BOSNIA: TUZLA: DAYTON PEACE ACCORD FRONTLINE WITHDRAWAL

(19 Jan 1996) Serbo-Croat/Nat

With just one day to go before the deadline, Bosnian government soldiers are pulling back from their frontline positions around Tuzla.

The Dayton peace agreement sets Friday as the deadline for withdrawal.

The soldiers in positions in nearby Brcko say they're happy the war is finally over.

The main headquarters of U-S troops in Bosnia is based in Tuzla.

On the evening of the first major deadline of the Dayton peace accord, Bosnian government soldiers are moving out of the trenches they've been occupying for the past three and a half years.

Both sides have until midnight Friday to establish a two and a half mile separation zone in this area of northern Bosnia.

This area used to be populated by Serbs even before the war, but
was captured by government soldiers days before the agreement took effect.

Some troops left looted and torched Serb houses behind, presumably in an effort to discourage the old owners from ever returning.

Overhead I-FOR military helicopters clattered, monitoring the situation.

The Bosnian government soldiers seemed pleased that they were returning to peace.

SOUNDBITE:

"The end of war has come and we have to withdraw from our frontline. I am very glad that it's happening to my friends and me. I'm very glad because I'm alive."
SUPER CAPTION: Bosnian soldier

Another soldier says he's confident the war won't start up again.

SOUNDBITE:

"I believe it will be successful, I believe the Americans. Finally the time for the withdrawal has come. I think this bloody war is finished."
SUPER CAPTION: Bosnian government soldier

Around Tuzla, I-FOR soldiers were digging in to ensure further compliance with the peace accord.

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