British troops' deployment in Bosnia delayed by equipment

THE 1,800 British troops destined for Bosnia may not be operational for another 40 days, rather than four weeks as expected, because their equipment has little in common with that of other members of the eight-nation force being assembled. Extra armour is also to be bolted on to the Warrior infantry fighting vehicles which form the core of the British force, the largest contingent among the 6,000 or so reinforcements being sent by the UN.

The confirmation that British troops would be going to Bosnia brought renewed calls from Labour and the Liberal Democrats - which the Prime Minister has consistently rejected - for Parliament to reassemble. 'This is the first time in modern parliamentary history that British troops have been committed in circumstances where lives could be at risk without Parliament having the chance to hold the Government accountable,' said Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democrat leader.

David Clark, Labour's defence spokesman, said his party supported their use in principle to ensure that humanitarian aid got through, but there was a real danger they would become embroiled in a long-term battle and MPs needed assurances that the rules of engagement had been fully worked out.

Despite fears that the British troops would have their hands tied, the rules of engagement appear to allow the heavily-armed force to react against any attempt to prevent it carrying out its mandate, even if local guerrillas do not fire first. UN Resolution 770 of 13 August called on states to use 'all means necessary' to ensure that aid got through to the starving, sick and wounded in Bosnia. This is being interpreted flexibly, and the British force has the means to move off the roads and attack guerrilla forces threatening it or convoys it is protecting.

Monday's Security Council resolution only empowered the British troops to protect relief UN convoys on the basis of 'negotiated passage'. Yesterday, sources said this was also interpreted more broadly, to include protecting convoys carrying released detainees. But the troops have no mandate to monitor heavy weapons or enforce a 'no-flying zone'.

Tomorrow a small planning team led by the Director of Military Operations, Brigadier David Jenkins, leaves for the Croatian capital, Zagreb. Next week, a reconnaissance party of the Cheshire Regiment battle group will follow, while the main body completes its preparations. They will then be at sea for about 10 days, leading to a 'total timeframe' of about 40 days.

Canada is also sending 1,200 troops to Bosnia, France 1,100, Spain 400 and Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway up to a few hundred each. The four or possibly five battalion groups will be deployed into four areas. One is around Split and Mostar in the south; one around Sarajevo and Gorazde; one around Doboz and Tuzla, west of Belgrade, and one around Banja Luka and Vitez.

It has not been decided which area the British reinforced battalion will patrol, but the Army is understood to favour the last, which is closest to Zagreb and the forces deployed on the Croatian border.

Bosnia fighting rages, page 11

Letters, page 24

(Photograph omitted)