This report is missing the beginning part. John McWethy reports on Congress' discussion regarding U.S. troops being sent to Bosnia. Brief statements are made by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Representative Jim Leach, Representative Toby Roth, and Secretary of Defense William Perry. Sheila MacVicar reports from Tuzla airport where U.S. engineers have begun inspecting the airport infrastructure. The possibility of widening the ramps is looked into with great care as the fields surrounding the runways are heavily mined. UN troops are also looking into widening the roads leading away from the airport, but there are mines there, as well. Brief statements are made by U.S. Air Force Colonel Neal Patton, and Captain Thomas Stenberg of the Swedish De-Mining Force. Footage includes U.S. soldiers measuring the runway and checking the ground for mines, UN soldiers checking for mines, and UN trucks on the roads leading to the airport.
December 1, 1995:
Peter Jennings reports on the NATO alliance's formal approval of international troop deployment in Bosnia. John McWethy reports on the largest deployment of NATO forces in Europe since WWII. Most of the U.S. troops will go to Bosnia by road through Hungary, while the British and French forces will go in by sea. Bosnia will be carved into four operating zones. Around 30 nations will participate. U.S. General John Shalikashvili, Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff, explains that NATO forces will not be a police force, will not conduct nation building, will not have the mission of disarming individuals, and will not move civilians. The NATO deployment will be accompanied by a civilian force that will work on nation building, feeding the people, resettling the refugees, and setting up elections. Footage includes NATO troops getting ready to leave for Bosnia, a map outlining the divisions of unidentified NATO generals, Russian troops marching under a U.S. commander, UN soldiers, a NATO plane taking off, U.S. troops marching, and Bosnian children.
Sheila MacVicar reports from the frontline on the Serb-held town of Brcko where fighting over the town continues. Brcko's future has not been determined as Bosnian government soldiers refuse to give up the town to the Bosnian Serb army. A village hospital hidden behind the front lines is shown, its doctors discussing the latest peace agreement. They say that the U.S. should make it possible for them to go back home. Statements are made by Defense Secretary William Perry, Ahmed Sulimanovic, and Dr. Samir Sadic, a Muslim doctor, are included. Footage includes Bosnian government frontline, Brcko suburb visible through fog, village hospital operating rooms, and hospital patients.
December 5, 1995:
While the debate in Congress continues, President Clinton has won important political support for his mission in Bosnia. Former Presidents Bush and Ford, and General Colin Powell have all stated that U.S. prestige is on the line and the time for debate is over. Sheila MacVicar reports on the U.S. reconnaissance team in Tuzla, whose duty is to get the area ready for the arrival of U.S. troops. The team's mission is to find locations for helicopter landing pads and tent cities. The team also sought advice from UN peacekeepers who have been in the area since the war began. The reconnaissance team's orders are to keep a low profile and to negotiate their way out of trouble. U.S. Gen. Stan Cherry, 1st Armored Division, gives an insight into the some of the rules and concerns of the IFOR. Footage featured: U.S. soldiers inspecting a bridge, UN cars and tanks driving through a street, and numerous reporters surrounding a UN tank. John Cochran reports on the Republican party split – between Majority Leader Bob Dole on one side, and his deputy Trent Lott and his supporters on the other – regarding a bill drafted in support of the President sending U.S. troops to Bosnia. The reason for the split is that the bill comes off of a backing of President Clinton's plan. President Clinton met with three Bosnian refugee families who told him that Americans are essential for peace. Statements are made by Senator Bob Dole, Senator Jesse Helms, and President Clinton.
Peter Jennings briefly reports on U.S. troops in Mannheim, Germany loading up their gear on trains destined to Kaposvar, Hungary. Footage of U.S. troops loading cargo trains is available.
December 6, 1995:
John McWethy reports on the continuing debate between President Clinton's foreign policy team and U.S. Congressmen regarding the expected length of stay. The whole world is watching the congressional debate regarding U.S. involvement in Bosnia, which is making some Congressmen uncomfortable. The main reason for debate is the length of stay, as some Senators feel that one year is not long enough to bring about peace. Footage includes U.S. soldiers caught in Bosnia's early snow. The German parliament voted overwhelmingly to send 4,000 German soldiers to Bosnia. Around 3,800 U.S. reserve members will serve alongside their 16,000 active duty fellow soldiers.
Aaron Brown reports on U.S. troops around the country's military bases working on updating their wills, and getting refresher courses before leaving for Bosnia. Sound bites are available of the following politicians and soldiers: Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Holbrooke, Sen. James Inhofe, Defense Secretary William Perry, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Shalikashvili, and Senior Airmen Renelle Sym and Butch Gooden. Footage of U.S. troops arriving in snowy Bosnia is available, as well as U.S. troops boarding planes headed for Bosnia.
December 7, 1995:
John McWethy reports on demonstrations among Bosnian Serbs whose Sarajevo neighborhood fell under the control of the Bosnian government as a result of the peace treaty. While more peacekeepers are arriving in Sarajevo, Bosnian Serb demonstrators state there will be no peace in Sarajevo until the treaty is renegotiated. President Clinton is still alone in his determination to send troops to Bosnia. 183 senators signed a letter urging him not to send troops overseas. Statements are made by the following politicians: Nicholas Burns, White House Spokesperson; Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke; Rep. David Funderburk; and Rep. Jack Metcalf.
December 8, 1995:
President Clinton officially put out the order for 3,800 reserves to report for duty in Bosnia. John McWethy reports on the change in tactics by President Clinton in his effort to win Congress' approval for sending U.S. troops to Bosnia. Clinton states that U.S.-European relations would be damaged if the U.S. backed out of Bosnia. On Capitol Hill, half a dozen veterans came out against sending troops to Bosnia. In Bosnia, UN peace keepers are working on knocking down destroyed houses, and in London, 43 nations met to set up the civilian force which will do everything else the military cannot do. The U.S. is providing $600 million, a fraction of the $10–$20 billion needed to rebuild Bosnia. Footage included: a UN bulldozer knocking down a house, and refugees cooking outside.
Sheila MacVicar's report from the Posavina corridor is cut off. Sound bites from Secretary of State Warren Christopher, and Ken Wolford of the AMVETS are available.