9-Day Yugoslav Truce Shattered
Fierce and widespread fighting shattered a nine-day-old truce in secessionist Croatia on Tuesday as the Yugoslav army went on the offensive in response to Croatian attacks on its bases.
Statements from Croatia and the federal army said Tuesday’s battles were among the worst since fighting erupted three months ago over the republic’s June 25 independence declaration.
At least 600 people have been killed and six cease-fires have failed.
“All indicators ultimately point toward a military solution to the problem,” said Mario Nobilo, spokesman for Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. “This is the most serious threat to Croatia so far, and it’s not an empty threat.”
The army seems intent in its latest drive on seizing the few remaining Croat positions in eastern Croatia before it gets bogged down by wet fall weather and low morale that has caused desertions by thousands of reservists.
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