U.S., Allies OK Bosnia Peace Plan

The United States, Russia and three European powers issued an ultimatum Tuesday to the warring factions in Bosnia: Agree to a new peace package or face international reprisals.

The five nations’ foreign ministers approved a plan to give the new Bosnian-Croat federation roughly 51% of Bosnia’s territory and the Serbs 49%. The Serbs now hold about 70% and are seen as the most likely to reject the demand.

“It would be a mistake of truly historic proportions for either party to feel they can serve their people well if they reject the proposal,” Secretary of State Warren Christopher said after the three-hour meeting.

Russian Foreign Minister Andrei V. Kozyrev described the plan as “the only possible alternative” to war.

Kozyrev, who hosted the meeting for the envoys from the United States, Russia, Germany, France and Britain, said the Croat-Muslim federation and the Bosnian Serbs will have two weeks to respond.

The ministers aimed their ultimatum primarily at the Serbs, who would have to give up land they consider strategically important.

Christopher said U.N. sanctions against the Serbs will be gradually lifted if they withdraw to the areas designated under the proposal. Otherwise, enforcement of the sanctions will be tightened.