Currently the Clinton administration is focusing its efforts on tightening economic sanctions against Serbia. It also wants the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution to finally enforce the no-fly zone over Bosnia. One important roadblock to the measure fell last week. White House officials told NEWSWEEK that Russia has agreed not to oppose the no-fly plan if the Serbs fail to sign the Vance-Owen pact by April 1. The Bosnians signed last Thursday.
Though clearly not eager to bomb Serbian positions in Bosnia, the White House has also asked the Pentagon to step up planning for airstrikes. It fears that without a military threat the Serbs will stall for time to overrun the last Muslim communities in eastern Bosnia.
The possibility of bombing was serious enough for Gen. Colin Powell to discuss it last week with visiting British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, who insisted Britain’s U.N. troops there be removed first. Asked about such a trade-off, Bosnian Foreign Minister Haris Silajdzic replied: “If the Serbs’ aggression continues, we prefer military help over food for dead people.
