Clinton Administration Blocks Full Deployment of Peacekeeping Troops to Bosnia

Strategic Insights -

The Clinton Administration's sudden decision to block the deployment of 10,000 additional peacekeeping troops to oversee the settlement in the former Yugoslavia has left the United Nations Security Council in confusion. The Administration cited concerns over the cost and uncertainty over Congressional approval for the funding. Instead, the Council approved a compromise resolution authorizing the deployment of 3,500 new peacekeepers to help police the cease-fire agreements in Sarajevo and Croatia. The resolution extends the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in the former Yugoslavia for an additional six months.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton Administration blocked the deployment of 10,000 additional peacekeeping troops to the former Yugoslavia, citing concerns over the cost and uncertainty over Congressional approval for funding.
  • The full deployment of 10,000 troops would have cost an additional $350 million for the first six months, with the US share being approximately $100 million (one third of the total cost).
  • The US had previously negotiated with other members of the Security Council to send the full contingent of 10,000 troops, but suddenly withdrew its support on Wednesday night.
  • Other countries, including Britain, France, and Turkey, had agreed to send additional troops to support the expanded peacekeeping force.
  • The US Assistant Secretary of State, Douglas J. Bennet, acknowledged an "acute resource problem" that had not been fully understood by other countries, which had contributed to the US reversal on the peacekeeping troop deployment.
  • The US will consult with lawmakers during the next month in an effort to secure new funds for peacekeeping operations.

Statistics:

  • $350 million: the estimated additional cost for deploying 10,000 new peacekeeping troops to the former Yugoslavia for the first six months.
  • $100 million: the estimated US share of the cost for the first six months (one third of the total cost).
  • Three billion dollars: the estimated UN peacekeeping budget for this year.
  • 10,000: the number of additional peacekeeping troops initially proposed to be deployed to the former Yugoslavia.
  • 3,500: the number of new peacekeepers authorized to be deployed by the Security Council in the compromise resolution.
  • Six months: the duration of the additional mandate granted to the UN peacekeeping force in the former Yugoslavia.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Administration Blocks Deployment of 10,000 Peacekeeping Troops, Creates Uncertainty Over UN Role in Balkan Peacekeeping" by The New York Times.
  • "US Announces Last-Minute Change in Peacekeeping Plan", The Washington Post.
  • United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing deployment of 3,500 new peacekeepers.
  • Congressional testimony of Douglas J. Bennet, US Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs.