General Headquarters of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH) and General Headquarters of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO): a signed agreement between the head of GHQ of the ABiH and head of GHQ of HVO

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Country/entity: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yugoslavia (former)
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: General Headquarters of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH) and General Headquarters of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO): a signed agreement between the head of GHQ of the ABiH and head of GHQ of HVO
Date: 11 Feb 1993
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001)
Former Yugoslavia

The disintegration of former Yugoslavia post cold war saw conflicts which became mediated and produced peace agreements in Slovenia (where the brief independence conflict was mediated by the EC Troika in 1991), Croatia (between Croatian and Serb populations 1991-1995), in Bosnia (between Croatian, Serb and Bosniak populations 1992-1995), in Macedonia (where mediation played a key pre-emptive role in preventing large scale conflict in 2001), in Kosovo (between Kosovar Albanians and Serbian population and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), but also between FRY and NATO, 1998-1999), and a conflict in the Presevo Valley (between Albanians in South Serbia and FRY, 2000-2001). The continued fall-out of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia also saw mediated agreement and ultimate dissolution of the Union between Serbia and Montenegro.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

In 1991, after nationalist parties won the first multi-party elections in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a violent process of disintegration commenced. With its mixed population, Bosnia-Herzegovina became the centre of the following civil war that began in 1992 between the newly formed army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Muslim Bosniacs), and the parastatal forces of self-declared Bosnian Croat (Herzeg-Bosnia) and Bosnian Serb (Republika Srpska) entities within Bosnia-Herzegovina, supported by Croatia and Serbia, with various, often short-lived, coalitions. The General Framework Agreement (Dayton Peace Agreement), signed in 1995, split the country into two ethno-federal entities, the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska, and included continued peacekeeping and institutional administration by international actors.

Kosovo

The conflict between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians has a long history and always involved territorial disputes as well as ethno-political, cultural and linguistic factors. The most recent phase of the conflict began in November 1997 when the Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA or UCK) began their campaign for the independence of Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY – then Serbia and Montenegro). The subsequent war lasted until the NATO intervention, which undertook bombing campaigns of Belgrade and other places in Serbia during spring 1999. The main agreements solving the conflict were internationally driven and, finally, a UNSC resolution imposed a post-conflict arrangement in the wake of what was essentially a NATO military victory. In February 2008, Kosovo’s parliament declared independence, but independence is still internationally disputed.
Stage: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bosnia peace process
Parties: Head of General Headquarters of ABiH: Sefer Halilovic
Head of General Headquarters of HVO: Milivoj Petkovic
Third parties: -
Description: This agreement establishes a joint command and coordination team between the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the HVO in Central Bosnia. It also provides for returning local people to their homes,

Agreement document: BA_930211__Naredjujem - Zapovijedam_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): BA_930211_Naredjujem - Zapovijedam_CR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:...
c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Joint command structures
Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:
a. To issue joint orders/commands.
b. To issue the command that all units are to immediately abandon any positions that concern conflict between the HVO and ABiH, to bury all trenches and bunkers built for that purpose, and to retreat their troops to positions facing the aggressor.
c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).
d. To issue the command that all units that were brought in from other areas are to retreat to their positions from before the conflict erupted.
e. To visit all locations of conflict, in order to establish the current state of affairs, the reason for conflict and the degree of individuals’ responsibility.
f. To resolve immediately and on the spot any situations and incidents that may occur.
g. To immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners, particularly the imprisoned civilians.
h. The implementation is to commence momentarily, and to be completed by noon, on February 15th 1993, when a written report is to be submitted.

Page 1, 2)
The existing coordination team of the ABiH and HVO in Gornji Vakuf has the same tasks as regulated in point 1) of this command, and is to extend its authority in that regard to the town of Bugojno as well.

Page 1, 3)
The coordination team, formed in Mostar and headed by gentlemen Miljenko Lasic (head of the Operation Area Southeast Herzegovina of the HVO) and Arif Pasalic (head of the 4th Corps of ABiH) will implement the tasks from point 1) of this agreement in their area of responsibility and will immediately direct their activity to the area of Konjic – Jablanica.

Page 1, 4)
All coordination teams from points 1), 2) and 3) of this order have the task to prepare the proposals for the composition of a joint command in the areas of responsibility, based on the agreement between gentlemen Alija Izetbegovic and Mate Boban.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:...
c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).

Page 1-2, 5)
All commanders are to implement communication measures in their areas of responsibility so that the lines of communication become open and able to operate normally, as soon as possible. In case of any impediment to free and uninterrupted communications, they are to immediately report to ABiH GHQ and HVO GHQ...
Mobility/access: Page 1-2, 5)
...All stopped transports are to be allowed to pass through, and impounded goods to be returned to their owners.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:
a. To issue joint orders/commands.
b. To issue the command that all units are to immediately abandon any positions that concern conflict between the HVO and ABiH, to bury all trenches and bunkers built for that purpose, and to retreat their troops to positions facing the aggressor.
c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).
d. To issue the command that all units that were brought in from other areas are to retreat to their positions from before the conflict erupted.
e. To visit all locations of conflict, in order to establish the current state of affairs, the reason for conflict and the degree of individuals’ responsibility.
f. To resolve immediately and on the spot any situations and incidents that may occur.
g. To immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners, particularly the imprisoned civilians.
h. The implementation is to commence momentarily, and to be completed by noon, on February 15th 1993, when a written report is to be submitted.

Page 1, 2)
The existing coordination team of the ABiH and HVO in Gornji Vakuf has the same tasks as regulated in point 1) of this command, and is to extend its authority in that regard to the town of Bugojno as well.

Page 1, 3)
The coordination team, formed in Mostar and headed by gentlemen Miljenko Lasic (head of the Operation Area Southeast Herzegovina of the HVO) and Arif Pasalic (head of the 4th Corps of ABiH) will implement the tasks from point 1) of this agreement in their area of responsibility and will immediately direct their activity to the area of Konjic – Jablanica.

Page 1, 4)
All coordination teams from points 1), 2) and 3) of this order have the task to prepare the proposals for the composition of a joint command in the areas of responsibility, based on the agreement between gentlemen Alija Izetbegovic and Mate Boban.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:
a. To issue joint orders/commands.
b. To issue the command that all units are to immediately abandon any positions that concern conflict between the HVO and ABiH, to bury all trenches and bunkers built for that purpose, and to retreat their troops to positions facing the aggressor.
c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).
d. To issue the command that all units that were brought in from other areas are to retreat to their positions from before the conflict erupted.
e. To visit all locations of conflict, in order to establish the current state of affairs, the reason for conflict and the degree of individuals’ responsibility.
f. To resolve immediately and on the spot any situations and incidents that may occur.
g. To immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners, particularly the imprisoned civilians.
h. The implementation is to commence momentarily, and to be completed by noon, on February 15th 1993, when a written report is to be submitted.

Page 1, 2)
The existing coordination team of the ABiH and HVO in Gornji Vakuf has the same tasks as regulated in point 1) of this command, and is to extend its authority in that regard to the town of Bugojno as well.

Page 1, 3)
The coordination team, formed in Mostar and headed by gentlemen Miljenko Lasic (head of the Operation Area Southeast Herzegovina of the HVO) and Arif Pasalic (head of the 4th Corps of ABiH) will implement the tasks from point 1) of this agreement in their area of responsibility and will immediately direct their activity to the area of Konjic – Jablanica.

Page 1, 4)
All coordination teams from points 1), 2) and 3) of this order have the task to prepare the proposals for the composition of a joint command in the areas of responsibility, based on the agreement between gentlemen Alija Izetbegovic and Mate Boban.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, 1)
The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia (Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen. This joint coordination team has the following tasks and authorizations:...
g. To immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners, particularly the imprisoned civilians.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Slobodan Praljak
http://www.slobodanpraljak.com/

General Headquarters of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH) and General Headquarters of

the Croatian Defense Council (HVO): a signed agreement between the head of GHQ of the ABiH and head

of GHQ of HVO (Sarajevo, 11/Feb/1993)

Based on the joint agreement of the Head of GHQ of ABiH and Head of GHQ of HVO, with the aim of

preventing further disagreements and conflict between those in ABiH and in HVO, and in order to

organize a joint fight against the aggressor,

I order – command the following:

1) The Head of the 3rd Corps of ABiH and Head of the Operation Zone HVO Central Bosnia

(Hadzihasanovic and Blaskic) are to form a joint coordination team, comprising three members from

each side, and headed by the aforementioned gentlemen.

This joint coordination team has the

following tasks and authorizations:

a. To issue joint orders/commands.

b. To issue the command that all units are to immediately abandon any positions that concern

conflict between the HVO and ABiH, to bury all trenches and bunkers built for that purpose, and to

retreat their troops to positions facing the aggressor.

c. To remove all barricades and obstacles in the zone of their responsibility and to urgently

ensure the return of the local population into their homes and unimpeded communication along all

roads (creating the conditions for a return to the legal governmental authorities).

d. To issue the command that all units that were brought in from other areas are to retreat to

their positions from before the conflict erupted.

e. To visit all locations of conflict, in order to establish the current state of affairs, the

reason for conflict and the degree of individuals’ responsibility.

f. To resolve immediately and on the spot any situations and incidents that may occur.

g. To immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners, particularly the imprisoned

civilians.

h. The implementation is to commence momentarily, and to be completed by noon, on February 15th

1993, when a written report is to be submitted.

2) The existing coordination team of the ABiH and HVO in Gornji Vakuf has the same tasks as

regulated in point 1) of this command, and is to extend its authority in that regard to the town of

Bugojno as well.

3) The coordination team, formed in Mostar and headed by gentlemen Miljenko Lasic (head of the

Operation Area Southeast Herzegovina of the HVO) and Arif Pasalic (head of the 4th Corps of ABiH)

will implement the tasks from point 1) of this agreement in their area of responsibility and will

immediately direct their activity to the area of Konjic – Jablanica.

4) All coordination teams from points 1), 2) and 3) of this order have the task to prepare the

proposals for the composition of a joint command in the areas of responsibility, based on the

agreement between gentlemen Alija Izetbegovic and Mate Boban.

5) All commanders are to implement communication measures in their areas of responsibility so

that the lines of communication become open and able to operate normally, as soon as

possible.

In case of any impediment to free and uninterrupted communications, they are to

immediately report to ABiH GHQ and HVO GHQ.

All stopped transports are to be allowed to

pass through, and impounded goods to be returned to their owners.

Head of General Headquarters of ABiH:

Sefer Halilovic

Head of General Headquarters of HVO:

Milivoj Petkovic