Bosnian Serb Siege of Gorazde Intensifies, U.N. Officials Report Shelling on Refugee Center and Hospital

The Bosnian Serb siege of the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde worsened on Tuesday, with U.N. officials reporting shelling on a refugee center and local hospital. More than 200 shells landed on the hospital, the Panorama refugee center, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office, the telephone building, and a police station. A house next to the UNHCR office was also on fire. UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said late Tuesday that five civilians had been killed in the fighting and 19 wounded. The renewed attack on Gorazde comes despite Monday's announcement by the U.N. civil affairs coordinator that the Serbs had agreed to a cease-fire in Gorazde and approved the deployment of one reinforced company of 259 U.N. peacekeepers to the enclave.

Key Takeaways:

• The Bosnian Serb siege of Gorazde has intensified, with more than 200 shells landing on a refugee center and local hospital.
• U.N. officials reported that five civilians were killed and 19 wounded in the fighting, with over a dozen civilians lying wounded in the street.
• U.N. military officials believe that Bosnian Serb forces intend to attack previously unmolested suburbs of Gorazde, with potential for a massacre of civilian population.
• The deployment of 150 French, 68 Ukrainian, and 41 Swedish and Norwegian soldiers to Gorazde was put on one-hour standby at the Sarajevo airport, but the troops would not be deployed unless the cease-fire is observed and Bosnian Serbs guarantee the freedom of movement for U.N. forces.
• At least 130 U.N. troops are still being held by Bosnian Serbs, including 58 unarmed military observers who are reportedly shuttle from place to place.
• Near Sarajevo, 30 French troops were overpowered by Bosnian Serb soldiers guarding a U.N. controlled weapons collection point, with the weapons cache including 18 anti-aircraft guns.

Statistics:

• Over 200 shells landed on the hospital, the Panorama refugee center, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office, the telephone building, and a police station.
• Five civilians were killed and 19 wounded in the fighting.
• 13 (or more) civilians were lying wounded in the street.
• 150 French troops, 68 Ukrainian troops, and 41 Swedish and Norwegian troops were on standby at the Sarajevo airport for immediate deployment to Gorazde.
• At least 130 U.N. troops are still being held by Bosnian Serbs, including 58 unarmed military observers.
• 18 anti-aircraft guns were taken by Bosnian Serb soldiers from the U.N. controlled weapons collection point at Lukavica.

Sources:

• The Bosnian Serb siege of the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde heightened Tuesday as U.N. officials reported shelling on a refugee center and local hospital (The Associated Press, April 19).
• Matthew Nerzig, U.N. Protection Force spokesman in Zagreb, said more than 200 shells landed on the hospital, the Panorama refugee center, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office, the telephone building, and a police station (The Associated Press, April 19).
• UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said late Tuesday that five civilians had been killed in the fighting and 19 wounded (The Associated Press, April 19).
• U.N. military officials believe that Bosnian Serb forces intend to attack previously unmolested suburbs of Gorazde (United Press International, April 19).
• At least 130 U.N. troops are still being held by Bosnian Serbs, including 58 unarmed military observers (United Press International, April 19).
• 18 anti-aircraft guns were taken by Bosnian Serb soldiers from the U.N. controlled weapons collection point at Lukavica (United Press International, April 19).