Bosnia and Herzegovina: Successful Completion of Military Train and Equip Program (Taken Question)

Answer: The U.S.-led international program to train and equip the armed forces of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina successfully has completed its work.  Through the generosity of the donors, the Train and Equip Program over the last seven years has provided world-class training, equipment, and facilities to the Federation designed to make its forces compatible with NATO standards. In present year (2002) dollars, the total combined value of U.S. and international goods and services provided under the program amount to approximately half a billion dollars. By redressing military imbalances, the program has achieved its goal of enhancing stability in Bosnia and the region. Other donor countries included: Brunei, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the U.A.E.

The security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina today has greatly improved since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995.  The voluntary reductions of the Federation and Republika Srpska armed forces are evidence of that.  There is general agreement in Bosnia on the need to reform and restructure the armed forces in order to meet conditions to enter NATO's Partnership for Peace.  There is growing understanding that the armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be able to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state as a whole and represent it in collective defense missions. 

The U.S. remains committed to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina's long-term security.  With completion of the Federation Train and Equip Program, the U.S. has already begun taking steps to help Bosnia develop a national-level defense establishment and capabilities that will meet NATO's requirements for eventual membership in the Partnership for Peace.  It is our hope that our allies and partners will join us in this effort.