Serbian Troops to Afghanistan

2003/1014

Question:   Do we have any comment on Serbia sending troops to Afghanistan? Will Radosavljevic, head of the Serbian gendarmerie, be leading the delegation? Do we have a comment on that?

Answer:   As Secretary Powell told reporters at the Foreign Press Center on August 7, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic made an offer of Serbia and Montenegrin troops for international military operations during his July 24 meeting with Secretary Powell. We continue to explore the possibility with the Government of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of Afghanistan. A delegation from their Ministry of Defense visited Tampa and Washington, DC in late September to discuss this offer in greater detail. No final decisions on Serbia and Montenegrin participation have been made.

No decision has been made on the type of troops that may be provided.