US and French Defence Ministers Propose Measures to Strengthen UN Forces in Bosnia

Strategic Insights -

The US Defence Secretary, Mr. William Perry, and French Defence Minister, Mr. Francois Leotard, proposed measures to make UN forces in Bosnia more effective in fighting back against harassment by Serb nationalists, rather than evacuating the peacekeepers. The measures include consolidating existing UN units to give them more firepower, revamping the rules of engagement to enable troops to use heavy weapons and shoot back more readily, and setting up a humanitarian aid corridor to protect aid convoys and UN humanitarian missions. The proposal was made in Washington, ahead of a meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Brussels, Belgium, this week.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US and French defence ministers proposed consolidating existing UN units to give them more firepower, in order to improve their ability to fight back against Serb harassment.
  • The proposed measures also include revamping the rules of engagement to enable troops to use heavy weapons and shoot back more readily.
  • A humanitarian aid corridor will be set up from the Adriatic coast to Sarajevo, with Nato warplanes protecting the convoys and other selected UN humanitarian and aid missions.
  • The plan aims to strengthen UN forces in Bosnia, rather than evacuating peacekeepers, which would spread the war to neighboring countries and undermine the credibility of the UN and Nato.
  • The proposal marks a sharp about-face from the French position expressed last week by Foreign Minister, Mr. Alain Juppe, who hinted at withdrawing French peacekeeping forces.
  • Private analysts cautioned that the proposed measures could heighten the potential for military conflict between UN forces and Serbs, embroiling the allies more deeply in the war.

Statistics:

  • No specific statistics are mentioned in the article.
  • However, it is noted that the proposal is a result of a series of meetings and discussions between the US and French defence ministers, reportedly over several months.
  • The US Defence Secretary and French Defence Minister drew up proposals for intensifying Nato air strikes a few months ago, which were adopted by Nato but not taken advantage of by UN commanders.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post. (Tuesday) Washington, United States.