YUGOSLAVIA . . . BORDERS LIKE A SIEVE

The U.S. confirmed what has been suspected all along: that Belgrade's claim that it is blocking arms from reaching the Bosnian Serbs is nothing but a sham. Defense Secretary William Perry said today Serbia is still supplying arms to the Bosnian Serbs despite officially closing its border to them last month for all but humanitarian aid. Perry also announced that NATO had pledged to react more swiftly to Serbs who violate the U.N.-imposed weapons-free "safe" zones in Bosnia. Perry's statement reflects a significant increase of pressure on the Serbs -- and, says TIME State Department correspondent J.F.O. McAllister, it's a sign that Clinton isn't ready to give up on the war-torn former Yugoslavia. Earlier this week, the President had backed off on a deadline for the Serbs to accept a peace plan. "This is a diplomatic offensive to keep the pressure on," says McAllister.