Slow Call to Arms

The U.N. Security Council's resolution on what to do about the carnage in Bosnia-Herzegovina is anything but a call to arms. It authorizes "all measures necessary" to make sure relief shipments get to Sarajevo and other parts of the suffering country. Though that would cover the possible use of armed force, the resolution does not say so and makes no provision for a U.N. military role.

After prolonged diplomatic dickering, the 15-member Security Council passed the resolution last week by a vote of 12 to 0, with China, India and Zimbabwe abstaining. Air and road deliveries of food and medicine were getting through to Bosnia relatively unhindered, and Security Council members hoped that would continue. Sobered by estimates of how much force even limited military intervention would require, Western governments were careful not to imply they were preparing for battle, though France said it was ready to send 1,100 more troops to join the 2,600 it has on duty in Yugoslavia. "This resolution," explained British Ambassador David Hannay, "does not prescribe the use of force. It merely authorizes it as a last resort."

Bosnian officials had lobbied for a resolution that would spell out tougher action and lift the arms embargo on their country. By focusing solely on the delivery of humanitarian aid and making no reference to Serbian aggression, said Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey, the measure will only "fatten up Bosnians before the slaughter."

In a second resolution that passed unanimously, the council demanded that all authorities in the former Yugoslavia open their detention centers for international inspection. This measure is also toothless, threatening no action if camp guards refuse to open the gates. (See related story on page 46.)