Bosnian Serb Leaders Reject International Peace Plan, Foiling Diplomatic Efforts

A referendum on an international peace plan in Bosnia has resulted in a resounding 90% rejection by Bosnian Serb voters, according to electoral officials. The plan, crafted by the United States, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany, called for the Bosnian Serbs to accept 49% of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a significant concession from their current territory holdings. Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic had described the plan as a recipe for military defeat and economic disaster, paving the way for a new phase in the Bosnian war.

Key Takeaways:

• The referendum on the international peace plan in Bosnia has been rejected by 90% of Bosnian Serb voters, according to electoral officials.
• The plan, which was crafted by the United States, Russia, Britain, France, and Germany, would have required the Bosnian Serbs to accept 49% of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic had rejected the plan, stating it would lead to military defeat and economic disaster.
• President Clinton has stated that he will press for a lifting of the arms embargo against the Bosnian Muslims if the Serbs have not accepted the peace plan by October 15.
• The contact group countries that drew up the plan have dismissed the referendum as a sham, citing a lack of legitimacy.
• Russia wants to reward Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic by easing an international trade embargo on Serbia in exchange for his support in pressuring the Bosnian Serbs.
• The United States, Britain, France, and Germany are considering a mild easing of sanctions on Serbia if international monitors are placed on the Serbian border with Bosnia to ensure that President Milosevic maintains the blockade against the Bosnian Serbs.

Statistics:

• 90%: The percentage of Bosnian Serb voters who rejected the international peace plan.
• 49%: The percentage of Bosnia and Herzegovina that the plan called for the Bosnian Serbs to accept.
• 28 months: The length of time that war has been raging in Bosnia.
• April 1992: The month in which Bosnia gained independence.
• October 15: The deadline by which President Clinton has stated he will press for a lifting of the arms embargo against the Bosnian Muslims if the Serbs have not accepted the peace plan.

Sources:

• Bosnian Serb leaders and electoral officials
• The New York Times (headline not explicitly provided, but likely date: November 1, 1993, as per the text's content and mention of President Clinton's promise to press for a lifting of the arms embargo by October 15)