The challenge of

NATO OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND PRESS NATO’s role in Bosnia-Herzegovina

• The break up of the former Yugoslav Republic (Bosnia- Herzegovina, , Macedonia, Montenegro, , Slovenia) follow- Dayton ing the end of the Cold War, culmi- 1992 Conflict UNITED nated in violent conflict and civil war in Bosnia- Peace IFOR SFOR in Croatia and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATIONS Herzegovina 1992-1995 Dec. 1995 Dec. 1996 • A negotiated peace agreement Agreement was concluded in Autumn 1995 with Dec. 1995 the signature of the Dayton Peace Accords. A NATO-led (IFOR), with the participation of nineteen non-NATO countries, was NATO and the Western European A NATO-led Implementation Force given a UN mandate to implement the Union monitor and implement is given a UN mandate to implement military aspects of the agreement. The sanctions imposed under UN Security the military aspects of the Dayton London Peace Implementation Confer- Council resolutions in the Adriatic Peace Agreement. ence held in December 1995 nomi- and the UN -no fly zone. The Alliance nated a High Representative to be also provides air support to the responsible for the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Treaty. UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR).

• A smaller Stabilisation Force (SFOR) replaced IFOR at the end of 1996. Nineteen non-NATO Breakup of the former Yugoslavia The Peace Agreement negotiated in A NATO-led Stabilisation Force countries have contributed military (1989 - 1992) Dayton, Ohio, and signed in , replaces IFOR, preventing the forces. NATO has agreed to continue commits all the parties to progressive reopening of hostilities, consolidating to maintain and lead a multinational implementation of steps towards its achievements and providing force in Bosnia under a UN mandate, peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. support to civilian organisations. but is taking steps to reduce the size of the force and to pave the way for the longer term security of the country. 6