Sarajevo 8th March 1996

Statement by the Deputy Secretary General This has been an important opportunity for NATO Ambassadors to see at first hand the situation in Sarajevo, and to meet with the IFOR commanders and with Mr. Ganic, the Vice-President of the Federation. I speak for all Council members in saying how impressed we are by the work being done by the men and women of IFOR in the service of peace. Their tasks have not been easy, but IFOR has been established on time, and is carrying out its mission fully. The keys to IFORs success have been the careful planning, hard work, and close cooperation of all participating nations under the organization and leadership of NATO. Based on our briefings today, I am encouraged by the level of compliance with the Peace Agreement demonstrated by all Parties. Ultimately, it is their willingness to work for peace that will determine whether or not we have truly seen the end of the terrible fighting that has torn this region for so long. There are areas where we expect the Parties to do better. We are concerned about the continued presence of some foreign forces and about the failure to release all prisoners of war. These are points that I raised in our meeting with Vice President Ganic. We expect the full compliance of the Parties with all terms of the Peace Agreement. While the operation has gone relatively well to date, we must also be realistic. There will be a number of challenges that IFOR and the international community will have to overcome if we are to complete successfully our mission here. Our forces face daily the threat posed by landmines sown here in staggering numbers, and they must also deal with the defiance of a few rogue elements that have not yet accepted the logic of peace. But the men and women of IFOR will meet these challenges. They are well-prepared and have the appropriate equipment and rules of engagement to deal with such challenges.

We regret that so many people have chosen to leave their homes around Sarajevo in recent weeks. This must be seen as a setback to the international communitys ultimate goal of rebuilding the societies and economies of this region in a way that would preserve the multi-ethnic character that had existed for so long before the war. Recent developments in Mostar have been more encouraging, and I hope that they will continue. As regards the civil aspects of the Peace Agreement, IFOR is working closely with the bodies charged with this difficult task. We are providing assistance within the limits of our resources. Without success in the civil area - the restoration of civil society, the judiciary, civilian police, the protection of human rights and the holding of free and fair elections - a lasting peace in this region will be impossible. Carl Bildt spoke to us today about his plans and his close cooperation with IFOR. Let me stress, on behalf of NATO, our strong support for his efforts. Despite the challenges faced by IFOR and by those charged with implementing the civil aspects of the Peace Agreement, we - the Allies - as well as other nations participating in IFOR, remain firmly committed in our support for peace. We have seen encouraging signs that this commitment - and, more importantly, the commitment of the Parties to the Peace Agreement - is beginning to bear fruit.