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Clinton to announce U.S. troops will stay in Bosnia
Details to be worked out with allies
December 17, 1997
Web posted at: 7:36 p.m. EST (0036 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sources tell CNN that President Clinton has decided "in principle" to keep U.S. troops in Bosnia beyond next June's deadline.
They say the administration has not yet worked out the scope of the new mission, its duration, size or duties. The details will be worked out during consultations with the North Atlantic Council, which is working on a plan to keep troops beyond the June 1998 deadline.
But Clinton was described as anxious to announce his decision before his Sunday evening departure for Bosnia to meet with U.S. troops in Tuzla and to deliver a speech in Sarajevo. His visit is expected to last 12 hours.
About 8,000 U.S. troops are serving in Bosnia with 22,000 others drawn from the NATO allies, Russia and other countries.
Clinton's aides say he fears that the uneasy peace in Bosnia could collapse entirely if NATO leaves the region too soon.
Despite misgivings in Congress about the troops' safety, there have been no strife-related casualties. And despite widespread skepticism, the peace worked out by former Secretary of State Warren Christopher and U.S. negotiator Richard Holbrooke continues to hold.
Ethnic tensions continue
When the U.S. committed to sending troops to Bosnia, a June 1998 deadline was set for their departure. But continuing ethnic tensions in Bosnia have made it clear that troops will be required to keep the peace there for the foreseeable future.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the NATO foreign ministers directed military planners in Brussels, Belgium, last week to consider a smaller, more flexible force that would remain after the current mission ends.
Clinton is expected to make his announcement Thursday, conditional on the devising of an acceptable plan by the North Atlantic Council.
The allies, for their part, have warned they will leave Bosnia if U.S. troops were withdrawn completely.
Senior White House Correspondent Wolf Blitzer contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- President plans Christmas week visit to troops in Bosnia - December 15, 1997
- Cohen: Europe must contribute more to Bosnia mission - December 2, 1997
- NATO considering cuts in Bosnian force - October 1, 1997
- Next test for Bosnia: Enforcing election results - September 15, 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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