BETRAYAL IN THE BALKANS 33nians and Iranians both knew my vehicle and me by sight. They also knew
the location of our villa and had our office and phones monitored.
There was only one immediate way out of Sarajevo, and that was back
over the Mount Igman trail. Unfortunately, my “friends” in the Bosnian
security service controlled all of the police and military checkpoints
between Sarajevo and Tarčin.
I then learned that one of our villa’s local Bosnian employees was a spy
for the Bosnian service, and he too could report on my comings and goings.
In a worst-case scenario, the Bosnians and Iranians would know when and
how I planned to escape and would intercept me before I was able to leave
Sarajevo. They had me covered from every angle.
I discussed the various exfiltration options with Washington via a
secure satellite phone. I was heartened when Washington laid out several
impressive exfil options of its own, including some that involved sending
in US forces via helicopter to extract me. The future CIA and National
Security Agency director, and highly respected, General Michael Hayden
was J2 at US European Command at the time. Hayden would have been
involved in any helicopter extractions from Bosnia.
After careful consideration, however, I rejected Washington’s tempting
proposals. Since there was no air traffic in the skies over Bosnia, a heli-
copter attempting to enter Sarajevo might draw fire from all sides. More-
over, the military’s plans would require up to a week of preparation. I knew
I had to get out as quickly and quietly as possible before the Iranians and
Bosnians realized that I was on to them.
I decided that the best exfil plan was for us to go out on our own, in a
high-speed two-vehicle convoy. Without hesitation, the villa’s courageous
security officer Mike and his heavily armed colleagues (including a plain-
clothes military specialist detailed to the office) agreed to escort us out. We
could depart for Split the next night.
Washington was not pleased that I had rejected all of its options, but it
ceded to my decision, since I was in the best position to assess the situation.
I also conferred with John, who backed my decision as the one most likely
to get us out alive.
Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, we created fake ID
cards for John and me, in the event the Bosnian police were alerted to
detain us on our way out of town.