WASHINGTON: CFR REPORT ON BALKANS

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Hina) - The Balkans continues to resemble a powder keg due to its explosive mixture of ethnic tensions and crime, and countries in the region need strong support from the USA, European Union and others, notes a report the Washington-based centre for international relations (CFR) will officially release on Monday. #L# The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia is particularly burdened with a high unemployment rate, organised crime, corruption in the ruling structures, and permanent national and religious intolerance, the report notes. The report was drawn up by some twenty US experts headed by General Edward Meyer, a former chief-of-staff of the US army ground forces, and retired General William Nash, who used to command US forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They propose that European countries stimulate and assist in post- war reconstruction in the Balkans and that the USA ensure permanent military presence and greater financial assistance. It is estimated that by 2010 the USA will have spent around 8 - 12 billion dollars for its troops in the Balkans and provide economic assistance worth around 3.5 billion dollars. The wish to join NATO and the EU should be used as a stimulus to encourage the local authorities, the report notes. (hina) sp rml sb