Exchange of letters providing for establishment of Stabilization Force (SFOR)

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Exchange of letters providing for establishment of Stabilization Force (SFOR)
Date: 2 Dec 1996
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
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: Javier SOLANA, Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Alija IZETBEGOVIC, Kresimir ZUBAK, Momcilo KRAJISNIK, Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Milan MILUTINOVIC, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;
Dr Franjo TUDJMAN, President of the Republic of Croatia;
Third parties: Letters forwarded by:
Jorge DOMECQ, Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
Alastair MERRILL, Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General;
Description: This exchange of letters between the parties and the Secretary-General of NATO, provides for creation of a NATO Stablilization Force (SFOR) as a follow up to the Implementation Force (IFOR).

Agreement document: BA_961202_Exchange of letters providing for establishment of Stabilization Force (SFOR).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: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
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: Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
I take this opportunity to remind you that we still have not concluded the task started in Dayton, Ohio of interpreting certain regulations contained in the Transit Agreement for Peace Plan Operations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO, signed on 21 and 23 November 1995. On 20 February 1996, we received a letter from Mr. B. de Vidts, Legal Adviser of NATO, which contained some interpretations of the provisions of the Transit Agreement, but these interpretations greatly departed from those agreed upon in Dayton. Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Transit Agreement is subject to the approval by the Federal Assembly...
Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page 6-7, LETTER, From the Minister for Foreign Affairs of-the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 3 December 1996

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 1-2, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 29 November 1996
...xAll international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 3, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 29 November 1996
...All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 4-5, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of Croatia, 29 November 1996
...All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...
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: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization addressed to the UN Secretary-General concerning the Stabilization Force, 2 December 1996
In my letter of 28 November, I informed you that NATO was proceeding with preparations for a follow-up force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 29 November allies agreed that this force would be named the Stabilization Force, or SFOR, that I should seek the acceptance of the Parties to the Dayton Accords of SFOR as the successor to the Implementation Force (IFOR)...

Page 1-2, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is further understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. It is also our understanding that SFOR will be legal successor of IFOR. SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 3, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is our understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is our further understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. In this connection, it is also our understanding that all references to IFOR in the Peace Agreement (particularly its annexes 1-A and 2) and in all other relevant documents will be read as references to the follow-up force (SFOR). It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR. SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 4-5, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of Croatia, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is our understanding that the Republic of Croatia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is our further understanding that the Republic of Croatia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. In this connection, it is also our understanding that all references to IFOR in the Peace Agreement (particularly its annexes 1-A and 2) and in all other relevant documents will be read as references to the follow-up force (SFOR). It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR. SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 7-8, LETTER, From the President of Croatia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 3 December 1996
Thank you for your letter of 29 November 1996 concerning the to-date role of IFOR in enforcing the Agreement, drawn up in Dayton and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, and the tasks of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) which would be established and conducted by NATO in the coming period to be defined by the United Nations Security Council. The Republic of Croatia, as a co-signatory of the Dayton/Paris Agreement, has been supporting the implementation of its provisions throughout the previous period in the interest of stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the role of IFOR in carrying out the military measures designed to ensure peace. Not only Croatia but also the international community as a whole is interested in a continued process of unreserved implementation of the accords reached. The Republic of Croatia will continue to use its influence in this direction, especially all those provisions of the Washington Agreement related to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the already mentioned Dayton/Paris Agreement. We believe that a leading role of NATO is indispensable in this process and that the stability and security in the south-east of Europe will be an additional rationale behind Croatia's accession to the Partnership for Peace and, in the foreseeable future, to NATO membership. In this connection, and on behalf of the Republic of Croatia, I wish to confirm consent to all the points of mutual understanding put forward in your letter.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
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: UN Secretary-General is the recipient of letter exchange
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization addressed to the UN Secretary-General concerning the Stabilization Force, 2 December 1996
In my letter of 28 November, I informed you that NATO was proceeding with preparations for a follow-up force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 29 November allies agreed that this force would be named the Stabilization Force, or SFOR, that I should seek the acceptance of the Parties to the Dayton Accords of SFOR as the successor to the Implementation Force (IFOR)...

Page 1-2, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is further understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. It is also our understanding that SFOR will be legal successor of IFOR. SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 2, LETTER, From the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 30 November 1996
We refer to your letter of 29 November 1996, concerning the status of a follow-up stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina herewith acknowledges receipt of your letter and confirms concurrence with its contents in full. We understand that the Presidency shall be consulted on the duration of the mandate.

Page 3, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is our understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is our further understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. In this connection, it is also our understanding that all references to IFOR in the Peace Agreement (particularly its annexes 1-A and 2) and in all other relevant documents will be read as references to the follow-up force (SFOR). It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR. SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 4-5, LETTER, From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of Croatia, 29 November 1996
I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement). It is our understanding that the Republic of Croatia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is our further understanding that the Republic of Croatia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully. In this connection, it is also our understanding that all references to IFOR in the Peace Agreement (particularly its annexes 1-A and 2) and in all other relevant documents will be read as references to the follow-up force (SFOR). It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR.
SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes. All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR...

Page 6, LETTER, From the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 3 December 1996
I refer to your letter of 29 November 1996, concerning the status of a follow-up Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, I herewith acknowledge receipt of your letter and confirm concurrence with its contents in full.

Page 6-7, LETTER, From the Minister for Foreign Affairs of-the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 3 December 1996
I take this opportunity to remind you that we still have not concluded the task started in Dayton, Ohio of interpreting certain regulations contained in the Transit Agreement for Peace Plan Operations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO, signed on 21 and 23 November 1995. On 20 February 1996, we received a letter from Mr. B. de Vidts, Legal Adviser of NATO, which contained some interpretations of the provisions of the Transit Agreement, but these interpretations greatly departed from those agreed upon in Dayton. Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Transit Agreement is subject to the approval by the Federal Assembly. Pending the approval, it is implemented on a temporary basis. In my previous letters I explained to you that your confirmation as to the meaning of certain regulations contained in the Transit Agreement, set forth in Dayton, would be of great importance in the procedure of granting the approval to the Transit Agreement by the Federal Assembly. In his letter of 30 April 1996, General George Joulwan (SACEUR) informed me that the matter would be reviewed by the competent officials and that I would shortly be informed thereof. Since I have not received any reply so far, I kindly ask you to intercede so that the competent NATO authorities may confirm in a letter the interpretation of the Transit Agreement agreed upon in Dayton. I am sending you, enclosed herewith, a copy of the text "Understandings Regarding Certain Provisions of the Agreement Between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Concerning Transit Arrangements for Peace Plan Operations", set forth in Dayton...

Page 7-8, LETTER, From the President of Croatia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 3 December 1996
Thank you for your letter of 29 November 1996 concerning the to-date role of IFOR in enforcing the Agreement, drawn up in Dayton and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, and the tasks of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) which would be established and conducted by NATO in the coming period to be defined by the United Nations Security Council. The Republic of Croatia, as a co-signatory of the Dayton/Paris Agreement, has been supporting the implementation of its provisions throughout the previous period in the interest of stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the role of IFOR in carrying out the military measures designed to ensure peace. Not only Croatia but also the international community as a whole is interested in a continued process of unreserved implementation of the accords reached. The Republic of Croatia will continue to use its influence in this direction, especially all those provisions of the Washington Agreement related to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the already mentioned Dayton/Paris Agreement. We believe that a leading role of NATO is indispensable in this process and that the stability and security in the south-east of Europe will be an additional rationale behind Croatia's accession to the Partnership for Peace and, in the foreseeable future, to NATO membership. In this connection, and on behalf of the Republic of Croatia, I wish to confirm consent to all the points of mutual understanding put forward in your letter.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Snezana Trifunovska (ed.) Former Yugoslavia Through Documents: From its dissolution to the peace settlement (The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff 1999) pp. 584-589

LETTER

From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization addressed to the UN Secretary-General concerning the Stabilization Force]

2 December 1996

In my letter of 28 November, I informed you that NATO was proceeding with preparations for a follow-up force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 29 November allies agreed that this force would be named the Stabilization Force, or SFOR, that I should seek the acceptance of the Parties to the Dayton Accords of SFOR as the successor to the Implementation Force (IFOR).

I enclose for your information a copy of the letter sent to the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on SFOR and a copy of their response.

I have sent similar letters to the President Milosevic and President Tudjman (also enclose) and am awaiting their response.

(Signed) Javier SOLANA

ENCLOSURE I

LETTER

From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 29 November 1996

I have the honour to refer to the multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), and the important role that it has played in the implementation of the military aspects of the Peace Agreement initialled at Dayton on 21 November 1995, and signed at Paris on 14 December 1995 (the Peace Agreement).

It is understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It is further understanding that Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully.

In this connection, it is also our understanding that all references to IFOR in the Peace Agreement (particularly its annexes 1-A and 2) and in all other relevant documents will be read as references to the follow-up force (SFOR).

It is also our understanding that SFOR will be legal successor of IFOR.

SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes.

All international instruments, all public and private agreements, contracts or arrangements of any kind and description, memoranda of understanding and all other relevant instruments involving IFOR shall remain in force and shall hereinafter be read and interpreted as referring to SFOR.

I would appreciate your confirmation of these understandings on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its constituent entities the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.

(Signed) Javier SOLANA

ENCLOSURE II

LETTER

From the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

30 November 1996

We refer to your letter of 29 November 1996, concerning the status of a follow-up stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina herewith acknowledges receipt of your letter and confirms concurrence with its contents in full.

We understand that the Presidency shall be consulted on the duration of the mandate.

(Signed) Alija IZETBEGOVIC

(Signed) Kresimir ZUBAK

(Signed) Momcilo KRAJISNIK

ENCLOSURE III

LETTER

From the Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Charge d'affaires a.i.

of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia transmitting a letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

29 November 1996

I would be grateful if you could forward the enclosed letter from the Secretary-General to His Excellency President Slobodan Milosevic.

For your information, it should be noted that a comparable letter has been sent to the President of the Republic of Croatia and the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(Signed) Jorge DOMECQ

ENCLOSURE IV

LETTER

From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

29 November 1996

It is our understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It is our further understanding that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully.

It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR.

SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes.

I would appreciate your confirmation of these understandings on behalf of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

(Signed) Javier SOLANA

ENCLOSURE V

LETTER

From the Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Ambassador of Croatia transmitting a letter from the Secretary-Genera) to the President of Croatia

29 November 1996

I would be grateful if you could forward the enclosed letter from the Secretary-General to the President of Croatia, His Excellency Dr. Franjo Tudjman.

For your information, it should be noted that a comparable letter has been sent to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and His Excellency Mr. Milosevic.

(Signed) Jorge DOMECQ

ENCLOSURE VI

LETTER

From the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the President of Croatia

29 November 1996

It is our understanding that the Republic of Croatia would welcome a follow-up stabilization force (SFOR) to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It is our further understanding that the Republic of Croatia welcomes and invites action by the United Nations Security Council to continue the authorization granted in paragraphs 14 to 17 of its resolution 1031 (1995), with respect to the follow-up force and that it will cooperate fully.

It is also our understanding that SFOR is the legal successor to IFOR.

SFOR is entitled to the same rights, immunities, privileges and facilities as IFOR for all purposes.

I would appreciate your confirmation of these understandings on behalf of the Republic of Croatia.

(Signed) Javier SOLANA

ANNEX II

LETTER

From the Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization addressed to the Secretary-General

4 December 1996

Please find attached for your information a copy of the letter to the Secretary-General of NATO from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia responding positively to his letter of 29 November on the Stabilization Force.

I also enclose a letter from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia concerning the transit agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO.

(Signed) Alastair MERRILL

ENCLOSURE I

LETTER

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

3 December 1996

I refer to your letter of 29 November 1996, concerning the status of a follow-up Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be organized and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, I herewith acknowledge receipt of your letter and confirm concurrence with its contents in full.

(Signed) Milan MILUTINOVIC

ENCLOSURE II

LETTER

From the Minister for Foreign Affairs of-the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

3 December 1996

I take this opportunity to remind you that we still have not concluded the task started in Dayton, Ohio of interpreting certain regulations contained in the Transit Agreement for Peace Plan Operations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO, signed on 21 and 23 November 1995.

On 20 February 1996, we received a letter from Mr. B. de Vidts, Legal Adviser of NATO, which contained some interpretations of the provisions of the Transit Agreement, but these interpretations greatly departed from those agreed upon in Dayton.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Transit Agreement is subject to the approval by the Federal Assembly.

Pending the approval, it is implemented on a temporary basis.

In my previous letters I explained to you that your confirmation as to the meaning of certain regulations contained in the Transit Agreement, set forth in Dayton, would be of great importance in the procedure of granting the approval to the Transit Agreement by the Federal Assembly.

In his letter of 30 April 1996, General George Joulwan (SACEUR) informed me that the matter would be reviewed by the competent officials and that I would shortly be informed thereof.

Since I have not received any reply so far, I kindly ask you to intercede so that the competent NATO authorities may confirm in a letter the interpretation of the Transit Agreement agreed upon in Dayton.

I am sending you, enclosed herewith, a copy of the text "Understandings Regarding Certain Provisions of the Agreement Between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Concerning Transit Arrangements for Peace Plan Operations", set forth in Dayton.

I look forward to your reply.

(Signed) Milan MILUTINOVIC

ANNEX III

LETTER

From the Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization addressed to the Secretary-General

4 December 1996

Please find attached for your information a copy of the letter to the Secretary-General of NATO from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, together with a courtesy translation, responding positively to his letter of 29 November on the Stabilization Force.

(Signed) Alastair MERRILL

Deputy Director of the Private Office

ENCLOSURE I

LETTER

From the President of Croatia to the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

3 December 1996

Thank you for your letter of 29 November 1996 concerning the to-date role of IFOR in enforcing the Agreement, drawn up in Dayton and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, and the tasks of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) which would be established and conducted by NATO in the coming period to be defined by the United Nations Security Council.

The Republic of Croatia, as a co-signatory of the Dayton/Paris Agreement, has been supporting the implementation of its provisions throughout the previous period in the interest of stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the role of IFOR in carrying out the military measures designed to ensure peace.

Not only Croatia but also the international community as a whole is interested in a continued process of unreserved implementation of the accords reached.

The Republic of Croatia will continue to use its influence in this direction, especially all those provisions of the Washington Agreement related to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the already mentioned Dayton/Paris Agreement.

We believe that a leading role of NATO is indispensable in this process and that the stability and security in the south-east of Europe will be an additional rationale behind Croatia's accession to the Partnership for Peace and, in the foreseeable future, to NATO membership.

In this connection, and on behalf of the Republic of Croatia, I wish to confirm consent to all the points of mutual understanding put forward in your letter.

Dr Franjo TUDJMAN

President of the Republic of Croatia