Role of UN in the development of the Bosnian War

Question 1

The UN was ineffective in preventing the outbreak of war and immediately calling for a ceasefire

Answer 1

It had contradictory impacts on the battlefield.
- inequitable balance of power between the Serb and Bosniak forces as the Serbs were backed by the Russians and the FRY while the Bosniaks suffered from the lack of arms and ammunitions to defend themselves in the war

Question 2

UN peace operations were ineffective insofar as they only upheld the status quo of conflict and only helped to alleviate the symptoms of warfare which were humanitarian crises

Answer 2

June 1992 Reso 758
- UNPROFOR security of the Sarajevo airports and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sarajevo

Aug 1992 Reso 770
- Calls upon states to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sarajevo and in Bosnia

Sep 1992 Reso 776
- Extended UNPROFOR mandate to support UNHCR efforts to deliver humanitarian relief
- provide protection where necessary
- Did not play the deterrent role because Mostar was besieged

Apr 1993 Reso 819 and 824
- Established 6 safe areas in the cities of Srebrenica, Bihac, Gorazde, Sarajevo, Tuzla and Zepa

Jun 1993 Reso 836
- Authorised UNPROFOR to take necessary measures like the use of force in reply to bombardments against the safe areas
- The Srebrenica and Zepa safe areas fell without reaction from the UN
- This shit only stopped because NATO started air raids

Question 3

The UN was effective in the prevention of further regression of conflict through political mechanisms in the LR

Answer 3

1992 Reso 757
- Banned al international trade, scientific and technical cooperation and travel of government officials

1992 Reso 787
- Widespread ban on shipments to and from Yugoslavia

April 1993 Reso 820 and Sept 1994 Reso 942
- Specifically prohibited import-export exchanges and froze assets of Republika Srpska