Nato To Extend Mission In Bosnia

NATO decided Wednesday to extend its military mission in Bosnia beyond June at roughly the current strength of 34,000 troops, although it may be significantly reduced after national elections this fall.

Ambassadors from the 16 NATO countries agreed there must be a continued military presence after the current mandate expires, if the 1995 Dayton peace accords are to have a chance of succeeding.

Secretary-General Javier Solana was to inform the Russians of the plan later Wednesday and 20 other non-NATO countries on Friday. No dissent was expected. The U.N. Security Council was also expected to approve the extension.

NATO led a force of about 60,000 troops into Bosnia in December 1995 with a mandate to stay for one year. The force stayed another 18 months but was reduced to 34,000 troops, including about 8,500 Americans.

“It appears that the international community wants to continue this approach at almost the same troop strength and in about the same manner because it has proved effective,” said Gen. Wesley Clark, the American four-star general who heads the mission.