11 April 1990
Yugoslavian National Army (JNA) spokesman Colonel Vuk Obradovic states that the “JNA does not possess nor produces chemical weapons.” He goes on to reject suggestions that Yugoslavia has in any way assisted Iraq in its production or development of chemical weapons. “The co-operation between the armed forces of Yugoslavia and Iraq by no means serves the purpose of producing chemical weapons, which the Iraqi armed forces have.”
--“Army Spokesman says Yugoslav has no chemical weapons,” Yugoslav News Agency (in English), 11 April 1990, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
October 1990
The governments of Slovenia and Croatia publicly call for the transformation of Yugoslavia into a confederation of sovereign republics in which federal laws are subordinate to those of the republics.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 196.
December 1990
Slovenia adopts a constitutional amendment giving its president authority over the local territorial defense forces.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 186.
19 May 1991
Croatia conducts an independence referendum. The result is a turnout of 84% of eligible voters with 93% voting in favor of independence from Yugoslavia. Serbian majority areas of Croatia boycott the referendum.
--John R. Lampe, Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country, 2nd edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 371.
Mid-1991 (?)
Destruction of some older chemical weapons is undertaken. This includes destruction of 220 nerve agent filled rockets, 15 nerve agent filled artillery shells, and a number of unfilled munitions.
--"Yugoslav Chemical Warfare Capability. Mostar's History of Chemical Weapon Research, Development, Production: What, When, Where, How Much?" The ASA Newsletter, <http://www.asanltr.com/ASANews-99/992a.htm>.
25 June 1991
The Croatian and Slovenian legislatures declare independence from the Yugoslav Federation. Fighting between the Yugoslavian Army (JNA) and locally raised forces begins in Slovenia and Croatia.
--John R. Lampe, Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country, 2nd edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 371.
28 June 1991
In Slovenia, Ljubljana radio reports that the Directorate of Internal Affairs in the city of Kranj has announced “that there is a possibility that the army might use gas – that is, chemical weapons. All rescue units are to use gas masks and the residents of the neighbouring villages are to close their windows.”
--“The Crisis in Yugoslavia: Army ceases activities,” BBC Monitoring Service, 29 June 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
July 1991
All records of the Potoci CW facility are removed to Belgrade to prevent them falling into the hands of Croatian or Bosnian forces.
--General Zlatko Binenfeld, Production of Chemical Weapons at the Military Technical Institute - Mostar Plant by the Former Yugoslav National Army (JNA), Statement at seminar on "National Authority and National Implementation Measures for the Chemical Weapons Convention" in Warsaw, Poland, 7-8 December 1993, p. 1; "Yugoslav Chemical Warfare Capability. Mostar's History of Chemical Weapon Research, Development, Production: What, When, Where, How Much?" The ASA Newsletter, <http://www.asanltr.com/ASANews-99/992a.htm>.
7 July 1991
Speaking at a press conference in Ljubljana, the Slovene Defence Minister, Mr. Janez Jansa expresses concern that Yugoslavian forces might use chemical weapons against Slovenian troops and civilians. He says: “The possibility of chemical weapons being used in indicated, in addition to reports from the same sources that we have, by statements by pilots who defected to our side. They told us that containers with poisons for war use are attached to some planes.”
--“Slovene Leadership Press Conference on Latest JNA Threat,” BBC Monitoring Service, 9 July 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
8 July 1991
The Slovene Interior Ministry, Mr. Igor Bavcar, claims that the Yugoslavian army is making preparation for a renewed offensive in Slovenia. He further claims that “sabotage squads and paratroopers were being readied and there was evidence that biological and chemical weapons were being distributed.”
--“Slovenia raises spectre of war,” The Toronto Star, 8 July 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
18 July 1991
Yugoslavia formally acknowledges the independence of Slovenia, though not Croatia.
--John R. Lampe, Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country, 2nd edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 370.
19 July 1991
The final Yugoslavian Army (JNA) units in Slovenia complete their withdrawal.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 223.
8 September 1991
Macedonia conducts a referendum on the question of establishing a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia.
--Victor Meier, translated by Sabrina P. Ramet, Yugoslavia: A History of its Demise (London: Routledge, 1999), p. 182.
23 September 1991
Yugoslavian Federal troops allegedly attack the Croatian towns of Petrinja and Vinkovici with chemical weapons causing “several hundred casualties.”
--“Mesic calls for probe on chemical claim,” Agence France Presse, 29 September 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
26 September 1991
Addressing allegations that Yugoslavian military units have been using chemical weapons in their conflicts with Croatian forces U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says: “We’ve seen the reports about this. At this point, we don’t have confirmation. We’re actively looking into the reports and we would, of course, strongly condemn any use of chemical weapons.”
--“U.S. investigates reports of Yugoslavia's use of gas weapons,” Agence France Presse, 26 September 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 September 1991
Yugoslavian Federal President, Mr. Stipe Mesic, who is a Croat, meets with the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee and alleges that Yugoslavian Federal troops are using chemical weapons to assist Serbian rebels in Croatia. He specifically charges that Yugoslavian troops have used Tabun, Sarin, Soman and possibly Phosgene in attacks on the Croatian towns of Bilje (near Zadar), Petrinja, Vukovar and Vinkovci. Yugoslavian embassy officials deny the charges claiming that Yugoslavia does not possess any chemical weapons. President Mesic also presents a report to the Committee detailing Yugoslavia’s alleged chemical weapons production capacity and further alleging Yugoslavian assistance to Iraq in the development and production of chemical weapons in the 1980s.
--Bill Gertz, “Yugoslav Urges Poison Gas Probe,” The Washington Times, 28 September 1991, p. A3; “Yugoslav President warns of CW use,” Mednews - Middle East Defense News, 30 September 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 September 1991
Yugoslavian Federal President, Mr. Stipe Mesic, calls for an international mission to Croatia to investigate what he claims were a series of attacks on Croatian towns using chemical weapons. The Yugoslavian defense ministry denies the charges and responds by inviting European Community observers to investigate the charges.
--“Mesic calls for probe on chemical claim,” Agence France Presse, 29 September 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
2 October 1991
The Yugoslavian People’s Army (JNA) newspaper ‘Narodna Armija’ alleges that Croatian armed forces had recently used chemical weapons against JNA personnel stationed at barracks in the Adriatic town of Sibenik.
--“JNA paper: Croatia to make nuclear missiles with South Africa; sabotage Krsko,” BBC Monitoring Service, 7 October 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
Fall 1991
A series of violent outbreaks including explosions, kidnappings, the setting up of roadblocks and sporadic ambushes of Yugoslavian units in the Mostar area of Herzegovina raise tensions. Yugoslavian Army forces in the area are built up to support campaigns against Croatian forces in Dalmatia.
--"Other Reports on Bosnia-Herzegovina; Officer and Private Killed in Attack on Army column West of Mostar," BBC Monitoring Service, 20 September 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
November 1991
Serbian forces are alleged to have used CS or CN tear agents in an attack on Croat forces near Vukovar in November 1991.
--Ernst Jan Hogendoorn, Clouds of War: Chemical Weapons in the Former Yugoslavia (London: Human Rights Watch: March 1997), p. 13, <http://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/Y/YUGOSLAV/YUGO973.PDF>.
9-10 November 1991
Serbian regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina hold a referendum in which they vote to establish an independent Serbian republic within the borders of Bosnia Herzegovina.
--Milan Vego, "The Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Jane's Intelligence Review 5 (2), February 1993, p. 63.
20 November 1991
Macedonia proclaims a new constitution establishing its effective independence from Yugoslavia.
--Victor Meier, translated by Sabrina P. Ramet, Yugoslavia: A History of its Demise (London: Routledge, 1999), p. 182.
December 1991
Bosnia and Herzegovina applies to the European Community for recognition as an independent state.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 236.
December 1991
The Yugoslavian army begins to deploy heavy weapons in the hills surrounding the towns of Mostar, Tuzla, Sarajevo, and Bihac.
--Victor Meier, translated by Sabrina P. Ramet, Yugoslavia: A History of its Demise (London: Routledge, 1999), p. 207.
1992
Serbian scientists are alleged to begin cooperation with Iraqi covert CBW programs. Serbian expertise is exchanged for Iraqi oil. [This report must be regarded as somewhat unreliable in light of the failure to discover evidence of a revived CW program in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion and conquest of Iraq.]
--Greg Seigle, "Experts Highlight CBW Stockpiles in Yugoslavia," Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 April 1999, p. 63, <http://www.janes.com>.
January to February 1992
The Potoci CW facility is dismantled and removed to a more secure location in Lucani, Serbia. Forty tons of methylphosphonyldichloride are shipped from the Potoci facility to Lucani. Other precursors used in the production of Sarin and Mustard agents are also shipped to Lucani at this time.
--General Zlatko Binenfeld, Production of Chemical Weapons at the Military Technical Institute - Mostar Plant by the Former Yugoslav National Army (JNA), Statement at seminar on "National Authority and National Implementation Measures for the Chemical Weapons Convention" in Warsaw, Poland, 7-8 December 1993, p. 1. "Yugoslav Chemical Warfare Capability. Mostar's History of Chemical Weapon Research, Development, Production: What, When, Where, How Much?" The ASA Newsletter, <http://www.asanltr.com/ASANews-99/992a.htm>.
14 January 1992
The Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is proclaimed to be part of Yugoslavia, marking its effective secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
--Milan Vego, "The Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Jane's Intelligence Review 5 (2), February 1993, p. 63.
1 March 1992
Bosnia and Herzegovina conducts an independence referendum. The result is a turnout of 64.4% of eligible voters with 99.7% voting in favor of independence from Yugoslavia. Significantly, the Serbian community, making up 31.4% of the population, boycotts the referendum.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 237.
27 March 1992
While discussing his country’s relations with Japan, Croatian Foreign Minister Zvonimir Separovic alleges that “Serbia keeps chemical weapons in Croatian territory and has exported some of them to Iraq.” Foreign Ministry officals subsequently indicate that it is unclear when these alleged exports took place.
--“Croatia Wants Early Diplomatic ties with Japan,” Kyodo News Service, 27 March 1992, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 April 1992
The European Community recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent state. The Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska) declares independence from Bosnia.
--Leonard J. Cohen, Broken Bonds: The Disintegration of Yugoslavia (Boulder: Westview Press, 1993), p. 238.
3 May 1992
The Yugoslavian Federal Secretariat for National Defense (SSNO) issues a lengthy statement listing attacks against (JNA) forces and facilities in Bosnia Herzegovina conducted over the previous week. The statement includes an allegation that chemical weapons were used by Bosnian forces in attacks around Sarajevo.
--“Statement by Federal Defence Secretariat: Bosnian Presidency Blamed for Conflict,” BBC Monitoring Service, 5 May 1992, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 October 1992
Speaking on Iranian television, Mr. Alija Izetbegovic, the President of Bosnia Herzegovina, warns that his troops have access to chemical weapons and are willing to use them. "If the current situation continues, the people of Bosnia will be forced to use poison gas to defend themselves and end the crimes committed by the Serbs, even though this action may be against their true wishes."
--"Bosnia Threatens Poison Gas Against Serb Forces," The New York Times, 31 October 1992, p. 3.
Early 1993
The relocated Potoci CW production facility possibly resumes production at its new location in Lucani as part of the Miloje Blagojevic factory for nitrocellulose gunpowder.
--"Yugoslav Chemical Warfare Capability. Mostar's History of Chemical Weapon Research, Development, Production: What, When, Where, How Much?" The ASA Newsletter, <http://www.asanltr.com/ASANews-99/992a.htm>.
11 February 1993
Bosnian Muslim sources claim that Bosnian forces have been attacked with chemical agents. Specific reference is made to the use of 80 mortar bombs filled with "chemical agents of the tear gas and asphyxiating gas types against the [village] of Omerbegovaca." A similar attack on the village of Dizdarusa is also described.
--"Bosnian Radio: Fighting in Zvornik, Gorni Vakuf; In Brcko 'Hiroshima Continues'," BBC Monitoring Service, 12 February 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 February 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian forces shell civilians in the vicinity of Cerska and Konjevic Polje awaiting US Air Force drops of humanitarian-aid packages, according to the press service of the Bosnian Second Corps Command in Tuzla. It states that the bombardment also includes chemical agents of the choking-gas type.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 20 (June 1993), p. 14.
2 March 1993
The General Staff of the Army of the Republika Srpska communicates with the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) asking that it immediately inform the United Nations Security Council that Bosnian Muslim forces have used chemical weapons in an attack on Serbian forces. The detailed charge is that the Bosnian Muslims used "chemical grenades - a kind of tear gas" in an attack on the village of Kikici in Northern Bosnia. Symptoms are described as prickling in the eyes and nose, nausea, and digestive problems.
--"Muslim forces accused of using poison gas in Gradacac area," BBC Monitoring Service, 5 March 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
18 March 1993
From Bosnia and Herzegovina, intensified Serbian bombardment of Sarajevo is reported just as the peace talks between the three warring sides resume in New York. According to a Bosnian government statement, Serbian forces are using "all weapons available ... poisonous gas included." An aide to Vice President Ejup Ganic states that the Serbs have been employing tear gas in the bombardment.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 20 (June 1993), p. 16.
19 March 1993
According to Radio Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian aircraft drop "several bombs with chemical agents" in the region of Srebrenica.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 20 (June 1993), p. 16.
21 March 1993
Bosnian government officials report that Sarajevo has been shelled by Serbian and Montenegrin forces, with some sections of the city exposed to toxic gases. The officials claim that "[a]s a result, scores of civilians suffered irritation and others, more directly exposed, suffered from bleeding from their respiratory systems."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 20 (June 1993), p. 16.
13 April 1993
Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia sign the Chemical Weapons Convention in Paris.
--Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements, <http://disarmament2.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf>.
14 April 1993
Representatives of Slovenia sign the Chemical Weapons Convention in Paris.
--Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements, <http://disarmament2.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf>.
1 May 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deputy Defense Minister Munib Bisic complains in a letter to the UN Protection Force of Serbian use of poison gases in attacks on Visegrad [see also 18 March], even as negotiations are under way in Athens.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 10.
13 May 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, as fighting intensifies in the Maglaj area, a new wave of reports of Serbian use of poison gas there starts to be heard from Sarajevo.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 20 (June 1993), p. 22.
15 May 1993
In Croatia, army troops fire "chemical warfare shells" against Serbian positions in Nadinska Kosa and Skabrinja, according to the Republic of Serb Krajina Army Command.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 12.
15-16 June 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian forces attacking Gorazde use chemical agents and poison gases, according to Bosnian radio, which had made a similar report two weeks previously. Radio Belgrade also had said that Muslim forces in Gorazde were using an internationally banned chemical agent.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 18.
19 June 1993
The command of the second corps of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Army, operating out of Tuzla threatens to use chlorine gas against Serbian troops advancing on their positions in the Tuzla enclave. The threat is conveyed through a fax sent to the UN Security Council. State-controlled Radio Sarajevo quotes Bosnian Army commander Hazim Sadic as saying that a Tuzla chlorine plant would release enough gas to "neutralize all alive on the entire European continent."
--"Moslems threaten to gas Serbs, though ceasefire largely holds," Agence France Presse, 19 June 1993.
19 June 1993
Speaking with Turkish reporters, Mr. Alija Izetbegovic, the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina states that Bosnia is against the use of chemical weapons but notes that "if things get out of control I cannot give any guarantee that things will not come to the stage when chemical weapons will be used." President Izetbegovic links his statement to Bosnia's continuing campaign to have the UN arms embargo on Bosnia lifted.
--"Izetbegovic in Turkey: Warns Muslims in Gorazde may use chemical weapons," BBC Monitoring Service, 22 June 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
22 June 1993
Andjelko Makar, Chief of Staff of the second corps of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Army, operating out of Tuzla indicates that his forces have made preparations for the use of chlorine gas and other chemical weapons and intend to use them to defend the enclave against an anticipated Serbian offensive. The chief of staff further indicates that he intends to release a large quantity of mercury into the Sava and Danube Rivers, most likely in the event that the situation appears to be deteriorating.
--"Muslim commander in Tuzla reiterates threat to use chemical weapons," BBC Monitoring Service, 24 June 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 June 1993
Quoting Bosnian military and Middle Eastern sources, a Croatian daily newspaper reports that the Bosnian Muslim Army has obtained 23 chemical bombs, filled with nerve agent and other unidentified chemical agents, suitable for dropping from aircraft. The weapons, which may or may not have been filled, apparently were stolen from a Lebanese Army depot several years earlier. The report also notes that the weapons were smuggled through Syria and are accompanied by five chemical weapons experts of unknown origin.
--Reuf Basegic and Domagoj Draskovic, "Jihad threatens with chemical bombs," Vjesnik, 27 June 1993, original in Croatian, translation BBC Monitoring Service, 8 July 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>: "Bosnian Army in Possession of Chemical Weapons: Newspaper says," Agence France Presse, 28 June 1993: "Tanjug reports Muslim use of chemical weapon artillery on Serb positions," BBC Monitoring Service, 30 June 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
21 July 1993
In eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina in the region of Zvornik, Bosnian forces are shelling Serb villages with chemical ammunition, according to Serb military sources. These sources describe it as the first time Muslim units in the Zvornik region have used chemical projectiles. The Zvornik garrison command, saying that three projectiles had been found to contain chemical in addition to explosive agents, believes them to be locally readapted conventional artillery shells.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 21.
23 July 1993
Bosnian radio reports that Serbian forces are using "poisonous gases" in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Brcko region. In the Zvornik region of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina Muslim forces are alleged to again use CW, in this case tear gases. According to the Belgrade news agency Tanjug: "Experts say that, along with numerous artillery and mortar shells, the Muslim forces also fired five poison gas shells of the CS asphyxiation type, which are banned under all international conventions."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 24.
25 July 1993
Radio Croatia reports that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian Muslim forces have launched artillery attacks on the base of the Croatian Second Bugojno Brigade and are beginning to use chemical weapons.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 24.
27 July 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian forces around Sarajevo are using chemical agents in an offensive at Golo Brdo in the region of Zuc, according to the Army First Corps press service as reported on Radio Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report states that this is the most intensive chemical attack on the Sarajevo region since the beginning of the war, and warns people living downwind to take necessary protection measures.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 21 (September 1993), p. 25.
August 1993
Serbian forces are alleged to have used CS or CN tear agents against Bosnian forces in the vicinity of Sarajevo at this time.
--Ernst Jan Hogendoorn, Clouds of War: Chemical Weapons in the Former Yugoslavia (London: Human Rights Watch: March 1997), p. 13, <http://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/Y/YUGOSLAV/YUGO973.PDF>.
1 August 1993
The General Staff of the Bosnian Serb Army responds to allegations that it has been using chemical weapons in fighting with Bosnian Muslim forces. Denying the allegations, the Serbian communiqué notes that Muslim forces have threatened the use of chemical agents on a number of recent occasions. It further claims that Muslim forces have been bringing chlorine and other chemical agents into the Sarajevo region.
--"Bosnian Serb army command rebuts claims of chemical weapons deployment," BBC Monitoring Service, 1 August 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1-7 August 1993
Elements of the Bosnian Serb Army in the vicinity of Boskovici, near Zvornik report that they have been attacked on three occasions by Bosnian Muslim forces using chlorine filled 120mm mortar rounds.
--"Chemical Weapons Claims Probed," Jane's Defence Weekly, 21 August 1993, p. 5.
6 August 1993
The United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) launches an official technical inquiry into Bosnian Serb claims that Bosnian Muslim forces have been employing chlorine filled 120mm mortar bombs in fighting around Boskovici, near Zvornik. Despite the many other CW allegations reported to UNPROFOR, this is to be the first investigation. An UNPROFOR spokesman notes that "most reports turned out to be falsifications or referred to the use of tear gas, smoke or incendiary white phosphorus grenades."
--"Chemical Weapons Claims Probed," Jane's Defence Weekly, 21 August 1993, p. 5
8 August 1993
Bosnian radio claims that Serbian forces outside Sarajevo are using "banned military poisons" in their offensive on Mount Igman.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 10.
25 August 1993
In Sarajevo, a representative of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Army, Mujo Alic of the General Staff, states at a press conference: "Since the beginning of the war, the enemy has perpetrated more than 450 chemical attacks at the battlefields in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The largest number of these attacks, 209, were carried out on Sarajevo and the neighboring region [see 8 August]; 33 on Gorazde; 28 in the region of Brcko; 26 in the region of Gradacac; 22 on Jajce; 10 on Mostar; 22 on Srebrenica, and many other places."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 12.
13 September 1993
In Croatia, Serbian forces attacking in the region of Komarevo and the Sisak-Petrinja corridor have fired "projectiles containing poison gas," according to Radio Croatia.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 15.
14 September 1993
Radio Croatia claims that "chemical weapons" were used by the Bosnian Army during its attack on Croatian positions in Zepce in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 15.
20 September 1993
According to Radio Croatia, "poisonous gases" are being used by the Bosnian Army against Croatian forces in the vicinity of Vitez in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a later report of Bosnian use of chemical weapons in the region, the weapons are identified as "irritants."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 16.
1 October 1993
In central Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian casualties from Bosnian mortar fire under treatment in Busovaca display signs and symptoms of poisoning: headaches, tears, vomiting and lung oedema. Professor Zlatko Binenfeld, a CW medical specialist major-general of the Croatian armed forces, expresses an opinion that the mortar-projectiles used were charged with chlorine.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 19; "Muslims accused again of using chemical rounds," Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 October 1993, p. 8, <http://www.janes.com>.
4 October 1993
In Croatia, the Serbian Army of Krajina issues a report saying it has "captured from a group of Croat saboteurs chemical mines and toxic smoke boxes." The report continues: "It has been established that these were chemical agents of Belgian production and that these are used for temporary incapacitation." [The clear implication of the report is that these were items were tear gas canisters.]
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 19.
Mid-October 1993
Bosnian Serbs claim that Muslim forces fired ten 120 mm mortar rounds filled with chlorine and ammonia at Serbian positions near the town of Zvornik, Eastern Bosnia.
--"Muslims accused again of using chemical rounds," Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 October 1993, p. 8, <http://www.janes.com>.
21 October 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serb positions 15 km north-west of Zvornik are attacked with mortar projectiles, of which at least 25 release "poisonous gases" according to the local Serb command. The Serbs say that the attack is a repeat on a larger scale of attacks during the previous week in which 120mm mortar rounds containing chlorine and ammonia had been fired. However, an UNPROFOR spokesman in Zagreb later says that the analysis showed the shells in question to have been filled with titanium tetrachloride, a standard smoke agent.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 22 (December 1993), p. 21.
3 November 1993
The Charge D'Affaires of Yugoslavia in New York circulates a letter among members of the UN Security Council charging that Bosnian Muslim forces have recently used chlorine-filled 120mm mortar bombs against Bosnian Serb forces. It is further claimed that the commander of the Bosnian Army's 216 Brigade has admitted to UNPROFOR observers that his forces have used grenades filled with chemicals against Serbian forces.
--Boris Sitnikov, "Muslims use chemical weapons to kill Serbs - Yugoslavia," Itar-Tass, 3 November 1993.
8 November 1993
The Croatian War Victims' Association announces that Croatian forces faced with imminent defeat in Vitez, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are thinking of blowing up the Vitezit explosives and chemicals factory there, thus threatening "a real ecological disaster" throughout the region.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 9.
27 November 1993
General Ratko Mladic, commander of Bosnian Serb forces, accuses Bosnian Muslim forces of mounting an attack with chemical weapons in the Zvornik region. Eleven people are alleged to have been hospitalized as a direct consequence.
--"General Mladic demands that U.N. prevent manufacture of chemical weapons in Tuzla," BBC Monitoring Service, 3 December 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 December 1993
General Ratko Mladic, commander of Bosnian Serb forces, accuses Bosnian Muslim forces of manufacturing chlorine-filled missile warheads and artillery shells in the Hak chemical factory in the UN protected town of Tuzla. He calls upon the commander of UNPROFOR, General Francis Briquemont, "to undertake effective measures to dismantle these installations." General Mladic further states that in the event that the UN does nothing about this issue his own forces will be obliged to take "corresponding measures."
--"Bosnian Serb commander charges Moslems make chemical arms," Agence France Presse, 1 December 1993. "General Mladic demands that U.N. prevent manufacture of chemical weapons in Tuzla," BBC Monitoring Service, 3 December 1993, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
2 December 1993
Radio Croatia reports Muslim use of "chlorine-charged missiles" against Grbavica, a Serb suburb of Sarajevo, and also against Ponjave, a Croatian part of Vitez.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 17.
6 December 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serb forces reportedly fire poison gas in Maljutka rockets during their continuing offensive at Teocak near Tuzla.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 15.
6 December 1993
In a letter addressed to UN Security Council chairman Li Zhaoxing, Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic accuses the Bosnian Serbs of using chemical weapons.
--"2,000 Bosnian Serb shells, toxic gas hit Teocak: radio," Agence France Presse, 28 June 1993.
7 December 1993
General Zlatko Binenfeld, formerly of the Yugoslavian National Army's Military Technical Institute makes a statement revealing details of Yugoslavia's CW activities up to 1992. This is the first significant release of information on the program and serves as the basis for all subsequent discussions of Yugoslavian and Serbian capabilities and threat assessments up to 2002.
--General Zlatko Binenfeld, Production of Chemical Weapons at the Military Technical Institute - Mostar Plant by the Former Yugoslav National Army (JNA), Statement at seminar on "National Authority and National Implementation Measures for the Chemical Weapons Convention" in Warsaw, Poland, 7-8 December 1993.
14 December 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Muslim forces in Sarajevo are reported by Tanjug news agency to have carried out a strong mortar attack using "82mm calibre shells...filled with poison gases, that is tear gas."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 17.
21 December 1993
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radio Sarajevo reports that Croatian forces have been using poison gas against the Bosnia and Herzegovina Army in heavy fighting around Dreznica, north of Mostar.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 18.
22 December 1993
According the Bosnian 1st Corps Information Service in Bosnia and Herzegovina, "shells carrying chemical charges" are reported to have landed on Glavica in Sarajevo, fired from Serbian positions.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 19.
5 January 1994
The Croatian UN mission in New York complains that Muslim forces have again been using poison gas in battles in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its statement cites accounts obtained by General Zlatko Binenfeld from civilians who survived an attack on the village of Krcevina on 22 December and who said they had begun to suffocate when the shells exploded: "Our eyes teared, we felt a metallic taste in our mouth, which forced us to vomit and left a terrible headache."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 20.
10 January 1994
Bosnia and Herzegovina Army shells falling on Mali Mosunj in Vitez are said by Croatian Radio to be filled with chemicals. "People felt sick and dizzy and there were visible traces of an inky colour in those houses which were hit." At a press conference in Bonn, the president of Croatia accuses Muslim forces of using chlorine shells in their current offensive against central Bosnian Croat villages.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 20.
16 January 1994
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serb forces are reported to be using poison gas at Olovo.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 23 (March 1994), p. 21.
7 February 1994
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radio Croatia alleges that "chlorine-based toxic gases" were fired into Croat-held areas around Novi Travnik during artillery and mortar attacks by the Bosnian Army.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 24 (June 1994), p. 20.
22 March 1994
Sarajevo radio reports that Serbian forces have used chemical agents in the Bihac region.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 24 (June 1994), p. 20.
8-9April 1994
Bosnian Muslim forces are alleged to have released high concentrations of tear gas in the vicinity of Bakova-Ravan, near the embattled eastern city of Gorazde, in the course of fighting against Serbian forces
--Joseph Chrysdale, "Serbs claim Muslims use chemical weapon," United Press International, 10 April 1994.
9 April 1994
According to a Bosnian presidency spokesman, Serbian forces kill "many people" in the course of three chemical attacks on Gorazde. General Rasim Delic, commander-in-chief of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Army, says at a press conference: "Chemical weapons have been used several times during the aggressor's offensive on Gorazde. These are mainly gases which cause short-term effects, gases such as irritants. [However] according to some unconfirmed reports chemical gases which cause long-term effects have also been used, such as blister causing gases. We do not know the number of casualties, either among the civilians or among the soldiers, since this number is large."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 30 (December 1995), p. 23.
23 May 1995
Croatia ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention.
--Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements <http://disarmament2.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf>.
12 July 1995
As Bosnian refugees flee the collapsed enclave of Srebenica they are allegedly attacked by Serb forces using BZ or another incapacitant with similar effects. Subsequent investigations are unable to convincingly determine the veracity of these allegations.
--Chemical Warfare in Bosnia? The Strange Experiences of the Srebenica Survivors, Human Rights Watch 10 (9), November 1998, <http://www.hrw.org/reports98/bosniacw/Bosni98o-04.htm>.
25 July 1995
Serbian forces are alleged to have used CS or CN tear agents against Croatian forces during an attack on the village of Crnilug in Croatia.
--Ernst Jan Hogendoorn, Clouds of War: Chemical Weapons in the Former Yugoslavia (London: Human Rights Watch: March 1997), p. 13, <http://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/Y/YUGOSLAV/YUGO973.PDF>.
August 1995
Serbian forces are alleged to have used CS or CN tear agents against Bosnian forces defending the town of Zepa.
--Ernst Jan Hogendoorn, Clouds of War: Chemical Weapons in the Former Yugoslavia (London: Human Rights Watch: March 1997), p. 13, <http://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/Y/YUGOSLAV/YUGO973.PDF>.
10 October 1995
Croatian forces have now reoccupied the Krajina region and in Zagreb, a mission of the Council of Europe and of the OSCE that has been visiting Knin and Osijek is received at the Ministry of Defense. Reporting on the meeting, Croatian Radio says: "A quantity of seized chemical weapons was also discussed. They are banned under international conventions so the Croatian Army will destroy them."
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 30 (December 1995), p. 22.
10 October 1995
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, government forces attack Bosnian Serb positions at Trnovo on the Sarajevo front with "shells filled with poisonous gas," according to the information service of the Main Staff of the [Bosnian] Serb Army.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 30 (December 1995), p. 22.
11 October 1995
A report on a visit to the abandoned Potoci CW facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina describes abandoned CW equipment including the remnants of the CW production lines, barrels of precursor chemicals, and numerous signs warning people in parts of the facility to wear protective masks at all times. The report suggests that the layout of the facility is essentially identical to the Muthanna CW production facility constructed in Iraq during the 1980s, implying a high degree of cooperation in the CW field between Iraq and Yugoslavia.
--Reginald Bartholomew (nom de plume), "The Balkans and Chemical Warfare: A Possibility?" ASA Newsletter (50), October 1995, pp. 1 & 7.
27 November 1995
On UK television, Granada World in Action reports that the former Yugoslavia had manufactured nerve gas and other chemical weapons, and that Serbia still has the capacity to do so. There is footage of samples being collected from the now-derelict pilot-plant facility at Potoci near Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina from which, in early 1992, equipment had been removed by the Yugoslav National Army. Analysis of these samples at the Swedish chemical defense laboratories had shown one of them to contain traces of a sarin degradation product. The documentary estimates that there could now be at least 30 metric tons of nerve gas stored somewhere in Serbia.
--The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 30 (December 1995), p. 31.
 |
| |
Updated December 2007 |
|
