Charles Skelton: “the debate over the American deployment to Bosnia has ceased and in this, my third floor speech regarding that troubled…”

“the debate over the American deployment to Bosnia has ceased and in this, my third floor speech regarding that troubled part of the world, I wish to say a good word about the Americans in uniform stationed there. From briefings that I have received and hearings before the National Security Committee, it is evident that the uniformed Americans are performing exceptionally well in this challenge called Bosnia. The Air Force is doing its duty flying above and flying into that country, delivering needed materiel. The Navy and Marine Corps stand guard in the Adriatic, ever ready to help if called upon. But it is the foot soldier, stationed in the American sector--the northeast corner--of Bosnia, on which I center my remarks. The Army is fully deployed, consisting of the 1st Armored Division and supporting units. To begin with, twin float bridges were built across the swollen Sava River. No other army has ever even attempted to bridge such a river, especially with the high water level. The first float bridge is the longest one in military history. Junior soldiers and officers are performing at "levels far above any reasonable expectation, cheerful and willing under the most trying of circumstances, innovative, and hard-working to the extreme," according to the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Dennis Reimer, who recently returned from Bosnia. The conditions under which our soldiers live are difficult. The winter snows are up to 10 inches.…”