In early June, I led a Congressional delegation to Bosnia-Herzegovina to assess the current conditions of the country and observe the impact of the reduction of U.S. troops in Tuzla.  Upon returning to Washington, I organized and chaired a House Armed Services Committee Issues Forum to discuss what we have learned in Bosnia and the next steps in the process spelled out in the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords.

The 1992-95 civil conflict broke out in the former Yugoslav Republic when Bosnia declared its independence.   Bosnian Serbs who wanted to be part of greater Serbia rebelled against independence, led by Bosnian Nationalists and the Croatians.  Several hundred thousand people died, and millions lost their homes in the war. The Dayton Peace Accords, negotiated at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, brought an end to the brutal three-year civil war.   

The timing of this Congressional delegation to Bosnia and the ensuing Issues Forum was dictated by the transition stage of the peace-keeping mission.  The peace-keeping mission is in the final phases of transforming from one primarily led by NATO, with U.S. troops, to one manned by European Union forces. 

This was my fourth visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1995.  Over the course of those journeys, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation and the birth of a nation, including: a developing democracy, a recovering economy, changing streetscapes, and reconstructed homes both in the city of Sarajevo and the surrounding hills.  Today, Sarajevo is a city bustling with activity. 
 
At the Issues Forum, Members of Congress, Balkan experts, representatives from the U.S. military, and Bosnian government officials discussed the role of the Dayton Peace Accords in bringing stability and democracy to Bosnia.  The forum focused on the achievements, doctrine, and tactics of the U.S. military forces in the Bosnian peace-keeping missions.

The Bosnian representatives impressed upon us their belief in the importance of the United States maintaining a strong presence and active role in the on-going mission.  They explain the country’s future as a choice between peace, by following the accords, or war, by relying on prior leaders, who are now indicted war criminals.  They believe the political leadership and the population in general genuinely want to follow the Dayton Peace Accords and accomplish the goals for a peaceful, sustainable, multi-ethnic nation.

Bosnia-Herzegovina is being welcomed into the international community.   The country has the possibility to reach its short-term goal of joining the Partnership for Peace and its long-term goal of joining the European Union by 2009.

U.S. military officials cited accountability as one vital factor in this successful U.S. mission. Whether it’s finding war criminals, training the new Bosnian Army, or dealing with the issue of land mines (still a critical issue in Bosnia), accountability has been maintained and is an important part of the mission’s success.

They also cited the need for a clear and acceptable governmental structure.  Bosnia-Herzegovina is governed under a unique executive branch structure that maximizes collaboration and peace but can be modified over time according to the country’s needs. 

The Bosnian peace mission established at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in 1995 is successful.  It has taught us valuable lessons in how to successfully spread democracy.  Soon the majority of U.S. troops will have left Bosnia, but the United States must remain committed to working with Bosnia and our European allies to maintain the integrity of the Dayton Peace Accords.