GENERAL SMITH RETURNS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

SARAJEVO, Jan 20 (Hina) - British General Rupert Smith, deputy to the chief commander of NATO troops in Europe, visited Sarajevo on Wednesday and held talks with peace force commanders and some Bosnian officials. Hina was told at the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) command centre that Smith's visit was part of his introduction to a new post that he had assumed a month ago. Smith was the last United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina commander. He held talks with the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, co-chairman of the Council of Ministers Haris Silajdzic and Bosnian Federation Vice-President Ejup Ganic about the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement. Izetbegovic's office said in a statement Wednesday that participants in the talks had agreed further presence of SFOR troops was of great importance, as this provided a real security to those returning to their homes, but also psychologically motivated refugees to return. According to a statement issued from Silajdzic's office, Smith and Silajdzic assessed that peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina would not be certain until unconditional return of all refugees and displaced persons is ensured. The most senior Bosnian officials expressed gratitude for Smith's role during his term with the UN in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) lml