Statement
of
Ambassador dr. Ivan Šimonovic
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations
Security Council
Agenda item "The situation in the Balkans"
New York, June 23, 2000
It is my pleasure to thank the Permanent Representative of France His Excellency Ambassador Jean-Davide Levitte, in his capacity as the President of the Security Council, for organising this open debate on the region that has attained so much attention in the past ten years.
The protracted crisis in the South Eastern Europe has challenged the international community in many respects. It has strained its collective security resources and drawn on its humanitarian and economic resources. It has also tested the political resolve and moral and legal consciousness alike. In spite of substantial investment of energy and resources and some notable achievements, much work still remains ahead. Return of refugees and displaced people throughout the region, demining, rebuilding, economic and social reconstruction and development, and healing and reconciliation remain standing objectives for the years to come. Most importantly, the countries in the region have yet to take charge of their own fate themselves, and find respective ways towards sustainable peace, rule of law, protection of human rights and economic development.
There is some ground for optimism in this respect. The people in the region have strengthened their resolve to break out of the spiral of instability and face the challenges of full democratisation. In this regard, we welcome the recognition of Croatia''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s efforts and appreciate the words of encouragement addressed to us today. Indeed, Croatia has managed to pull itself from the circle of crisis and joined the circle of well-intentioned neighouring countries, willing to help those still in need.
Croatia''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s case serves as the best example that positive change in the region is possible. Moreover, it proves that such a change is welcomed and rewarded by the international community. Given the main priority of the Croatian Government -- that is, to make up for time lost -- the demonstrated willingness of the European Union to speed up the integration process for the qualified newcomers, as based on their own individual achievements, remains of extraordinary importance. It is a clear signal to other countries of the region that, if the conditions are met, Europe''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s door remains open.
In this context, we welcome the initiative of President Chirac to pay special attention during the French Presidency of the EU, to the ways of accelerating integration of the region into a European mainstream, and we pledge Croatia''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s full support. In our opinion, the French initiative to convene a summit to serve this purpose, should enlist support and participation of a broader range of neighbouring countries.
Over a short period of time following the elections held earlier this year, Croatia has made substantial progress in joining political, economic and security institutions and mechanisms and developing good neighborly relations. The Croatian Government is also conducting an active regional policy aimed at establishing a sustainable peace. This includes participation in the Stability Pact and consistent implementation of the refugee return program.
More precisely, our efforts are directed at consolidation of cooperation in all fields, particularly at extending political stability and economic revival in South Eastern Europe. In this regard, we are fully committed to the implementation of the Dayton Accords, and supportive of the international efforts to achieve sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
While the situation in Croatia has improved and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is improving, the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia raises serious concerns. After affecting other countries that emerged after the dissolution of former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the crisis has now returned to its origin: to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The same ideology and the same regime that caused so much suffering during the aggression waged on Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, now represents an obstacle for the democratic dialogue on how to resolve ethnic tensions in Kosovo and protect equality and legitimate interests of citizens of Montenegro. It is in Croatia''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s interest to see the Normalisation Agreement with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia fully implemented, but prior to democratic developments in the FRY, it appears unrealistic. Meanwhile, we will continue to normalise relations with Montenegro, especially regarding the free movement of civilians throughout the Prevlaka area, to which the Miloševic regime still harbors territorial pretensions.
Our cooperation with other successor states to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been good and is constantly growing in both the bilateral as well as in the multilateral field. Among other issues, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia united by the common interest to develop good neighborly relations and, consequently, stability and prosperity in the region, have invested joint sustained efforts to resolve with FRY the issues of succession to their common predecessor state. Resolving the succession issue on the basis of equality of all five successor states - the basis which FRY stubbornly rejects - is a prerequisite for sustainable peace and stability in the region.
Another issue, which directly impedes upon the prospects of sustainable peace in the region, is that of criminal accountability for the tragic events that occurred during the conflict on the territory of the former SFRY. It is vital that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former SFRY in its work reflects the extent and the level of involvement of the various sides in the war crimes committed. FRY''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s unwillingness to cooperate with the Tribunal remains a serious obstacle in this respect. As long as the indicted war criminals, such as Miloševic, Mladic, Karadžic, Šljivancanin, Radic, Mrkšic, Martic and others remain at large, justice, healing and reconciliation cannot be achieved.
In order to prevent a distorted recollection of the tragic events that took place and for the historical record, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised genocide claims against FRY in front of the International Court of Justice. These proceedings are not directed against Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, or FRY, but against the state authorities of FRY, which are to be held responsible. In a joint statement, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia expressed their belief that their cooperation in the proceedings before ICJ against FRY shall ultimately contribute to democratisation, reconciliation and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region.
Finally Mr. President, Croatia firmly believes that the efforts of the international community shall be proven successful and the self-sustained stability in the South East Europe shall be ensured only once the countries of the region are able to assume responsibility for their future. For some of them, this might still be a long way ahead but it remains worthwhile to further invest individual and collective efforts.
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