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NATO considering cuts in Bosnian force
3,000 troops may leave by year-end
October 1, 1997
Web posted at: 8:40 p.m. EDT (0040 GMT)MAASTRICT, Netherlands (CNN) -- NATO countries are considering a plan to reduce the number of peacekeepers they have on patrol in Bosnia.
NATO defense ministers, meeting in the Netherlands Wednesday, were presented with a variety of options for the future of the peacekeeping force. CNN has learned that the most likely of the scenarios under consideration is pulling out 3,000 of the 36,000 troops by the end of the year.
The departures would include three battalions from the United States, Spain and France. NATO officials are expected to recommend a final plan by next month.
"We'll have to see how the situation evolves on the ground before taking any firm decision about the drawdown of forces," said NATO Secretary General Javier Solana.
Any reduction in the force -- known as SFOR -- may be dependent on the outcome of elections in the Serb-controlled sector of Bosnia scheduled for November and December. NATO officials say that the reductions would still leave a "substantial" force in Bosnia and allow peacekeepers to continue their mission.
Reassessment due to June pullout date
NATO's mandate to maintain the peacekeeping force in Bosnia runs out in June 1998. The reassessment of SFOR's size is being done in anticipation that deadline.
However, there is considerable sentiment among European members of the NATO alliance in favor of keeping some contingent in Bosnia past that deadline. But the Clinton administration has been reluctant to extend its commitment because of opposition in Congress.
The United States contributes 9,000 troops to SFOR, the largest contingent from any country. U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said a decision about whether to stay in Bosnia after June isn't likely before January or February. But he indicated Wednesday that the Americans aren't likely to proceed with an open-ended commitment.
"I don't believe the Europeans plan to stay for decades, and I surely don't believe the United States is willing to spend decades there," Cohen said.
His undersecretary for defense policy, Walter Slocombe, was equally firm, saying "Congress does not want a garrison force in Bosnia."
Europeans will only stay if Americans do
Some countries participating in SFOR, including Britain, France and Russia, have indicated a willingness to keep troops in Bosnia beyond June -- but only if the United States remains there as well.
"This is excluded -- that the Europeans remain in Bosnia alone," said German Defense Minister Volker Ruehe. "We went in together. We'll go out together."
At the meeting in Maastrict Wednesday, German Gen. Klaus Naumann, chief of NATO's military operations, reportedly presented defense ministers with a range of future options for SFOR between now and June:
- maintain the current force size
- slice 3,000 troops by removing the American, Spanish and French battalions.
- cut the force in half while maintaining a second "rapid reaction" force in a neighboring country, probably Hungary.
A committee chaired by Naumann is expected to recommend their option by mid-November. NATO's foreign ministers will make the final decision at a meeting in December.
Correspondent Patricia Kelly and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Peacekeepers may seek out Bosnian war-crime suspects - September 24, 1997
- Next test for Bosnia: Enforcing election results - September 15, 1997
- Heavy turnout, few problems in Bosnia balloting - September 13, 1997
- NATO: Coup attempt against Bosnian leader thwarted - September 9, 1997
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- NATO - official site
- Operations IFOR & SFOR provides information relating to NATO's role in bringing peace in the Former Yugoslavia
- OSCE: Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina - providing information about the OSCE's activities, particularly as they relate to the elections scheduled for September 14, and to assist refugees to vote
- Croatia/Bosnia-Herzegovina - from CARE
- BosniaLINK - the official Department of Defense information system about U.S. military activities in Operation JOINT GUARD, the NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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