Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council this afternoon decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) until 15 July 1997. It took that action by unanimously adopting resolution 1079 (1996).

Also by the resolution, the Council requested the Secretary-General, as soon as possible after the successful holding of elections and no later than 1 July 1997, to provide recommendations for a further United Nations presence -- possibly in the form of a restructured UNTAES and consistent with fulfilment of the 1995 Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium -- for the six-month period beginning 16 July 1997. It also requested him to report to it on the situation in the region by 15 February 1997 and again by 1 July 1997.

The Basic Agreement, signed on 12 November 1995, provides for the peaceful integration of the territories of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium into Croatia. The Agreement requested the Council to establish a transitional administration to govern the region for 12 months, which might be extended by up to a further 12 months, and to authorize an international force to maintain peace and security during that period and to otherwise assist in the implementation of the Agreement.

Further by the resolution, the Council called upon the Government of Croatia and the local Serb community to cooperate with UNTAES and to fulfil their obligations under the Basic Agreement and resolutions of the Security Council. It also called for their cooperation with UNTAES in creating the conditions and preparing for the holding of local elections in the region in accordance with the Basic Agreement, the organization of which is the responsibility of UNTAES. It reaffirmed the importance of the parties' maintaining the highest standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as specified in the Basic Agreement.

The Council also urged the Government of Croatia to ensure the rights of all national ethnic groups and reaffirmed the right of all persons originating from the Republic of Croatia to return to their homes of origin throughout that country.

Moreover, the Council emphasized that both the Government of Croatia and the local Serb community were responsible for improving the reliability and effectiveness of the transitional police force in cooperation with UNTAES and consistent with its mandate.

The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. was adjourned at 1:39 p.m.

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3712

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