THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512100043
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KERRY DEROCHI, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Standing in the hangar bay on the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, Defense secretary William J. Perry on Saturday defended the deployment of 20,000 U.S. troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Perry warned that a weakening in U.S. resolve could lead to a continuation of hostilities in the 4-year-old war and widen the conflict beyond the former Republic of Yugoslavia.
``Our commitment is necessary to protect American values and American interests,'' Perry said. ``Without our participation there will be no peace.''
Perry, speaking moments after the Navy commissioned the carrier John C. Stennis, denied allegations that U.S. troops were being drawn into a second Vietnam and would be helpless in defending themselves against attack.
He said he expected the soldiers to stay one year in the region. Those deploying will undergo months of intensive training to prepare them against the possibility of ambush.
``Our forces, if they are attacked or threatened by hostile intent, they have the authority to use whatever force is necessary, including deadly force,'' Perry said. `No one will think they can harass these forces safely.''
KEYWORDS: OPERATION JOINT ENDEAVOR BOSNIA U.S. MILITARY by CNB