Two developments in recent days appear to have encouraged the Serbian leaders to press ahead.
But it is a race the Serbian leader does not appear ready to lose.
But Serbian leaders seem intent on keeping a monopoly over areas they now control.
Why of course the Serbian leaders began to take back their promises.
What about the Serbian leaders who have been accused of war crimes?
Serbian and Croatian leaders insist they have made their last offer.
Serbian leaders oppose any kind of move toward an independent state.
But pressure from other Serbian leaders has now brought him into line, diplomats say.
The Serbian leaders, on the other hand, refused even to discuss key elements of the peace agreement.
Serbian leaders have bet from the beginning that the world would lecture them but do nothing.