with other nations. Addressing neighbouring countries, he highlighted FYROM's constitutional provisions relating to non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, full cooperation with its neighbours and the renunciation of all territorial claims.
Joint declaration of youth organizations supports tolerance in FYROM
A joint declaration of 8 youth organizations of political parties in support of tolerance in FYROM was signed in Skopje on 2 April 1998. By the declaration, the youth organizations underlined importance of the inviolable development of individual rights, irrespective of gender, age, religion or nationality; resistance to any ideas of mutual intolerance; the need to develop an economic basis and to achieve the standards of advanced democracies.
11 February 1998: Joint statement by FYROM's political parties
underlines UNPREDEP's important role
A joint statement issued on 11 February 1998 by six of FYROM's eight political parties assessed that UNPREDEP played an important and positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Republic of Macedonia as well as in the broader neighbouring region. In view of the security situation in the immediate surroundings of FYROM, particularly the non-demarcated border with the former Yugoslavia and the developments in Kosovo, the parties saw a continuing need for the presence of a preventive mission with a military component in FYROM.
11 December 1997 marks fifth anniversary of United Nations
decision for military presence in FYROM
December 11, 1997 marked the fitfh anniversary of the Security Council decision to deploy a United Nations preventive peacekeeping force in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. On 11 December 1992, the Council had authorized the establishment of UNPROFOR's presence in FYROM by its resolution 795(1992) of 11 December 1992 as "UNPROFOR's Macedonia Command".
UNPREDEP mandate extensions
On 4 December 1997, the Security Council decided by resolution 1142(1997) to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP for a final period until 31 August 1998, with the withdrawal of the military component immediately thereafter. The Council requested the Secretary-General to submit recommendations on the type of international presence that would be most appropriate for FYROM after that date. On 28 November 1997, the Council had extended the mission's mandate for four days, until 4 December 1997 by adopting resolution 1140(1997). Before that, on 28 May 1997, the Council extended the mandate of the Force through 30 November 1997 in resolution 1110(1997).
Report of Secretary-General outlines UNPREDEP exit strategies
In a report dated 20 November 1997 to the Security Council (S/1997/911), the Secretary-General stated that, in accordance with its resolution 1110(1997), the two-month phased reduction of the military component by 300 all ranks commenced on 1 October 1997 and was to be completed by 30 November 1997. Meanwhile, the civilian component of the mission has been actively involved in monitoring and reporting on developments hat might affect the peace and stability in the country. It advanced the use of preventive techniques , which allowed the establishment of an active dialogue with the authorities and other major political forces in the country. UNPREDEP and the spillover monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Skopje continued to cooperate closely on issues of mutual concern.
The Secretary-General observed that peace and stability in FYROM continued to depend largely on developments in other parts of the region. Concerns emerged over the uncertainty of the outcome of the Serb presidential elections and possible repercussions for UNPREDEP's mandate area. Increased violence in Kosovo also raised fears of a spillover effect on ethnic Albanians in the host country. Similarly, the slow progress in implementing the civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the Republika Srpska, underscored the need for a longer-term commitment by the international community in that country.
Elaborating on an exit strategy for UNPREDEP, the Secretary-General emphasized that, once the mission terminated, proper successor arrangements had to be put in place to reassure FYROM's government of the international community's continued commitment to peace and stability in the country. The reduction of the military component by 300 all ranks could be viewed as the commencement of a phased exit in response to the improved situation in the region. The Secretary-General anticipated that the following two broad options would lend themselves to consideration by the Council:
Report of Secretary-General says internal problems
pose significant threat tor FYROM's long-term stability
In a report to the Security Council dated 11 August 1997 (S/1997/631), the Secretary-General stated that since late May 1997 some elements of UNPREDEP's military component were redeployed in accordance with resolutions 1105(1997) and 1110(1997), while the number of observation points along the western border of the mission area increased. Along that western border, United Nations soldiers have been exposed to frequent cross-border shooting from Albania. Active community patrolling by military observers contributed to the easing of tensions in the border area, and the initiation of regular meetings between the mayor of Debar (FYROM) and his counterparts in several Albanian communities across the border were particularly useful as confidence-building measures. Thus, the situation along the border was slowly returning to normal.
The Secretary-General explained that the underlying justification for the successive extensions of UNPREDEP's mandate prior to the crisis in Albania has been to prevent conflicts elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia form spilling over or threatening FYROM. It was evident that the situation in the country was still intimately linked to the overall security situation in the region, in particular at its borders. However, the host government's relations with its neighbours continued to strengthen, as did its relations wiht other members of the international community. It were internat economic and social problems that posed a significant threat to the country's integration and long-term stability and further exacerbated inter-ethnic tensions. Taking into account the new developments, it seemed advisable to start, as at 1 October 1997, a two-month phased reduction of the military component of UNPREDEP by 300 all ranks.
Bent Sohnemann appointed new UNPREDEP Force Commander
Effective 3 June 1997, Bent Sohnemann of Denmark succeded Bo Wranker of Sweden as UNPREDEP Force Commander, following his appointment by the Secretary-General (S/1997/466).
UNPREDEP Force Commander reports ethnic tensions
In a report dated 18 May 1997, the UNPREDEP Force Commander reported to UN Headquarters significant inter-ethnic tensions in FYROM as ethnic Macedonians protested after the ethnic Albanian mayors of Tetovo and Gostivar decided to fly the Albanian flag on local Government buildings during May Day celebrations. The following week, the Ministry of Internal Affairs called for criminal charges to be brought against the mayors and others involved in the flag-flying incident. In late April 1997, the town council of Kumanovo decided to introduce Albanian as its second official language.
May 1997: Secretary-General requests reassessment
of UNPREDEP mandate
The Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on 12 May 1997 on UNPREDEP (S/1997/365), noting that in most of the countries neigbbouring FYROM, public unrest and tension were evident. Social unrest occurred in Bulgaria and in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. State institutions collapsed and social structures disintegrated in Albania, and the situation in Kosovo remained tense. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, difficulties have been encountered in implementing the Dayton peace agreement. Stability in the entire Balkan region remained extremely fragile.
The Secretary-General thus recommended that UNPREDP's mandate be renewed for an additional six months. He further recommended that the present strength of the Force be maintained fof four months, and also requested a reassessment of the mission's deployment structure and to examine feasability of reorganizing the Force so as to ensure a higher state of operational efficiency and increased flexibility to respond to changing circumstances on the ground and enhance fulfilment of its mandate.
UNPREDEP aims at calming situation at the FYROM-Albanian border
During May and June 1997, UNPREDEP has been active in preventing the further escalation of tension along the FYROM-Albanian border. Concurrent to the regular consultations between the UN Special Representative Henryk Sokalski and Albania's Ambassador to Skopje, the new UNPREDEP Force Commander Brigadier-General Bernt Sohneman met his counterpart of the Italian-led ALBA Operation, General Forlani, on 5 June 1997, on which occasion they agreed to exchange regularly military information.
Albanian crisis affects FYROM
The crisis in neighbouring Albania, where a collapse of investment schemes bereft thousands of their lifetime savings, had a clear effect on the situation in FYROM. The FYROM army, especially its border guards, has been mobilized on a state of alert. The Albanian-FYROM border is closed during curfew hours as the authorities fear an influx of refugees which could disrupt the country's already fragile inter-ethnic balance. The start of the drawdown of UNPREDEP, which began in the first week of March 1997, coincided with the debacle in Albania and added to the apprehension of the Macedonian Government and its citizens. Thus, the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs deplored on 7 March 1997 that the reduction of UNPREDEP personnel and withdrawal from certain observation posts along the border with Albania, as mandated in Security Council resolution 1082(1996), appeared to have begun at the most inappropriate time. In this context, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General stated on 6 March that , despite the drawdown schedule, UNPREDEP patrolling at that border had in fact intensified in view of the situation in Albania. Likewise, the troop strength of 1,050 would continue until mid-April.
Spring 1997: UNPREDEP aims at calming situation
at the FYROM-Albanian border
During May and June 1997, UNPREDEP has been active in preventing the further escalation of tension along the FYROM-Albanian border. Concurrent to the regular consultations between the UN Special Representative Henryk Sokalski and Albania's Ambassador to Skopje, the new UNPREDEP Force Commander Brigadier-General Bernt Sohneman met his counterpart of the Italian-led ALBA Operation, General Forlani, on 5 June 1997, on which occasion they agreed to exchange regularly military information.
Violent student protests increase ethnic tensions
The Head of the UNPREDEP mission, Mr. Henryk J. Sokalski reported on 3 March 1997 that continuing violent protests of ethnic Macedonian students against a newly enacted law at the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Skopje were leading to further intensification of inter-ethnic tensions. The student-protesters demand the annulment of the 30 January 1997 law, which would allow ethnic Albanian students to be instructed in their mother tongue.
A Declaration of the European Union of 12 March 1997 expressed deep concern about the outbursts of students manifestations which produced anti-ethnic slogans in the streets of both Skopje and Tetovo. The European Union called upon all political forces in FYROM to work together in a peaceful and democratic way to resolve still existing problems.
Summary of UNPREDEP accomplishments
by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
On 13 January 1997, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Henryk Sokalski, summarized before FYROM's major political parties UNPREDEP's accomplishments of the past year: attaining an independent status with its own Force Commander; reporting directly to United Nations Headquarters in New York; and consistently acting to promote social integration and consolidate internal peace and stability. UNPREDEP had sponsored a seminar on civil defence, UN standards on inter-ethnic relations, the October 1996 international workshop on preventive diplomacy and the inter-sectoral mission to FYROM on developmental and social issues. Substantive progress was made on defining non-partisan consensus on major national issues.
Preceding that summary of achievements, the Secretary-General, in a report to the Security Council of 19 November 1996, stated that the anticipated reduction in the force strength of UNPREDEP by 300 to revert to its original infantry strength of 700, plus an engineering platoon of 50, would offer savings of $400,000 per month. It would require the force shifting from an active and comprehensive patrolling capability to a more limited, and at times static, monitoring presence, particularly along the northern border, with a number of observation posts being eliminated.
The positive developments elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia, the termination of the mandates of the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO), UNPROFOR and the United Nations Peace Forces Headquarters (UNPF-HQ), and the establishment of two new United Nations missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the United Nations Mission in Bosnia Herzegowina ((UNMIBH); and in Croatia; the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium ((UNTAES)), had significant practical ramifications for the functioning of UNPREDEP.
The Secretary-General reviewed the status of UNPREDEP in his 30 January 1996 report and informed the Council of the Republic's strong preference for a longer extension of the mandate, since the reasons which had led to its establishment continued to exist. The Government had expressed the wish that the mission should continue until three conditions were met; namely, mutual recognition and normalization of relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the commencement of negotiations on the demarcation of the border between the two States; the full implementation of the peace agreement in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its arms control and confidence-building measures; and the attainment of sufficient national indigenous defensive capability. A significant event had been the signing of an Interim Accord between FYROM and Greece on 13 September 1995, which paved the way for FYROM's admission to a number of European organizations.
The Secretary-General shared the view that the continuation of the UNPREDEP mission was an important contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. Therefore he recommended to the Council that the mandate of UNPREDEP should not only be continued but that effective on 1 February 1996, it should become an independent mission, reporting directly to United Nations Headquarters in New York, while maintaining its basic mandate, strength and composition. The Security Council concurred in principle with these recommendations. On 13 February 1996, by its resolution 1046(1996), the Council authorized an increase of 50 in UNPREDEP's military strength in order to provide a continuing engineering capability in support of its operations. It also approved the establishment of the position of Force Commander of UNPREDEP. Subsequently, Brigadier-General Bo Lennart Wranker of Sweden was appointed UNPREDEP Force Commander effective 1 March 1996.
Agreement on Relations between FYROM
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
In a major development, FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia signed on 8 April 1996 an Agreement on the Regulation of Relations and the Promotion of Cooperation between the two countries. They agreed to build their relations on the principles of equality, non-interference in internal affairs and respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the document of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. FYROM accepted the state of continuity and international legal personality of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The two States would solve the question of the succession of the former Yugoslavia by agreement. Particular emphasis was placed on the interest of the two countries in strengthening and intensifying economic cooperation in all fields. Agreement was also reached on the promotion of road, rail and air traffic, as well as postal and other communications. The Agreement further provided for the protection of Serbs in FYROM, as well as Macedonians in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Report of the Secretary-General of 30 September 1996
In his report to the Security Council dated 30 September 1996, the Secretary-General observed that bilateral relations between FYROM and its neighbours continued to improve. The country was also upgrading its defence capabilities by signing a number of bilateral military cooperation treaties with countries outside the region. However, inter-ethnic tensions continued to pose a threat to the country's social fabric, its reintegration and long-term stability. A new and disturbing rise in such tensions has been generated by the ethnic Albanians' insistence upon, and the Government's consistent refusal to recognize as legal, the Albanian-language "Tetovo University". This situation has been further aggravated by the imprisonment of some of the University's organizers and the high political profile of the issue at both sides.
Municipal elections
Two rounds of municipal elections were held on 17 November and 1 December 1996, respectively. In spite of certain irregularities, they were considered a qualified success for pluralism and an effective attempt to follow international standards. According to unofficial results, the major Government coalition partner, the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia won the majority of mayoral positions, mainly in rural areas. The Alliance, composed of the nationalist Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization and the Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity, won most of the remainder.
Macedonian President stresses continued need for UNPREDEP's presence
In December 1996, FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov stated on UN Television that the presence of the United Nations in the country was necessary for three principal reasons: If the Bosnia-Herzegovina "cease-fire" did not hold, conflict might spill over to neighbouring countries; secondly, the situation in Kosovo continued to be very sensitive; and lastly, UNPREDEP "sent a clear signal to anyone who would want to cross the Macedonian border." President Gligorov assessed UNPREDEP's presence to be a true model of preventive actions and reiterated an earlier proposal to establish in Skopje and International Center for Preventive Diplomacy.
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Established on 31 March 1995 by Security Council resolution 983(1995 to replace UNPROFOR in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UNPREDEP's mandate remained essentially the same:
Within the general framework of its mandate, UNPREDEP has:
Effective 1 February 1996, following the termination of the mandates of UNCRO , UNPROFOR and UNPF-HQ, UNPREDEP became an independent mission, reporting directly to United Nations Headquarters in New York. Despite its new status, the operation has maintained basically the same mandate, strength and composition of troops. By adopting resolution 1082(1996) on 26 November 1996, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNPREDEP for a six-month period through 31 May 1997 and decided on a reduction of its military component by 300 all ranks by 30 April 1997.
The mandate of UNPREDEP to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia requires it to concern itself with numerous aspects of the country's internal and external situation. Its tasks include preventive deployment, good offices, measures to build confidence, early warning, fact-finding, monitoring and reporting, as well as selected social and development projects.
On 4 December 1997, the Security Council decided by resolution 1142(1997) to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP for a final period until 31 August 1998, with the withdrawal of the military component immediately thereafter. The Council requested the Secretary-General to submit recommendations on the type of international presence that would be most appropriate for FYROM after that date. On 28 November 1997, the Council had extended the mission's mandate for four days, until 4 December 1997 by adopting resolution 1140(1997). Before that, on 28 May 1997, the Council extended the mandate of the Force through 30 November 1997 in resolution 1110(1997) and decided to start, as of 1 October 1997, taking into account the conditions prevailing at that time, a two-month phased reduction of the military component by 300 all ranks. The Council welcomed the redeployment of UNPREDEP already achieved in light of the situation in Albania and encouraged the Secretary-General to continue further redeployment of UNPREDEP taking into consideration the situation in the region.
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Preventive deployment and good offices
UNPREDEP, in cooperation with the Macedonian authorities, extends its good offices to:
Border demarcation
In conjunction with its major tasks of monitoring and reporting on the situation along the borders with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania, the military component of UNPREDEP cooperates with a number of civilian agencies and offers ad hoc community services, as well as humanitarian assistance, to the local population. At the end of 1995, UNPREDEP operated 24 permanent observation posts along a 420-kilometre stretch on the Macedonian side of the border with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania. It also operated 33 temporary observation posts. Close to 40 border and community patrols were conducted daily. United Nations military observers (UNMOs) complement the work of the battalions. Click here forMILITARY ASPECTS Civilian police also take part in border area patrols.
Mutually beneficial contacts were initiated by the UNPREDEP Commander with the military authorities of Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. There was consent on both sides that more tolerance should be displayed during border encounters and that potentially explosive but minor border crossings would be considered as "honest mistakes". Consequently, the number of border incidents between patrols of the two sides significantly decreased.
Promoting reconciliation
In accordance with Security Council resolution 908(1994), UNPREDEP monitors developments in the country with a view to promoting reconciliation among various political and ethnic groups. The presence of civilian police monitors considerably strengthened the mission's outreach to local civil authorities and institutions, in particular the police. Civilian police also play an indispensable role in regular monitoring of areas populated by ethnic minorities. The mission's press and information unit are active in raising public awareness on the unique role of UNPREDEP as the first United Nations preventive deployment operation of its kind.
Peace-making, peace-building, humanitarian activities
To enhance its effectiveness and fulfil its mandate, UNPREDEP cooperates with various regional organizations, including the OSCE mission established in 1992. Also, since its establishment, UNPREDEP has worked closely with the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY) concerning humanitarian assistance and human rights issues. UNPREDEP and the Humanitarian Issues Working Group of ICFY provide a valuable framework for peacemaking, peace-building and humanitarian activities.
Another area of cooperation relates to ethnic and minority rights. In this connection, UNPREDEP and the ICFY Working Group on Ethnic and National Communities and Minorities cooperate in promoting legislative and practical improvements in favour of Albanian and other nationalities.
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Military update: Albanian crisis affects FYROM
The crisis in neighbouring Albania, where a collapse of investment schemes bereft thousands of their lifetime savings, has caused much anxiety in FYROM. The Macedonian army, especially its border guards, has been mobilized on a state of alert. The Albanian-Macedonian border is closed during curfew hours as the authorities fear an influx of refugees which could disrupt the country's already fragile inter-ethnic balance. The start of the drawdown of UNPREDEP, which began in the first week of March 1997, coincided with the debacle in Albania and added to the apprehension of the Macedonian Government and its citizens. Thus, the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs deplored on 7 March 1997 that the reduction of UNPREDEP personnel and withdrawal from certain observation posts along the border with Albania, as mandated in Security Council resolution 1082(1996), appeared to have begun at the most inappropriate time. In this context, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General stated on 6 March that , despite the drawdown schedule, UNPREDEP patrolling at that border had in fact intensified in view of the situation in Albania. Likewise, the troop strength of 1,050 would continue until mid-April.
New UNPREDEP Force Commander
On 3 June 1997, Brigadier-General Bent Sohnemann of Denmark officially assumed his duties as UNPREDEP Force Commander, replacing Bo Wranker of Sweden.
Border monitoring by the United Nations ensures peace
Beginning in early January 1993, the northern border and the western border north of Debar were constantly monitored by UNPROFOR from observation posts and by regular patrols. One of the difficulties encountered by the peace-keepers from the very beginning of the mission was the fact that the republic's border with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) had not been definitively delineated and the two Governments had yet to establish a joint border commission to resolve this matter conclusively. This resulted in border crossings and encounters between the military patrols from the two sides. Most of those incidents, however, were non-confrontational, indicating that neither party seemed to wish to provoke conflict.
Beginning in April 1994, there was a rise in the frequency of encounters. UNPROFOR successfully mediated several tense situations, achieving the withdrawal of soldiers on both sides. In those activities, UNPROFOR maintained close coordination with other international bodies, including ICFY (International Conference on the former Yugoslavia) and CSCE (Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Following further border incidents in the summer of 1994, UNPROFOR negotiated a military administrative boundary between the two parties that determined the northern limit of the area of operation of UNPROFOR troops. Although neither Government acknowledged that boundary as the legitimate international border, both sides used it for the reporting and management of border-crossing incidents.
Military liaison and community services
Parallel to its primary task of monitoring and reporting on the situation along the borders with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania, UNPREDEP maintains liaison with the host country's Ministry of Defence and relations with the General staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and is in contact with the relevant ministries in Albania. The battalion commanders have also established direct channels of communication with their border battalion counterparts in the above countries. In those contacts, the United Nations patrol line along the northern border of FYROM has been clearly defined, thereby reducing the risk of incidents, in particular in monitored border areas. The military component also interfaces with a number of civilian agencies and, capacity permitting, offers various community services as well as humanitarian assistance to the local population. Whenever they can do so without jeopardizing their main tasks, the national contingents also provide assistance for the construction and repair of roads, telecommunication facilities and water-distribution systems.
Complementing the work of the formed units, United Nations military observers monitor some 5,000 square kilometres of territory and assess the military situation within it. Their community visits and meetings with municipal leaders have contributed to a better understanding of problems facing the local residents. The United Nations civilian police monitor the work of the local police, in particular in areas with high concentrations of minority groups. Their visits to the villages help build confidence among the local population.
Internal rather than external threats
Apart from the border incidents, the overall military situation in the Republic remained relatively calm and stable. The Secretary-General repeatedly reported to the Security Council that UNPROFOR was successful in its preventive mandate and that there was no military threat to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The more likely sources of instability were internal rather than external.
Arms embargo lifted
The lifting, in June 1996, of the United Nations arms embargo against the former Yugoslavia, including FYROM, was welcomed by FYROM to be "of extraordinary importance for Macedonia's purchase of modern combat equipment and the gradual fulfilment of the basic standards on cooperation with NATO".
Reduction in force strength
As at mid-March 1995, UNPROFOR in FYROM included 1,096 troops and military support personnel, 24 military observers and 24 civilian police. On 28 February 1997, UNPREDEP's strength stood at 983 troops, 35 military observers and 26 civilian police provided by 27 countries, bringing the mission total to 1,044 uniformed personnel. In accordance with Security Council resolution 1082 (1996) of 27 November 1996, UNPREDEP will reduce its military component by 300 personnel by 30 April 1997.
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Political, ethnic and economic tensions
At the time of UNPREDEP's inception, the internal political situation in the republic remained very complex. Tensions persisted between the Government and elements among the ethnic Albanian population, who were demanding improvements in their political, economic, social, cultural and educational status. There were also tensions between the Government and nationalist elements among the ethnic Macedonian majority. In order to establish accurate estimates of the ethnic composition of the population, the Government conducted a nationwide population census from 25 June to 11 July 1994. The census was monitored, financed and partly organized by the Council of Europe and the European Union. The results showed that 67 per cent of the resident population in the Republic were ethnic Macedonians, 23 per cent were ethnic Albanians, and the remaining 10 per cent consisted of Turks, Serbs, Vlachs, Gypsies and people of non-identified ethnicity. Despite verification by international observers of the veracity of the results and the proper conduct of the census, ethnic Albanian leaders disputed the results.
The Secretary-General reported on 22 March 1995 to the Security Council that some leaders of the ethnic Albanian population stepped up their demands for improvements in their political, economic, social, cultural and economic status, including recognition of Albanian as FYROM's second official language. There has been a confrontation between ethnic Albanians and the Government over action by the former to establish an Albanian-language university in Tetovo. After one ethnic Albanian was shot dead during a demonstration in Tetovo in support of the project, ethnic Albanian members of the Parliament, who held 19 of its 120 seats, boycotted parliamentary sessions in support of their demands for use of Albanian as a second official language.
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Internal political and social stability were also endangered by rising unemployment and a declining economy, resulting, among other factors, from the effects of the economic blockade imposed by Greece on 17 February 1994 and of the United Nations sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), formerly the country's primary trading partners. International investors showed reluctance to invest in the country.
Given the complex interrelation of external and internal factors contributing to economic and political uncertainty, and rising social tensions, the Security Council, by its resolution 908(1994) of 31 March 1994, encouraged the Secretary-General's Special Representative, in cooperation with the authorities of the republic, to use his good offices to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability. Accordingly, UNPROFOR began effectively monitoring developments in the country, including possible areas of conflict, with a view to promoting reconciliation among various political and ethnic groups.
Within the good offices function of the Special Representative, his Office, upon the invitation of the President of the Parliament, joined CSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organizations in monitoring the parliamentary and presidential elections held in October 1994. While certain irregularities were noted in the elections, the overall opinion of the observers was that the elections had been conducted in a generally orderly, regular and peaceful manner. However, the two major opposition parties within the country, considered the first round of the elections to have been fraudulent and boycotted the second round. As a result, the parties already in power secured an overwhelming majority of 95 of the 120 seats in Parliament.
In the course of 1995, the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continued its internal reforms and foreign policy initiatives. Although opposition parties continued to challenge the outcome of the 1994 parliamentary elections, the ruling coalition's majority in the legislature made it possible to pass several important laws in the areas of democratization, privatization, formation of political parties, local self-government and education. The most significant single political event in the country in 1995 was the attempt, in October, on the life of President Kiro Gligorov. This act fortunately neither destabilized national life nor slowed down the process of reforms. President Gligorov resumed his official duties in January 1996.
Notwithstanding considerable progress in many areas, the political scene remained divided across ideological and ethnic lines. Political partisanship was fierce and ran particularly deep between the non-parliamentary opposition parties and the ruling coalition, on the one hand, and between the ethnic Albanian community, the government coalition and the ethnic Macedonian parties, on the other.
A complex network of ethnic problems, in particular between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, contributed considerably to political uncertainty and social tensions. Claims and aspirations of other ethnic groups, including Rhomas, Serbs, Turks and Vlachs, also constituted a source of concern. In taking gradual steps towards reconciliation, the Government took a position that the main demands of the ethnic Albanian community (i.e. status as a constituent nation; university-level education to be conducted in Albanian, including the establishment of a special university at Tetovo; proportional representation in all institutions of public life; and recognition of Albanian as a second official language) could not be met immediately on constitutional grounds or for reasons of time to rectify the situation. The state of the country's economy remained precarious, in part due to the cost of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that of the economic blockade from the south.
FYROM's relations with neighbouring countries
The foreign policy of FYROM is based on the principle of "equidistance", which implies good relations with all four neighbouring countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). A significant development has been the signing, on 8 April 1996, of the Agreement on the Regulation of Relations and the Promotion of Cooperation between FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This has been an important step towards the unconditional mutual recognition of all States in the region. It is expected that the two neighbours will now move expeditiously to demarcate their mutual border, and UNPREDEP stands ready to lend its logistical and technical assistance, if so requested.
Necessity to continue political and military involvement
Reporting to the Security Council on 19 November 1996 on UNPREDEP, the Secretary-General observed that it was clear that the international community's political and military involvement in the former Yugoslavia would necessarily continue for some time in order to consolidate peace and security. The original purpose of deploying a preventive United Nations mission in FYROM was to prevent conflicts elswhere in the former Yugoslavia from spilling over or threatening that country. Recent developments in the region and the enhanced international standing of FYROM have made such a scenario more remote. It has become increasingly evident that the primary threat to the country's stability may come from internal tensions. UNPREDEP has accordingly devoted considerable attention to strengthening dialogue between the political forces and has assisted in monitoring human rights and inter-ethnic relations.
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8 June: Update on economic investment statistics in FYROM
UNPREDEP Head of Mission Henryk Sokalski conveyed on 8 June to UN Headquarters an update of statistical data released by the FYROM government, according to which international capital amounting to $65 million was invested in the country between 1990 and 1996. Of this, $30 million went towards the privatisation process, the major investors being the European Union countries and the United States.
Precarious economic situation
In his report to the Security Council of 30 January 1996, the Secretary-General indicated that the costs of sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the economic blockade by Greece had amounted to losses of some $4 billion for FYROM. Production has been brought to a standstill in many enterprises and was substantially reduced in others. Industrial production dropped by nearly 50 per cent over the past five years and continued to decline. Close to half of the work force was unemployed. Internal political, ethnic and social tensions in FYROM were exacerbated by the fragile state of its economy.
However, FYROM's Statistical Institute projected the country's gross national product (GNP) to increase by 4.3 per cent in 1996 over 1995, marking an end of the decline of the real GNP. Transportation, communication, forestry, mining and industry were identified as sectors where growth would be significant. In 1996, consumer prices went up 3 per cent while overall living expenses increased by 2.3 per cent and unemployment dropped actually by 4.5 percentage points over 1995. The country's labour force comprised 780,419 people of which 246,978 were unemployed in April 1996. The average monthly income per capita stood at $226 in November 1996. According to the Institute, FYROM's trade balance had a deficit of $660 million.
Economic statistics; trade agreement between FYROM and the European Union
On 1 January 1998, a Trade and Cooperation Agreement between FYROM and the European Union (EU) entered into force. The financial protocol to the Agreement provided for a credit line of 150 million ECU for infrastructure projects by the year 2000 and paved the way for stronger ties with the EU, a major foreign policy objective of FYROM's Government.
According to FYROM's National Institute of Statistics, the country's foreign trade deficit amounted by November 1997 to $517 million with exports totalling $1,069 million and imports amounting to $1,586 million. Increase in industrial output reached only 1.5 per cent against the projected 5.5 percent; the real net income of the population decreased by 0.3 per cent in 1997 while the unemployment rate increased by 6.3 per cent. Overall, 220,000 people were unemployed in FYROM, representing 31.09 per cent of the work force. Out of ten major trading partners, FYROM had a positive balance only with two - the former Yugoslavia and the United States. The structure of FYROM's foreign trade was to the disadvantage of the country with ready-made garments and raw materials like zinc and tobacco dominating exports, while vehicles, crude oil and grains were the major import items and demanded a much greater outflow of revenue.
International financial assistance
In August 1996, the World Bank agreed to provide a credit of $35 million to FYROM's energy sector, in particular for the revitalization of hydro-electric power plants and electricity distribution networks. As at mid-November 1996, financial commitments of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) in FYROM totalled some $260 million and covered seven major projects. The latest credits included $8 million for a private farmer support project to increase agricultural productivity and income; $12 million for a private sector development project; and $17 million for a health sector transition project. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed two financial arrangements with the Government: a Systemic Transformation Facility Arrangement and a Stand-by Arrangement, totalling disbursements of $75 million.
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What the UNPREDEP budget provides for
On a full cost basis, the UNPREDEP budget provides for 35 military observers, 1,050 troops, 26 civilian police, 76 international staff and 127 local staff, as well as two helicopters and the maintenance and operation of 206 United Nations-owned vehicles, 453 contingent-owned vehicles and one rented vehicle.
UNPREDEP financing update
A report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACQBQ) of 7 May 1998 (A/52/860) estimated the gross budgetary requirements for UNPREDEP for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 to amount to $22.3 million. An earlier report of the Secretary-General dated 25 February 1998 (A/52/805) contained the budget for maintaining UNPREDEP from 1 July through 31 August 1998, amounting to $15.7 million gross ($15.4 million net) and for its liquidation thereafter in the amount of $6,6 million gross ($6,3 million net). The combined costs would result in gross requirements of $22,1 million and $21,6 million net. A total amount of $51,6 million gross ($50,1 million net) was appropriated by the General Assembly for UNPREDEP for the period 1 July 1996 to 39 June 1997 (report A/52/768 of 16 January 1998).
By adopting resolution 51/154 B on 13 June 1997, the General Assembly decided to appropriate $46,506,700 gross ($44,969,500 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.
The General Assembly, on 16 October 1996, appropriated a total of $25,373,400 gross ($24,615,600 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, inclusive of $632,400 for the support account for peacekeeping operations (resolution 51/154). In so doing, the Assembly took into account the amount of $26,296,200 gross ($26,296,200 net) already appropriated for UNPREDEP for the period 1 July through 31 December 1996 in resolution 50/243 of 7 June 1996.
On 6 February 1996, the Secretary-General had estimated that the cost associated with the change in UNPREDEP's status for a six-month period would be $29 million. On 16 October 1996, the Secretary-General updated the the cost estimates for maintaining UNPREDEP for the year-long period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 to $51,402,600 gross ($50,046,000 net). By adopting resolution 51/154 B on 13 June 1997, the General Assembly decided to appropriate $46,506,700 gross ($44,969,500 net) for maintaining UNPREDEP during the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.
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[Contingents Deployment as at end of mandate, 28 February 1999]
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On 18 December 1998 (S/1998/1191; S/1998/1192), Fernando Valenzuela-Marzo of Spain was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. His predecessor and first SRSG for FYROM was appointed on 24 May 1995 by the Secretary-General: Henryk J. Sokalski became the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and UNPREDEP Head of Mission at the Assistant-Secretary-General level. He commenced serving in the mandate area from 5 July 1995 until 18 September 1998.
Biographical information on Mr. Henryk J. Sokalski
Mr. Henryk J. Sokalski, a national of Poland, has been a professional diplomat with a record of 36 years in his foreign service and international affairs. He spent most of his career specializing in United Nations affairs, joining the Secretariat in September 1985 as Director for Social Development in the then Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, at the United Nations Office at Vienna. In June 1990, the Secretary-General designated him the United Nations Coordinator for the International Year of the Family, in addition to his functions as Director for Social Development.
Prior to his posting with the United Nations, Mr. Sokalski was Deputy Director of the Department of International Organizations in Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position he held from 1980 to 1985, and which he resumed returning from New York, where he had served as his country's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in the rank of Minister. Mr. Sokalski first joined Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1960, serving on various Polish delegations to international conferences and as his country's representative to seventeen regular and four special sessions of the General Assembly.
The author of numerous articles and publications on international and United Nations affairs, Mr. Sokalski was born in 1936. He graduated from the University of Warsaw with a Master's Degree in 1958 and undertook graduate studies at Dartmouth College in the United States. Mr. Sokalski is married.
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Beginning with its resolution 724(1991) of 15 December 1991, the Security Council encouraged the Secretary-General to pursue humanitarian relief efforts in the former Yugoslavia. By its resolution 752 (1992) of 15 May, the Council called on all parties concerned to ensure that conditions were established for the effective and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
By December 1991, it was estimated that there were approximately 500,000 refugees, displaced persons and other victims of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia requiring assistance and protection. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other United Nations agencies concerned, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and many other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) did their utmost to address the humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected population. In November 1991, the Secretary-General named UNHCR as lead United Nations agency coordinating the provision of humanitarian assistance in the former Yugoslavia.
A Revised Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the former Yugoslavia, including FYROM, issued on 1 March 1996, stated that FYROM's economy suffered an estimated $50 to $60 million loss as a result of the sanctions imposed against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), FYROM's main trading partner. Therefore, UNDP supported FYROM in preparing a national development strategy which would chart new economic and social directions and adjust the country's legal and administrative infrastructure.
A further United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the former Yugoslavia of November 1996 and covering the requirements for calendar 1997 said that, although 1996 was a year of diplomatic normalization for FYROM, ethnic tensions remained high and there had been little economic progress. Of the total 6,300 refugees at the start of 1996, some 1,200 had returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the year. Of the remaining 5,100, only about 25-30 per cent were expected to return in 1997. The Appeal identified $4,829,5211 as total funding requirements for FYROM in 1997, broken down into $ 2,778,100 for UNICEF; $1,485,000 for UNHCR; and $66,642 for WFP.
After the signing on 14 December 1995 of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNHCR's activities were slated to assist in the return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons; including more than half a million refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina living in Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slovenia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Coordinated effort of agencies of the UN system
Numerous United Nations agencies, international and regional organizations, as well as NGOs, are active in the UNPREDEP mission area. Agencies of the UN system active in the mission area include the:
Non-UN organizations assisting in humanitarian aid coordination include the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and numerous local NGOs.
Following is a directory of activities of the United Nations system concerning human rights and humanitarian aid in FYROM:
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The United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the Former Yugoslavia dated 20 November 1995 identified 6,300 refugees as prospective beneficiaries in FYROM. Of those, some 4,000 refugees are accommodated with host families. Most of these families have been hosting refugees for up to four years and are economically depived themselves. In cooperation with the Macedonian Red Cross, UNHCR provides modest financial assistance to these host families, as well as clothing and footwear to individual vulnerable cases.
A further Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the former Yugoslavia of November 1996 and covering calendar 1997 estimated the refugee number at 5,100 as of January 1997, of which 1,800 could leave the region through organized repatriation. Some 3,260 refugees remained accommodated with host families assisted by UNHCR. During 1996, two collective refugee centres in FYROM were closed, with UNHCR continuing to cover the running expenses for the remaining two.
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Special Rapporteur on Human Rights recommends removal
of FYROM from her mandate
Elizabeth Rehn, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights recommended on 2 October 1997, that FYROM be removed from her mandate. In a final report dated 30 September 1997, she noted that the FYROM government made considerable progress in the protection of human rights since the establishment of the Special Rapporteur's mandate in 1992. Ms. Rehn said that she would continue to observe the human rights situation in the country and would pay special attention to the implementation of human rights training programmes for the police, the Office of the Ombudsman, respect for the new law on criminal procedure and steps to improve hgher education of minorities. The Special Rapporteur believed that FYROM's government generally implemented policies which protected and advanced minority rights while at the same time preserving the rights of all citizens of the republic. She urged the Government to maintain its close cooperation with international offices concerned with minority rights, notably the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Mr. Max van der Stoel, with whom she would stay in close contact.
Human rights-Special rapporteur
On 13-14 August 1992, the Commission on Human Rights convened a special session -- the first ever in its history -- on the human rights situation in the former Yugoslavia. Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Prime Minister of Poland, was appointed as Special Rapporteur. He served until 27 July 1995 when he resigned. He was succeeded by Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn, former Defence Minister of Finland. Mr. Mazowiecki submitted 18 periodic or special reports.
In his report issued on 21 February 1994, the Special Rapporteur pointed out that, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the legal structure had not yet been completed and the administration of justice had not been fully operational. He also noted that the situation of the mass media gave reason for concern. Reporting on 4 November 1994, the Special Rapporteur drew attention to the negative impact on the human rights situation of the delay in the implementation of the basic laws related to the juridical structure of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the reported limited enjoyment of the right to a fair trial, the excessive use of force by the police and the negative influence of the economic situation on the social stability of the country.
The civilian component of UNPREDEP continues to monitor human rights and ease political and inter-ethnic tensions within the country.
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As stated in the United Nations Revised Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the former Yugoslavia of 1 March 1996, WFP provides food aid to 5,500 refugees in FYROM. Full basic rations (wheat flour, pulses, oil, sugar and canned protein foods) are provided to 1,200 vulnerable persons in collective centres, while 4,300 refugees in private accomodation receive reduced food rations. Fresh food commodities such as vegetables and meat to complement WFP rations are provided by UNHCR to some 1,200 refugees in four collective centres in the Republic. ((ibid p. 88; WFP Situation Report 20 p. 28)) Food aid donated by Governments, the European Union and NGO's and channelled through the UN system amonted to 546 metric tons as of May 1996.
A further Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the former Yugoslavia of November 1996 and covering calendar 1997 expected that beneficiaries of WFP food assistance would decrease from some 5,000 at the beginning of 1997 and cease by mid 1997.
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Refugees living in FYROM have access to the National Health System. UNHCR reimburses the Ministry of Health for services provided to them. Through an implementing arrangement with the Catholic Relief Services, UNHCR operates primary health clinics in two collective centres in the country. UNICEF supported the development of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and the promotion of breast-feeding in hospitals and maternity units.
WHO provides medical assistance to a main mental hospital in Demir Hisar. The Agency promoted enhancing health education through the training of health workers, on safe motherhood, disease prevention, and the appropriate treatment of mental health. WHO maintains a liaison office in Skopje. Progress has been made on the implementation of a two-year cooperative agreement (1996-1997), based on the priority areas of the Euro Health Programme, which new activities concentrate on health policy development, health-care reform, prevention and control of communicable diseases, environmental health and maternal and child care.
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Within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UNICEF supplies vaccines and technical support for managers of the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI), cold chain technicians, as well as support to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health to undertake periodic immunization coverage surveys. Health education, including the training of health workers will be the focus of maternal health and neonatal care. The Agency organized a series of seminars to health staff on basic and cost effective treatment of acute respiratory infections, which constitutes the single largest factor in early child morbidity in FYROM. Information material is being distributed to mothers on the positive benefits of oral rehydration therapy through the primary health care system.
Working with the Macedonian Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, UNICEF supports families who opt to care for disabled children themselves. UNICEF will ensure that educational facilities are available to these children, and supports initiatives against their stigmatization. Continuing support for refugee children, the Agency supports screening of the most seriously affected children for trauma counselling and provides technical assistance to child care professionals ensuring they have the necessary skills to respond to this problem.
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UNHCR, in cooperation with UNICEF provides support to some 160 refugee children in collective centres in FYROM, including expenditures such as local transport, school lunches and the salaries of six additional teachers. UNICEF also ensures that refugee children in the primary school system -- numbering about 800 -- possess the necessary school materials. The Agency continues support to the Ministry of Education through technical assistance in strategic planning, incorporating educational reform and policy support.
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Parts of this text have been adapted from the "Blue Helmets" - A Review of United Nations peacekeeping. The Blue Helmets is a United Nations Sales Publication issued in November 1996. Click here for SALES AND PUBLICATIONS
Ethnic diversities and tensions in the former Yugoslavia
Historically, Yugoslavia's internal boundaries rarely coincided with demographic distribution. Among the major communities, all of them Slavic, were Croats, Muslims and Serbs; in addition, there were numbers of Macedonians, Montenegrins and Slovenes, as well as those who referred to themselves as Yugoslavs. The population also included a number of ethnic Albanians, Hungarians and others. According to the 1991 census, Serbs comprised about 36 per cent of a total population of some 23.5 million people, Croats about 20 per cent and Muslims about 10 per cent. In Serbia, Serbs comprised some 66 per cent of the population, Muslims 2.5 per cent and Croats 1.1 per cent; more than 81 per cent of the population in Kosovo was ethnic Albanian, and in Vojvodina there was a large minority of ethnic Hungarians. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 44 per cent of the population were Muslims, 31 per cent were Serbs and 17 per cent Croats. In Croatia, 78 per cent were Croats, 12 per cent Serbs and fewer than 1 per cent Muslims. During the administration headed by Josip Broz Tito, the political life of the country and of the republics was structured to balance the diversity of the population and knit it together.
Independence declarations, fighting begins
In June 1991, following popular referendums in Croatia and Slovenia, those two republics declared themselves independent. A referendum in the republic of Macedonia (now referred to as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or FYROM) on 8 September also supported independence as did a vote in the Assembly of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in October. The vote in the assembly was supported by Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats, but it caused the Bosnian Serb members to walk out and the Bosnian Serb community to affirm separateness. The Republic of Serbia strongly disapproved the declarations of independence and expressed grave concern over the fate of Serbs resident in Croatia and of Serbs resident in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fighting in Croatia began in June 1991 when Serbs living in Croatia, with the support of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), opposed the declaration of independence. In Slovenia, where there was not any significant Serb minority, fighting was brief and JNA withdrew after an agreement brokered by the European Community [now the European Union] entered into force at the beginning of July 1991.
United Nations involvement
The United Nations involvement in the former Yugoslavia began on 25 September 1991 when the Security Council unanimously adopted its resolution 713 (1991) calling on all States to implement immediately a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Yugoslavia. Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar appointed Mr. Cyrus Vance, former United States Secretary of State, as his Personal Envoy for Yugoslavia on 8 October 1991. By its resolution 724 (1991) of 15 December, the Security Council approved a report by the Secretary-General which contained a plan for a possible peacekeeping operation.
UNPROFOR established
On 21 February, the Security Council, by its resolution 743 (1992), established UNPROFOR for an initial period of 12 months as an interim arrangement to create the conditions of peace and security required for the negotiation of an overall settlement of the crisis within the framework of the European Community's Conference on Yugoslavia. The Council requested the Secretary-General to deploy immediately those elements of UNPROFOR which could assist in developing an implementation plan. The Security Council authorized the full deployment of the Force by its resolution 749 (1992) of 7 April 1992.
UNPROFOR was first deployed in Croatia. Subsequently, its mandate was extended to Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It also had an operational mandate in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and a liaison presence in Slovenia. UNPROFOR established its headquarters in Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The headquarters was later moved to Zagreb, in Croatia. From March 1992 to April 1993, UNPROFOR was headed by its Force Commander. In May 1993, the Secretary-General appointed Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg (Norway) as his Special Representative for the former Yugoslavia and first civilian head of UNPROFOR. In January 1994, he was succeeded by Mr. Yasushi Akashi (Japan) as Special Representative and Head of UNPROFOR. In March 1995, UNPROFOR's operational commands in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was led by Brigadier-General Juha Engström of Finland.
First United Nations preventive operation authorized
On 11 November 1992, the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia requested the deployment of United Nations observers in view of his concern about the possible impact of fighting elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia. Such deployment was also recommended by the Co-Chairmen of the ICFY Steering Committee. With the Security Council's approval, the Secretary-General sent a group of military, police and civilian personnel to assess the situation.
On 9 December 1992, the Secretary-General recommended to the Council an expansion of UNPROFOR's mandate and strength to establish a United Nations presence on the Republic's borders with Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The mandate would be essentially preventive, to monitor and report any developments in the border areas which could undermine confidence and stability in the Republic and threaten its territory. The enlargement would comprise a battalion of up to 700 all ranks, 35 military observers, 26 civilian police monitors, 10 civil affairs staff, 45 administrative staff and local interpreters. The headquarters would be in the capital, Skopje.
The Security Council authorized the establishment of UNPROFOR's presence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by its resolution 795(1992) of 11 December 1992. Subsequently, on 18 June 1993, the Council welcomed the offer by the United States to provide about 300 troops to reinforce UNPROFOR's presence in the republic and, in its resolution 842(1993), authorized the deployment of the additional personnel.
The first civilian police monitors arrived in Skopje on 27 December 1992. They were subsequently deployed along the northern and western borders of the republic. As at mid-May 1993, there were 24 monitors. A joint Nordic battalion, consisting of contingents from Finland, Norway and Sweden, became operational on 18 February 1993. It took over from the Canadian company which had been deployed on an interim basis on 7 January, pending the arrival of the joint battalion. The battalion, a 434-man force composed of three rifle companies, was deployed on the western border from Debvar northward and on the northern border up to the border with Bulgaria. The western border area south of Debar was covered by United Nations military observers, who constituted the main United Nations presence there. As at mid-May 1993, there were 19 military observers in the area of operations. The United States contingent of some 300 soldiers arrived in the Skopje area in the first two weeks of July 1993, deploying to the Republic's side of the border with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) on 20 August.
Border demarcation between FYROM
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Secretary-General reported in July 1993 that UNPROFOR military personnel stationed within FYROM have had a number of encounters with soldiers of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who claimed that UNPROFOR had intruded into the country's territory. These incidents have so far been resolved satisfactorily. The problem arose from the fact that the borders between the two former republics of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, previously only an internal border, has not been definitely delineated. The two Governments have not been yet able to resolve this matter conclusively. This constituted a potential source of conflict, but both sides have so far refrained from resorting to threats or moves against one another or against UNPROFOR. Meanwhile, UNPROFOR continued to lend its good offices in the role of "go-between" as and when required. In addition, the United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs) and United Nations Civilian Police (UNCIVPOL) conducted regular patrols to monitor the situation and visited border villages to gain the confidence of their inhabitants and assisting in defusing possible inter-ethnic tensions.
Security Council establishes three successor missions
to UNPROFOR; UNPREDEP succeeds
in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
On 31 March 1995, the Security Council decided to replace UNPROFOR by three separate but interlinked peacekeeping operations. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council retained the mandate and name of UNPROFOR. In Croatia, it established the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia, to be known as UNCRO. Within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council decided by resolution 983(1995) that UNPROFOR would become the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), with mandate, responsibilities and composition identical to those in place. Thus, with respect to UNPREDEP, the Secretary-General proposed on 12 May 1995 that the present composition of military contingents from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America be maintained.
Their joint theatre headquarters, known as United Nations Peace Forces headquarters (UNPF-HQ), was established in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Following the restructuring of UNPROFOR in March 1995, Mr. Akashi continued to serve as the Secretary-General's Special Representative and Chief of all United Nations peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia. General Bernard Janvier was appointed Theatre Force Commander responsible for all three operations. Effective 1 November 1995, Mr. Kofi Annan (Ghana) succeeded Mr. Akashi as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to the Former Yugoslavia and in this context to NATO. UNPREDEP is headed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Henryk Sokalski (Poland) . Its military commander was Brigadier-General Juha Engström (Finland), who was subsequently replaced by Bo Lennart Wranker (Sweden) on 1 March 1996 as UNPREDEP Force Commander.
UNPROFOR ceased to exist on 20 December 1995 when authority was transferred from UNPROFOR to the Multinational Implementation Force, as provided for in the Dayton Peace Agreement.
UNPREDEP mandate extended and strength enforced
UNPREDEP was formally established by the Security Council in resolution 983(1995) of 31 March 1995. On 30 May 1995, by adopting resolution 1058(1996), the Security Council extended UNPREDEP's mandate for a six-month period through 30 November 1996. On 1 February 1996, the Security Council concurred in principle with the Secretary-General's recommendation that UNPREDEP become an independent mission. By its resolution 1046(1996) of 13 February 1996, the Council authorized an increase in the Force's strength by 50 military personnel for the duration of its existing mandate and approved the establishment of the position of Force Commander of UNPREDEP. On 1 March 1996, Brigadier-General Bo Lennart Wranker (Sweden) took up those functions. By adopting resolution 1082 of 27 November 1996, the Council extended the mission's mandate for a further six-month period through 31 May 1997.
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On 7 April 1993, the Security Council recommended that the General Assembly admit the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to United Nations membership. In its resolution 817(1993), the Council noted the difference with Greece which had arisen over the name of the State. By adopting resolution 845(1993) on 18 June 1993, the Council urged the parties to continue their efforts under the auspices of the Secretary-General to arrive at a speedy settlement of this remaining issue.
On 8 April 1993, the General Assembly admitted to membership in the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over the name of that State. On 8 July 1993, in accordance with Security Council resolution 845(1993), the Secretary-General appointed Mr. Cyrus Vance (United States) to carry out his good offices in the difference between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece.
Interim Accord between Greece and
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
On 13 September 1995, Greece and FYROM signed a wide-ranging Interim Accord, which opened a way for the establishment of a new relationship between them based on international law and peaceful, friendly relations. The Security Council, in a Presidential Statement, welcomed the Interim Accord and encouraged the parties to continue their efforts to resolve the remaining differences between them. The Accord provided that each party would respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the other and confirmed their common existing frontier as an enduring and inviolable international border. The two countries would establish liaison offices in each other's capitals.
The Accord also provided that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia would cease to use in any manner the symbol that was at that time on its national flag and that its Constitution would be consistent with the principles of international law and good-neighbourly relations. The Accord provided for unimpeded movement of people and goods between the two countries, and, by its terms, for terminating the economic blockade imposed by Greece in February 1994 and for replacing it by an open and cooperative economic relationship. The parties agreed to continue negotiations with respect to the outstanding difference between them. The Interim Accord also paved the way for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's admission to a number of European organizations, but did not lead to recognition by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the only neighbouring country not to recognize it. Mr. Vance continued to with talks to resolve pending issues, such as border demarcation.
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Security Council resolutions
S/RES/795(1992) of 11 December 1992
Authorization to establish an UNPROFOR presence in FYROM
S/RES/842(1993) of 18 June 1993
Welcomes the offer by the United States to contribute 300
additional personnel to the UNPROFOR presence in FYROM
S/RES/845(1993) of 18 June 1993
Concerns the settlement of the difference between Greece and FYROM
S/RES/983(1995) of 31 March 1995
Establishment of UNPREDEP
S/RES/1027(1993) of 30 November 1995
Decides to extend the mandate of UNPREDEP through 30 May 1996
S/RES/1046(1996) of 13 February 1996
Authorizes an increase in UNPREDEP's strength by 50 military personnel;
establishes the position of UNPREDEP Force Commander
S/RES/1058(1996) of 30 May 1996
S/RES/1082(1996) of 27 November 1996
S/RES/1142(1997) of 4 December 1997
S/RES/1160(1998) of 31 March 1998: Security Concil arms embargo
S/1998/712), 31 March 1998 , report of the Secretary-General on the Kosovo situation
S/RES/1186/1998 of 21 July 1998: Security Council authorizes an increase in the troop strength of the UNPREDEP and an extension of mandate until 28 February 1999
Reports of the Secretary-General
S/24923 of 9 December 1992
Recommendation to establish an UNPROFOR
presence in FYROM
S/26099 of 13 July 1993
Report pursuant to Security Council resolution 845(1993)
concerning the difference between Greece and FYROM
S/26483 of 22 September 1993
Report pursuant to Security Council resolution 845(1993)
concerning the difference between Greece and FYROM
S/1994/632 of 27 May 1994;
Security Council response:
S/1994/679 of 7 June 1994
S/1994/1067 & Add.1 of 17 September 1994
S/1996/65 of 29 February 1996
Recommendation that UNPREDEP be continued
as an independent mission effective 1 February 1996
Security Council response: S/1996/76 of 1 February 1996
S/1996/94 of 8 February 1996
Costs associated with the change in status of UNPREDEP
S/1996/373 & Add.1 of 23 May 1996 (Add.1 29 May)
Recommendation of mandate extension through 30 November 1996
S/1996/819 of 30 September 1996
Pursuant to Security Council resolution 1058(1996)
S/1996/961 of 19 November 1996
Recommendation that UNPREDEP's mandate be extended through 31 May 1997
S/1997/365 & Add.1. of 12 May 1997
S/1997/631 of 11 August 1997
S/1997/911 & Add.1. of 20 November 1997
S/1998/454 of 1 June 1998
Statements of the President of the Security Council:
S/PRST/1995/46 of 22 Feburary 1995
Other Security Council documents
S/25954 & Add.1. of 15 June 1993
Secretary-General transmits letter of the United States
offering 300 troops to reinforce UNPROFOR in FYROM;
Add.: Financial implications
S/26088 of 13 July 1993
Difference between Greece and FYROM;
Appointment of Cyrus Vance as mediator
S/26130 of 22 July 1993
S/1994/376 of 31 March 1994
Negotiations between Greece and FYROM;
Security Council response:
S/1994/415 of 11 April 1994
S/1994/967 of 9 August 1994
Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the
former Yugoslavia by Tadeusz Mazowiecki
S/1994/978
Efforts to resolve difference between Greece and FYROM;
Security Council response:
S/1994/979 of 17 August 1994
S/1995/386 of 5 May 1995
Composition of UNPREDEP
S/1995/794 & Annex 1 of 14 September 1995
Interim Accord between Greece and FYROM
S/1996/118 of 14 February 1996;
S/1996/119 of 16 February 1996
(Press Release SC/6562) of 24 August 1998: Security Council calls for immediate ceasefire in Kosovo, emphasizing the need for the achievement of a political solution to the conflict by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanians.
General Assembly documents
A/50/1014-S//1996//605 of 30 July 1996
Letter from FYROM addressed to the Secretary-General
Financial documents
A/49/928 of 28 June 1995
A/50/696
& Add.1-7 of 27, 30 October, 8 November, 15 December 1995;
13, 29 March, 3 May, 10 July and 5 August 1996
A/50/796 & Add.1-4 of 1 December 1995
A/RES/50/243 of 7 June 1996
A/50/696/Add.7 of 5 August 1996
A/50/895 of 21 March 1996
A/50/903 & Add.1. of 27 March 1996
A/50/968 of 4 June 1996
A/51/389 of 20 September 1996
A/51/491 of 14 October 1996
A/51/497 of 15 October 1996
A/51/508 & Corr.1 of 16 October and 11 November 1996
A/51/639 & Add.1 of 31 October and 17 December 1996
A/51/640 of 31 October 1996
A/51/681 of 19 November 1996
A/51/701 of 2 December 1996
A/51/712 & Add.1. of 5 December 1996
A/RES/51/154 A of 16 December 1996
A/51/872 of 14 April 1997
A/51/910 of 28 May 1997
A/RES/51/154B of 13 June 1997
A/52/768 of 16 January 1998
A/52/805 of 25 February 1998
A/52/860 of 7 May 1998
A/51/508/Add.3 of 29 April 1998 : Secretary-General submits revised budget for the maintenance of UNPREDEP for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 in the amount of $49,474,800 gross ($47,937,600 net)
A/52/768: reports expenditures for UNPREDEP covering the period 1 July 1996 through 30 June 1997 amounted to $$50,405,200 gross ($49,593,700 net).
(Press Release GA/9425) of 26 June 1998: General Assembly appropriates $21.1 million to maintain UNPREDEP from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999
Membership of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
in the United Nations
S/RES/817(1993) of 7 April 1993
Recommendation to the General Assembly that FYROM
be admitted to membership in the United Nations
A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993
Decision to admit FYROM to membership in the United Nations
S/25855 & Add.1-2 of 28 May and 3 June 1993
Letter from the Secretary-General addressed
to the President of the Security Council
Concerns admission of FYROM to the United Nations
and difference over its name with Greece
S/1995/794, annex I
Interim Accord between Greece and
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Other publications
Blue Helmets
A Review of United Nations peacekeeping
published in December 1996
Sales No. E.96.I.14
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United Nations Revised Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Repblic of Yugoslavia, the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Slovenia of 1 March 1996
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