Bosnian Federation Pushed toward Unity: U.S. Gets Partial Croat-Muslim Deal

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The Clinton administration pressured Bosnian Croat and Muslim leaders yesterday to promise they will merge their armies and banks and allow free movement - promises that have been made and broken before.

The United States threatened that military and other support will be withheld unless the two groups put their battles behind them and work toward a unified Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - already 2 years old but barely functioning.

"U.S. ability to support the federation is based on implementation of the agreements reached today," Secretary of State Warren Christopher said after Muslim and Croatian leaders pledged cooperation yesterday.

A senior U.S. official …