Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 7, 1993 TAG: 9305070144
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Meanwhile Thursday:
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to declare "safe havens" in Sarajevo and five other mainly Muslim cities besieged by Serbs in Bosnia. The council did not back up its resolution with force, and several council members complained it appeared toothless.
The U.N. action came after Bosnian Serbs' self-styled assembly rejected a U.N. peace plan earlier in the day, despite pleas by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and other Yugoslav leaders to accept the peace plan. The council was divided over how to respond to the Serbs' decision.
Diplomats said it would be difficult to enforce the safe havens, saying the approximately 9,000 peacekeepers already in Bosnia are stretched thin and are empowered only to protect shipments of humanitarian aid.
Yugoslavia, the main backer of Bosnian Serb fighters, said it would cut off all aid to Bosnian Serb fighters except food and medicine.
If implemented, the embargo could deprive the rebels of their main source of fuel, weapons and ammunition, leaving them virtually isolated in their yearlong fight against Bosnia's Muslims and Croats. Belgrade's move was the strongest action yet in its recent turn away from the Bosnian Serbs.
In Bosnia, defiant Bosnian Serb troops advanced on the eastern Muslim enclave of Zepa. Sarajevo radio said at least 130 civilians were killed when Serb troops broke through a defense line on the town's western side.
"America has made its position clear and is ready to do its part," Clinton said. "But Europe must be willing to act with us. We must go forward together."
Secretary of State Warren Christopher was unable to report much support in Europe for arming Bosnian Muslims or bombing of Serb artillery. "We have not developed a consensus," said a senior U.S. official traveling with Christopher. The official said there were encouraging conversations with German, French and Turkish leaders.
Despite the allies' continuing hesitation, there were predictions that force would be used, though not immediately. First, the United States will seek a new resolution from the U.N. Security Council and perhaps a vote from Congress.
A senior administration official said any military action would be weeks - not days - away. Clinton's strategy envisions using air strikes only as long as it takes for the Muslims to equip themselves, a period of months, said the official, insisting on anonymity.
"Military strikes are much more likely than they were even a few hours ago, but not, I think, in the next few days." said Rep. Lee Hamilton, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
by CNB