Comprehensive Peace Agreement (Carter Agreement)

• Country/entity

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Yugoslavia (former)
  
• Region

  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  
• Agreement name

  Comprehensive Peace Agreement (Carter Agreement)
• Date

  21 Dec 1994
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001) )
• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Bosnia peace process
• Parties

  Signed 19 December 1994: Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic
  Signed 20 December 1994: Alija Izetbegovic, President, Rasim Delic, Supreme Commander
  Signed 20 December 1994, Additional agreement to that of 19 December: Radovan Karadzic
• Third parties

  Jimmy Carter, Witness
• Description

  This agreement, signed in several versions over two days, provides for an immediate ceasefire monitored by UN forces, commencing negotiations for a total cessation of hostilities agreement, unrestricted movement of humanitarian aid, and an early exchange of detainees.

• Agreement document

  BA_941220_Comprehensive Peace Agreement.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Comprehensive Peace Agreement

We the undersigned agree that we and those under our authority will:

1. Immediately implement a cease-fire, monitored by U.N. forces along all lines or confrontation, by cessation of all military activities and the exchange of prisoners, etc.,

as described below.

2. Commence negotiations on an agreement for a total cessation of hostilities on December 27, 1994, with the intent to conclude the agreement by January 15, 1995.

This cessation of hostilities will last for four months, or for a longer period if mutually agreed by both parties.

3. While the cessation of hostilities is in effect, negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement, on the basis of the acceptance of the peace plan of the Contact Group as a starting point.

This will be done at a mutually acceptable site, under the auspices of the Contact Group, using mediators proposed by the Contact Group and mutually agreed by the parties.

All issues are to be resolved in full cooperation with the contact group.

It is understood that there will be unrestricted movement of relief convoys, use of the airport at Sarajevo in accordance with existing agreements, and the delivery of humanitarian services by official institutions and non-governmental organizations.

Each side may join with UNPROFOR inspectors to assure that no armaments or weapons of war are included in the cargoes to be delivered.

Each side will be responsible within its controlled areas for the total elimination and prevention of the firing of any guns or weapons of any kind that might be damaging to people or property.

Each side will be responsible within its controlled areas for the protection of human rights in accordance with international standards.

All people, regardless of age, sex, or ethnic origin, shall have the right to live in a location of their choice.

International observers, including the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, will be free to observe compliance with this agreement.

There will be an early exchange of all detainees, under the auspices of the International Red Cross.

In accordance with the Geneva conventions, the ICRC will have unimpeded access to all detainees to insure that the provisions of this agreement are fulfilled.

In a final agreement, all has to be agreed;

otherwise, nothing is agreed.

It is realized that other difficult issues and unresolved questions will have to be resolved.

This will be done peacefully, utilizing the services of the Contact Group or UNPROFOR as appropriate.

Signed 19 December 1994:

Radovan Karadzic [signed], Ratko Mladic [signed], Jimmy Carter, Witness [signed]

Signed 20 December 1994:

Alija Izetbegovic, President [signed], Rasim Delic, Supreme Commander [signed], Jimmy Carter, Witness [signed]

Additional agreement to that of 19 December

20 December 1994

1) It is agreed that the negotiations to establish a total cessation of hostilities will commence on 23 December, 1994, with the intent to conclude the agreement by 1 January 1995.

2) A complete ceasefire, throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina, will be implemented at noon, 23 December 1994 monitored by U.N forces along all lines of confrontation, by cessation of all military activities.

3) Based on assurances that convoys [unreadable] humanitarian services will pass freely, the Bosnian forces will withdraw from the Igman demilitarized zone in accordance with the existing agreement prior to the commencement of the negotiations described in item (1) above.

Radovan Karadzic [signed]

Witnessed:

Jimmy Carter