NAPLES, Italy, June 8 (Reuter) - Here is the text of the statement from the NATO southern command on the rescue of the U.S. pilot shot down over Bosnia last week: "The pilot of a NATO F-16 aircraft which was shot down over Bosnia has been successfully rescued by NATO search and rescue forces. He is safe, and has been taken to the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Adriatic.
"The rescue mission was launched early Thursday morning to a location in western Bosnia after contact had been made with the pilot.
"Search and rescue forces, including a specialised U.S. Marine Corps team from USS Kearsarge, covered by NATO air forces to suppress the anti-air threat, successfully located and rescued the pilot.
"All NATO search and rescue forces safely departed Bosnia following the rescue.
"Admiral Leighton Smith USN, Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe, will give a press conference at 20 Grosvenor Square, London, England at 0900 London time (0800 GMT)."
