OSCE - 3rd Senior Council - Journals No. 1 and 2

Miscellaneous Directory

From: Documentation Section <OSCEPRAG@CSEARN.BITNET>

OSCE

SC(3/95) JOURNAL No.1

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 26 October 1995

Senior Council

Original: ENGLISH

1st DAY OF THE THIRD MEETING

1. Date: Thursday, 26 October 1995

Opened: 3.30 p.m.

Suspended:5.25 p.m.

Resumed: 5.55 p.m.

Closed: 8 p.m.

2. Chairman: Mr. I. Gyarmati

The Chairman welcomed the delegation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which was attending the Senior Council for the first time as a participating State of the OSCE.

3. Subjects discussed - Statements - Decisions:

Agenda item 1: FORMAL OPENING

Chairman

The Senior Council adopted the agenda of the Third Meeting (see Annex).

Agenda item 2: COMMON AND COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY MODEL FOR EUROPE FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Chairman, Spain-European Union, Armenia, United States of America, Czech Republic, France, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Germany, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Belarus, Poland, Portugal, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Slovenia, Sweden, Latvia, Norway, Malta, Liechtenstein

4. Next meeting:

Friday, 27 October 1995, at 10 a.m., in the Plenary hall

O S C E

SC(3/95) JOURNAL No.1

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 26 October 1995

Senior Council Annex

Original: ENGLISH

SC(3/95) Journal No. 1, Agenda item 1

AGENDA OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE SENIOR COUNCIL PRAGUE, 26-27 OCTOBER 1995

1. Formal opening

2. Common and comprehensive security model for Europe for the twenty-first century

3. OSCE role in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and in the region

(a) Address by the Chairman-in-Office

(b) Discussion

4. Any other business

5. Formal closure

O S C E SC(3/95) JOURNAL No.2

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 27 October 1995

Senior Council

Original: ENGLISH

2nd DAY OF THE THIRD MEETING

1. Date: Friday, 27 October 1995

Opened: 10.30 a.m.

Suspended: 1.20 p.m.

Resumed: 3.15 p.m.

Suspended: 4.30 p.m.

Resumed: 5.30 p.m.

Closed: 5.50 p.m.

2. Chairman: Mr. I. Gyarmati

3. Subjects discussed - Statements - Decisions:

Agenda item 3: OSCE ROLE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA (SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO) AND IN THE REGION

(a) Address by the Chairman-in-Office: Hungary (H.E. Mr. Laszlo Kovacs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman-in-Office) (REF.SC/133/95)

(b) Discussion: Bosnia-Herzegovina (REF.SC/130/95 Restr.), Spain-European Union (REF.SC/125/95 Restr.), Czech Republic (REF.SC/131/95 Restr.), Ukraine (REF.SC/124/95 Restr.), Austria, Romania (REF.SC/120/95), Russian Federation, Greece, Bulgaria (REF.SC/136/95 Restr.), Switzerland, Albania, Slovak Republic (REF.SC/134/95 Restr.), Germany, United States of America, Sweden, United Kingdom, Croatia, Poland, Italy, Turkey, Norway (REF.SC/135/95)

Agenda item 4: ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) High Commissioner on National Minorities and Secretary General: Switzerland, Spain-European Union, Poland, Slovak Republic, Romania, Sweden, Estonia

(b) Incoming Troika member: Denmark (REF.SC/129/95 Restr.)

(c) Seating arrangement: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The delegation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia requested that its statement be recorded in the Journal (Annex 1).

(d) "Seminar on Tourism": Romania

(e) European Union Administrator of Mostar: Chairman, Russian Federation

Agenda item 5: FORMAL CLOSURE

The Chairman read out the Chairman's Summary of the Meeting which is attached to the Journal (Annex 2).

Chairman, Russian Federation (REF.SC/140/95 Restr.), Latvia, Belgium, Switzerland

4. Next meeting:

To be announced

Chair: Switzerland

O S C E

SC(3/95) JOURNAL No 2

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 27 October 1995

Senior Council Annex 1

Original: ENGLISH

SC(3/95) Journal No. 2, Agenda item 4(c)

STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

"With regard to the seating arrangement for the Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, I would like to make the following statement:

The Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia urgently requests that the seating arrrangement for the Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia be made in accordance with the practice regularly used in the OSCE.

The Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia wishes this statement to be recorded in the Journal of the day."

O S C E

SC(3/95) JOURNAL No.2

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 27 October 1995

Senior Council Annex 2

Original: ENGLISH

SC(3/95) Journal No. 2, Agenda item 5

CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY

The Third Meeting of the Senior Council discussed two main issues: the OSCE's work on a common and comprehensive security model for Europe for the twenty-first century and the Organization's prospective role in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other areas of South-Eastern Europe.

Security Model

The Chairman of the Senior Council opened the discussion with a review of the work done on the model since the Council's First Meeting. In his inventory he included two seminars in Moscow and Vienna, ongoing ad hoc group meetings in Vienna, a Chairman's compilation of risks and challenges (a paper that the Chairman noted will remain open for additions throughout the exercise) and experts' meetings on the margins of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. The Chairman stressed that guidance from the Senior Council on how to continue the deliberations between now and the Ministerial Council Meeting and on how to prepare the Ministerial decision on the security model would be essential.

On the basis of preliminary consultations, the Chairman outlined two documents that should be presented to the Ministerial Council for its consideration. As mandated by the Budapest decisions, the Chairman-in-Office will submit a progress report concentrating on risks and challenges and summarizing the various discussions and meetings that have addressed the security model. A draft decision should also be prepared. That decision should shift discussions out of the general and into an operational phase. It should reflect agreement on applicable guidelines for future work and should direct the OSCE to search for ways of putting its high standards into practice. It should also outline a work programme to provide a structure for more focused discussions in appropriate frameworks. The Chairman stressed the need to strengthen the broad nature of the process, including input from experts.

He invited the Senior Council to concentrate at its meeting on the content and format of the Ministerial Council's decision, including a work programme for 1996, and on the selection of a topic or topics related to the security model that the Ministers might discuss.

Delegations generally agreed with the description by the Chairman of the tasks lying ahead of the OSCE in the security model exercise. There was also broad support for the Chairman's proposed approach to the preparation of the Ministerial Council Meeting. Delegations agreed that the Ministerial Council should initiate a more operational phase in the work but without, however, excluding the opportunity to further discuss particular risks and challenges or new problems that might arise. Several delegations urged that the model be viewed as an ongoing process.

Delegations said that the object of the exercise should be to work out a design for a common space based on a comprehensive, indivisible and co-operative notion of security. Elements of such a design should include mutually reinforcing institutions working for synergy, mechanisms to foster good-neighbourly relations, such as the Pact on Stability, and approaches strengthening security and stability at the regional and subregional levels. The exercise on the model should also contribute to the strengthening of the OSCE.

Delegations agreed that the model's foundation should be all OSCE principles, commitments and activities. The model should seek full observance of commitments and principles and the maximum efficient use and adaptation of its instruments. A large majority of delegations emphasized that the purpose of the model is not to reinterpret the dynamic balance of OSCE principles or merely to reaffirm them, but rather to devise ways of ensuring their practical application. Common responsibility, a spirit of solidarity and the projection of stability in a way that builds confidence were among the guidelines suggested for the model.

Several delegations noted that work should be focused in a co-ordinating body with working groups operating under its instructions and reporting back to it on a regular basis. The work should be organized to foster practical discussions addressing security issues in a pragmatic way.

OSCE Role in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and in Other Parts of the Region

The Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs, opened the discussion with the presentation of an envisaged OSCE role in post-settlement Bosnia and the establishment of a long- term OSCE presence in Croatia.

He noted that in the case of Bosnia the OSCE could be a lead agency in work on oversight, monitoring and certification of elections, on monitoring and providing assistance in the field of human rights, on building democratic institutions, and on arms control. The Chairman-in-Office pointed out that the roles being offered to the OSCE are both a challenge and an opportunity. Crucial elements for success include close co-operation with other international actors, clear definition of responsibilities and co-ordination with relevant NGOs active in the region. Also critical will be adequate and timely contributions of both financial and human resources by all participating States. He informed delegations that with that objective in mind he has urged his OSCE counterparts to second officers to this operation and has asked the Secretary General to solicit contributions to a start-up fund.

To ensure the OSCE's ability to deploy rapidly and reduce costs, the Chairman-in-Office noted that the OSCE should draw on the significant resources and expertise of organizations already in the field, such as ECMM and the OSCE Missions in place in Bosnia and in neighbouring States. He noted the need to begin preparatory work and announced his intention to proceed expeditiously to create the appropriate mechanisms to initiate this work. Several delegations proposed candidates for a task force to be set up for that purpose. The United States of America put forward Ambassador Robert Frowick as a candidate. The Chairman-in-Office stressed the importance of agreement by all participating States on a clear mandate for the operation, allowing daily management decisions to be made quickly by the Chairman-in-Office and the Head of Mission.

The Bosnian representative outlined the goals and positions that his country will bring to the upcoming peace negotiations. He welcomed the readiness of the international community to assist in the reconstruction of Bosnia and noted the particular importance of holding democratic elections.

Delegations supported the call for urgent deployment of OSCE monitors following the conclusion of the peace agreement. Delegations called for the peace agreement to include a comprehensive, detailed definition of the OSCE's tasks in order to avoid misunderstandings and to facilitate co-operation with other organizations.

A call was made to intensify the preparations for the operation. In that context a proposal was made to clarify the conditions upon which the OSCE can determine that free and fair elections can be held and to despatch a team of experts to assist in preparations for the arrival of an OSCE mission. Delegations also called for the active involvement of the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the ODIHR.

In his introduction the Chairman-in-Office reminded the Council that the OSCE stands ready to play a role in Croatia as requested by the Croatian Government. The OSCE can help rebuild democratic institutions, protect and monitor human rights, including in particular the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, and assist with the reintegration of formerly occupied territories of Croatia. He emphasized that the reintegration of Eastern Slavonia should be carried out by exclusively peaceful means. He called for the Permanent Council to work for an early deployment of a long-term OSCE Mission in Croatia.

The Croatian representative expressed readiness to elaborate a mandate for an OSCE engagement in Croatia but only once the proximity talks have successfully concluded. He said that the agreement reached at those talks should include provisions on the OSCE's role in Croatia. Among the OSCE roles foreseen by the Croatian Government are the assumption of all human rights monitoring, assistance on minority issues and the rebuilding of democracy and a civic society.

Several delegations argued that a comprehensive settlement, which is seen as the only viable and durable approach, must address the region's long-term issues. Kosovo was cited as a case in point which might usefully be addressed in the peace settlement. Delegations noted the importance of the return of the long-duration missions to Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina.

The question of the full participation of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the OSCE was raised by several delegations. While some believed that the return of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) is a precondition for any successful OSCE operation in Bosnia, others reiterated their firm position that Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) must request admission on the basis of a clear commitment, as all other successor States of the former Yugoslavia have done. Some delegations stressed their desire to see the sanctions on Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) lifted as soon as possible; others argued against it.