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Perry in Favor of U.S. Troops in Bosnia in '97
He stressed that no such decision had been made, but warned that the Atlantic alliance would not let its expensive efforts to cement peace go to waste in unsettled Bosnia. A force of 60,000 NATO-led peacekeeers, including Americans, now in Bosnia is scheduled to be withdrawn later this year.
"If they make that decision (to send deterrent forces), it would be my recommendation that the United States participate in any force that is so designated -- including ground troops, including whatever is determined," Perry told reporters who flew with him from Washington on a visit to the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
He stressed no alliance decision had been made to commit warplanes or ground troops to Bosnia, or to post rapid reaction forces on standdby near Bosnia after the current NATO-led peace implementation force (IFOR) is withdrawn this year.
But Perry's comments were the first open signal Washington might again send troops to Bosnia after its 18,000 IFOR soldiers are removed this year on a promise by President Bill Clinton.
He said the matter would be among issues discussed at a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels beginning Thursday. "It is not clear ground troops would be part of the decision. But if ground troops are part of the decision, then I would think the U.S. would want to participate in it," he said. |
SKOPJE, Macedonia, June 11 (Reuterss) - U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry said Wednesday he would recommend sending U.S. troops to Bosnia again next year if NATO decided to deploy a new ground force to prevent renewal of conflict there.
Berserkistan, June 11 · West Signals Longer Bosnia Mission
Berserkistan, June 11 · NATO’s Michael Walker Sees Extended Bosnia Mission
Berserkistan, June 5 · Perry Considers Extended NATO Role in Bosnia
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