Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
92ZAGREB780
1992-05-19 11:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 191146Z May 92 CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00780 01 OF 03 191250Z AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE AMEMBASSY VIENNA USMISSION USNATO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USIA WASHDC 1527 USEC BRUSSELS COMSIXTHFLT//N2// CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24// USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5// WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0432
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
HELSINKI FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXPULSIONS
REF: ZAGREB 779
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
HELSINKI FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXPULSIONS
REF: ZAGREB 779
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) IN A MAY 18 CONVERSATION WITH UNPROFOR
OFFICIAL MIKAEL MAGNUSSON, MAGNUSSON SAID THAT WHILE
CROATIAN FORCES WERE HOLDING TO AGREEMENTS IN SECTOR
EAST, THE JNA APPEARED TO BE BENDING THE AGREED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 01 OF 03 191250Z
TIMETABLE. CROATIAN ARMY AUTHORITIES WERE UPSET BY
REPORTS OF AN EXTENSION GRANTED TO THE JNA BY
UNPROFOR TO WITHDRAW JNA HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM SECTOR
EAST. MEANWHILE, CROATIAN VICE PRESIDENT MILAN
RAMLJAK COMPLAINED BITTERLY TO UN GENERAL NAMBIAR
ABOUT THE ALLEGED EXPULSION OF 98 CIVILIANS FROM
SECTOR EAST BY SERB FORCES AFTER UNPROFOR TOOK OVER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REGION. FROM THE CROATIAN
PERSPECTIVE, THESE EVENTS CONTINUE TO PUT INTO
QUESTION THE ABILITY OF UNPROFOR TO CARRY OUT ITS .
MISSION. END SUMMARY.
UNPROFOR COMMENTS ON SECTOR EAST
--------------
2. (C) WE QUERIED UNPROFOR ZAGREB SENIOR LIAISON
OFFICER FOR CIVILIAN AFFAIRS MIKAEL MAGNUSSON
(PROTECT) MAY 18 ON THE STATUS OF UN PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS IN SECTOR EAST (OSIJEK, VINKOVCI, VUKOVAR,
ETC.). IN FRANK AND ADMITTEDLY UNOFFICIAL
COMMENTARY, MAGNUSSON TOLD US THAT OPERATIONS IN THAT
SECTOR WERE PROCEEDING "STICKINGLY". WHILE CROATIAN
FORCES WERE ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIMETABLE
FOR WITHDRAWAL OF THEIR FORCES FROM THE REGION, THE
JNA, EXPLAINED MAGNUSSON, WAS APPARENTLY TRYING TO
"BEND" THE TIMETABLE. WHILE THE REASONS FOR JNA
RELUCTANCE TO WITHDRAW WERE NOT CLEAR, MAGNUSSON'S
UNDERSTANDING (THOUGH HE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS) WAS
THAT THE JNA HAD RECEIVED UNPROFOR PERMISSION TO
EXTEND THE DEADLINE BY WHICH HEAVY ARTILLERY WAS TO
BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE UNPA. THE JNA IN SECTOR EAST
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 00780 01 OF 03 191250Z
WAS NOW REQUIRED TO WITHDRAW ALL HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM
THAT UNPA BY 1600 ON MAY 20. THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE
WAS SET FOR 0800 ON MAY 18.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
ACTION IO-19
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 C-01 DODE-00 CISA-02
EB-01 EUR-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 LAB-04
L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PM-01 P-01
RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01 SSO-00
SS-01 STR-20 TRSE-00 T-01 /088W
-------------- 343467 191303Z /38
O 191146Z MAY 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0963
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USIA WASHDC 1528
USEC BRUSSELS
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0433
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXSPULSIONS
3. (C) MAGNUSSON NOTED THE CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS THAT
HAD TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, PARTICULARLY
AROUND OSIJEK. UNPROFOR PATROLS WERE COVERING ALL OF
SECTOR EAST, HE EXPLAINED, AND RANDOM PATROLS WERE
BEING RUN IN CRISIS AREAS OUTSIDE THE UNPA. SO FAR,
SAID MAGNUSSON, UN PEACEKEEPERS WERE "TAKING NAMES,
BUT NOT KICKING ASS." THEY HAD FILED COMPLAINTS WITH
THE JNA CONCERNING THE SLOWNESS OF ITS WITHDRAWAL.
CROATIAN REACTION TO THE EXTENSION
--------------
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
4. (U) IMMEDIATE CROATIAN REACTION TO THE
UNPROFOR-GRANTED EXTENSION CAME FROM THE DEPUTY
CROATIAN COMMANDER OF THE OSIJEK OPERATIONAL ZONE
BRANIMIR GLAVAS. GLAVAS TOLD REPORTERS THAT CROATIAN
FORCES WERE OPPOSED TO AGREEMENTS IN WHICH THEY WERE
NOT CONSULTED (NOTE: REPORTEDLY, THE CROATIAN ARMY
WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
REGARDING THE EXTENSION). GLAVAS ADDED THAT THE ARMY
WOULD DO WHAT ITS GOVERNMENT ASKED IT TO DO BUT THAT
IT WOULD NOT BE NAIVE. HE CONTINUED BY SAYING THAT
"IF BY PEACEFUL MEANS, CROATIAN TERRITORY CANNOT BE
LIBERATED, THEN WE WILL THANK UNPROFOR AND SAY DEAR
SIRS, NOW IT IS FOR US TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE." GLAVAS
CONCLUDED THAT THROUGH ACTIONS SUCH AS THE EXTENSION,
UNPROFOR WAS LOSING ITS POLITICAL CREDIBILITY.
CROATIAN ANGER OVER MORE EXPULSIONS
--------------
5. (U) CROATIAN VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE
STATE COMMISSION FOR UNPROFOR MILAN RAMLJAK ADDRESSED
A SHARPLY WORDED LETTER TO UN COMMANDER SATISH
NAMBIAR MAY 18 COMPLAINING OF FURTHER EXPULSIONS OF
CIVILIANS FROM SECTOR EAST BY SERB/JNA FORCES. THE
TEXT OF RAMLJAK'S LETTER FOLLOWS:
BEGIN TEXT.
-- AFTER MY LETTER TO YOU TODAY IN WHICH I WARNED
YOU THAT THE DELAY IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE JNA AND
IN DISARMAMENT OF PARAMILITARY FORMATIONS IS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
ENCOURAGING THE SERBIAN SIDE AND CAUSING NEW VICTIMS
AND DAMAGE, I RECEIVED WITH CONSTERNATION THE NEWS
THAT YESTERDAY, AT 1900H, A GROUP OF 98 TORMENTED
REFUGEES FROM THE VILLAGTE OF MIKLUSEVCI ARRIVED IN
VINKOVCI. THE REFUGEES ARE OF RUTHENIAN
NATIONALITY. I WISH TO REMIND YOU THAT IT IS A
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
ACTION IO-19
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 C-01 DODE-00 CISA-02
EB-01 EUR-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 LAB-04
L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PM-01 P-01
RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01 SSO-00
SS-01 STR-20 TRSE-00 T-01 /088W
-------------- 34347F 191305Z /38
O 191146Z MAY 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0964
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USIA WASHDC 1529
USEC BRUSSELS
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0434
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTORY EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXPULSIONS
QUESTION OF A CRIME COMMITTED IN THE SECTOR WHICH IS
UNDER YOUR CONTROL. ACCORDING TO PARAGRAPH 12 OF
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 752, YOU TOOK OVER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SECTOR ON MAY 15, 1992 AND
THEREFORE YOU ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXILE
AND SUFFERING OF THESE UNFORTUNATE PERSONS. THEY
EXPECTED YOUR PROTECTION, INSTEAD THEY WERE EXPOSED
TO THE RUDEST VIOLENCE.
-- IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE EXILE
WAS DONE WITH THE PROTECTION AND KNOWLEDGE OF
UNPROFOR. UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS IS A CASE OF FAILURE IN
THE EXECUTION OF THE PEACE OPERATION IN SECTOR "E"
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
AND THEREFORE I REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:
-- UNPROFOR UNITS MUST URGENTLY ORGANIZE THE RETURN
OF THESE 98 REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES GIVING THEM FULL
ASSISTANCE.
-- TO ESTABLISH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTHORIZED
COMMANDER WHO FAILED TO UNDERTAKE NECESSARY MEASURES
IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS CRIME.
END TEXT.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) AS WE NOTED IN REFTEL, CROATIA IS ANXIOUSLY
WATCHING THE RESULTS OF UNPROFOR'S FIRST OPERATIONAL
SECTOR. AFTER THE WEEKEND SHELLING OF OSIJEK, THE
DECISION TO EXTEND THE JNA'S TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL
AND THE ALLEGED SERBIAN EXPULSION OF CIVILIANS FROM
MIKLUSEVCI HAS FURTHER DEGRADED RESPECT FOR
UNPROFOR'S CAPABILITIES IN THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT,
ARMY AND AMONG THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE. WHILE
CROATIAN EXPECTATIONS MAY BE TOO HIGH, THEIR
PERCEPTIONS OF UNPROFOR FAIRNESS AND ABILITY TO DO
THE JOB WILL BE CRITICAL TO SUCCESS IN THE REMAINING
SECTORS DUE TO COME UNDER UN CONTROL. END COMMENT.
EINIK
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
HELSINKI FOR USDEL CSCE
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXPULSIONS
REF: ZAGREB 779
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) IN A MAY 18 CONVERSATION WITH UNPROFOR
OFFICIAL MIKAEL MAGNUSSON, MAGNUSSON SAID THAT WHILE
CROATIAN FORCES WERE HOLDING TO AGREEMENTS IN SECTOR
EAST, THE JNA APPEARED TO BE BENDING THE AGREED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 01 OF 03 191250Z
TIMETABLE. CROATIAN ARMY AUTHORITIES WERE UPSET BY
REPORTS OF AN EXTENSION GRANTED TO THE JNA BY
UNPROFOR TO WITHDRAW JNA HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM SECTOR
EAST. MEANWHILE, CROATIAN VICE PRESIDENT MILAN
RAMLJAK COMPLAINED BITTERLY TO UN GENERAL NAMBIAR
ABOUT THE ALLEGED EXPULSION OF 98 CIVILIANS FROM
SECTOR EAST BY SERB FORCES AFTER UNPROFOR TOOK OVER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REGION. FROM THE CROATIAN
PERSPECTIVE, THESE EVENTS CONTINUE TO PUT INTO
QUESTION THE ABILITY OF UNPROFOR TO CARRY OUT ITS .
MISSION. END SUMMARY.
UNPROFOR COMMENTS ON SECTOR EAST
--------------
2. (C) WE QUERIED UNPROFOR ZAGREB SENIOR LIAISON
OFFICER FOR CIVILIAN AFFAIRS MIKAEL MAGNUSSON
(PROTECT) MAY 18 ON THE STATUS OF UN PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS IN SECTOR EAST (OSIJEK, VINKOVCI, VUKOVAR,
ETC.). IN FRANK AND ADMITTEDLY UNOFFICIAL
COMMENTARY, MAGNUSSON TOLD US THAT OPERATIONS IN THAT
SECTOR WERE PROCEEDING "STICKINGLY". WHILE CROATIAN
FORCES WERE ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIMETABLE
FOR WITHDRAWAL OF THEIR FORCES FROM THE REGION, THE
JNA, EXPLAINED MAGNUSSON, WAS APPARENTLY TRYING TO
"BEND" THE TIMETABLE. WHILE THE REASONS FOR JNA
RELUCTANCE TO WITHDRAW WERE NOT CLEAR, MAGNUSSON'S
UNDERSTANDING (THOUGH HE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS) WAS
THAT THE JNA HAD RECEIVED UNPROFOR PERMISSION TO
EXTEND THE DEADLINE BY WHICH HEAVY ARTILLERY WAS TO
BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE UNPA. THE JNA IN SECTOR EAST
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 00780 01 OF 03 191250Z
WAS NOW REQUIRED TO WITHDRAW ALL HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM
THAT UNPA BY 1600 ON MAY 20. THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE
WAS SET FOR 0800 ON MAY 18.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
ACTION IO-19
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 C-01 DODE-00 CISA-02
EB-01 EUR-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 LAB-04
L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PM-01 P-01
RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01 SSO-00
SS-01 STR-20 TRSE-00 T-01 /088W
-------------- 343467 191303Z /38
O 191146Z MAY 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0963
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USIA WASHDC 1528
USEC BRUSSELS
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0433
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTOR EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXSPULSIONS
3. (C) MAGNUSSON NOTED THE CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS THAT
HAD TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, PARTICULARLY
AROUND OSIJEK. UNPROFOR PATROLS WERE COVERING ALL OF
SECTOR EAST, HE EXPLAINED, AND RANDOM PATROLS WERE
BEING RUN IN CRISIS AREAS OUTSIDE THE UNPA. SO FAR,
SAID MAGNUSSON, UN PEACEKEEPERS WERE "TAKING NAMES,
BUT NOT KICKING ASS." THEY HAD FILED COMPLAINTS WITH
THE JNA CONCERNING THE SLOWNESS OF ITS WITHDRAWAL.
CROATIAN REACTION TO THE EXTENSION
--------------
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
4. (U) IMMEDIATE CROATIAN REACTION TO THE
UNPROFOR-GRANTED EXTENSION CAME FROM THE DEPUTY
CROATIAN COMMANDER OF THE OSIJEK OPERATIONAL ZONE
BRANIMIR GLAVAS. GLAVAS TOLD REPORTERS THAT CROATIAN
FORCES WERE OPPOSED TO AGREEMENTS IN WHICH THEY WERE
NOT CONSULTED (NOTE: REPORTEDLY, THE CROATIAN ARMY
WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
REGARDING THE EXTENSION). GLAVAS ADDED THAT THE ARMY
WOULD DO WHAT ITS GOVERNMENT ASKED IT TO DO BUT THAT
IT WOULD NOT BE NAIVE. HE CONTINUED BY SAYING THAT
"IF BY PEACEFUL MEANS, CROATIAN TERRITORY CANNOT BE
LIBERATED, THEN WE WILL THANK UNPROFOR AND SAY DEAR
SIRS, NOW IT IS FOR US TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE." GLAVAS
CONCLUDED THAT THROUGH ACTIONS SUCH AS THE EXTENSION,
UNPROFOR WAS LOSING ITS POLITICAL CREDIBILITY.
CROATIAN ANGER OVER MORE EXPULSIONS
--------------
5. (U) CROATIAN VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE
STATE COMMISSION FOR UNPROFOR MILAN RAMLJAK ADDRESSED
A SHARPLY WORDED LETTER TO UN COMMANDER SATISH
NAMBIAR MAY 18 COMPLAINING OF FURTHER EXPULSIONS OF
CIVILIANS FROM SECTOR EAST BY SERB/JNA FORCES. THE
TEXT OF RAMLJAK'S LETTER FOLLOWS:
BEGIN TEXT.
-- AFTER MY LETTER TO YOU TODAY IN WHICH I WARNED
YOU THAT THE DELAY IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE JNA AND
IN DISARMAMENT OF PARAMILITARY FORMATIONS IS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 00780 02 OF 03 191251Z
ENCOURAGING THE SERBIAN SIDE AND CAUSING NEW VICTIMS
AND DAMAGE, I RECEIVED WITH CONSTERNATION THE NEWS
THAT YESTERDAY, AT 1900H, A GROUP OF 98 TORMENTED
REFUGEES FROM THE VILLAGTE OF MIKLUSEVCI ARRIVED IN
VINKOVCI. THE REFUGEES ARE OF RUTHENIAN
NATIONALITY. I WISH TO REMIND YOU THAT IT IS A
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
ACTION IO-19
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 C-01 DODE-00 CISA-02
EB-01 EUR-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 LAB-04
L-03 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PM-01 P-01
RP-10 SCT-03 SIL-01 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01 SSO-00
SS-01 STR-20 TRSE-00 T-01 /088W
-------------- 34347F 191305Z /38
O 191146Z MAY 92
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0964
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY KIEV
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
USMISSION USNATO
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USIA WASHDC 1529
USEC BRUSSELS
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC 0434
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 ZAGREB 00780
SIPDIS
VIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL CSBM; ISLAMABAD FOR POL/JPOGUE
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR PGOV PHUM HR
SUBJECT: UNPROFOR OFFICIAL ON SECTORY EAST, RAMLJAK
ANGERED BY FURTHER EXPULSIONS
QUESTION OF A CRIME COMMITTED IN THE SECTOR WHICH IS
UNDER YOUR CONTROL. ACCORDING TO PARAGRAPH 12 OF
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 752, YOU TOOK OVER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SECTOR ON MAY 15, 1992 AND
THEREFORE YOU ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXILE
AND SUFFERING OF THESE UNFORTUNATE PERSONS. THEY
EXPECTED YOUR PROTECTION, INSTEAD THEY WERE EXPOSED
TO THE RUDEST VIOLENCE.
-- IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE EXILE
WAS DONE WITH THE PROTECTION AND KNOWLEDGE OF
UNPROFOR. UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS IS A CASE OF FAILURE IN
THE EXECUTION OF THE PEACE OPERATION IN SECTOR "E"
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 00780 03 OF 03 191253Z
AND THEREFORE I REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:
-- UNPROFOR UNITS MUST URGENTLY ORGANIZE THE RETURN
OF THESE 98 REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES GIVING THEM FULL
ASSISTANCE.
-- TO ESTABLISH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTHORIZED
COMMANDER WHO FAILED TO UNDERTAKE NECESSARY MEASURES
IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS CRIME.
END TEXT.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) AS WE NOTED IN REFTEL, CROATIA IS ANXIOUSLY
WATCHING THE RESULTS OF UNPROFOR'S FIRST OPERATIONAL
SECTOR. AFTER THE WEEKEND SHELLING OF OSIJEK, THE
DECISION TO EXTEND THE JNA'S TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL
AND THE ALLEGED SERBIAN EXPULSION OF CIVILIANS FROM
MIKLUSEVCI HAS FURTHER DEGRADED RESPECT FOR
UNPROFOR'S CAPABILITIES IN THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT,
ARMY AND AMONG THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE. WHILE
CROATIAN EXPECTATIONS MAY BE TOO HIGH, THEIR
PERCEPTIONS OF UNPROFOR FAIRNESS AND ABILITY TO DO
THE JOB WILL BE CRITICAL TO SUCCESS IN THE REMAINING
SECTORS DUE TO COME UNDER UN CONTROL. END COMMENT.
EINIK
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN