Bosnian Serbs have agreed to a Jimmy Carter-brokered plan to stop fighting Friday to discuss a permanent cease-fire for their embattled nation.
But the fighting will resume if an agreement for a four month cease-fire isn't reached by New Year's Day.
"I'm pleased with what has been done here," Carter said. "I hope that negotiations (on the international peace plan) will begin."
But Carter acknowledged the two sides are sharply divided on the plan, which would split up Bosnia and end the 32-month war.
Earlier this week, there were problems even agreeing on the cease-fire.
Monday, Carter announced Serbs had agreed to a four-month cease-fire. But hours later Bosnian Serb chief Radovan Karadzic said he had only agreed to consider a cease-fire.
By Tuesday morning, Bosnian's Muslim President Alija Izetbegovic told Carter in Sarajevo that government forces would accept an immediate cease-fire.
Carter then shuttled nine miles back to the Serb capital of Pale to get a firm answer from Karadzic.
The new cease-fire would be monitored by U.N. peacekeepers. It includes the Muslim enclave of Bihac in northwest Bosnia now under Serb attack.
As Carter was brokering the cease-fire in Pale, two Serb rockets slammed into the U.N.-protected pocket of Bihac, killing a 10-year-old boy.
There was more shooting and shelling in Sarajevo, leaving two dead and nine wounded.
The Bosnian government fears any cease-fire will cement the Serb military gains. Serbs now control 72% of Bosnia.
Under an international peace plan - upon which Karadzic has promised to reopen talks - Serb holdings drop to 49%. Muslims and Croats have approved the plan.
In an attempt to lure Serbs back to the peace talks, international negotiators this month abandoned opposition to a union with Serbia and said territorial divisions could be "adjusted by mutual arrangement."
On Tuesday, the first U.N. aid flight in a month landed at Sarajevo airport after Serbs gave security guarantees.
In related news:
-- The German government, breaking a half-century taboo on sending combat forces abroad, pledged Tuesday to support NATO with fighter bombers, logistical support and medical personnel if U.N. peacekeepers have to quit Bosnia.
-- In an attempt to bolster the U.N. force in Bosnia against Serb intimidation, military commanders said they want to give peacekeepers attack helicopters and specialized troops.
