Bosnia Peace Operation: Mission, Structure, and Transition Strategy of NATO's Stabilization Force.
Abstract
The December 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its supporting annexes (also known as the Dayton Agreement) provided the structure and mandates for an international operation intended to promote an enduring peace in Bosnia and stability in the region. In mid-December 1997, recognizing the continued need for an international military force in Bosnia, President Clinton announced that the United States would continue to take part in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led military force in Bosnia-known as the Stabilization Force (SFOR)-after June 1998, thereby enabling the Bosnia peace operation's civilian aspects to proceed in a secure atmosphere. The operation's civilian aspects include efforts to return refugees and displaced people to their homes across ethnic lines; develop democratic, multiethnic governments at all levels; and ensure that persons indicted for war crimes are brought to justice. As requested, this report provides information on (1) how SF0R's operations in Bosnia have changed since mid-1997, particularly its support for the operation's civil aspects, and whether any such changes have exceeded SF0R'5 defined mission; (2) the mission and force structure of the post-June 1998 SF0R follow-on force, including the decision-making sequence for U.S. participation in the force and the status of developing the force's new Multinational Specialized Unit; and (3) NATO's transition strategy for removing NATO-led forces from Bosnia. Appendix I provides background information on the overall structure of the military and civilian components of the Bosnia peace operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354414
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office