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OSCE Swiss Headquarters Support Unit starts to pull out of Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 27 July 2000
SARAJEVO, 27 July 2000 - The Swiss Headquarters Support Unit, the main provider of logistic support to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, is leaving the area after four years. The decision was taken by the Swiss Federal Council on 1 December 1999.
"We are grateful to the Swiss government for its very valuable support during these four years," stated Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, expressing his appreciation for the Unit's excellent and reliable work.
On 31 July 2000, the Swiss Headquarters Support Unit Regional Bases in Mostar and Tuzla will be closed down. The Regional Base in Banja Luka will shut down in November, followed by Headquarters in December 2000. All services provided by the Unit will be discontinued by the end of the year and 800 tons of equipment, including 132 containers, transported back to Switzerland.
In the course of more than four years, the Unit has effectively translated its operational plan into action. Swiss Headquarters Support Unit was responsible for the transport of all election material during elections in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000. In the upcoming November elections, the Unit will again assist in road transportation and logistic support. The extent of the service will, however, be limited compared to previous years.
Fully operational since July 1996, the Unit is an unarmed military unit currently consisting of 45 men and women who are based in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla and Mostar. The contingent consists of civilian and military specialists in the fields of air-operations, medical supply and care, mail service, transportation and vehicle maintenance.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sanela Tunovic-Becirovic, Deputy Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, +(387-33) 292-338.
"We are grateful to the Swiss government for its very valuable support during these four years," stated Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, expressing his appreciation for the Unit's excellent and reliable work.
On 31 July 2000, the Swiss Headquarters Support Unit Regional Bases in Mostar and Tuzla will be closed down. The Regional Base in Banja Luka will shut down in November, followed by Headquarters in December 2000. All services provided by the Unit will be discontinued by the end of the year and 800 tons of equipment, including 132 containers, transported back to Switzerland.
In the course of more than four years, the Unit has effectively translated its operational plan into action. Swiss Headquarters Support Unit was responsible for the transport of all election material during elections in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000. In the upcoming November elections, the Unit will again assist in road transportation and logistic support. The extent of the service will, however, be limited compared to previous years.
Fully operational since July 1996, the Unit is an unarmed military unit currently consisting of 45 men and women who are based in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla and Mostar. The contingent consists of civilian and military specialists in the fields of air-operations, medical supply and care, mail service, transportation and vehicle maintenance.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sanela Tunovic-Becirovic, Deputy Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, +(387-33) 292-338.