Pentagon denies current training for Bosnian 'snatch missions'
August 13, 1997
Web posted at: 2:05 a.m. EDT (0605 GMT)From Correspondent Eileen O'Connor
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Pentagon on Tuesday strongly denied reports that U.S. and other NATO forces are now training in Europe for missions designed to snatch war criminals in Bosnia.
U.S. sources told CNN some special training did take place over the last year, however, in case such missions were necessary.
The United States repeatedly has insisted that arrests of war crimes suspects should be conducted by local law enforcement or political authorities, but has refused to flatly rule out the use of NATO troops in such a mission.
Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special envoy to Bosnia, toured the region last week, issuing stern warnings to leaders there to remove obstacles to peace -- namely, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and Serb military commander Ratko Mladic.
If Karadzic, Mladic and other suspected war criminals aren't removed, NATO may step in, Holbrooke warned.
Mission not complete without arrests
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili told CNN Karadzic must face justice before an international court or the multiforce mission will not be complete.
With Karadzic's and Mladic's bodyguards heavily armed, arrests will not be easy, officials say. The Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia has started the process of stripping the bodyguards and local paramilitary units of their heavy arms.
A National Security Council spokesperson says the Clinton Administration instructed Holbrooke to make it clear to Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic that it was the responsibility of the parties, under the Dayton Accord, to bring the war criminals to justice
The NATO-led force has been turning up the heat on Karadzic, Mladic and other suspects in recent weeks in hopes of finding a resolution to the situation, which has been a political embarrassment and irritant to the Bosnian peace brokers since the imposed cease-fire in 1995.
The Pentagon insists no special operations are planned, emphasizing only that justice must be served.
Related stories:
- Princess Diana wraps up emotional trip to Bosnia - August 10, 1997
- Diana takes anti-land mine crusade to Bosnia - August 8, 1997
- U.S., German officials: Attacks in Bosnia must stop - July 27, 1997
- Summit leaders turn up heat on Bosnia - June 21, 1997
- Bosnian peace process lagging, despite end to fighting - Apr. 15, 1997
- In Bosnia, pope denounces 'inhuman logic of violence' - Apr. 12, 1997
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