SFOR: TERRORISTS DISABLED, BUT LOGISTIC SUPPORT STILL EXISTS

SARAJEVO, Dec 20 (Hina) - Chief commander of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, US General John Sylvester, said on Thursday that at the moment there was no danger of terrorist attacks on SFOR members or civilians in the country, but individuals and organisations serving as support to terrorist activities still existed. In his speech to members of the Bosnian Federation Army in Sarajevo, Sylvester said that in Bosnia and some other countries, there were individuals and groups harbouring terrorists and abusing their legal freedoms. The support network is providing terrorists with hideouts, personal documents, money, jobs, transport, but also serves to plan future attacks and drafting of sympathisers, he said. Such a network was severed in Bosnia after extensive operations which had taken place since September 11, and the implementation of plans for new attacks had been hindered. The most part of the job was successfully completed by local authorities, although SFOR provided its support. The General said that this was of great significance because of the need for general militarisation not being allowed to exist under the disguise of the fight against terrorism. We must not allow terrorists to militarise our society, Sylvester said, recalling that the terrorists' goal was to spread fear which would lead to an army under civilian structures taking over control. Sylvester called on members of the Bosnian Federation Army to support the announced decrease of armed forces in the entire country. He confirmed that in the next several years the number of soldiers and officers would be decreased by at least 14,000, which was the only way out in a country as Bosnia-Herzegovina and which could not afford nor had the need for a bigger army. (hina) lml