NATO Deadline Expires, Serbs Refuse to Regroup Weapons

Strategic Insights -

In the Serb-held mountains ringing Sarajevo, eight 120-millimeter mortars stood in defiance of NATO threats, despite the expiration of the NATO deadline at 1 A.M. today. The United Nations and NATO have shown flexibility toward the Serbs, allowing them to negotiate and slow down the withdrawal of heavy weapons. French Sergeant Robert Monneret, part of the United Nations peacekeeping force, surveilled the Serbian weapons, stating that his mission is to prevent their use and survey their position. However, the Serbs have refused to regroup their artillery pieces and mortars, citing orders not to budge from their current position.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight 120-millimeter mortars are currently standing in open defiance of NATO threats, despite the expiration of the NATO deadline at 1 A.M. today.
  • The Serbs have refused to regroup their artillery pieces and mortars, citing orders not to budge from their current position on Tilava Hill.
  • The French platoon is working to prevent the use of the Serbian weapons, but the Serbs have canceled their soldiers' leaves, keeping them on duty.
  • The United Nations and NATO have shown flexibility toward the Serbs, allowing them to negotiate and slow down the withdrawal of heavy weapons.
  • Radovan Karadzic, the political leader of the Bosnian Serbs, has rejected the terms of current peace talks, calling for a union of three republics in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Dr. Karadzic stated that the Bosnian Serbs control 72% of the land and own 64% of the territory, and are willing to reduce their share but not give up traditional Serbian territories.
  • The Bosnian Government has repeatedly adjusted its negotiating stance, and it appears unlikely that they will accept the carving-up of Bosnia and Herzegovina without substantial concessions.
  • The UN officials are convinced that the momentum of the Serbian withdrawal, the Bosnian Muslim hand-over of heavy weapons, and the current cease-fire can be built into a wider settlement for the Bosnian war.
  • Sergeant Monneret mentioned that if NATO dropped a bomb on the Serbian guns, it would be a surprise, but they are "pretty badly placed."

Statistics:

  • Eight 120-millimeter mortars are standing on Tilava Hill.
  • 12.4 miles is the designated zone for the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Sarajevo.
  • One square mile is the area where the Serbian weapons are currently scattered.
  • 30 French soldiers make up a platoon on the Tilava hillside.
  • 1,000 feet is the altitude at which the F-14 Tomcat fighters descended over the Serbian guns.
  • 50% is the percentage of Serbian heavy weapons that have been withdrawn beyond the zone, according to Radovan Karadzic.
  • 72% is the percentage of land controlled by the Bosnian Serbs, according to Radovan Karadzic.
  • 64% is the percentage of territory owned by the Bosnian Serbs, according to Radovan Karadzic.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • New York Times, January 21, 1996.