Sign in Subscribe
United Nations

Islamic Bosnia Contact Group Defies UN Arms Embargo, Sends New Agenda to West

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Islamic Bosnia Contact Group, comprising 52 member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), has announced its decision to defy the United Nations (UN) arms embargo on Bosnia, sending a significant signal to the West. The decision, made at a Geneva meeting of the Contact Group on Friday, has sparked concern among Western diplomats, who fear it may lead to a withdrawal of Western forces from the region. The move has also been seen as an attempt to counterbalance the Western powers' inaction in the face of Bosnian Serb attacks on 'safe areas'.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Islamic Bosnia Contact Group consists of 52 member states of the OIC, including Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, and Turkey.
  • The group has declared the UN arms embargo on Bosnia void and announced its intention to ignore it, despite UN resolutions in force since 1992.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati has stated that military commanders and defense ministers from the group will meet soon to discuss ways of helping Bosnia.
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has pledged to increase weapons deliveries to Malaysia's 1,500 UN peacekeepers in Bosnia.
  • The move has sparked concern among Western diplomats, who fear it may lead to a withdrawal of Western forces from the region.
  • The decision has also been seen as an attempt to counterbalance the Western powers' inaction in the face of Bosnian Serb attacks on 'safe areas'.
  • The group's stance has drawn support from Croatia, which fears further Serbian successes would endanger its security.
  • Strategic talks between Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic were followed by a summit between Izetbegovic and Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, where they agreed on military cooperation protocols.

Statistics:

  • The UN arms embargo on Bosnia has been in place since 1992.
  • The Islamic Bosnia Contact Group consists of 52 member states of the OIC.
  • Malaysia has 1,500 UN peacekeepers in Bosnia.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati has stated that military commanders and defense ministers from the group will meet soon to discuss ways of helping Bosnia.
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has pledged to increase weapons deliveries to Malaysia's peacekeepers in Bosnia.

Sources:

  • United Press International (UPI)
  • The Sunday Times (Kuala Lumpur)
  • Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)

Read more