Pentagon Won't Confirm or Deny Reports
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Pentagon officials Monday would not confirm or deny a published report that U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Joseph Lopez may be appointed as commander of NATO-led peacekeeping forces in Bosnia. The private defense publication "Inside the Navy" said last week that Lopez, a vice chief of U.S. naval operations, was expected soon to replace U.S. Adm. Leighton Smith as head of U.S. and NATO forces in southern Europe and as commander of the Bosnia peacekeeping operation.Pentagon officials, who asked not to be identified, said they had no knowledge of such a move but any decision was likely to be announced by the White House if President Clinton nominated Lopez.
Defense Department spokesman Ken Bacon last week declined comment on whether Smith, who has headed the implementation force (IFOR) since it began last year, would be replaced. Smith was named commander of U.S. and NATO forces in southern Europe in 1994, a post that normally carries a two-year term. He has been praised by Defense Secretary William Perry and NATO military officials for his handling of IFOR, which is scheduled to withdraw from Bosnia beginning late this year at the end of a one-year mandate.
Lopez is based at the Pentagon as a deputy chief of U.S.naval operations for resources, warfare requirements and assessments. He commanded the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean in 1992-93. If he replaces Smith, the report said, he would be likely to receive a fourth star with a promotion to full admiral as both commander of NATO and U.S. forces in southern Europe and as head of the Bosnia operation.
Interview with Vice Adm. Joseph Lopez Navy Editor Service
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