The day the Serbs went a bridge too far

Article Abstract:

Captain Francois Lecointre of the 4th French Battalion in Bosnia acted swiftly to release 12 French troops who were taken hostage by the Bosnian Serbs in Sarajevo. The Serbs had stolen guns, armoured personnel carriers and French uniforms, and used them to deceive the French peace-keeping troops stationed on Vrbanja bridge. The move to free the hostages was a very dangerous one, but the French colonel believed that it was vital to show the Serbs that the French are not an easy target.

author: Daly, Emma

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'My first thought is for my family.' (rebel Serbs release two French pilots)

Article Abstract:

Captain Frederic Chiffot and Lieutenant Jose Souvignet, both pilots with the French air force, have been released after being held for more than 100 days by rebel Bosnian Serb forces headed by indicted war criminal General Ratko Mladic. The incident has been used by Mladic to gain publicity, and he was even praised by Colonel Vladimir Kuljis, a Russian sent to help with the release of the pilots, for his 'humanity.' The pilots have given few details about their time in captivity.

author: Daly, Emma

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Pilots were 'treated brutally' by Serbs

Article Abstract:

The Bosnian Serbs who seized French airmen Lieutenant Jose Souvignet and Captain Frederic Chiffot when their plane was shot down on a Nato bombing mission over Bosnia in Aug 1995 treated their prisoners harshly, according to Souvignet. Both men had broken a leg after ejecting from their plane, but they received only basic medical treatment. The men were released recently after 104 days in captivity.

author: Daly, Emma

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subjects list: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hostages, Military assistance, French, French military assistance
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