UN SECURITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION 994 ON CROATIA

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Hina) - The UN Security Council yesterday unanimously passed Resolution 994 on Croatia. The Resolution "noted with satisfaction" the steps taken so far but demanded that "the parties complete without further delay the withdrawal of all their troops from the zones of separation and refrain from any further violations of those zones," emphasising that "the withdrawal was a condition for the implementation of the mandate of UNCRO." The Council demanded that the parties "refrain from taking any further military measures or actions" that could lead to the escalation of the situation, and warned that "in the event of failure to comply with this demand it would consider further steps needed to ensure such compliance." Stressing the importance the Council attached to the mutual recognition of all the States emerging from former Yugoslavia, the Resolution welcomed all international efforts to facilitate a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Republic of Croatia. The full observance of human rights, including appropriate international monitoring thereof, in particular in the area of Western Slavonia known as Sector West, was an essential step towards restoration of confidence between the parties and building a durable peace, the Resolution said. The Resolution also demanded that the status and the mandate of UNCRO as well as the safety and security of its personnel be respected. (hina) mm as 181047 MET may 95