MAJOR PERSONNEL CHANGES IN BH FEDERATION ARMY TO TAKE PLACE

SARAJEVO, Mar 1 (Hina) - The largest replacement of high-ranking officers in the Bosniak (Muslim) segment of the Army of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina since the end of the war is the result of a need for a regular change of generations and the reduction of federal military force by 15 percent in line with decisions of the state Presidency, Federation Deputy Defence Minister Sakib Mahmuljin told Wednesday's issue of 'Oslobodjenje' daily in Sarajevo. Mahmuljin was commenting on a decision on replacements and promotions of a number of generals and brigadiers, announced on Tuesday. Major replacements will take place in the command structure. General Rasim Delic, who has been heading the Army of Bosnia- Herzegovina since 1993 and the Joint Command of the Federation Army since the signing of the Washington agreement, will retire. Delic will be replaced by General Atif Dudakovic, war-time commander of the BH Army Fifth Corps in Bihac, currently deputy chief of the Federation Army Joint Command. Neither change is unexpected. Over the past several months, General Delic has been saying that he is tired of his work and wants to do something else. Dudakovic was the only logical replacement for the until recently indispensable Delic in all plans on personnel changes. Other distinguished war personnel have been promoted to responsible military duties and other military institutions. All changes will be carried out until the end of March with the exception of Delic and Dudakovic, whose take- and hand-over ceremony will take place on August 31. (hina) mm rml