(Press Release)
The London Peace Implementation Conference
(Its Significance and Japan's Contributions)
9 December 1995
I. The Significance of the London Conference in the Peace Process for the Former Yugoslavia
Now that an agreement on peace has been reached in the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, ensuring that this agreement is firmly implemented by the parties has become an important issue. It is against such a background that the London Conference will serve as a starting point for the actual process of the peace implementation agreed to by the parties as it serves as an important milestone toward the stabilization of the former Yugoslav region and the achievement of lasting peace throughout the region. (Please refer to Attachment for details regarding the international political agenda surrounding the London Conference).
II. The Significance and Objectives of Japan's Participation in the London Peace Implementation Conference- In recognition of the global importance of building an international order in the post-Cold War era, Japan has long provided its utmost cooperation in the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the form of assistance for peace efforts and assistance for refugees and displaced and war-affected persons, while at the same time it has participated positively in international discussions on this matter at the G7 and other fora.
- Through participation at the London Conference, Japan intends to demonstrate its intent and ability to bear a responsible role in dealing with this global issue of assisting the implementation of the peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia.
- Coordination Mechanism
Japan welcomes the assumption of the post of High Representative by Mr. Bildt, and is considering the possibility of dispatching personnel to assist Mr. Bildt. Japan is prepared to participate on the newly established Steering Board. - Humanitarian Assistance for Refugees and War-Affected Persons
- Since the outbreak of the conflicts in Former Yugoslavia. Japan has already extended about US$180 million to assist refugees and war-affected persons in the region (see Attachment). Japan is also continuing to provide assistance to the activities of Japanese non-governmental organizations active in the Former Yugoslav region.
- As a measure to assist refugees and war-affected persons through this severe winter, Japan has decided to make a contribution of about US$20 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international organizations concerned in response to the United Nations Consolidated Appeal covering the period from January to April 1996.
- Beyond next spring, it is expected that further contributions will be needed with regard to transportation assistance for the repatriation and integration of refugees and displaced and war-affected persons, the provision of basic necessities, the repair of shelters and so on. Japan would like to decide on further contributions to meet those needs after ongoing consultations with the UNHCR and other relevant bodies.
- Given the necessity of mine-clearing actions, which must be carried out in order to make it possible to repatriate refugees, a prerequisite for holding elections, Japan is considering in what way it would be possible for it to further contribute in this matter.
- Since the outbreak of the conflicts in Former Yugoslavia. Japan has already extended about US$180 million to assist refugees and war-affected persons in the region (see Attachment). Japan is also continuing to provide assistance to the activities of Japanese non-governmental organizations active in the Former Yugoslav region.
- The Holding of Elections in Bosnia
- Japan is considering the possibility of personnel and financial contributions to the OSCE.
- It would be worth considering asking for the intervention of the United Nations, which has abundant knowhow and experience in the implementation of elections.
- Japan is considering the possibility of personnel and financial contributions to the OSCE.
- Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
- Japan views assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the former Yugoslav region as a basically European issue, given the particularly deep geographic and historical relations with Europe. At the same time, Japan recognizes the issue of the former Yugoslavia as a matter of global importance in the efforts to build a new international order in the post-Cold War era. While Europe carries out the principal role and contributions for rehabilitation and reconstruction, Japan intends to contribute positively for assistance as well, from the viewpoint that this is an issue for which the international community as a whole should take a positive approach.
- Japan intends to dispatch a government mission in order to analyze the local situation.
- Given that the promotion of transition to a market economy carries large significance in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Bosnia from the medium- to long-term view, Japan will consider assistance in this area.
- Japan views assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the former Yugoslav region as a basically European issue, given the particularly deep geographic and historical relations with Europe. At the same time, Japan recognizes the issue of the former Yugoslavia as a matter of global importance in the efforts to build a new international order in the post-Cold War era. While Europe carries out the principal role and contributions for rehabilitation and reconstruction, Japan intends to contribute positively for assistance as well, from the viewpoint that this is an issue for which the international community as a whole should take a positive approach.
Attachment
Chronology of Events Leading up to the London Peace Implementation Conference
I. The Realization of the Dayton Comprehensive Peace Agreement
| 22 November (Wednesday) | Initialling the Dayton Comprehensive Peace Agreement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1021 (1995) (Termination of the Embargo on Deliveries of Weapons and Military Equipment) and 1022 (1995) (Suspension of Economic Measures) |
II. Coordination Between the United States and Europe and within Europe
| 30 November (Thursday) | President Clinton visits the United Kingdom |
| 2-3 December (Saturday-Sunday) | United States-European Union Summit Meeting (Madrid) |
| 4-5 December (Monday-Tuesday) | General Affairs Council of the European Union (Brussels) |
| 5-6 December (Tuesday-Wednesday) | North Atlantic Council (Brussels) |
Points for discussion: Bosnia and NATO expansion
III. Coordination with the Involvement of the Russian Federation
| 6 December (Wednesday) | North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) (Brussels) |
| 7-8 December (Thursday-Friday) | Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council (Budapest) |
IV. London Peace Implementation Conference
8 December (Friday) 16:00 - 9 December (Saturday) 17:00 Points for discussion: (1) Coordination Mechanism, (2) Humanitarian Assistance, (3) Political Sector (including election monitoring), and (4) Discussions on Assistance for Rehabilitation.
V. Signing of the Peace Agreement
| 14 December (Thursday) | Paris Peace Conference Initial deployment of IFOR forces |
| 15-16 December (Friday-Saturday) | Madrid Meeting of the European Council |
VI. Brussels Pledging Conference hosted by the European Union and the World Bank
20-21 December (Wednesday-Thursday)
(To be confirmed)
In addition to these, Germany is planning a disarmament conference in Bonn, and the Russian Federation is considering holding a conference in Moscow early next year.
Furthermore, during the first quarter of 1996, a Second Pledging Conference (medium- and long-term pledges) is expected to be held.
Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Assistance of Japan to Former Yugoslavia
(1992.2 - 1995.11)
| UNHCR | $102.937 million |
| WFP | $55.64 million (food) |
| IOM | $0.75 million (including transportation of the wounded) |
| UNV | $0.265 million |
| ICRC | $9.323 million (including water supply projects) |
| UNIDO | $1 million (including rehabilitation projects of food processing plants) |
| WHO | $4 million |
| UNICEF | $3.5 million |
| UNPROFOR | $1.02 million (restoration of an elementary school in Sarajevo) $3 million (in support of demining-related activities of the UNPROFOR Mine Information Coordination Center) |
| Total | $181.43 million |
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