(11 Oct 1995) Span/Eng/Nat
The United Nations has confirmed that the Bosnian government and the rebel Serbs have signed a ceasefire agreement.
The twice-delayed ceasefire seen as the first step in ending the 40-month war looks set to go ahead at 2301 GMT Wednesday night (one minute past midnight local time).
After a day of rushing to reconnect the Bosnian capital to its supply lines, the two sides finally signed the twice delayed ceasefire on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the U-N and Bosnian government officials looked optimistic.
There was even an early -- and impromptu -- confirmation that the ceasefire was a reality.
But it wasn't until the evening that the U-N Chief of Mission returned from the Serb military headquarters to announce that they had signed.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I've just come back from the frontline and I'm coming back from Lukavica military headquarters and the Serbs have signed. Therefore, we can be certain that one minute after midnight tonight, the ceasefire that was negotiated with the help of Ambassador Holbrooke will take effect, and that's all I can say at the moment."
SUPER CAPTION: Antonio Pedauye, UN Chief of Mission
The ceasefire looked shaky for two days after delays in restoring power and natural gas postponed it two nights in a row.
Despite the official state of war Sarajevo sparkled overnight Tuesday as street lamps and the light from apartments glowed in the dark.
Bosnian authorities earlier on Wednesday officially announced a delay in the implementation of a ceasefire for the second successive day, saying the conditions for the truce had not been fully met, according to the U-N.
Repair work to the city's badly-damaged infrastructure is continuing.
One woman summed up the general mood.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well, I am very happy and I hope that peace would come and stay, of course. In special I am satisfied with the circumstances of living now in Sarajevo, I mean electricity and gas is come and now I am waiting only for water to have a good bath."
SUPER CAPTION: Sarajevo Resident
Despite the delays and a history of failed cease-fires, the U-S-brokered deal is given a better chance when it finally goes into effect.
The warring sides generally seem weary of fighting a war in which about 200,000 people have died or disappeared since April 1992.

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