Manila Standard, p.18
24 May 1993.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Bosnian Serbs defied a pledge Saturday and unleashed their most intense attack in weeks. Nine people were killed in Sarajevo and more than 100 wounded, including Bosnia’s deputy prime minister [Zlatko Lagumdzija].
Sarajevo officials called a general alert in response to the worst sniping and shelling since a Bosnia-wide cease-fire took effect May 9.
“The injuries are very bad, and all from shrapnel,” said Dr. Faris Gavrankapetanovic of Kosevo hospital, the city’s main medical facility.
Snipers were covering many intersections, isolating some neighborhoods, and Sarajevo radio issued hourly warnings to stay off the streets.
Deputy Prime Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija underwent surgery for shrapnel wounds to the thighs, stomach and both legs. Doctors said his injuries were not life-threatening. In January, Bosnian Deputy Premier Hakija Turajlic was assassinated by Serb gunmen while he sat in a UN armored vehicle.
To end the suffering, the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Spain announced in Washington that they had committed themselves to establishing “safe havens” to protect civilians.
The announcement stopped short of endorsing President Clinton’s proposal of military force, although it left open a possible US air response to attacks on UN peacekeepers.
It was the second day of escalating shelling in Sarajevo.
