Indonesia willing to add to Bosnia force

Indonesia willing to add to Bosnia force

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia announced on Saturday that it is
prepared to commit more troops to the United Nations'
peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the
deteriorating situation in the former Yugoslav republic.

Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said Indonesia is
currently negotiating the dispatch of a battalion of sappers in
addition to a medical battalion already stationed in Bosnia.

"It's the risk we have to take," Feisal told reporters when
asked about the increasing threat against the lives of UN
soldiers from Bosnian Serbs.

"As soldiers, we have to face such a risk. (But) we're going
there on a peace mission," he said after a welcome home ceremony
for a battalion of army paramedics at the Armed Forces
headquarters in Cilangkap.

The 236-member battalion returned home on June 1 after serving
eight months with the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the
former Yugoslavia. It was replaced by another medical battalion
of equal size on May 30.

14th Garuda

Indonesian soldiers assigned to the UNPROFOR are under the
command of the 14th Garuda contingent. Besides the medical
battalion, Indonesia has also sent military and police observers
under the Garuda XIV contingent.

Gen. Feisal stressed that the Indonesian troops will not be
pulled out of Bosnia as long as they are still required by the
United Nations. He added, however, that Indonesia continuously
assesses the situation in the field.

He added that the battalion of sappers would be sent in August
if current discussions with the United Nations succeeded.

In his address to the recent returnees, Feisal stressed that
the country's constitution mandates that Indonesia take an active
part in helping promote international peace.

He praised the members of the battalion for their good work in
Bosnia and for showing their professionalism and high discipline
during their eight month mission.

He said the Garuda Contingent has won the respect of other
countries for its contribution to the UN operation in Bosnia.
(rms)