1.   NATO previously authorized airstrikes in Bosnia where the Serb minority backed by Milosevic waged war against Muslims and Croats.

2.   The NATO allies have already authorized airstrikes, though separate approval would be needed before ground troops could be deployed.

3.   In an effort to placate the Serbs, U.N. commanders have refused to authorize further airstrikes.

4.   NATO sources complained privately that they were powerless to act if the United Nations did not authorize airstrikes.

5.   NATO authorizes airstrikes.

6.   NATO bypassed the U.N. Security Council in authorizing the airstrikes, which has angered not only China but another powerful council member, Russia.

7.   NATO sources complained privately they were powerless to act if the United Nations did not authorize airstrikes.

8.   Officials at NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy, which has authorized three airstrikes on Serb positions already this week, refused to confirm or deny a new airstrike.

9.   On Sunday, the United Nations issued a written ultimatum, saying it would authorize NATO airstrikes if the Serbs attacked the Dutch peacekeepers.