Serb artillery pounded Sarajevo again Wednesday while leaders of Bosnia's three ethnic factions discussed peace efforts at a conference sponsored by the European Community.
Serb militiamen, who have surrounded the capital for nearly all of the 20-month war, often have stepped up shelling during peace talks in an apparent effort to pressure Bosnia's Muslim-led government.Serb attacks also have picked up before the start of truces. A Christmas and New Year's cease-fire is supposed to begin at midnight Thursday, although previous truces have collapsed within hours.
The government army warned people to stay indoors Wednesday during a second day of heavy fighting. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
U.N. monitors reported that 1,500 shells fell on the city Tuesday, killing six people and wounding 26 on territory held by the government. One person was reported killed and 12 wounded on the Serb side.
The fighting Tuesday focused on Mount Zuc just north of Sarajevo and knocked out electricity to the capital.
U.N. officials complained Wednesday about increasing harassment of U.N. aid convoys by Serbs and suggested it was designed as further pressure on Muslims to accept a peace deal offered jointly by Serbs and Croats.
The government has resisted the proposal to divide Bosnia into three ethnic states unless Muslims are given more territory and are guaranteed access to a port on the Adriatic Sea.
Cmdr. Idesbald van Biese-broeck, spokesman for U.N. peacekeepers in Sarajevo, said Wednesday that Serbs were increasingly hampering aid convoys in violation of an agreement by the factions guaranteeing free passage of aid.
The United Nations resumed relief flights to Sarajevo Wednesday after a one-day suspension because gunfire hit a cargo plane Monday.