SFOR PRAISES CROATIAN COOPERATION IN ITS LATEST OPERATION

( Editorial: --> 5617 ) RIJEKA, 24 Aug (Hina) - The commanding officer of an operation aimed at transporting military equipment for the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina has stressed the high level of cooperation with the Croatian Government, army, police, Rijeka port administration and local authorities. Speaking at a press conference in the Rijeka port on Monday, General Charles Mahan said that the SFOR equipment had earlier been transported via Germany, Austria and Hungary. In the latest operation, 45 helicopters and other military equipment arrived in Rijeka on the US transport ship "Soderman". SFOR wants to point out the quality of Croatian infrastructure as well as the professionalism and readiness of its forces, Mahan said. A Croatian army representative, General Miljenko Crnjac, wished the US soldiers success in performing their tasks as well as a pleasant stay in Croatia. Our joint task, especially in the light of recent terrorist attacks, is to eliminate any possibility of similar incidents, Crnjac said. "The war experience of the Croatian army is still fresh and I am happy to say that it is ready to perform any task which it may be entrusted with, in coordination with your command," Crnjac said. Following the press conference, reporters and the guests toured the Rijeka port and viewed the 275m-long Soderman. The ship, which has a 35-member crew, will leave the port of Rijeka for America tomorrow afternoon. The US commander for Europe and SFOR commander, Gen. Eric Shinseki, today visited US soldiers and civilians who are carrying out the operation in the Rijeka port and at Rijeka airport on the nearby island of Krk. The US logistics operation in Rijeka and on Krk, which includes transporting equipment to Bosnia-Herzegovina, will end by mid- September. (hina) rml /mbr 241702 MET aug 98