Operation Sharp Guard: Suspension of enforcement operations

Following termination of the UN arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia on 18 June, Operation SHARP GUARD has been suspended today in accordance with the direction of the NATO and WEU Councils. NATO and WEU ships will no longer challenge, board or divert ships in the Adriatic.

EnforCement Operations Have Been Suspended, But Operation SHARP GUARD Has Not Yet Been Terminated. NATO And WEU Forces Will Be Prepared To Resume Enforcement Operations If Economic Sanctions Are Reimposed In Accordance With UN Security Council Resolution 1022 .

The NATO/WEU combined operation in the Adriatic has effectively enforced for more than three years an embargo which helped to contain the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and create the conditions for the Peace Agreement now being implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since the beginning of the enforcement operation, 73,000 ships have been challenged by NATO and WEU forces, more than 5800 have been inspected at sea and almost 1400 have been diverted and inspected in port. We consider this operation as a success, as no ships have been reported as having broken the embargo, although six were caught while attempting to do so.