The main camp for U.S. troops is located 15 miles up a winding country lane shared by horsedrawn carts, Yugos, buses, pedestrians, and U.S. Army convoys. IFOR efforts to protect its troops have created still more psychological distance with locals. For instance, the U.S. army's pontoon bridges across the Sava River are off-limits to civilians, as is all of the IFOR base and all worship services or cultural events there. Residents in Tuzla with their rationed water and firewood no doubt are aware that the NATO soldiers have plentiful supplies of water and imported fuel. That means wearing helmets, secured by chin straps, flak vests, ammunition belts, and carrying weapons at all times even when walking from tents to the mess hall.
Army officers regret the discrepancies and unnatural barriers that exist.
It's confusing even for an insider. Like its elder sister, Sarajevo, the city of Tuzla has severe problems. Weary and frustrated refugees demonstrate in Tuzla's streets to protest their treatment by military and relief groups. They say it's not what the Dayton accords promised. The 120-page Dayton peace accord guarantees the right of all refugees to return to their homes.