Clinton Administration Plans to Double American Troops in Macedonia

Strategic Insights -

As the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina escalates, the Clinton Administration has announced plans to roughly double the number of American soldiers in Macedonia to support the United Nations peacekeeping force in Bosnia. The move comes in response to a dearth of troops to police the cease-fire around Sarajevo and to serve as a buffer force between Bosnian Croats and Muslims. Despite the Administration's initial reluctance to send American troops as peacekeepers, officials now propose to expand the contingent in Macedonia to allow Scandinavian troops to shift to duty in Bosnia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton Administration plans to double the number of American soldiers in Macedonia, from an estimated 800 to 500-600 troops, to support the United Nations peacekeeping force in Bosnia.
  • The move is intended to allow Scandinavian troops to shift from Macedonia to duty in Bosnia, where they will serve as a buffer force between Bosnian Croats and Muslims.
  • The Administration has maintained its position that American troops will not serve as peacekeeping troops in Bosnia until a peace agreement is reached among the warring factions.
  • Defense Secretary William J. Perry emphasized the risks of deploying American troops in Bosnia, cautioning that air power alone cannot quell all of the fighting.
  • The United States has first sent troops to Macedonia last year to act as observers and to prevent the fighting in Bosnia from spilling into neighboring Macedonia.
  • The American move will not significantly address the United Nations' need for additional troops in Bosnia.
  • The British government has announced plans to send 900 more troops to the region, hoping to beef up the United Nations force in Bosnia.

Statistics:

  • 28,350 soldiers are currently serving in the United Nations force in the former Yugoslavia.
  • 13,000 of the soldiers are stationed in Bosnia.
  • 500-600 American troops are expected to be deployed in Macedonia.
  • 800 Scandinavian troops are currently stationed in Macedonia, which are expected to shift to duty in Bosnia.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Administration Plans to Double American Troops in Macedonia" (The New York Times)
  • "NATO Warplanes Scramble in Bosnia as Fighting Escalates" (The New York Times)
  • "British to Send More Troops to Bosnia" (The New York Times)
  • "Pentagon Warns of Risks of Deploying American Troops in Bosnia" (The New York Times)