The contact group is pushing the Bosnian factions to agree to a ceasefire of at least four months as a prelude to a permanent peace.

The international community must make an effort to compel the three Bosnian factions to negotiate a mutually acceptable constitutional arrangement.

A1 Two Bosnian factions signaled opposition to the U.N.'s proposal.

None of the Bosnian factions was known for its humanity.

The goal would be to make United Nations operations less vulnerable to coercion by the Bosnian factions, particularly the Serbs, who have often blocked relief convoys.

It also told the leaders of the three Bosnian factions, who are conducting peace talks in New York, to stay here until they reach a settlement.

Talks with the leaders of the Bosnian factions have been under way since mid-September at an international conference in Geneva and in Sarajevo.

But otherwise, the meeting produced no new threats or inducements to the Bosnian factions, and it is unclear whether the increased diplomatic pressure will produce a settlement.

The four parties are now discussing a compromise that would involve the Council's endorsing "the agreements the Bosnian factions have signed so far," or some similar language.

Thus far, Washington has steadfastly refused to become identified with the current peace plan, which would partition Bosnia into enclaves for each of the three Bosnian factions.