Bosnian Serb Leader Announces Concessions Amidst Ongoing War

Strategic Insights -

Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has announced a series of concessions aimed at finding a political solution to the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Karadzic announced that the Bosnian Serbs plan to immediately normalize relations with United Nations peacekeepers and implement six concessions, including an immediate cease-fire, the reopening of Sarajevo airport, and the release of all U.N. personnel being held by the Bosnian Serb army.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bosnian Serbs have agreed to an immediate cease-fire in and around Sarajevo, as well as the reopening of Sarajevo airport for humanitarian and U.N. flights.
  • Karadzic has announced that the Bosnian Serbs will release all U.N. personnel currently being held by the Bosnian Serb army and all Bosnian Muslim soldiers under the age of 19 who are being held as prisoners of war.
  • The Bosnian Serbs will also work to guarantee human rights throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina and accept all international conventions on human rights.
  • Karadzic has expressed hope that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina to meet with Bosnian Serb representatives and Muslim-Croat federation representatives.
  • Carter, who is acting as a representative of his Carter Center, has announced that he is involved in discussions with Karadzic and a Bosnian Serb envoy, but has emphasized that he is not involved in the Clinton administration's policies on the war.
  • The Bosnian Serbs are seeking a political settlement to the war and are willing to discuss territorial issues, including the possibility of a separate Bosnian Serb state.

Statistics:

  • The Bosnian Serbs control 70% of Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to Karadzic (Note: This percentage is stated by Karadzic as a reason for the Serbs' defensive position, but it is unclear if it refers to the current territorial control of the Serbs.)
  • Karadzic has announced that the Bosnian Serbs will implement all concessions within 24 hours of their announcement, perhaps as early as Friday morning Sarajevo time.
  • Carter has announced that he has kept in contact with the White House and the five-nation Contact Group on Bosnia to avoid interference with their work on Bosnia.

Sources:

  • Karadzic, Radovan (dec. 14, Bosnian Serb capital of Pale). Interview with CNN by telephone.
  • Carter, Jimmy. Interview with CNN.
  • White House statement, issued on December 14.