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New Bosnian Army Weapons Airlifted to Sarajevo
The weapons are part of a planned $400 million program
The weapons are part of a planned $400 million program to bolster the forces of the Bosnian Muslim-Croat Federation, which was heavily outgunned by rebel Serbs during 3˝ years of war. James Pardew, the U.S. envoy in Washington in charge of the program, said the shipment was coordinated with the United States. He could not specify the exact quantity or type of weapons.
Under the program, the U.S. government is supplying $100 million worth of arms and military equipment. Other nations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Brunei, have pledged $140 million in cash and equipment. Senior U.S. officials say that several other nations have offered additional military assistance valued at around $160 million.
The program was officially launched last week when the Bosnian federation signed a multimillion dollar deal with a U.S.-based firm that will train its army. Turkey is already training 300 Bosnian soldiers. Pardew said it would be several weeks before any U.S. weapons would arrive. Senior U.S. officials have said they plan to have all the U.S. weapons in the country by the time the NATO-led peace force departs.
The U.S. contribution includes 45 M-60 tanks, 80 armored personnel carriers, 840 light anti-tank weapons, 15 helicopters, 46,100 rifles, 1,000 machine guns and 6,592 radios. |
SARAJEVO, July 22 (AP) -- Landing under tight security, a small plane carrying the first consignment of weapons in an ambitious U.S. plan to arm and train Bosnian federation forces touched down Monday in Sarajevo. The unmarked cargo craft carried small arms and machine guns from Istanbul, Turkey. French troops serving in the NATO-led peace force in Bosnia monitored the unloading of the plane, and kept reporters away from the cargo area.
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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
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