SFOR DENIES CLAIMS ON WEAPONRY SMUGGLING TO KOSOVO

SARAJEVO, Feb 27 (Hina) - The command of NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday refuted claims which stated that arms discovered and seized by NATO soldiers near Brcko and Bijeljina in the past three days were intended for the conflict- ridden south Yugoslav province of Kosovo. The SFOR did however confirm an investigation into the matter was continuing, but pointed out the first results failed to corroborate the claims made by some media that a weaponry smuggling chain leading to Kosovo had been discovered. What could be confirmed was the involvement of some members of the Bosnian Serb army, an SFOR statement said. The SFOR command pointed out the heavy weaponry seized from two trucks and a warehouse of a transport company definitely did not belong to what in Bosnia is referred to as "domestic arsenal". The statement said the weaponry seized in north-eastern Bosnia was complex and expensive and could only belong to the military. The SFOR expressed concern at the discovered illegal weaponry, and assessed the discovery further called for the establishment of an incorruptible and politically uninfluenced armed force in Bosnia. (hina) ha