BH CROAT GENERAL'S SUSPENSION LIFTEN; ANOTHER'S CONFIRMEDP

SARAJEVO, Dec 5 (Hina) - NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR) commander, General Montgomery Meigs, on Friday lifted a suspension on General Ilija Rasic, while General Stanko Sopta is still prohibited from exercising any military service. Both officials from the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), the Croat component of the Croat-Muslim Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Army, were suspended from performing any duties due to alleged political engagement in campaigns prior to the Bosnian September elections. Sarajevo daily "Oslobodjenje" on Saturday said, quoting SFOR spokesman Glenn Chamberlain, that Rasic would be given a six-month test period during which time his work will be monitored. According to the spokesman, Rasic will be able to stay in the army and perform his duties if in the said time he avoids involvement in political activities. After reviewing the decision on Rasic's suspension, the SFOR command concluded there was not enough evidence indicating he had indeed taken part in pre-electoral campaigns. Penalty measures for General Sopta however, remain in force. He was first dismissed from command of the Federal Army's First Guard Corps, and then banned from active military service. According to the SFOR spokesman, in Sopta's case, clear evidence indicating violation of stipulated rules of conduct was determined, primarily when, without permission, Sopta sent HVO members to Croatia to put out fires in the coastal areas last summer. (hina) ha jn