October 18, 1995
Web posted at: 8:50 a.m. EDT
From Military Affairs Correspondent Jamie McIntyre
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Clinton administration officials returned to Capitol Hill Wednesday to brief lawmakers on plans to use 20,000 U.S. troops to help enforce a Bosnian peace agreement. Secretary of State Warren Christopher also announced that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, has been chosen as the site for Bosnia peace talks later this month.
Christopher, Defense Secretary William Perry and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. John Shalikashvili testified before the Senate Tuesday that U.S. troops, under NATO command, would be in Bosnia no longer than a year. The three testify Wednesday before two House panels.
Christopher told the House National Security Committee that Wright-Patterson was chosen because it has three identical generals quarters to house the presidents of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia; it has excellent recreational facilities; and it is only one hour's flying time from Washington.
Officials said the main problem was finding a site with comparable housing for the three key participants, Presidents Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia, Franjo Tudjman of Croatia and Alija Izetbegovic of Bosnia. U.S. officials also want to exclude the media, which was one reason for focusing on military facilities.
The figure of 20,000 U.S. troops was the first official estimate to be given. Previously, U.S. officials had said only that up to 25,000 U.S. troops would go, although sources have been telling CNN for about two weeks that the number would be around 20,000.
Shalikashvili told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the U.S. troops would be part of an overall implementation force (IFOR) of 60,000 NATO troops. He also said 2,000 to 3,000 U.S. reservists would have to be called up for duty. Shalikashvili said the U.S. force would not be in Bosnia for more than a year, and he estimated the cost of the operation to be $1.5 billion.
Defense Secretary William Perry said the United States would be part of a powerful force that "would bring a large hammer down" on anyone who attacked it. Perry said the force would be the "biggest, toughest, meanest, dog in town." He said the U.S. contribution would be made up of several heavily armed mechanized brigades.
Secretary of State Warren Christopher told the panel that U.S. involvement in IFOR is essential to protect U.S. political, security and economic interests. He conceded it would be a complicated mission not without risk.
With a cease-fire generally holding in Bosnia and peace talks scheduled to begin October 31, Christopher said, "we have the best chance to achieve peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina in four years." But he promised the Clinton administration will not put U.S. forces "where there is no peace to keep."
Some members of the Armed Services Committee insisted the Clinton administration answer questions about specific U.S. interests in the Balkans, and why U.S. forces should protect them. Chairman Strom Thurmond also demanded the president consult Congress before approving any deployment.
Perry attributed this latest, and perhaps strongest, chance for peace in the Balkans in part to the success of NATO air power. He and Shalikashvili stressed the United Nations, which at times used what some considered too much restraint in approving NATO air strikes, will have no role in IFOR.
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