Former Yugoslavia.

• Position: Includes related articles on Bosnia - United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium

On 15 January 1998, the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) - established in January 1996 to provide security and create the conditions necessary for the maintenance of the multi-ethnic character of the region - expired, and authority over the region was returned to the sovereign control of the Government of Croatia.

"It is with great pride that I salute the men and women of the UNTAES mission as its mandate comes to an end", Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement delivered on his behalf by Bernard Miyet, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, at the ceremony held on the occasion on 16 January in Zagreb. "UNTAES has carried out with great success a wide range of activities, including the demilitarization, the setting up and training of a transitional police force. It has facilitated the return of refugees, organized elections and assisted in the development and economic reconstruction of the region", he stated.

On 22 January, the Secretary-General reported that Croatia's efforts gave hope that the UNTAES conclusion "will not jeopardize the results of two years of intensive international investment and effort". Progress had continued to be made on a range of issues and the Government had "displayed commendable energy and commitment in the conduct of its comprehensive programme for national reconciliation.

Nevertheless, it was unfortunate that "several key issues", namely, obligations in the areas of property related issues, tenancy rights, funding for the Joint Council of Municipalities and full implementation of the Amnesty Law, had "yet to be fulfilled", the Secretary-General stated. "The lack of progress on these commitments could have serious implications and affect other areas as local confidence in Government pledges erode. The Government of Croatia must address these issues with the same energy that it has shown in other areas since September 1997."

On 19 December, the Security Council, by unanimously adopting resolution 1145 (1997), established a support group of 180 civilian police monitors, in order to continue monitoring the performance of the Croatian police in the Danube region, particularly with respect to the return of displaced persons, for a single nine-month period, beginning on 16 January 1998. It was to continue that aspect of the UNTAES work.

On 13 January, Souren Seraydarian of the Syrian Arab Republic was named the...