United Nations Authorizes NATO Air Strikes in Eastern Bosnia

A tense standoff is unfolding in eastern Bosnia, where United Nations officials have authorized NATO air strikes if Bosnian Serbs attack a UN position or the Dutch peacekeepers stationed there. The threat of bombing and the detention of 30 Dutch peacekeepers by the Serbs raises the prospect of a new cycle of violence and reprisal that could further damage the already fragile UN mission. The Bosnian Serbs have pushed the UN to the brink in the last week with their tank and artillery assault on Srebrenica, a safe area designated by the UN.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations has authorized NATO air strikes against the Bosnian Serbs if they attack a UN position or the Dutch peacekeepers stationed there, after 30 Dutch peacekeepers were detained by the Serbs.
• The Bosnian Serbs have been firing on the town of Srebrenica, which is home to 42,000 Bosnian Muslims, most of whom are refugees, and have taken control of an important supply route.
• The detention of the 30 Dutch peacekeepers has raised concerns about their safety and has increased tensions between the UN and the Bosnian Serbs.
• The UN has demanded the release of the detained peacekeepers and the withdrawal of Bosnian Serb forces from the demilitarized zone.
• The UN has stated that any attempt by Bosnian Serb tanks or artillery to get past the Dutch unit outside the city would result in bombing by NATO.
• The Bosnian Prime Minister, Haris Silajdzic, has said that the failure of the UN to stem the advance of Serbian tanks into the Srebrenica enclave puts the future of the peacekeeping force in jeopardy.
• The Bosnian Serbs have threatened the UN and have ignored warnings to cease their aggression, despite the UN's best efforts to maintain the status quo.
• The UN has appealed to the international community to take action to stop the violence and protect the innocent civilians in Bosnia.
• The UN's decision to authorize NATO air strikes is a bold move to protect its personnel and the civilians of Srebrenica.

Statistics:

• 30: The number of Dutch peacekeepers detained by the Bosnian Serbs.
• 42,000: The number of Bosnian Muslims living in the Srebrenica enclave.
• 7: The number of peacekeepers who had been moved to the Bosnian Serb town of Bratunac.
• 8: The number of other peacekeepers who remained with Bosnian Serb troops in an overrun UN position.
• 15: The number of peacekeepers whose whereabouts are unknown.
• 4,000: The number of refugees fleeing the advancing Serbian troops who have gathered in the center of Srebrenica.
• 300: The number of people in Sarajevo who need two large aid convoys a day to receive proper food supplies.
• 300,000: The number of people in Sarajevo who need aid.
• 67: The number of peacekeepers killed in the conflict.

Sources:

• Alexander Ivanko, United Nations spokesman, speaking about the detained peacekeepers.
• Yasushi Akashi, senior United Nations envoy to the former Yugoslavia, who authorized the NATO air strikes.
• Lieut. Gen. Bernard Janvier, United Nations military commander, who also authorized the air strikes.
• United Nations officials, who fear more hostage-taking in Bosnia and authorized air strikes as a result.
• Bosnian Serb warplane, which violated Bosnia's no-flight zone.
• Bosnian Government forces, which shot and killed a Dutch peacekeeper.