SFOR: BOSNIA MUST HAVE A SINGLE ARMY

MOSTAR, Oct 17 (Hina) - Bosnia-Herzegovina is not exposed to direct military threats so that its admission to Partnership for Peace and NATO requires the establishment of a single army, a spokesman for the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) Sector South-East in Mostar told reporters on Wednesday. If Bosnia does not join Partnership for Peace it will not be able to enjoy the benefits of that alliance, spokesman Marc Patetin told reporters. The currently 34,000-strong armies in both Bosnian entities should be reduced by 40%, which will reduce budgetary expenses for military purposes. Six percent of the country's GDP is spent for military purposes while European countries set aside around two percent of their GDPs for the military on the average. Patetin called on the World Bank to help find employment for soldiers who are to be dismissed thus lessening social tensions. Asked whether there was danger part of dismissed soldiers could turn into a guerrilla, particularly in rural areas, Patetin said it was necessary to complete thorough preparations for the reduction of the country's armed forces. (hina) sb rml