(11 Dec 1995) English/Nat
British troops taking part in the NATO peacekeeping operation have been settling in the Bosnian town of Gornji Vakuf.
While awaiting the official signing of the Dayton peace agreement, they've been carrying out firing drills and installing communications equipment.
In the barracks in Gornji Vakuf, British troops have been settling in.
Soon after arriving in the Bosnian town, they began the job of checking all their equipment, including a fleet of armoured personnel carriers.
The troops are currently operating under the United Nations flag, but will form part of the NATO peacekeeping force once the peace accord has been signed.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
At present they're still under the United Nations head dress and the flag, as you can see on the vehicles. After what we call G-D-A's assigning date, which we all hope will happen, yes, they will become NATO eventually, after that date.
SUPER CAPTION: Captain Colin Armstrong-Bell, British Army spokesman
The Dayton accord will be signed by the warring factions in Paris on Thursday.
But until then, there is plenty of work to be done for the peacekeepers.
In the hills around Gornji Vakuf, the second Battalion Light Infantry has begun installing communications equipment.
The troops also went through firing drills.
For one soldier, in Bosnia for the first time, it was not quite what he had expected.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
The people seem very friendly. The people don't seem as affected as much as I thought. But the buildings and everything else, when you drive through the villages, you know, ruins and gun shots everywhere. It's different to what I expected.
SUPER CAPTION: Sergeant Steve May, Reservist
Thousands of troops are expected to start arriving in Bosnia next weekend once the ink is dry in Paris on the Bosnian accords.
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