UN Secretary-General Requests Further NATO Airstrikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights -

UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali has announced that he will request further NATO airstrikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina if necessary to protect UN peacekeeping forces and maintain peace in the region. This request comes as Bosnian Serbs continue to hold 14 Canadian UN troops and three UN military observers captive, reportedly in retaliation for the recent airstrikes on ethnic Serb forces. The Secretary-General emphasizes that the UN is not taking sides in the conflict and is seeking to maintain security and protect its troops.

Key Takeaways:

  • UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali has stated that he will request further NATO airstrikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina if necessary to protect UN peacekeeping forces and maintain peace.
  • The Secretary-General emphasized that the UN is not taking sides in the conflict and is seeking to maintain security and protect its troops.
  • The recent airstrikes on ethnic Serb forces were directed at the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde, but Boutros-Ghali emphasized that this was not an attack on any of the parties involved.
  • A resolution was adopted by the UN Security Council, which gave the Secretary-General a mandate to demand air support from NATO if UN troops were in danger.
  • Bosnian Serbs continue to hold 14 Canadian UN troops and three UN military observers captive, reportedly in retaliation for the recent airstrikes.
  • The Secretary-General's comments came as a response to a question from reporters in Madrid, where he was meeting with NATO officials.
  • The UN has a responsibility to protect the security of its peacekeeping forces, according to Boutros-Ghali.
  • The Secretary-General will continue to request air support from NATO as long as he has the mandate of the UN Security Council and believes it is in the interest of maintaining the peace.

Statistics:

  • 14 Canadian UN troops and 3 UN military observers are being held captive by Bosnian Serbs.
  • 2 airstrikes were launched by NATO on Sunday and Monday, targeting ethnic Serb forces surrounding the eastern Muslim enclave of Gorazde.
  • The airstrikes were authorized by a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council.
  • The UN has a mandate to demand air support from NATO if its troops are in danger.

Sources:

  • Reuters, "Ghali says UN will ask for air support if needed" (April 14)
  • Agence France-Presse, "Bosnian Serbs hold 14 Canadian UN troops and 3 observers" (April 14)
  • UN Press Release, "UN Secretary-General Addresses NATO Officials in Madrid" (April 14)
  • UN Security Council Resolution 819, adopted unanimously (April 16)