Gen. Sees Drop in U.S. Bosnia Troops
Thu Feb 28, 8:17 PM ET
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON - Sharp reductions in the number of U.S. troops in Bosnia
could shrink the total to about 10 percent of the 20,000 Americans who
were sent to the Balkans country six years ago to help enforce a peace
accord, Gen. Joseph W. Ralston told Congress on Thursday.
The cutback is a sign of progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ralston said in
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the progress that has been
made," the U.S. Air Force's commander in chief in Europe said.
The hearing centered on the potential expansion of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization later in the year.
Now 19 nations strong, there are nine candidates for admission, which
carries with it a commitment by the United States and all other allies
to help in the defense of the member countries.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., suggested NATO pass up any expansion this year
and concentrate on reshaping the alliance in light of new technology and
other military developments.
In fact, Warner said, "maybe we should start all over again."
But Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said NATO already is in a process of
evolution.
Testifying with Ralston, Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman said the
Bush administration had not decided which of the nine candidates to
support for admission.
And Grossman said that European allies had been advised not to make any
selections yet.
A NATO summit in November is the projected occasion for issuing
invitations
The nine candidates are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania and Macedonia.
Six years ago, 20,000 American troops were stationed in Bosnia as part
of an overall NATO force of 60,000.
Ralston said the U.S. total is reviewed every six months, and last year
it was down to 4,400 Americans. At present, Ralston said, there are a
little more than 3,000 Americans in the country.
Next month, he said, the number will drop to 2,500 and he has
recommended to the North Atlantic Council a further reduction to about
1,800 Americans for the fall.
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