July 11, 1996

5 Nations Discuss Steps to Oust Indicted Bosnian Serb Leaders

By YOUSSEF M. IBRAHIM

ONDON -- Representatives of the five-nation "contact group" on Bosnia met here Wednesday to discuss what to do about the continued power of the Bosnian Serb political leader, Radovan Karadzic, and Gen. Ratko Mladic, the military commander -- both of whom have been indicted for war crimes and, under the Dayton peace accord, are supposed to be arrested.

The group reiterated its longstanding demand that the two leaders, who are accused of genocide and other crimes, should stand trial in the Hague before the international tribunal that indicted them.

But the group failed to announce any new economic sanctions or military measures to back up the demand, instead repeating that responsibility for removing the two men from power and sending them to the Hague rests with the Bosnian Serbs themselves, and their sponsors in neighboring Serbia.

In a statement issued at the end of an all-day impromptu meeting, members of the group, which include the United States, Germany, France, Russia and Britain said measures had been discussed to enforce its demands, but did not suggest that any had been agreed to.

"All agreed that, as Karadzic has been indicted for war crimes, his place is in the Hague. The prime responsibility for getting him there rests with the parties," the statement said, adding that the five are pressing the Bosnian Serbs and their sponsors in Belgrade on this.

Many diplomats say that ousting Karadzic is now urgent because of his ability to subvert national elections, scheduled for September.

A European official familiar with the talks, while admitting that the West had failed to agree on concrete actions, said that the position of the group at the moment was to continue with he described as an "orchestrated build-up of pressure" to bring about cooperation by Bosnian Serbs.

Asked whether any of the members of the group were prepared to take military action to apprehend Karadzic or Mladic, the official said that the 60,000 NATO troops in Bosnia, known as IFOR, have no new instructions.

"IFOR will not conduct a manhunt for the two men, but if they come across either of them they will arrest them," the official said.

Some Western officials have said that it would suffice for now if Karadzic is removed from power, even if he is not brought to trial. The communique issued here reflected that view, stating that "it is important to continue to marginalize Karadzic," and noting that the recently announced transfer of his powers to a close ally was inadequate.