Voice of America, 97-03-10 (2 of 2)

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] RIFKIND/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[01] RIFKIND/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE U-S INSISTENCE THAT NATO TROOPS LEAVE BOSNIA ON SCHEDULE IN MID-1998. THE BRITISH CABINET MEMBER WAS IN WASHINGTON FOR TALKS ON BOSNIA WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND OTHER ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: NOT ALL THE ALLIES ARE SAID TO BE HAPPY WITH THE UNEQUIVOCAL STATEMENTS BY MR. COHEN THAT THE U-S ROLE IN BOSNIA WILL END WITH THE EXPIRATION OF THE CURRENT MANDATE IN JULY OF NEXT YEAR. BUT THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY -- APPEARING WITH MR. COHEN HERE AT THE PENTAGON -- SAID HE AGREES THERE SHOULD BE AN EXIT STRATEGY AND A FINITE END TO THE INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE. MR. RIFKIND SAID HE WANTS TO SEE THE MILITARY ROLE IN BOSNIA EVOLVE INTO A POLICE FUNCTION BY THE BOSNIANS THEMSELVES BUT WITH AMPLE OUTSIDE ECONOMIC SUPPORT:

I SEE A LONG-TERM NEED FOR ECONOMIC HELP TO BOSNIA. AND I SEE A LONG TERM NEED FOR OTHER FORMS OF COOPERATION AND SUPPORT. BUT I BELIEVE THAT BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES WISH TO SEE AN EARLY DEPARTURE OF INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE, BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NO COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH FOR (ANY LONGER) THAN THE MINIMUM PERIOD REQUIRED.

MR. RIFKIND SAID IN AN EARLIER WASHINGTON SPEECH THAT BRITAIN'S CONTRIBUTION TO BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING -- IN PROPORTION TO ITS POPULATION -- IS THREE TIMES THAT OF THE UNITED STATES. NO ONE, HE SAID, SHOULD EXPECT BRITISH FORCES TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA WHEN U-S FORCES LEAVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/GKT/MMK
10-Mar-97 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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