Agreement reached between the HVO and A BiH

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Agreement reached between the HVO and A BiH
Date: 2 Apr 1993
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
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: FOR HVO
Col ZELJKO SILJEG
FOR A BiH
Col SELMO CIKOTIC
Third parties: FOR UNPROFOR
ALAN JONS [sic]
FOR ECMM [unsigned]
Description: In this short agreement the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (A BiH) agrees to remove its forces from buildings in the centre of Gornji Vakuf. The agreement also provides for a prisoner exchange, a joint investigation with the HVO, ECMM and UNPROFOR into four missing persons and an ambulance, and a joint commission to monitor the removal of fortifications.

Agreement document: BA_930402_Sporazum postignut izmedju HVO-a i ABiH_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): BA_930402_Sporazum postignut izmedju HVO-a i ABiH_CR.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: 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: No specific mention.
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, 1.
A BiH is committed to remove their forces from the following buildings: the new hotel, the old hotel, the cultural centre, and the “Gradina” restaurant, which were in close contact during hostilities. The 317th Brigade of the A BiH is to remain in and secure the old hotel, while the other buildings are to go back to their original purpose.

Page 1, 2b)
The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared. They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site. The HVO agrees to compile and submit all information that they gather regarding the missing persons and vehicle during the 30‐day period and no later than 2 May 1993. They commit to carry out all that is necessary to ascertain what happened at the scene. If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.

Page 1, 3.
On 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs, the HVO and the A BiH will form a joint commission, which will consist of one representative from either side and one ECMM representative. From 3 to 5 April 1993, the commission will visit sites where fortifications have been constructed, and will assess the current situation, after which the HVO and A BiH Commands in Gornji Vakuf will issue orders to remove them. On 10 April 1993, the same commission will inspect whether these actions have been carried out.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 2b)
The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared. They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site. The HVO agrees to compile and submit all information that they gather regarding the missing persons and vehicle during the 30‐day period and no later than 2 May 1993. They commit to carry out all that is necessary to ascertain what happened at the scene. If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.

Page 1, 3.
On 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs, the HVO and the A BiH will form a joint commission, which will consist of one representative from either side and one ECMM representative. From 3 to 5 April 1993, the commission will visit sites where fortifications have been constructed, and will assess the current situation, after which the HVO and A BiH Commands in Gornji Vakuf will issue orders to remove them. On 10 April 1993, the same commission will inspect whether these actions have been carried out.
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: Page 1, 2b)
The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared. They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site. The HVO agrees to compile and submit all information that they gather regarding the missing persons and vehicle during the 30‐day period and no later than 2 May 1993. They commit to carry out all that is necessary to ascertain what happened at the scene. If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.
Prisoner release: Page 1, 2a.
The A BiH and HVO agree to carry out technical preparations for an exchange of lists of prisoners where committees will meet and lists will be exchanged by 9 April 1993. All prisoners from the lists are to be unconditionally released by 15 April 1993, at 1400hrs, in the presence of the ECMM in Karamustafić. The prisoner release will be treated as final and both parties will confirm and guarantee that no prisoners remain in their custody.

Page 1, 2b)
...If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: Page 1, 2b)
The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared. They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site. The HVO agrees to compile and submit all information that they gather regarding the missing persons and vehicle during the 30‐day period and no later than 2 May 1993. They commit to carry out all that is necessary to ascertain what happened at the scene. If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: FOR UNPROFOR
ALAN JONS [sic]
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 1, 2b)
The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared. They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site...

Page 1, 3.
On 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs, the HVO and the A BiH will form a joint commission, which will
consist of one representative from either side and one ECMM representative. From 3 to 5 April 1993, the commission will visit sites where fortifications have been constructed, and will assess the current situation, after which the HVO and A BiH Commands in Gornji Vakuf will issue orders to remove them. On 10 April 1993, the same commission will inspect whether these actions have been carried out.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Slobodan Praljak
http://www.slobodanpraljak.com/

AGREEMENT reached between the HVO and A BiH, in the presence of representatives from UNPROFOR and the ECCM on 2 April 1993 in HVO offices, Gornji Vakuf

1. A BiH is committed to remove their forces from the following buildings:

the new hotel, the old hotel, the cultural centre, and the “Gradina” restaurant, which were in close contact during hostilities.

The 317th Brigade of the A BiH is to remain in and secure the old hotel, while the other

buildings are to go back to their original purpose.

2a. The A BiH and HVO agree to carry out technical preparations for an exchange of lists of prisoners where committees will meet and lists will be exchanged by 9 April 1993.

All prisoners from the lists are to be unconditionally released by 15 April 1993, at 1400hrs, in the presence of the ECMM in Karamustafić.

The prisoner release will be treated as final and both parties will confirm and guarantee that no prisoners remain in their custody.

b) The A BiH and the HVO will form a commission which will, along with representatives from the ECMM and UNPROFOR, visit and investigate the scene where on 27 January 1993 four persons and an ambulance allegedly disappeared.

They will leave on 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs from the UNPROFOR HQ to visit the site.

The HVO agrees to compile and submit all information that they gather regarding the missing persons and vehicle during the 30‐day period and no later than 2 May 1993.

They commit to carry out all that is necessary to ascertain what happened at the scene.

If it is found that those who have disappeared are alive, they are to be released immediately.

3. On 3 April 1993, at 0900hrs, the HVO and the A BiH will form a joint commission, which will consist of one representative from either side and one ECMM representative.

From 3 to 5 April 1993, the commission will visit sites where fortifications have been constructed, and will assess the

current situation, after which the HVO and A BiH Commands in Gornji Vakuf will issue orders to remove them.

On 10 April 1993, the same commission will inspect whether these actions have been carried out.

4. The next meeting will take place on 16 April 1993 at the same place and time, where this agreement will be analysed and any issues addressed.

In the meantime, coordination bodies will continue working to resolve local issues.

FOR HVO

Col ŽELJKO ŠILJEG

FOR A BiH

Col SELMO CIKOTIĆ

FOR UNPROFOR

ALAN JONS [sic]

FOR ECMM [unsigned]