USA: BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER MICHAEL PORTILLO MEETS UNITED STATES (U.S.) DEFENCE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND COMMENTS ON BOSNIAN WAR

Record ID: 337679

  • Title: USA: BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER MICHAEL PORTILLO MEETS UNITED STATES (U.S.) DEFENCE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND COMMENTS ON BOSNIAN WAR
  • Date: 31st July 1995
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JULY 31, 1995) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER MICHAEL PORTILLO SEATED ON SOFA 0.08 2. SV PORTILLO SPEAKING (ENGLISH) 0.29 3. SV PORTILLO AND UNITED STATES (U.S.) DEFENCE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY ENTERING BUILDING/PERRY AND PORTILLO SHAKE HANDS (2 SHOTS) 0.47 4. SV PORTILLO SPEAKI
  • Embargoed: 15th August 1995 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA441LH3P2OOWG5WLQHF0Q4Z44G
  • Story Text: British Defence Secretary Michael Portillo said on Monday (July 31) he expected the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies to threaten Serbs with heavy airstrikes if they continue attacking the Moslem safe haven of Bihac in Bosnia.

    "I think that is very likely," Portillo told reporters in response to questions following a day of meetings with United States (U.S.) Vice President Al Gore and other U.S. officials.

    Portillo and U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry said earlier on Monday that they expected the North Atlantic Council, the political arm of NATO, to announce a decision early this week on what the allies should do to halt the threat by Bosnian Serb, Croatian Serb, and rebel Moslem troops against Bihac.

    "I think it is very unwise to rule out anything," Portillo told reporters at the British embassy after meeting with Gore.

    "NATO air power is ready to be used in order to deter an attack on the United Nations' safe areas ... and I think that anybody will be well advised to heed the warning that we have given about Gorazde, about Bihac, about Tuzla, about Sarajevo." But Portillo warned, as did Perry earlier, that the Allies must not issue threats which they are not willing to carry out.

    Portillo flew to Washington on Monday to press Congress and the Clinton administration not to lift the arms embargo against Bosnia.

    The Senate last week passed legislation offered by Senate Republican leader Bob Dole, to lift the embargo.

    The House of Representatives is expected to approve a similar measure this week.


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