UN Insists on Demilitarization of Sarajevo Amid Confusion Over Serb Arms Surrender

Strategic Insights -

Sarajevo's demilitarization plans remain on track, according to the United Nations, despite confusion over the surrender of Serb siege guns that have pounded the Bosnian capital for 22 months. The Serbs claimed they had halted the handover of their weapons to UN peacekeepers, citing the failure to neutralize rival infantry of the Muslim-led Bosnian government. However, the UN later stated that the Serbs, along with their Muslim foes, had resumed handing in their guns under a UN-brokered truce. The Muslim-led Bosnian government and army officials rejected the Serb demand, describing it as a delaying tactic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN insists that plans to demilitarize Sarajevo are still on track, despite apparent discrepancies in the surrender of Serb siege guns.
  • The Serbs claimed they had halted the handover of their weapons to UN peacekeepers due to the failure to neutralize rival infantry of the Muslim-led Bosnian government.
  • The UN stated that the Serbs, along with their Muslim foes, had resumed handing in their guns under a UN-brokered truce designed as the first step in a military disengagement plan for the city.
  • The Muslim-led Bosnian government and army officials rejected the Serb demand, describing it as a delaying tactic.
  • General Milovanovic, chief of staff of the Bosnian Serb army, ordered a halt to the weapons handover, which could bring closer the risk of NATO air attacks on his positions.
  • NATO officials emphasized that the terms and conditions of the ultimatum are clearcut, and the air-strike deadline will not be extended.
  • British Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Shadbolt suggested that there are alternative ways of controlling heavy weapons, such as installing ground battery radars to pinpoint the spot from which rockets, mortars, or artillery shells are fired.
  • Momcilo Krajisnik, parliamentary speaker of the self-styled Bosnian Serb assembly, stated that the Serbs will defend themselves against air strikes and not capitulate.

Statistics:

  • 22 months: The duration of the Serb siege of Sarajevo.
  • 13: The number of big guns submitted by the Serbs to UN control.
  • 5: The number of heavy weapons turned over to the UN by government troops.
  • 68: The number of people killed by a mortar bomb in a Sarajevo market.
  • 20 kilometres: The distance from Sarajevo for which the Serbs are required to withdraw their big guns.
  • Feb. 20: The deadline set by NATO for the Serbs to withdraw their big guns or centralize them under UN control.
  • Tens of thousands: The number of Russian volunteers threatened by Vladimir Zhirinovsky to be sent to help the Serbs in Bosnia.

Sources:

  • Reuters News Agency
  • United Nations
  • General Sir Michael Rose, Commander of UN forces in Bosnia
  • General Manojlo Milovanovic, Chief of Staff of the Bosnian Serb army
  • Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Shadbolt, British military official
  • Momcilo Krajisnik, Parliamentary Speaker of the self-styled Bosnian Serb assembly
  • Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russian ultranationalist leader