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Statement by Mr. Carl Bildt, High Representative
Sarajevo, 15 November 1996
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I warmly welcome President Clinton's announcement of US participation
in the Follow-On force and his commitment of US troops to Bosnia for the
next eighteen months. We agree with his approach that foreign troops
should be withdrawn only gradually and as circumstances permit. I hope
that the final NATO decision will have sufficient flexibility built in
to handle the security situation for the entire two-year consolidation
period.
Taken together with the conclusions on the consolidation period adopted
in Paris yesterday by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation
Council, this is good news for Bosnia. It means that all efforts to
realise the promise of the Peace Agreement and achieve political
progress in setting up the joint institutions can take place in an
atmosphere of security and confidence. I call on the Joint Presidency to
redouble its efforts to set up the Council of Ministers as soon as
possible.
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