Resolution 1203
Adopted by the Security Council at its 3937th
meeting,
on 24 October 1998
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolutions 1160 (1998)
of 31 March 1998 and 1199 (1998) of 23 September 1998,
and the importance of the peaceful resolution of the problem
of Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Having considered the reports of
the Secretary-General pursuant to those resolutions, in
particular his report of 5 October 1998 (S/1998/912),
Welcoming the agreement signed in
Belgrade on 16 October 1998 by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the
Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) providing for the OSCE to
establish a verification mission in Kosovo (S/1998/978),
including the undertaking of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
to comply with resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998),
Welcoming also the agreement signed
in Belgrade on 15 October 1998 by the Chief of General
Staff of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Supreme
Allied Commander, Europe, of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) providing for the establishment of
an air verification mission over Kosovo (S/1998/991, annex),
complementing the OSCE Verification Mission,
Welcoming also the decision of the
Permanent Council of the OSCE of 15 October 1998 (S/1998/959,
annex),
Welcoming the decision of the Secretary-General
to send a mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
to establish a first-hand capacity to assess developments
on the ground in Kosovo,
Reaffirming that, under the Charter
of the United Nations, primary responsibility for the
maintenance of international peace and security is conferred
on the Security Council,
Recalling the objectives of resolution
1160 (1998), in which the Council expressed support for
a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo problem which would
include an enhanced status for Kosovo, a substantially
greater degree of autonomy, and meaningful self-administration,
Condemning all acts of violence
by any party, as well as terrorism in pursuit of political
goals by any group or individual, and all external support
for such activities in Kosovo, including the supply of
arms and training for terrorist activities in Kosovo,
and expressing concern at the reports of continuing
violations of the prohibitions imposed by resolution 1160
(1998),
Deeply concerned at the recent closure
by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
of independent media outlets in the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, and emphasizing the need for these
to be allowed freely to resume their operations,
Deeply alarmed and concerned at
the continuing grave humanitarian situation throughout
Kosovo and the impending humanitarian catastrophe, and
re-emphasizing the need to prevent this from happening,
Stressing the importance of proper
coordination of humanitarian initiatives undertaken by
States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
and international organizations in Kosovo,
Emphasizing the need to ensure the
safety and security of members of the Verification Mission
in Kosovo and the Air Verification Mission over Kosovo,
Reaffirming the commitment of all
Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Affirming that the unresolved situation
in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, constitutes
a continuing threat to peace and security in the region,
Acting under Chapter VII of the
Charter of the United Nations,
1. Endorses and supports the agreements
signed in Belgrade on 16 October 1998 between the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia and the OSCE, and on 15 October
1998 between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO,
concerning the verification of compliance by the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia and all others concerned in Kosovo
with the requirements of its resolution 1199 (1998), and
demands the full and prompt implementation of these
agreements by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;
2. Notes the endorsement by the
Government of Serbia of the accord reached by the President
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the United States
Special Envoy (S/1998/953, annex), and the public commitment
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to complete negotiations
on a framework for a political settlement by 2 November
1998, and calls for the full implementation of
these commitments;
3. Demands that the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia comply fully and swiftly with resolutions
1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998) and cooperate fully with the
OSCE Verification Mission in Kosovo and the NATO Air Verification
Mission over Kosovo according to the terms of the agreements
referred to in paragraph 1 above;
4. Demands also that the Kosovo
Albanian leadership and all other elements of the Kosovo
Albanian community comply fully and swiftly with resolutions
1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998) and cooperate fully with the
OSCE Verification Mission in Kosovo;
5. Stresses the urgent need for
the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and the Kosovo Albanian leadership to enter immediately
into a meaningful dialogue without preconditions and with
international involvement, and to a clear timetable, leading
to an end of the crisis and to a negotiated political
solution to the issue of Kosovo;
6. Demands that the authorities
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Kosovo Albanian
leadership and all others concerned respect the freedom
of movement of the OSCE Verification Mission and other
international personnel;
7. Urges States and international
organizations to make available personnel to the OSCE
Verification Mission in Kosovo;
8. Reminds the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia that it has the primary responsibility for
the safety and security of all diplomatic personnel accredited
to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including members
of the OSCE Verification Mission, as well as the safety
and security of all international and non-governmental
humanitarian personnel in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
and calls upon the authorities of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, and all others concerned throughout the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia including the Kosovo Albanian
leadership, to take all appropriate steps to ensure that
personnel performing functions under this resolution and
the agreements referred to in paragraph 1 above are not
subject to the threat or use of force or interference
of any kind;
9. Welcomes in this context the
commitment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to guarantee
the safety and security of the Verification Missions as
contained in the agreements referred to in paragraph 1
above, notes that, to this end, the OSCE is considering
arrangements to be implemented in cooperation with other
organizations, and affirms that, in the event of
an emergency, action may be needed to ensure their safety
and freedom of movement as envisaged in the agreements
referred to in paragraph 1 above;
10. Insists that the Kosovo Albanian
leadership condemn all terrorist actions, demands
that such actions cease immediately and emphasizes
that all elements in the Kosovo Albanian community should
pursue their goals by peaceful means only;
11. Demands immediate action from
the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and the Kosovo Albanian leadership to cooperate with international
efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and to avert
the impending humanitarian catastrophe;
12. Reaffirms the right of all refugees
and displaced persons to return to their homes in safety,
and underlines the responsibility of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia for creating the conditions which
allow them to do so;
13. Urges Member States and others
concerned to provide adequate resources for humanitarian
assistance in the region and to respond promptly and generously
to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal
for Humanitarian Assistance Related to the Kosovo crisis;
14. Calls for prompt and complete
investigation, including international supervision and
participation, of all atrocities committed against civilians
and full cooperation with the International Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia, including compliance with its orders,
requests for information and investigations;
15. Decides that the prohibitions
imposed by paragraph 8 of resolution 1160 (1998) shall
not apply to relevant equipment for the sole use of the
Verification Missions in accordance with the agreements
referred to in paragraph 1 above;
16. Requests the Secretary-General,
acting in consultation with the parties concerned with
the agreements referred to in paragraph 1 above, to report
regularly to the Council regarding implementation of this
resolution;
17. Decides to remain seized of
the matter.
