SFOR WILL REACT RESOLUTELY TO PROVOCATIONS IN BOSNIA - MEIGS

SARAJEVO, March 24 (Hina) - Stabilisation Force (SFOR) commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina, US General Montgomery Meigs, warned in Sarajevo on Wednesday that extremist groups were trying to connect the crisis in Kosovo with the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, flaming violence against peace-keeping NATO troops in the country. Meigs told reporters in Sarajevo he held such acts as a threat to the security of all peoples in Bosnia-Herzegovina, adding that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic bore responsibility for everything occurring at the moment. A large number of citizens acted responsibly, despite calls to violence, so we have decreased SFOR troop numbers in the Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska, he stressed. SFOR, however, remains prepared to reply to any threat t peace, Meigs warned. According to him, the aim of the peace-keeping troops in the country was to prevent all those who wish to jeopardise the progress achieved during the three years of implementing the Dayton peace accords. We will resolutely answer to those causing violence of trying to cut off SFOR's or civilians' freedom of movement, Meigs warned. (hina) lml