Razorbak, Mike says that "Army Special Ops are preparing to intervene on the ground in Kosovo". yet tonight the Pentagon spokesman says that our latest escalation in the Balkans, introduction of Apache Attack Helicopters "is not, ABSOLUTELY NOT, a prelude to introducing ground troops into the Balkans." Now Mike-I see a certain inconsistency in those two statements- Which version is correct- yours..or our Government spokesman?
Meanwhile just in case people missed the note I posted Saturday at a management meeting on friday one person noted that Burlington Resources is "in play" and Texaco is the suitor.....Just one rumor from within the industry....
Pentagon: Apache helicopters, more troops headed to Balkans
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The Serbs and Kosovo
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April 4, 1999
Web posted at: 8:49 p.m. EDT (0049 GMT)
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In this story:
'Tighten the noose around Milosevic's neck'
Allied warplanes; Yugoslav army on move
Clearer weather favors NATO
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- NATO is being offered new weapons that will allow it to "get up close and personal" with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's armored units in Kosovo, the Pentagon announced Sunday.
U.S. Apache attack helicopters, sophisticated rocket system artillery and about 2,000 soldiers will be transported from Germany into Albania, Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon said.
"It gives us greater precision -- all-weather capability, day or night -- to go after the types of weapons that the Yugoslav army, the VJ, is using to not only repress the Kosovar Albanian people but to drive them from their villages and to shell and crush the villages," Bacon said.
"The question you all will have is, 'Isn't this a step toward the deployment of ground troops in Kosovo?'" Bacon said during an afternoon news conference. "The answer is, absolutely not. This is pure and simple an expansion of the air operation."
NATO's Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, Gen. Wesley Clark, requested the additional weapon systems and U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen signed the deployment orders, Bacon said.
But before the new weapons are used, NATO's policy-making council will have to give its approval and President Clinton will have to determine whether there is adequate force protection for the support troops for the helicopter and rocket launchers.
'Tighten the noose around Milosevic's neck'
Bacon said he was announcing the weapon increase for two reasons: first, because it was already being discussed in the media and secondly, because it would send a message to Belgrade.
"This will basically help NATO tighten the noose around Milosevic's neck," Bacon said of the weapons being added to help the allies "do a more effective job at eliminating or neutralizing the forces on the ground."
"Milosevic should understand the seriousness of our efforts and our determination to keep this fight going until we achieve our goals," Bacon said.
Flights bringing the helicopters to Albania will "be carefully sequenced with the humanitarian aid" so as not to block the much needed food, medicine and other supplies for the Kosovar refugees, Bacon said.
The Pentagon official also said he was not aware of any allied help or weapons going to the Kosovo Liberation Army. |
