Review of Dayton Accords article on arms control a success

VIENNA, 19 June 1998 - The first Conference to review the implementation of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control (Art. IV - Annex 1-B, Dayton Peace Accords) was convened in Vienna between 15 and 19 June, under the Chairmanship of the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, General Carlo Jean.

The five Parties to the Agreement (Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) underlined the pivotal role of the Agreement as a security and stabilising factor in the area of application and reaffirmed their commitment and determination to continue with the process of establishing a stable military balance in the region while, at the same time, limiting the armaments held by Parties to the lowest feasible levels.

The Parties agreed on numerous instructions designed to solve some technical issues for an improvement in the level of implementation of the Agreement. These will be given to the Sub-Regional Consultative Commission a collective body comprising the Delegations of the five Parties and chaired by the Personal Representative .

The Parties noted, with satisfaction, that nearly 6,600 pieces of heavy equipment have been destroyed and that nearly all the 180 inspections which have so far been conducted have been handled with transparency and co-operation and that no major discrepancy with the information exchanged by the Parties has emerged. Inspections will continue.

The Review Conference underlined, once again, the relevance of arms control and of the OSCE's role in post-conflict military stabilisation. The Article IV process, which is considered a success by the Personal Representative and the Parties, has been an important confidence building measure and an essential part of the peace building process in the region.