Text of US/Russia/UK/France/Spain Joint Action Programme (JAP) on Bosnia

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Text of US/Russia/UK/France/Spain Joint Action Programme (JAP) on Bosnia
Date: 22 May 1993
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001)
Former Yugoslavia

The disintegration of former Yugoslavia post cold war saw conflicts which became mediated and produced peace agreements in Slovenia (where the brief independence conflict was mediated by the EC Troika in 1991), Croatia (between Croatian and Serb populations 1991-1995), in Bosnia (between Croatian, Serb and Bosniak populations 1992-1995), in Macedonia (where mediation played a key pre-emptive role in preventing large scale conflict in 2001), in Kosovo (between Kosovar Albanians and Serbian population and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), but also between FRY and NATO, 1998-1999), and a conflict in the Presevo Valley (between Albanians in South Serbia and FRY, 2000-2001). The continued fall-out of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia also saw mediated agreement and ultimate dissolution of the Union between Serbia and Montenegro.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

In 1991, after nationalist parties won the first multi-party elections in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a violent process of disintegration commenced. With its mixed population, Bosnia-Herzegovina became the centre of the following civil war that began in 1992 between the newly formed army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Muslim Bosniacs), and the parastatal forces of self-declared Bosnian Croat (Herzeg-Bosnia) and Bosnian Serb (Republika Srpska) entities within Bosnia-Herzegovina, supported by Croatia and Serbia, with various, often short-lived, coalitions. The General Framework Agreement (Dayton Peace Agreement), signed in 1995, split the country into two ethno-federal entities, the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska, and included continued peacekeeping and institutional administration by international actors.

Kosovo

The conflict between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians has a long history and always involved territorial disputes as well as ethno-political, cultural and linguistic factors. The most recent phase of the conflict began in November 1997 when the Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA or UCK) began their campaign for the independence of Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY – then Serbia and Montenegro). The subsequent war lasted until the NATO intervention, which undertook bombing campaigns of Belgrade and other places in Serbia during spring 1999. The main agreements solving the conflict were internationally driven and, finally, a UNSC resolution imposed a post-conflict arrangement in the wake of what was essentially a NATO military victory. In February 2008, Kosovo’s parliament declared independence, but independence is still internationally disputed.
Stage: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: France, the Russian Federation, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of
America
Third parties: -
Description: -

Agreement document: BA_930522_Text of US, Russia, UK, France, Spain Joint Action Programme on Bosnia.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 3, 8.
Central Bosnia-Herzegovina. We are deeply concerned about the fighting between Bosnian Croatian and Bosnian Government Forces and the related 'ethnic cleansing,' and we agree that Croatia should be put on notice that assistance to Bosnian Croatian forces engaged in these activities could result in the international community imposing sanctions on Croatia.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: Page 4, 11.
Kosovo. We favour an increase in the international monitoring presence in Kosovo. International standards of human rights should be strictly respected in the Formerly-autonomous region of Kosovo, although we do not support declarations of independence there.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: Page 4, 11.
Kosovo. We favour an increase in the international monitoring presence in Kosovo. International standards of human rights should be strictly respected in the Formerly-autonomous region of Kosovo, although we do not support declarations of independence there.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 1, 1.
Humanitarian assistance. We will continue providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will insist that all parties allow humanitarian aid to pass without hindrance.

Page 2, 3.
Sealing borders. We note the pledge of the Belgrade authorities to close the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, in order to put pressure on the Bosnian Serbs to accept the Peace Plan. We are watching to see if the border closure is effective. Although the primary responsibility for enforcing this step belongs to Belgrade, we can assist, for instance by placing monitors on the borders or providing technical expertise or conducting aerial surveillance. We also note the willingness expressed by the Zagreb authorities for monitoring to take place along the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, 1.
Humanitarian assistance. We will continue providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will insist that all parties allow humanitarian aid to pass without hindrance.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 1, 1.
Humanitarian assistance. We will continue providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will insist that all parties allow humanitarian aid to pass without hindrance.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 4, 12.
Croatia. The same considerations apply to the Serb-populated areas of Croatia. We will work for the renewal added and strengthening of UNPROFOR's mandate. The Croatian Government and the local Serb Authorities should maintain the cease-fire and constructively pursue their dialogue leading to settling practical, economic, and, eventually, political problems between them.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1-2, 2.
The economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council against Serbia and Montenegro must be rigorously enforced by all members of the UN until the necessary conditions set out in Security Council Resolution 820, including the withdrawal of Bosnian Serb troops from territories occupied by force, are met for lifting the sanctions.

Page 3, 8.
Central Bosnia-Herzegovina. We are deeply concerned about the fighting between Bosnian Croatian and Bosnian Government Forces and the related 'ethnic cleansing,' and we agree that Croatia should be put on notice that assistance to Bosnian Croatian forces engaged in these activities could result in the international community imposing sanctions on Croatia.

Page 4, 12.
Croatia. The same considerations apply to the Serb-populated areas of Croatia. We will work for the renewal added and strengthening of UNPROFOR's mandate. The Croatian Government and the local Serb Authorities should maintain the cease-fire and constructively pursue their dialogue leading to settling practical, economic, and, eventually, political problems between them.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: Transitional justice→Courts→International courts
Page 3, 6.
War Crimes Tribunal. We support the rapid establishment of the War Crimes Tribunal, so that those guilty of atrocities may be brought to justice.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: Agreement ends: We five members of the united Nations Security Council are firmly united and firmly committed to taking these immediate steps. We will work closely with the UNited Nations and the involved regional organizations as we carry out these efforts.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 2, 3.
Sealing borders. We note the pledge of the Belgrade authorities to close the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, in order to put pressure on the Bosnian Serbs to accept the Peace Plan. We are watching to see if the border closure is effective. Although the primary responsibility for enforcing this step belongs to Belgrade, we can assist, for instance by placing monitors on the borders or providing technical expertise or conducting aerial surveillance. We also note the willingness expressed by the Zagreb authorities for monitoring to take place along the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Page 3, 4.
'Safe areas.' The concept of 'safe areas' in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as France and others have proposed, could make a valuable contribution. We will work to secure early adoption of the new UN Security Council Resolution now under discussion. The United Kingdom and France along with other nations already have forces serving with UNPROFOR in 'safe areas.' troops from other countries, including Spain and Canada, are playing an important role on the ground. The Russian Federation is considering making forces available in Bosnia in addition to its forces presently in Croatia. The United States is prepared to meet its commitment to help protect UNPROFOR forces in the event they are attacked and request such action. Further contributions from other countries would be most welcome.

Page 4, 10.
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It is essential that everyone in the region understands that aggression against the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia would have grave consequences. We will support an increase in the international presence there in consultation with the authorities in Skopje. The United States is considering a contribution to this effort.

Page 4, 11.
Kosovo. We favour an increase in the international monitoring presence in Kosovo. International standards of human rights should be strictly respected in the Formerly-autonomous region of Kosovo, although we do not support declarations of independence there.

Page 4, 12.
Croatia. The same considerations apply to the Serb-populated areas of Croatia. We will work for the renewal added and strengthening of UNPROFOR's mandate. The Croatian Government and the local Serb Authorities should maintain the cease-fire and constructively pursue their dialogue leading to settling practical, economic, and, eventually, political problems between them.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 2, 3.
Sealing borders. We note the pledge of the Belgrade authorities to close the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, in order to put pressure on the Bosnian Serbs to accept the Peace Plan. We are watching to see if the border closure is effective. Although the primary responsibility for enforcing this step belongs to Belgrade, we can assist, for instance by placing monitors on the borders or providing technical expertise or conducting aerial surveillance. We also note the willingness expressed by the Zagreb authorities for monitoring to take place along the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: University of Liverpool, David Owen Library
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/library/sca/colldescs/owen/

Text of US/Russia/UK/France/Spain Joint Action Programme (JAP) on Bosnia, 22 May 1993 covering the five safe havens and extract

from Balkan Odyssey covering this period

FM WASHINGTON

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

22 May 1993

FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY

TEXT OF US/RUSSIA/UK/FRANCE/SPAIN JOINT ACTION PROGRAMME ON BOSNIA

France, the Russian Federation, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are profoundly concerned that the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina is continuing despite the strenuous efforts of the international community and the CoChairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, which they strongly support, to bring an end to it.

We shall continue to work urgently to help extinguish this terrible war and to achieve a lasting and equitable settlement.

We also have common views on the most productive immediate steps to take.

These should lead to implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions as well as the elaboration of further steps .

1. Humanitarian assistance.

We will continue providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will insist that all parties allow humanitarian aid to pass without hindrance.

2. Sanctions.

The economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council against Serbia and Montenegro must be rigorously enforced by all members of the UN until the necessary conditions set out in Security Council Resolution 820, including the withdrawal of Bosnian Serb troops from territories occupied by force, are met for lifting the sanctions.

3. Sealing borders.

We note the pledge of the Belgrade authorities to close the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, in order to put pressure on the Bosnian Serbs to accept the Peace Plan.

We are watching to see if the border closure is effective.

Although the primary responsibility for enforcing this step belongs to Belgrade, we can assist, for instance by placing monitors on the borders or providing technical expertise or conducting aerial surveillance.

We also note the willingness expressed by the Zagreb authorities for monitoring to take place along the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

4. ' Safe areas.'

The concept of 'safe areas' in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as France and others have proposed, could make a valuable contribution.

We will work to secure early adoption of the new UN Security Council Resolution now under discussion.

The United Kingdom and France along with other nations already have forces serving with UNPROFOR in 'safe areas.'

troops from other countries, including Spain and Canada,

are playing an important role on the ground.

The Russian Federation is considering making forces available in Bosnia in addition to its forces presently in Croatia.

The United States is prepared to meet its commitment to help protect UNPROFOR forces in the event they are attacked and request such action.

Further contributions from other countries would be most welcome.

5. No-fly zone.

The No-Fly Zone should continue to be enforced in Bosnia.

6. War Crimes Tribunal.

We support the rapid establishment of the War Crimes Tribunal, so that those guilty of atrocities may be brought to justice.

Durable peace.

Negotiated settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, building on the Vance-Owen process and intensified international cooperation and effort, is the way a durable peace can be established.

France, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States will assist and actively participate in a continued political process to this end.

To the extent that the parties decide to implement promptly mutually-agreed

provisions of the Vance-Owen plan, this is to be encouraged.

8. Central Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We are deeply concerned about the fighting between Bosnian Croatian and Bosnian Government Forces and the related 'ethnic cleansing,' and we agree that Croatia should be put on notice that assistance to Bosnian Croatian forces engaged in these activities could result in the international community imposing sanctions on Croatia.

9. Containment.

We will cooperate closely to enhance efforts to contain the conflict and prevent the possibility that it will spill over into neighbouring countries.

We would regard such a development with the utmost seriousness.

10. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

It is essential that everyone in the region understands that aggression against the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia would have grave consequences.

We will support an increase in the international presence there in consultation with the authorities in Skopje.

The United States is considering a contribution to this effort.

11. Kosovo.

We favour an increase in the international monitoring presence in Kosovo.

International standards of human rights should be strictly respected in the formerly-autonomous region of Kosovo, although we do not support declarations of indpendence there .

12. Croatia.

The same considerations apply to the Serb-populated areas of Croatia.

We will work for the renewal added and strengthening of UNPROFOR's mandate.

The Croatian Government and the local Serb Authorities should maintain the cease-fire and constructively pursue their dialogue leading to settling practical, economic, and, eventually, political problems between them.

13. Further measures.

We wi II keep open options for new and tougher measures, none of which is prejudged or excluded from consideration.

We five members of the United Nations Security Council are firmly united and firmly committed to taking these immediate steps.

We will work closely with the United Nations and the involved regional organizations as we carry out these efforts.