HVO SOLDIERS PASS SFOR'S FIRST MINE REMOVAL COURSE

( Editorial: --> 8114 ) MOSTAR, 29 Jan (Hina) - The deputy commander of SFOR in Bosnia- Herzegovina, General Hue Pike, on Thursday in Mostar presented diplomas to 17 members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), who had completed a three-week mine removal course which was organised by SFOR instructors. This was the first such military training course organised by SFOR, and the knowledge acquired by the Bosnian Croat soldiers will be passed on to HVO teams which are taking part in mine removal. General Pike said it was expected that in 1998 there would be great progress in eliminating remaining mines in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Hina) mm mb 291816 MET jan 98