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US Train-and-Equip Program Begins in Bosnia Training by Virginia’s Military Professional Resources is to be funded out of $140 million pledged by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Brunei
The United States also has pledged to help equip the Muslim-Croat federation army, transferring $100 million in military equipment to Bosnia in the near future.
Training by Virginia-based Military Professional Resources, Inc., is to be funded out of $140 million pledged by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Brunei for both equipment and training. Turkey already is providing some training to government soldiers, and is expected to transfer some equipment. The training program will be carried out by 163 former U.S. military personnel under retired Maj. Gen. William M. Boice, who arrived Sunday.
The American equipment being sent includes more than 46,000 rifles, a thousand machine guns, almost 6,600 radios and tactical telephones, 45 tanks, 80 armored personnel carriers, 840 light anti-tank weapons and 15 utility helicopters, according to the White House.
A Bosnian Defense Ministry official, however, criticized the age and quality of weaponry.
"Everybody now wants to get rid of their old equipment by dumping it in Bosnia," he said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official said the radio equipment was from the 1960s or 1970s and the tanks were too old, adding the weapons would not create a balance of power with Serbs, the main goal of the program. U.S. officials said M-60 tanks were on offer. But the government wanted more modern Abrams tanks.
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SARAJEVO, July 15 (AP) -- Retired U.S. military officers arrived Sunday to launch a training program for Bosnian forces under Washington’s plans to build up the Bosnian military.
Berserkistan, July 10 · Clinton Announces Start of Bosnian Army Training Program
Berserkistan, July 7 · US Company to Begin Training Bosnian Muslim-Croat Army
Berserkistan, July 4 · Defense Secretary Finds No Quick Fix for Federation Army Spat
Berserkistan, July 3 · In Sarajevo, Perry Hopes to Accelerate US Arms Deal
Berserkistan, June 10 · Muslims, Croats Urged to Align for U.S. Military Assistance
Berserkistan, June 7 · Arms Deal Fails Over Republika Srpska Issue
Berserkistan, June 6 · Deadline is Today for Agreement on Balkan Arms Control
Berserkistan, May 31 · US Firm Contracted to Train Bosnia’s Army
Generals For Hire: Military Professional Resources Inc.Time via Serbia Today
Ex-U.S. Military Officers Assist Croat Army Cox News Service
Books for the Military Professional Combat Studies Institute, 1995
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