OUTGOING SFOR COMMANDER THANKS CRO GOVT ON GOOD COOPERATION

( Editorial: --> 3124 ) ZAGREB, June 23 (Hina) - The outgoing commander of the NATO-led peace Stabilisation Force in Zagreb Major General John Milnes on Tuesday thanked the Croatian government for an outstandingly good cooperation. Today Milnes was received by the chief-of-staff of the government's office for cooperation with the OSCE and other peace organisations, Tomislav Vidosevic. SFOR remains fully committed to the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in which, Milnes said, Croatia's role was crucial. The outgoing commander emphasised the exceptional cooperation with Croatian ministries and especially the Croatian armed forces. The new SFOR commander in Zagreb is Dutch Major General Fritz Polle. The number of SFOR members in Croatia should soon be reduced by half as the SFOR command's status in Zagreb has also been changed, on Monday. The SFOR Support Command has become the Communication Zone Headquarters. The logistics staff will be transferred to Sarajevo, SFOR reported. (hina) ha as 231605 MET jun 98