SARAJEVO, Oct 8 (Hina) - US Lt. Gen. William Ward took over the office of chief commander of NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo on Tuesday.
SARAJEVO, Oct 8 (Hina) - US Lt. Gen. William Ward took over the
office of chief commander of NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in
Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo on Tuesday. #L#
Ward succeeded Gen. John Sylvester, who was appointed chief-of-
staff of US troops in Europe.
Ward is the seventh SFOR commander. These NATO troops were deployed
in Bosnia at the end of 1995 to ensure the implementation of the
Dayton peace accords. From the initial 60,000, SFOR has been
reduced to 12,000 troops from 34 countries.
The commander of NATO's South Wing, Admiral Gregory Johnson, who
carried out the take-over of duties, commended Sylvester for
everything he did over his 13-month mandate in Bosnia.
Johnson recalled that Sylvester effectively faced the challenges
following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US.
The admiral said that SFOR effectively prevented from acting
individuals who posed a threat to security for both NATO and
Bosnia.
Sylvester said he believed the huge majority of Bosnia's population
wanted jobs, security and better living for their children, and
that they were ready for forgiveness and tolerance as the only way
towards progress.
Ward, whose preceding office was deputy director of operations at
the combined headquarters of US armed forces at the Pentagon,
called for the establishment of new authorities in Bosnia as soon as
possible, in line with the results of last weekend's elections, so
that reforms necessary to attract foreign capital could be
resumed.
Ward's message to Bosnia's politicians was that SFOR would help
them, but that they bore the ultimate responsibility for the fate of
their country.
(hina) ha