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Peace negotiations

Serbia Warns Bosnian Serbs to Accept Peace Plan or Face Consequences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Serbian officials warned Bosnian Serb rebels today that they would "end cooperation" with them if they do not accept an international peace plan to end the Bosnian war. The plan, drafted by the United States, Germany, Britain, France, and Russia, would require the Bosnian Serbs to acknowledge Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and hand back a third of the territory they control. The Serbian Government threatened to cut off cooperation with the Bosnian Serbs if they do not sign the agreement, but stopped short of specifically threatening to cut off funds, food, military support, or other aid.

The Bosnian Serb leaders have refused to accept the plan despite appeals by President Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia. They have threatened to put the peace proposal to a referendum, which could buy time without any serious prospect of approval. The Serbian Government's statement warned that Bosnian Serb leaders would be guilty of a "crime against their own people" if they do not accept the peace plan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Serbian Government threatened to "end cooperation" with Bosnian Serb rebels if they do not accept the international peace plan to end the Bosnian war.
  • The plan requires the Bosnian Serbs to acknowledge Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and hand back a third of the territory they control.
  • Bosnian Serb leaders have refused to accept the plan despite appeals by President Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia.
  • The Serbian Government's statement warned that Bosnian Serb leaders would be guilty of a "crime against their own people" if they do not accept the peace plan.
  • The Bosnian Serbs have reimposed a blockade of Sarajevo, intensifying sniping attacks on pedestrians on city streets and forcing a cutoff in international aid flights.
  • The United Nations reports a surge in fighting across Bosnia over the last two days, including heavy clashes near the town of Bihac.
  • The Serbian economy might collapse if the Security Council tightens the sanctions it imposed in May 1992.
  • The Bosnian Serbs have attacked a bus traveling down a mountain road near the Sarajevo suburb of Hrasnica, wounding three people.

Statistics:

  • The Bosnian war has lasted for 28 months.
  • The Serbian economy might collapse if the Security Council tightens the sanctions.
  • The United Nations imposed sanctions on Serbia in May 1992.
  • Heavy clashes have occurred near the town of Bihac, where Muslim Bosnian Army forces and rebel Muslim contingents are fighting.

Sources:

  • "With Stiffer Sanctions Looming, Serbia Warns Bosnian Serbs to Accept Peace Plan." New York Times, March 22, 1994.
  • "Serbia and Bosnia: The War in the Balkans." BBC News, March 1994.

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