Ceasefire Violations Rise in Bosnia as UN Commander Deploys to Bihac

Increased ceasefire violations have marred the fragile peace in Bosnia, prompting the top United Nations commander, British Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Rose, to travel to the Bihac pocket in northwestern Bosnia. Under an agreement negotiated by former US President Jimmy Carter, the government and the Bosnian Serbs agreed to a one-week ceasefire while they negotiate a four-month truce. Despite this, UN officials have reported a significant increase in ceasefire violations, particularly in the Bihac region.

Key Takeaways:

• Ceasefire violations have increased tenfold in the past 24 hours, according to a senior UN official.
• Repeated exchanges of gunfire were reported across front-line positions in Velika Kladusa, a town in the Bihac region.
• Four mortar rounds exploded in the Bihac region, and a UN relief official's car was hit by gunfire during a humanitarian convoy crossing front lines in Cazin on Monday.
• General Rose is scheduled to fly to the Bihac pocket to meet with peacekeepers and local commanders, including Fikret Abdic, the leader of a group of renegade Muslims.
• A Canadian aid convoy, consisting of 25 troops taking food and water, is planned to depart from Rastevic in Croatia to reach UN peacekeepers in Bihac.
• The agreement negotiated by former US President Jimmy Carter has resulted in a one-week ceasefire between the government and the Bosnian Serbs.

Statistics:

• 25 Canadian peacekeepers are part of the aid convoy planned to leave Rastevic in Croatia.
• 1,200 Canadian peacekeepers are stationed in Croatia at the Rastevic base.
• Four mortar rounds exploded in the Bihac region.
• One UN relief official's car was hit by gunfire during a humanitarian convoy crossing front lines in Cazin on Monday.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• CP SARAJEVO
• UN officials (names not specified)