Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date: 19 Oct 1992
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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: Dobrica Cosic, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Third parties: Signed under the auspices of the ICFY Co-chairmen Cyrus Vance and David Owen, in the presence of UNPROFOR Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Satish Nambiar.
Description: This short statement contains agreement several issues, including the demilitarization of Sarajevo, mechanisms for humanitarian aid and the release of detainees, and the establishment of an independent war crimes commission of experts.

Agreement document: BA_921019_Joint Statement issued at Geneva.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 1, 2.
...They further reaffirm that a comprehensive political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be found by agreement between the Republic's three constituent peoples within the International Conference at Geneva...

Page 2, 7.
They declare their total condemnation of "ethnic cleansing" and commit themselves to helping reverse that which has already taken place. They will also use their best endeavours to bring about conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their permanent residences. They further declare that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are null and void...
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 2, 7.
They declare their total condemnation of "ethnic cleansing" and commit themselves to helping reverse that which has already taken place. They will also use their best endeavours to bring about conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their permanent residences. They further declare that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are null and void.
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 1, 2.
...All questions concerning succession of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be resolved within the framework of the International Conference or, as appropriate, bilaterally.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: Page 1, 2.
They reaffirm the commitments of the International Conference in London on the inviolability of existing borders other than through changes reached by peaceful agreement.
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: Page 2, 7.
...They urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with
current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to free all detainees, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas. They further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance to the populace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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 2, 8.
...They express their firm conviction that all perpetrators of criminal acts committed during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be punished in accordance with all relevant legal provisions.
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, 4.
They agree on the urgent need to end the blockade of and to demilitarize Sarajevo and other cities with the assistance and under the supervision of the United Nations Protection Force.

Page 2, 7.
...They urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with
current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to free all detainees, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas. They further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance to the populace of Bosnia and 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: Page 2, 7.
...They urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with
current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to free all detainees, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas...
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2, 7.
...They further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance to the populace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 2, 7.
They declare their total condemnation of "ethnic cleansing" and commit themselves to helping reverse that which has already taken place. They will also use their best endeavours to bring about conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their permanent residences. They further declare that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are null and void.
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 1, 3.
The two Presidents agree that efforts should be intensified at all levels and by all parties involved in the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectuate an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 4.
...In this connection the two Presidents express the hope that the work of the Mixed Military Working Group in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be carried out intensively with participation at senior military level. The Mixed Military Working Group should meet in continuous and uninterrupted session.

Page 2, 5.
...The two Presidents further agreed on the desirability of promptly stationing observers at military airfields as provided for in United Nations Security Council resolution 781 (1992), as well as at their common State border.

Page 2, 6.
The two Presidents agree on the need for all the parties in the conflict to bring under effective command and control all armed units on the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to eliminate all paramilitary groups and criminal and mercenary elements emanating from whatever source.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, 4.
They agree on the urgent need to end the blockade of and to demilitarize Sarajevo and other cities with the assistance and under the supervision of the United Nations Protection Force.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1-2, 5.
...President Cosic informed President Izetbegovic that he had received a report today to the effect that Bosnian Serbs' military aircraft had been confined to hangars; upon his return to Belgrade he intended to sign an agreement with Bosnian Serb representatives transferring these aircraft from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Page 2, 6.
The two Presidents agree on the need for all the parties in the conflict to bring under effective command and control all armed units on the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to eliminate all paramilitary groups and criminal and mercenary elements emanating from whatever source.
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→National courts
Page 2, 8.
The two Presidents note the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 780 (1992) establishing an impartial commission of experts to examine, gather and evaluate evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. They express their firm conviction that all perpetrators of criminal acts committed during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be punished in accordance with all relevant legal provisions.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 2, 7.
...They urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with
current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to free all detainees, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas...
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: Page 2, 9.
The two Presidents agree to meet again with the Co-Chairmen at a date to be determined. They thank the Co-Chairmen for today's meeting and also express their appreciation at the presence of UNPROFOR Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Satish Nambiar.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, 4.
They agree on the urgent need to end the blockade of and to demilitarize Sarajevo and other cities with the assistance and under the supervision of the United Nations Protection Force.

Page 2, 5.
...The two Presidents further agreed on the desirability of promptly stationing observers at military airfields as provided for in United Nations Security Council resolution 781 (1992), as well as at their common State border.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Letter dated 92/10/20 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Yugoslavia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/24702), Annex
http://repository.un.org/

Joint statement issued at Geneva on 19 October 1992 by the President of Yugoslavia and the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Having met on 19 October 1992 at Geneva under the auspices of the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia,

Dobrica Cosic, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, wish to make the following statement:

1. The two Presidents welcomed the invitation of the Co-Chairmen to hold this meeting and expressed their appreciation to them.

The two Presidents are of the view that the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia represents the forum for resolving outstanding problems in the area of the former Yugoslavia and pledge their support for the efforts of the Co-Chairmen.

They reaffirmed all commitments entered into at the international conference in London.

Their meeting took place in an open, frank atmosphere and addressed a wide range of issues in a comprehensive fashion.

2. They reaffirm the commitments of the International Conference in London on the inviolability of existing borders other than through changes reached by peaceful agreement.

They further reaffirm that a comprehensive political solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be found by agreement between the Republic's three constituent peoples within the International Conference at Geneva.

All questions concerning succession of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be resolved within the framework of the International Conference or, as appropriate, bilaterally.

3. The two Presidents agree that efforts should be intensified at all levels and by all parties involved in the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectuate an immediate cessation of hostilities.

4. They agree on the urgent need to end the blockade of and to demilitarize Sarajevo and other cities with the assistance and under the supervision of the United Nations Protection Force.

In this connection the two Presidents express the hope that the work of the Mixed Military Working Group in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be carried out intensively with participation at senior military level.

The Mixed Military Working Group should meet in continuous and uninterrupted session.

5. They welcome the statement by the Co-Chairmen of the International Conference issued at Geneva on 13 October last and will within their

respective competencies see that it is carried out as soon as possible.

President Cosic informed President Izetbegovic that he had received a report today to the effect that Bosnian Serbs' military aircraft had been confined to hangars;

upon his return to Belgrade he intended to sign an agreement with Bosnian Serb representatives transferring these aircraft from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The two Presidents further agreed on the desirability of promptly stationing observers at military airfields as provided for in United Nations Security Council resolution 781 (1992), as well as at their common State border.

6. The two Presidents agree on the need for all the parties in the conflict to bring under effective command and control all armed units on the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to eliminate all paramilitary groups and criminal and mercenary elements emanating from whatever source.

7. They declare their total condemnation of "ethnic cleansing" and commit themselves to helping reverse that which has already taken place.

They will also use their best endeavours to bring about conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their permanent residences.

They further declare that all statements or commitments made under duress, particularly those relating to land and property, are null and void.

They urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully, promptly and unconditionally with current efforts, in particular by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to free all detainees, close all detention centres and assure safe passage of former detainees to secure and safe areas.

They further urge all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of all humanitarian assistance to the populace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

8. The two Presidents note the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 780 (1992) establishing an impartial commission of experts to examine, gather and evaluate evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

They express their firm conviction that all perpetrators of criminal acts committed during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be punished in accordance with all relevant legal provisions.

9. The two Presidents agree to meet again with the Co-Chairmen at a date to be determined.

They thank the Co-Chairmen for today's meeting and also express their appreciation at the presence of UNPROFOR Force Commander, Lt.-Gen.

Satish Nambiar.