Russian threats over Bosnia

The Croatian offensive against Serbian positions in western Bosnia drew fire from Russia, which lodged a protest with President Franjo Tudjman threatening to raise the issue of Zagreb's meddling in the conflict in a neighboring state with the UN Security Council.

However, the Russians will find it hard to make Croatia heed their plea. Croatia's acting ambassador to Moscow restated the common formal wording which even back in Zagreb very few people take seriously: there are no regular Croatian army units in Bosnia.

Moscow can hardly expect a tough anti-Croatian resolution by the UN Security Council. Western politicians, who publicly voice concern over Zagreb's action, deep down must have felt some satisfaction that the Croatian offensive drew the Serbian forces away from Bihac, sparing NATO the need to take decisive action to protect the enclave.

One should not overestimate the implications of Moscow's current threats as well as its other recent moves in the Bosnian crisis. Unable to effectively influence the developments, Russia is imitating a flurry of diplomatic activity, issuing an endless stream of statements and initiatives which both the West and the Balkans are increasingly reluctant to heed.

-- Izvestia, Moscow