American S-FOR jeep after a rampaging crowd attacked on Thursday

US Steps Up Pressure in Bosnia

The envoy, Robert Gelbard, who met supporters of Mrs Plavsic's predecessor, Radovan Karadzic, in Pale, said it was the most critical moment for the future of the Bosnian Serb republic.

After meeting Momcilo Krajisnik, one of Mr Karadzic's closest allies, Mr Gelbard said the leadership in Pale showed no interest in implementing the Dayton peace agreement.

He also blamed them for Thursday's attack on NATO troops in Brcko. Mr Krajisnik said he took what the envoy said seriously, but rejected the allegation that Thursday's attack was orchestrated, and said he and his supporters would not accept threats.

Mr Gelbard has now gone to the town of Banja Luka, where he will hold talks with Mrs Plavsic.

In a separate move, NATO has also threatened military action if troops of the stabilisation force, S-FOR, are attacked again.

The US envoy is on an emergency mission to ensure Biljana Plavsic wins the fight for control over the Bosnian Serb Republic. Were she to lose, the Dayton peace deal could be the first casualty.

Gelbard gets tough

After Thursday's attack by Karadzic loyalists on American NATO troops the usual diplomatic language has been cast aside. Mr Gelbard has accused the hard-line leadership in Pale of using terrorist tactics to stir up violence against the troops and to challenge Biljana Plavsic.

He has also said bluntly that the political leaders in Pale are liars.

It's unclear what pressure he intends to bring on them, but Mr Gelbard insists the international community is at its limit and won't take any more. The use of force, he says, may be the only option left.

NATO has warned broadcasters in Bosnia that the alliance will use force to prevent programmes which incite attacks on the S-FOR stabilising troops, or other peace-keeping organisations.

A statement issued in Brussels said S-FOR would continue to carry out its mission firmly but fairly and wouldn't tolerate any intimidation.

Bosnian media are under scrutiny in the power struggle

The statement issued by the secretary-general, Javier Solana, reflects the increasingly active and tough role NATO is having to adopt to bring about political order in Bosnia.

It believes the attack on S-FOR troops on Thursday by an angry crowd outside Brcko police station was provoked by broadcasts on radio and television stations loyal to Radovan Karadzic.

Now, Mr Solana has said S-FOR will not hesitate to take what he calls the necessary measures, including the use of force, against media networks inciting attacks on S-FOR or other organisations.

The degree to which NATO might go is not made clear, but officials have suggested stations could be jammed, power supplies cut and broadcasting equipment forcibly removed by S-FOR troops if need be.

Related Sites

UK Government: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
NATO's homepage
IFOR and SFOR homepage