(23 Jul 1995) English/Nat
Twelve hundred British troops in Bosnia are moving Sunday to protect the besieged city of Sarajevo with orders to respond to any further attacks from the Bosnian Serbs.
The soldiers, stationed in Vitez as part of the United Nation's Rapid Reaction Force, are heading for Mount Igman and will remain in the region for at least five days.
Troops of the First Battalion Devon and Dorset Regiment, 19 Regiment of the Royal Artillery and a squadron of the Household cavalry form the main body of the British deployment.
They are equipped with 45 Warrior vehicles and dozens of other armoured cars including Scimitars.
The troops are part of the U-N's Rapid Reaction Force, set-up in response to the worsening crisis in the region.
The troops are on their way to Sarajevo using the Mount Igman trail, the only way in since Serbs tightened the siege in May.
The plan calls for the for the road to be brought under control by French and British troops of the Rapid Reaction Force.
The commanding officer of the Devon and Dorset regiment in Vitez gave a briefing on the task ahead.
SOUNDBITE:
Yesterday, as a result of direct targeting by the B-S-A (Bosnian Serb Army) on units in sector Sarajevo and on Mount Igman, two French lives were lost. as a result of that UNPROFOR is making preparations to reinforce sector Sarajevo, with various indirect fire assets. The reinforcement will involve elements of Task Force Alpha and our sister battle group Task Force BravoTask Force Alpha's role will be to deliver indirect fire assets to the area of operations and establish them ready for tasking. But as yet no executive word has been received to commit those troops."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieut Colonel Jeff Cook, Commanding Officer Ist Battalion Devon and Dorset Regiment.
SOUNDBITE:
What does this mean for the Mount Igman route?
It means that UNPROFOR will reinforce the ability to move along the route.
With artillery?
With indirect fire assets yes.
have you agreed the rules of engagement?
Once gain those questions are currently being asked and I await direction in the near future.
SUPER CAPTION: Lt Colonel Jeff Cook, CO Ist Battalion Devon and Dorset Regiment.
But there's no doubt of the difficulty the task force faces and Cook took time to answer one question.
SOUNDBITE:
Do you think that you will be able to keep Mount Igman open, because it's quite clearly one of the objects of this deployment?
Yes, I believe once we conduct those reinforcements, we'll be able to keep the route open.
SUPER CAPTION: Lt Colonel Jeff Cook, CO Ist Battalion Devon and Dorset regiment
The Mount Igman road is constantly under Serb bombardment. Last week the U-N lost two aid vehicles to shellfire on the road.
It is hoped the Rapid Reaction Force will be enough to break the Serb stranglehold on the besieged city. The U-N has invested much in this new force and the U-N mission in Bosnia could stand or fall by its success.
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27 авг 2024
