SFOR COMMANDER CONFIRMS OPENING OF CIVIL AIR CORRIDORS

SARAJEVO, Jan 21 (Hina) - The Main Commander of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, General Ronald Adams on Friday confirmed the opening of the corridor for civil air traffic above the country and the transfer of the surveillance of the upper part of the air space to civil authorities, the SFOR command reported in Sarajevo on Friday. General Adams and officials of the Bosnia-Herzegovina civil aircraft signed a document on the transfer of SFOR authorities for the surveillance of air corridor between 29 and 39 feet to civil authorities. The decision enables commercial air companies to start flying above Bosnia-Hercegovina as of late January. The transfer is the result of long lasting negotiations between NATO, the Office of the High Representative, the ICAO, the EUROCONTROL, and authorities of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The surveillance of the traffic will be conducted over corridors above Bosnia-Herzegovina. Air corridors above former Yugoslavia were closed on March 24, 1999, ahead of NATO air strikes on the Federal republic of Yugoslavia. (hina) it lml