United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES)

Duration
1 May 1996 - 22 October 1997
Military personnel
18
Fatalities
none
Decorations
none

Eastern Slavonia was the only area that was not under Croatian Serb control in the autumn of 1995. Croatia refused to agree to the Dayton accord as long as there was no arrangement in place for Eastern Slavonia.

Bowing to international pressure, the presidents of Serbia and Croatia signed an agreement on 12 November 1995. Under the watchful eye of a UN-appointed transitional administration, Eastern Slavonia was to be integrated peacefully in Croatia.

UNTAES established

On 15 January 1996, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1037, which established the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES). UNTAES’ tasks included demilitarising the regions and observing the return of refugees and displaced persons. In addition, its presence was to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the regions. The UN Security Council decided to gradually phase UNTAES out at the end of 1997.