An Abortive Move to Preponderance

Abstract

THE FRENCH PROMOTED THE IDEA that troops from the Western European Union should be sent to Yugoslavia to guarantee peace. This was the first serious consideration of international military intervention. During September 1991, France led 35 senior officers of the Western European Union to request the creation of a Rapid Reaction Force. This combat unit would have given a tactical advantage to a peacekeeping force in the region. The officers sought armed helicopters, guns, and close air support to carry out their mission. In essence, they proposed the creation of a credible deterrent to potential military aggression in the region. Germany concurred with the French position. Bonn reasoned that the recognition of Croatia and Slovenia was of little use if the international community was not prepared to protect them.