November 21, 1995
Web posted at: 9:10 p.m. EST (0210 GMT)
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (CNN) -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke perhaps put it best Tuesday when he said, "On paper we have peace. To make it work is our next greatest challenge." (115K AIFF sound or 115K WAV sound)
If finalized in Paris next month, and implemented, the Bosnian peace agreement would end the three-and-a-half year civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina that has claimed more than 250,000 lives.
Under the agreement, Bosnia would remain a single nation within present borders containing two republics -- the Bosnia-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb Republic.
"On paper we have peace. To make it work is our next greatest challenge."
-- Richard Holbrooke
The country would remain under a central government with a rotating presidency, a constitution and an elected parliament.
The Bosnia-Croat Federation would control 51 percent of territory; The Bosnia Serb republic would control the remaining 49 percent.
Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo, would remain united under the control of the Bosnia-Croat Federation.
Other provisions in the agreement:
Indicted war criminals, including Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, (see related story) would be barred from public office. Efforts to prosecute war criminals would continue.
International representatives would set up and monitor elections.
A human rights commission would be set up to identify and monitor possible human rights violations
A central bank and single currency would be established.
The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and others in international community would assist with economic reconstruction amounting to unspecified billions of dollars.
Relations between Bosnia and Serbia would be normalized, with Serbia recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia. Direct air service between Sarajevo and Belgrade would be restored.
The eastern, Muslim-held town of Gorazde would be linked to the Bosnia-Croat Federation by way of a land corridor.
The Bosnian Serb Republic would retain Srebrenica and Zepa, two Muslim enclaves seized by the Bosnian Serbs during the war.
Refugees would be allowed to return to their homes.
The peace would be implemented by an international force of 60,000 troops, including 20,000 from the United States under U.S. command within NATO.
The international community would also establish a civilian peace implementation force to set up and train police forces and provide support for other essential services.
Although the agreement addresses a wide range of disputes, one key territorial issue has not been resolved.
One of the main hurdles to a peace settlement was a dispute over a small piece of government-held territory in northern Bosnia.
Serb negotiators want the land, known as the Posavina corridor, to link Serb holdings elsewhere in Bosnia. More importantly, the corridor would also be a connection to Serbia itself.
The Bosnian government wanted to keep the land as an outlet to trade on the Drina River. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said the matter would be left to arbitration.
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