SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPEAN MILITARY CAPACITIES MUST BE DECREASED

SARAJEVO, Aug 14 (Hina) - Countries of south-eastern Europe must decrease their military capacities and expenses so that permanent stability could be established in the region and expenditures harmonised with true economic possibilities, Stabilisation Force (SFOR) chief commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina, General Montgomery Meigs, said in Sarajevo Saturday. Meigs described as positive the decision of the highest authorities in the country that the military potential should decrease by 15 per cent by the end of the year. This is an example to be followed by other countries in the south- east of Europe, but a further reduction of military equipment and expenses is possible only on a regional basis, he said. According to him, not only must the number of soldiers and arms be reduced, but also the armament of troops which do not need enormous technical potential. The international community has the capability of making countries, signatories to the Stability Pact for south-eastern Europe to apply the decrease of military potential primarily by making further financial support conditional upon it. A similar model had been applied to countries of central Europe following the end of the cold war, Meigs said. Speaking about the future of the SFOR, General Meigs announced a further reduction in the number of troops, but stressed there would be sufficient troops in the field to fulfil all tasks from the Dayton Agreement. He said the international community would like for these troops to withdraw from Bosnia-Herzegovina as soon as possible, as the expense of their stay in the country were huge. This would, however, happen only if the withdrawal would not jeopardise the strategic situation and destabilise the political situation in the country. (hina) lml