FUTURE APPOINTMENTS OF GENERALS IN BH MUST BE APPROVED BY SFOR

SARAJEVO, Oct 27 (Hina) - Civil authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) will have to refer to the commander of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in the future when seeking permission to appoint or relieve of duty generals to or from high-ranking military posts in the armies of BH's two entities. The decision is part of the international community's overall effort to establish a professional army in BH which will not be subject to political influence, SFOR spokesman Glenn Chamberlain said in Sarajevo on Tuesday. He pointed out the decision was fully in keeping with the peace force's mandate in BH. Asked about the direct cause for the decision, Chamberlain said it was the events leading to the September general elections, when it had become evident that some members of the military force were trying to interfere with political processes. Commenting on the case of Croatian Defence Council (HVO) general Stanko Sopta, previously relieved of duty as commander of the first guard corps, the SFOR spokesman said the SFOR insisted on Sopta's permanent dismissal from the army of the Croat-Muslim Federation of BH, one of BH's entities. Chamberlain however declined to comment on the announcement that Sopta was to be transferred to the Croatian army and continue its training there. A spokesman for the Office of the high international representative for BH, Rida Attarashany, said the high representative fully supported the SFOR commander's stand in relation to the appointments and dismissals of generals in the armies of BH's two entities. (hina) ha jn