SFOR TO SUPPORT NATO IN ANTI-TERRORIST OPERATIONS

SARAJEVO, Sept 25 (Hina) - The NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina will offer all the necessary support to operations which NATO will take in response to recent terrorist attacks in the United States, a spokesman for the SFOR said on Tuesday. Recalling that for the first time in its history NATO has recently decided to apply the Washington Agreement's Article 5 envisaging possibilities for a joint response of all Alliance member- countries in case of an attack against one of them, SFOR spokesman Daryl Morrell said members of international peace-keepers in Bosnia were prepared to ensure all the support asked of them. We shall take actions we regard necessary to counter terrorists and their followers, Morrell said at a news briefing in Sarajevo. He confirmed that security measures at SFOR bases in Bosnia remained tightened. The SFOR headquarters in the Bosnian capital has not confirmed unofficial announcements that a part of US troops within SFOR or even the entire US SFOR contingent may leave Bosnia to join NATO in operations which are being prepared against the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. According to unofficial reports, Americans will be replaced by Canadians in such a case. We have no information on this matter, but only U.S. and Canadian authorities can give you the best answer, the SFOR spokesman added. (hina) sb ms