Conclusion

Since 1992, when NATO ships first began monitoring the UN embargo in the Adriatic, the Alliance has taken an increasingly active and decisive role in the former Yugoslavia. NATO's involvement has furthered its three objectives of supporting the peace process, helping to protect the UN-designated 'Safe Areas', and preventing a spillover of the conflict to neighboring countries. NATO's presence in the air and its preparations to support a possible UN withdrawal allowed UN forces to remain on the ground and to carry out their important tasks. At the same time, NATO's Operation Deliberate Force helped to convince the parties to the conflict that their differences were best settled at the negotiating table rather than on the battlefield.

The NATO-led operation in Bosnia, Joint Endeavour, is NATO's first-ever ground force operation, its first-ever "out of area" deployment, and its first-ever joint operation with NATO's Partnership for Peace partners and other non-NATO countries. It also is the largest military operation ever undertaken by the Alliance. It demonstrates that the Alliance has adapted its forces and policies to the requirements of the post-Cold War world, while continuing to provide collective security and defense for all Allies.

It is tangible proof that, in addition to carrying out the core functions of defense of the Alliance, its military forces have the flexibility to be used outside the NATO area, for operations under the authority of the UN Security Council with clear political objectives and military tasks given by the North Atlantic Council.

NATO's own military capabilities and its adaptability to include forces of non-NATO countries are decisive factors in the Alliance's role in implementing the Bosnian Peace Agreement. This operation shows that the Alliance remains vital, relevant and prepared to deal with the new, multifaceted security risks facing Europe with the end of the Cold War.