December 24, 1995
Web posted at: 3:25 p.m. EST (2025 GMT)
TUZLA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNN) -- NATO'S top military commander visited forces of Operation Joint Endeavour in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday and said he believes one year will be enough time to enforce the peace agreement.
Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Gen. George Joulwan stopped in Tuzla, where the United States' contingent is based, before going to Sarajevo. Joulwan said he was happy with the operation's deployment despite its delay by bad weather. "I ... am very pleased with where we are right now," he said.
In Tuzla, the general said the troops are "doing the work of the Christmas message, which is peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
A holiday meal and Christmas Eve religious services were planned for the U.S. troops. President Clinton wished them well in a videotaped message from the White House, in which he appeared with several family members of deployed troops.
"You will make the difference between horror and hope, between a war that resumes and a peace that takes hold."
-- President Clinton
Clinton also praised the troops' capabilities. "Your training, equipment and preparation are unequaled," he said. "Your reputation precedes you. The most advanced technology protects you. But just as important, you are strong in your character. Time and again, without pause or complaint, you step forward to serve our nation." (more from Clinton: 136K AIFF sound or 136K WAV sound and 162K AIFF sound or 162K WAV sound)
U.S. troops continued to arrive in Tuzla on Sunday, and some lamented being away from their families at this time of year. "I'm a little upset about missing Christmas," said one. "But I'm really looking forward to next Christmas."
Toward that end, a chaplain prayed for peace and a short deployment during a makeshift Mass on Sunday.
The NATO mission recorded its first casualties of the operation on Sunday. Two British soldiers were injured in a mine explosion in Western Bosnia, officials said. The injuries were not serious. Experts estimate 3 million to 6 million land mines are hidden throughout Bosnia.
North of Tuzla, U.S. Army engineers took up positions on both sides of the Sava River, which must be bridged before the rest of the U.S. contingent can be deployed. They rigged enough of a span on Sunday to allow armored vehicles and construction equipment to cross the natural border between Croatia and Bosnia. When the new bridge is ready, as many as 3,000 personnel are expected to cross it each day during the initial deployment of the 20,000-strong force.
Croat forces blew up the old bridge on the road to Sarajevo to keep Serb forces at bay.
A prisoner exchange between Muslims and Serbs on Sunday helped bridge tensions between them. After a ceremony in northern Bosnia, 245 war prisoners were released to weeping family members. Some men had been imprisoned for two years. Now, they will spend the new year with their loved ones.
AP and Reuters news service contributed to this report.
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