S/RES/1120 (1997) Page 4 12. Reiterates its decision in its resolution 1037 (1996) that Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, may, at the request of UNTAES and on the basis of procedures communicated to the United Nations, take all necessary measures, including close air support, in defence of UNTAES and, as appropriate, to assist in the withdrawal of UNTAES; 13. Requests that UNTAES and the multinational stabilization force authorized by the Council in resolution 1088 (1996) of 12 December 1996 continue to cooperate, as appropriate, with each other, as well as with the High Representative; 14. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Council regularly informed of the situation and to report in any case no later than 6 October 1997 on all aspects relevant to the peaceful reintegration of the Region; 15. Stresses the importance of demilitarization of the area, and in that context stresses further the importance of achieving bilateral agreements on demilitarization and a liberal border regime in the region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, accompanied by appropriate confidence-building measures as suggested in the report of the Secretary-General of 23 June 1997; 16. Calls upon the Government of the Republic of Croatia, inter alia, to initiate a country-wide public programme of national reconciliation, to take all necessary steps for the official establishment and legal registration of the Joint Council of Municipalities, and to fulfil all its obligations as specified in the various agreements signed with UNTAES; 17. Welcomes the renewed mandate of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of 26 June 1997 (S/1997/522, annex) providing for a continued and reinforced OSCE presence in the Republic of Croatia, with a particular focus on two-way return of all refugees and displaced persons, protection of their rights, and the protection of persons belonging to national minorities, welcomes also the decision of OSCE for the build-up starting July 1997 of its mission personnel with a view to full deployment by 15 January 1998, and urges the Government of the Republic of Croatia to cooperate fully with the OSCE mission to that end; 18. Underlines the observation of the Secretary-General that the essential prerequisite for the successful completion of peaceful reintegration of the Region is the full cooperation of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which bears the responsibility for convincing the local population that the reintegration of the people of the Region is sustainable and that the process of reconciliation and return is irreversible; 19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. -----