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Fact sheet prepared by the Department of Defense, September 3,1996.
The Implementation Force (IFOR) mission is to monitor and enforcecompliance with the military aspects of the Peace Agreement. UNSCR1031 provides the mandate for a one-year IFOR mission as describedin the agreement. The North Atlantic Council has authorized IFORfor this period. The military tasks include:
The deployment of the IFOR has also created a more secure environmentwhich facilitates the work of humanitarian organizations and theaccomplishment of the non-military aspects of the settlement.Within its capabilities and resources, and the limits imposedby carrying out its key military tasks, the IFOR may also:
IFOR's primary mission continues. IFOR will pursue its tasks ofensuring respect for the cessation of hostilities and the Zoneof Separation. It will strictly hold the Parties to compliancewith cantonment and demobilization of forces and will take appropriateaction to prevent any new threats to the peace. It will continueto remove impediments to freedom of movement and to project asense of security throughout the country. As before, all thesetasks will be carried out in an even-handed manner. It will remainready to support the UN Transitional Administration for EasternSlavonia.
As the Peace Agreement states, other organizations are responsiblefor tasks related to nation building. These include conductinghumanitarian missions; granting election security; police forceduties; moving refugees; and implementing arms control and regionalstability measures.
The IFOR mission has been successful since its very early stageswith substantial compliance with the Peace Agreement by all parties.In particular:
This operation shows that the Alliance remains vital, relevant,and prepared to deal with the new, multifaceted security risksfacing Europe with the end of the Cold War.
In the light of the peace agreement initialed in Dayton on November21, 1995, the North Atlantic Council gave provisional approvalto the overall military plan and authorized on December 1, 1995,the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to deploy EnablingForces into Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Additionally, SACEURtasked the Commander-in-Chief Southern Europe to assume controlof assigned NATO land, air, and maritime forces as the CommanderIFOR. Movement of these forces began on December 2, 1995.
On December 5, 1995, NATO Foreign and Defense Ministers endorsedthe military planning for IFOR. On the same day the Acting SecretaryGeneral announced that 14 non-NATO countries which had expressedinterest in participating would be invited to contribute to theIFOR: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia,Lithuania, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden,and Ukraine. Fifteen NATO nations (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France,Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,Spain ,Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States) pledged to contributearmed forces to IFOR. Iceland is providing medical personnel toIFOR.
The Peace Agreement, also known as the General Framework Agreementfor Peace (GFAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was formally signedin Paris on December 14, 1995.
On December 15, 1995, the United Nation Security Council--actingunder Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations--adoptedthe resolution 1031, which authorized the Member States to establisha multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR), under unifiedcommand and control and composed of ground, air, and maritimeunits from NATO and non-NATO nations, to ensure compliance withthe relevant provisions of the Peace Agreement.
On December 16, 1995, the North Atlantic Council approved theoverall plan for the Implementation Force and directed that NATOcommence operation "Joint Endeavor" and begin deployingthe main Implementation Force into Bosnia that same day.
The Force has a unified command and is NATO-led, under the politicaldirection and control of the North Atlantic Council and underthe overall military authority of NATO's Supreme Allied CommanderEurope, General George Joulwan; the responsibility as Commander-in-Theaterwas assigned to Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Commander-in-ChiefAllied Forces Southern Europe, who assumed command of IFOR. TheIFOR operates under clear NATO Rules of Engagement, which providefor robust use of force if necessary.
The transfer of authority from the Commander of UN Peace Forcesto the Commander of IFOR took place on December, 20, 1995. Over17,000 troops were available to IFOR.
On December 21, 1995, the first meeting of the Joint MilitaryCommission (JMC), a consultative body for COMIFOR, took placein Sarajevo. Based on the terms of the Peace Agreement, the JMCis a multi-level central body to which the signatories may bringany military complaints, questions or problems.
On January 19, 1996, withdrawal of the forces of all parties behindthe Zones of Separation, which included Sarajevo and Gorazde,was completed.
On February 3, 1996, the parties fulfilled their obligations towithdraw from areas to be transferred. Some reported violationswere attributed mainly to ignorance and lack of leadership ratherthan deliberate non-compliance.
On February 18, 1996, the Parties reaffirmed in Rome their commitmentto the Peace Agreement. Additionally, SACEUR reported to the SecretaryGeneral of NATO the completion of the initial deployment of IFOR.Thirty-two nations participated in the deployment; 50,000 troopsprovided by NATO nations and 10,000 from non-NATO contributors.
The following non-NATO countries contribute to the deploymentof IFOR: Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia,Finland, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco,Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the Ukraine.Slovakia is contributing civilian personnel.
On February 26, 1996, the Secretary General of NATO transmitteda progress report to the UN Secretary General which affirmed thatBosnian Serb forces had withdrawn from the zones of separationestablished in the Peace Agreement. Consequently, the UN SecurityCouncil announced on February 27, 1996 that the economic sanctionsimposed on the Bosnian Serb party were suspended indefinitely.
On March 14, 1996, pursuant to resolution 724 (1991), the UN SecurityCouncil Committee established issued a statement confirming thetermination of the embargo on delivery of weapons and militaryequipment to the former Yugoslavia.
On March 20, 1996, 91 days after transfer of authority, COMARRCcompleted assessment of compliance with the military aspects ofthe GFAP.
On March 30,1996, Moslem and Croat partners in the Bosnian Federationsigned an agreement aimed at strengthening the new institution.The agreement marked progress on critical aspects necessary toestablish a functioning Federation, including the merging of customs,a joint military command, and amendments to the constitutions.
On April 18, 1996, D+120 (the last deadline in the military annexof the Peace Agreement), it was assessed that the parties wereon their way toward compliance with the requirements for cantonmentof heavy weapons and forces and their mobilization. Full compliancewas not yet achieved, but it seemed to reflect practical difficulties,rather than an absence of intent.
On April 29, 1996, the North Atlantic Council issued a declarationon IFOR's role in the transition to peace.
On June 3, 1996, the North Atlantic Council stated that IFOR wouldbe maintained at approximately its current force levels untilafter the elections and would retain its overall capability untilDecember, when its mandate ends.
On June 18, 1996, the UN Security Council lifted the heavy weaponsembargo on the Former Yugoslavia. As a consequence, the NATO/WEUembargo enforcement operation Sharp Guard was suspended.
On July 1, 1996, Bosnia's first free elections since the end ofthe war were held in Mostar.
On July 31, 1996, Adm. T. Joseph Lopez relieved Adm. LeightonSmith as COMIFOR.
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