December 12, 1995:
This report is a continuation of the John McWethy tape 708 report regarding the peace agreement provisions. Timeline the surrender of weaponry and territories presented. Footage included: a map detailing the divisions of Bosnia, U.S. tanks in camouflage, and Bosnian civilians at voting polls.
Jim Wooten reports from the village of Vide Zvaha (sp?), where the American troops will be stationed. Throughout the war, the village was successfully defended by Bosnian Muslim and Croat fighters. A brief statement by a local Bosnian commander, Izudan Lipovac, and a few other soldiers is included. Other footage includes destroyed houses covered by snow, the devastated village school, Bosnian Serb frontlines near the village, and Bosnian soldiers drinking coffee in their bunkroom.
Sheila MacVikar reports on an incident of random violence in Sarajevo on the day of the signing of the Dayton peace agreement in Paris. Four rocket-propelled grenades were fired on Sarajevo. A French helicopter was hit as it flew over Bosnian government army positions. The pediatric ward at Sarajevo's Kosovo hospital now has just one child recovering from war wounds. Two Sarajevans express their hopes for the peace agreement. A statement by UN Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Vernon is included. Footage includes UN inspectors checking the damage from a grenade, a French helicopter, Sarajevans boarding a bus, Kosovo's pediatric staff, two pediatric patients, and people in the streets of Sarajevo.
Peter Jennings interviews President Clinton on the way to Paris aboard Air Force One. President Clinton left the country without significant public support for the military mission he has committed to. President Clinton comments on the peace agreement, on his motivation to commit the U.S. troops to the Bosnian conflict, on the final outcome of the peace agreement, on the position the U.S. should take as the world's only superpower, the timeframe of the U.S. mission, on facing up to the first casualty in Bosnia, and the political ramifications for him of the first casualty.
December 18, 1995, CBS News with Dan Rather:
An incident involving the UN and U.S. patrol near the town of Brcko is mentioned. The status of Brcko remains unsettled by the peace accords. David Martin reports from Vicenza, Italy on the first U.S. combat unit of 850 para-troopers, the Charlie Company, headed for Bosnia. Details of setting up the U.S. base near Tuzla and the rules of engagement are presented. Statements by Army Lieutenant Kenneth Simurdiak, Army Lieutenant Colonel Mike Scaparrotti, Company Commander Captain Malcolm Frost, and Army Sniper Shooter SPC Bob Wojciechowicz are included. Footage includes U.S. paratroopers, a scale model of Tuzla airport, and U.S. soldiers saying goodbye to their families.
Dan Rather reports from Tuzla on the reaction of the local residents to the arrival of the U.S. troops. Life in Tuzla is described through a look at the level of production in the local salt factory, city market, and the elementary school. Residents comment on the living conditions. Footage includes workers in the Tuzla salt factory, the farmer's market in Tuzla, a man loading coal into a building basement, refugees selling their possessions, and school children in a class.
Dan Rather reports on the first week of U.S. deployment ending in frustration due to the bad weather. Bosnians expect the U.S. troops to bring lasting peace, to stimulate the wrecked economy, and to fix the road to the airport. The U.S. troops can provide some breathing space, but only the people of Bosnia can bring their nation peace.
ABC World News Tonight, December 15, 1995:
The Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic proclaimed the war in Bosnia over everywhere except in Sarajevo, where he still refuses to hand over the Serb-controlled parts of Sarajevo.
John McWethy reports from Rammstein, Germany where a cargo plane has been trying for the sixth time to reach the U.S. air base in Tuzla. Frustration due to the bad weather has been growing among the troops. Statements by Army Sergeant Pennington, Air Force Colonel Neal Patton, and Air Force Pilot Captain Byron Holman. Footage includes a U.S. cargo plane trying to land in Tuzla, cargo plane cockpit, U.S. soldiers in dense fog on Tuzla airport, and the office of U.S. Army communications (?).
December 19, 1995:
John McWethy reports from Tuzla on the hand-over of authority from UNPROFOR to IFOR. Statements by UN Spokesperson Alexander Ivanko, Private Jannie Vessells, and Sergeant Javier Montanez are included. Other footage includes U.S. soldiers looking for land mines, U.S. soldiers carrying sacks, and the hangar in Tuzla housing the U.S. platoon.
CBS News:
A few U.S. military planes landed in Bosnia to unload troops and equipment. In Sarajevo a sniper was active, injuring a woman. Footage included: a tram hit by the sniper fire, and the injured woman being examined by a doctor (report cut off).