The U.S. soldiers will be confined to their base during off-duty hours, primarily for their own protection, the Army says. That is perplexing to many residents of Tuzla, who were looking forward to meeting an American, and anyway thought the war was over. And disappointing to many because whatever else the Americans might bring, they would also bring money, desperately needed in this rundown, polluted city of 100,000. The base-confinement rule is contrary to the U.S. Army norm. William Donovan, of the 325th Airborne Combat Team, which arrived last week from its base in Italy.
Soldiers offer varying reasons why they are being restricted.
Sergio Rodengen, offering his explanation of why the troops would not be allowed to patronize shops and restaurants in Tuzla, which is in the hands of the Bosnian government. But no one doubts that the overriding reason is security. Even now, the Scandinavian soldiers who are part of the multinational force in the U.S. zone are not confined to their base, even though they are under the command of Maj. Gen. William L. Nash. The restriction on the soldiers from the world's superpower baffles Tuzla residents, who have not been officially informed of it.