U.S. SUSPEND ASSISTANCE TO BH FEDERAL ARMY'S CROAT COMPONENT

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Hina) - The Croat component in the army of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Croat-Muslim federation will not receive assistance from the United States programme "Equip and Train" until further notice, a U.S. State Department official told Hina Monday. Furthermore, Bosnian Croat officers will not be included in a training programme beginning in BH and the US this week, because Bosnian Croat officials and officers prevent the integration of the federal army, the official added. The suspension of the U.S. programme in truth refers to the first guard corps of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) - the federal army's Croat component - and subordinate units. More than four years after the signing of the Dayton peace agreements, views on the integration of the federal army remain opposed. The Bosnian Muslim side expects joint structures on all levels, whereas Bosnian Croats think the integration of the Defence Ministry and the creation of a joint command would suffice, with all units staying nationally separated. According to the State Department, the Bosnian Croat side failed to meet undertaken obligations, which resulted in the suspension. The U.S. source declined to speak about details, stating the Bosnian Croat leadership had known what they had to do for a long time. (hina) ha mm