Bosnian Serb Leader Refuses To Step Down

A defiant Radovan Karadzic resisted intense pressure Wednesday to resign as leader of the Bosnian Serbs despite threats of renewed economic and political sanctions.

Senior international officials threatened Tuesday to reimpose sanctions on both the Bosnian Serbs and Serb-led Yugoslavia if Karadzic fails to leave office by July 1.

Appearing on Bosnian Serb television, Gojko Klickovic, a top Karadzic aide, said his boss had no intention of resigning by the deadline.

“He will retain his presidential duties until the (Bosnian) elections,” said Klickovic.

Elections are tentatively scheduled for Sept. 14.