NATO defense ministers in Munich, Germany, Feb. 6 discussed the possibility of pulling all NATO peacekeeping troops out of Bosnia by the end of this year
Published:
14 February 2004 y., Saturday
NATO defense ministers in Munich, Germany, Feb. 6 discussed the possibility of pulling all NATO peacekeeping troops out of Bosnia by the end of this year.
In a press conference here this evening, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the possible termination of the Stabilization Force mission and a follow-on force of European Union troops was a topic of discussion.
"This is important for NATO, and it's also important for the Bosnian people," Rumsfeld said. "Our objective is to help the Bosnian government re-establish full sovereignty and self-government."
NATO forces have been in Bosnia since the Dayton Accords brokered an end to civil war there in late 1995.
A senior U.S. official speaking on background explained that Bosnia doesn't need SFOR any longer.
The European Union has offered to replace NATO peacekeepers with a mixed police and military force. U.S. officials would like to see a small NATO headquarters, led by an American two-star general, remain in Sarajevo.
Šaltinis:
American Forces Press Service
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
A top Russian official said on Thursday it was prepared to participate in a project to build a new bridge across the Narva River on the border with Estonia
more »
Czech and British troops ended a two-week military exercise on Friday, in which nearly 300 flights took place
more »
The European Commission and the U.N. Development Program have created an electronic network to help the Albanian government collect data and share information
more »
South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma is to pay an official visit - expected to be a bilateral trade boosting exercise - to Poland and Romania
more »
Four EU member states suggest refugee camp in Ukraine
more »
On Tuesday in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, the head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev met with a high level group concerning the creation of a common economic space
more »
Senior Iraqi officials have made repeated pleas to the Czech Republic to supply Iraqi soldiers with arms
more »
Vladimir Putin argued it was necessary to concentrate even more power in his hands to ensure that there is never a repeat of the Beslan school massacre
more »
The Open Spirit 2004 naval maneuvers will be held in Lithuania from September 3 to 14
more »
Russia has reportedly refused to be a third party in a $100 million contract between an Israeli defence firm and Indian Navy
more »