Suspension

Suspension Of Operation Sharp Guard

Operation Sharp Guard was suspended on June 19, 1996.

NATO and WEU forces remain prepared to resume enforcement operations if economic sanctions are reimposed in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1022 which states:

"...if at any time, with regard to a matter within the scope of their respective mandates and after joint consultation if appropriate, either the High Representative described in the Peace Agreement, or the commander of the international force to be deployed in accordance with the Peace Agreement (IFOR), on the basis of a report transmitted to the appropriate political authorities, informs the Council via the Secretary General that the Federal republic of Yugoslavia or the Bosnian Serb authorities are failing significantly to meet their obligations under the Peace Agreement, the suspension referred to in paragraph 1 above shall terminate on the fifth day following the Council`s receipt of such a report, unless the Council decides otherwise taking into consideration the nature of the non-compliance..."

The same resolution says that the economic embargo shall terminate on the tenth day following the occurrence of the first free and fair elections required by the Peace Agreement, provided that the Bosnian Serb forces have withdrawn from, and have continued to respect, the zones of separation.