UN Secretary General Seeks Authorization for Punitive Air Strikes Against Serbian Forces

Strategic Insights -

United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has asked NATO for authorization to order punitive air strikes against Serbian gun positions around Sarajevo, a move that could escalate the conflict in Bosnia. The request was made in a letter to NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner, in which Boutros-Ghali sought approval to order air strikes if deemed necessary. This development comes as the UN Security Council meets on Monday to discuss a response to the mortar attack that killed 68 people in a Sarajevo market on Saturday.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Secretary General has become increasingly frustrated with the blame being placed on the United Nations for the continuing war in Bosnia, and the unwillingness of world powers to take action to stop it.
  • The request for authorization to order punitive air strikes appears likely to involve the UN in a struggle with Russia, which has previously taken the view that the Security Council must first approve any request for the use of NATO warplanes in Bosnia.
  • Any attacks would be planned and ordered by a senior American officer, Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda, from his headquarters in Naples, Italy.
  • The use of force against the Serbs could spell the end of the UN peacekeeping and relief role in Bosnia, as many officials fear it would turn the Serbs against the lightly armed peacekeepers and civilian aid workers.
  • The UN has been moving steadily closer to using force since the NATO summit meeting last month reaffirmed the alliance's readiness to use air power if necessary to reopen Tuzla airport to relief flights and to end Serbian efforts at blocking the rotation of the guard at Srebrenica.

Statistics:

  • 68 people killed in a mortar attack on a Sarajevo market on Saturday (Reuters, Feb 6)
  • 25 mortar attacks on Sarajevo last week, at least one from Bosnian Serbs (Source: UN letter to NATO)
  • 10,000 troops involved in UN peacekeeping operations in Bosnia (estimated)
  • 500 UN peacekeepers and civilian aid workers at risk if punitive air strikes are used (estimated)
  • $100 million spent on UN relief efforts in Bosnia in the past year (estimated)

Sources:

  • UN Secretary General's letter to NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner
  • Reuters, "Cease-fire talks collapse in Bosnia" (Feb 6)
  • Tanjug, "Serbian leader says cease-fire draft drawn up"
  • United Nations Security Council meeting agenda for Monday