Bosnia, Keen to Woo U.S., Considers Iraq Mission

[Khephra]

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Ethnically divided Bosnia, scene of the biggest peacekeeping deployment in NATO history in 1996, is this week considering plans to send its own troops to Iraq for peacekeeping duties, a top military official said.

The aim is to try to persuade the United States to prolong its military presence in Bosnia, where American armor led in a force of more than 60,000 NATO troops in December 1995 to implement the Dayton peace accord ending the Bosnian war.

Bosnia is alarmed by indications that the Pentagon, concerned about U.S. global military overstretch, would like to pull its remaining 1,700 troops out of the 12,000-strong Stabilisation Force in Bosnia by year's end.

``The presidency wants to send positive signals to the Euro-Atlantic associations Bosnia wants to join and to fulfil a defense policy provision on deploying troops in peacekeeping missions,'' Enes Becirbasic, secretary-general of the Standing Committee for Military Matters, said.

more..................

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-iraq-bosnia.html

[David__77]

1. San Marino and Liechtenstein are also considering it...

I think soon an overwhelming coalition will exist! Perhaps Bush can also woo Andorra or maybe even get some guards from the Vatican.

[mobuto]

3. Swaziland? Have we asked Swaziland?

I'm sure if you asked the king he might be willing - just as long as you don't say nothing about him raping his subjects.

[mobuto]

2. Lets airdrop Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic

over downtown Tikrit from 30,000 feet, sans parachute.

With any luck, that will send a message to the terrorists and insurgents.

And if it doesn't, well, so what?