SFOR TO REDUCE NUMBER OF TROOPS TO 7,000 BY JUNE 2004

SARAJEVO, Dec 2 (Hina) - The number of Stabilisation Force (SFOR) troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina will be reduced from the present 12,000 to 7,000 thanks to the improved security situation in the country, SFOR spokesman Dave Sullivan said in Sarajevo on Tuesday. #L# Following a decision by the defence ministers of NATO member countries at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, the peace-keeping force will be downsized gradually, and the process should be completed by June 2004. The NATO defence ministers assessed that the peace-keeping mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina should concentrate more on police work, such as combating organised crime, because there is no real risk of the conflict re-erupting. Sullivan said that the reduction of the number of troops would not bring into question SFOR's determination to continue helping the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague in arresting war crimes suspects. Commenting on announcements from Brussels that NATO might leave the peace-keeping mission over to the European Union next year, the spokesman said no political decision had been made in that regard. Sullivan added that everyone wanted the responsibility for keeping the peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina to be fully transferred to local authorities. (hina) vm sb