(25 Aug 1995) English/Nat
The last contingent of peacekeepers began leaving the United Nations safe area Gorazde on Friday following a clash with Bosnian government soldiers.
Two Bosnian soldiers were killed and one was injured when they apparently attempted to steal supplies from the British U-N troops last (Thursday) night.
Barely able to conceal their delight, British United Nations troops started to withdraw from Gorazde on Friday.
Following the lead set by the Ukrainians, who have already left the area, more than 80 British soldiers and six members of the ten person Norwegian medical team made their way to Belgrade.
The last night for these troops was not a happy one - they were attacked by about 30 Bosnian soldiers.
SOUNDBITE:
Last night an armed force some of its members wearing Bosnian army uniforms, attacked the United Nations camp at Gorazde. UNPROFOR protests this act of banditry in the strongest possible form. Although UNPROFOR cannot believe this act was in anyway sanctioned by local government authorities nevertheless UNPROFOR demands the Bosnian government ensures that no such attacks against U.N. personnel happen in the future in territory controlled by Bosnian government forces.
SUPER CAPTION: Alexander Ivanko, U.N. Spokesman
The United Nations and the Bosnian government are at odds over the future of Gorazde, the "safe" area that could be a key component in an American proposal to bring peace to Bosnia.
The commander of the Gorazde force agreed that the soldiers actions were unlikely to have been approved from above and the UNPROFOR spokesman said he believed it was probably an attempt to steal equipment.
SOUNDBITE:
He (the commander of the Gorazde force) assesses the intent may have been criminal to steal United Nations equipment or it may have simply been a test to test the United Nations resolve to safeguard and protect its own equipment.
SUPER CAPTION: Chris Vernon, UNPROFOR Spokesman.
Whilst no U-N soldiers were hurt, two of the Bosnian soldiers were killed and one other was injured.
The United Nations lodged a protest about the incident with the Bosnian government in Sarajevo.
It was the Bosnian government which granted permission for the British convoy to leave today, although another 77 British troops and a few others remain.
The U-N says they should have left by the end of the month.
Pausing at the side of a road, British troops seemed relaxed about their withdrawal and seemed happy at the prospect of being able to return home.
One U-N officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Bosnian government troops have demanded 20-thousand German marks (13-thousand-350 U-S dollars) for rent and environmental damage they claim was caused by the Ukrainian peacekeepers.
The peacekeepers in Gorazde will be replaced by about a dozen unarmed military observers, according to the U-N.
Whilst the peacekeepers may look pleased to have left, Gorazde's residents will hope their removal will not mean their town will go the way of the other U-N safe havens... they were seized by Bosnian Serb troops.
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