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UN Security Council
Resolution 1199 |
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| Date: | 23 September 1998 |
| Meeting no.: | 3,930 |
| Code: | S/RES/1199 (Document) |
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| Vote: | For: 14 Abs.: 1 Against: 0 |
| Subject: | The situation in Kosovo (FRY) |
| Result: | Adopted |
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| Security Council composition in 1998: | |
| permanent members: | |
| non-permanent members: | |
| BHR BRA CRC GAB GAM | |
| JPN KEN POR SLO SWE | |
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| Scene in Pristina, Kosovo | |
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1199, adopted on September 23, 1998, after recalling Resolution 1160 (1998), the Council demanded that the Albanian and Yugoslav parties in Kosovo end hostilities and observe a ceasefire.[1]
The Security Council was very concerned at the fighting in Kosovo and in particular the indiscriminate use of force by the Serbian security forces and Yugoslav Army, which resulted in the displacement of 230,000 according to the Secretary-General Kofi Annan.[2] The refugees had fled to northern Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other European countries and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had estimated that 50,000 were without basic amenities. It reaffirmed the right of all refugees to return and noted that there was a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Kosovo and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.[3] At the same time, acts of violence by any party were condemned and acts of terrorism to further goals, and the Council reaffirmed that the status of Kosovo should include autonomy and self-administration.
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the resolution demanded that all parties in Kosovo and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) cease hostilities and maintain a ceasefire. Both Serbia and Montenegro and the Kosovo Albanian leadership were urged to take immediate steps to improve the humanitarian situation and begin talks to resolve the crisis. The Council then demanded that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia:[4]
It noted a commitment made by President Milan Milutinović to use political means to solve the conflict, not use repressive actions against the civilian population, guarantee freedom of movement for international humanitarian organisations and observers and to ensure the safe return of refugees. Meanwhile, the Kosovo Albanian leadership had to condemn terrorism.
The Council welcomed the establishment of the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission and urged states and organisations represented in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to carry out continuous monitoring of the situation in Kosovo.[5] The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was reminded that it was responsible for the safety of diplomatic, international and non-governmental humanitarian personnel. Both parties were called upon to co-operate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for possible violations and for the need to bring those responsible for the mistreatment of civilians and deliberate destruction of property to justice.
Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to report regularly to the Council on developments in the region and stated that if the current resolution was not complied with, there would be further measures taken to restore peace and security.[6]
China abstained from the vote on Resolution 1199, which was approved by the other 14 members of the Council. It stated that the conflict was an internal matter for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and it was acting within its rights.[1]
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