UN Security Council Vows to Protect Peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The UN Security Council has announced its determination to protect its peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina, following a sharp escalation of violence in the region. Two peacekeepers were killed in a firefight, and scores of UN troops are being held at the mercy of the Bosnian Serbs. The council members expressed their solidarity with the UN troops and their determination not to yield to blackmail.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN Security Council is firmly committed to securing the release of UN peacekeepers held by the Bosnian Serbs.
• The council members are determined not to yield to blackmail and will use force if necessary, but stress that there may be other options.
• The head of UN peacekeeping operations, Kofi Annan, briefed the council members on the situation on the ground and was impressed by their unity and determination.
• Annan stated that the crude tactics of the Bosnian Serbs, including taking hostages and chaining them to poles, have not impressed anyone, and action will be taken to release the peacekeepers.
• No specific military plan has been committed to by the UN to free the soldiers, with Annan suggesting a broader approach may be needed.
• British Ambassador David Hannay denied that the council had suspended plans for further military action pending negotiation.
• The UN Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has the final say in requesting NATO to launch airstrikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina if UN commanders and special envoy Yasushi Akashi recommend the action.
• The Bosnian Serbs are holding 145 UN peacekeepers and 22 UN military observers as human shields against further NATO air raids.
• Of the 145 soldiers, 101 are French, 12 Russians, and 32 Ukrainians.
• Negotiations are underway in Bosnia-Herzegovina to try to release the UN hostage.
• International pressure is being put on the Bosnian Serbs to behave in a manner that conforms more with international law.

Statistics:

• 145 UN peacekeepers and 22 UN military observers are being held by the Bosnian Serbs as human shields.
• 101 of the 145 held are French, 12 are Russian, and 32 are Ukrainian.
• 2 French peacekeepers and 4 Bosnian Serbs were killed in a firefight over a key observation post in Sarajevo.
• The UN Secretary-General has the final say in requesting NATO to launch airstrikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina if UN commanders and special envoy Yasushi Akashi recommend the action.

Sources:

• Jean-Bernard Merimee, President of the UN Security Council
• Kofi Annan, Head of UN Peacekeeping Operations
• David Hannay, British Ambassador to the UN
• Boutros Boutros-Ghali, UN Secretary-General
• Yasushi Akashi, Special Envoy to Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Reuters, May 27
• AP News, May 27