NATO PLANS RESCUE, MULLS RETREAT

The U.S. sent nearly 2,000 Marines to the Adriatic Sea, while Britain prepared to send 1,200 to beef up the United Nations military presence in Bosnia, even as NATO officials prepared a possible commando raid to rescue the 370 peacekeepers held hostage by the Bosnian Serbs. Serbian threats to execute the UN soldiers if NATO mounts further air attacks has thrown the UN mission into doubt, leading some nations to advocate a full-scale withdrawal of all 20,000 peacekeepers rather than expose them to hostile action by the warring parties. "Either we find credible means to reinforce [UN forces in Bosnia] or the withdrawal will have to take place," said Jacques Andreani, French ambassador to the United States. A mass evacuation, backed by tanks, warships and air power, could last up to three months. Washington has pledged 25,000 troops to such a mission if it is ordered.