NATO MISSION IN BH HAS ENORMOUS SIGNIFICANCE FOR EUROPE'S FUTURE - JOULWAN

JOULWAN SARAJEVO, July 7 (Hina) - U.S. General George Joulwan, NATO's commander in Europe soon to leave this office, said in Sarajevo on Monday that NATO's mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina had been of huge significance for the future of NATO, but for the future of the European continent as well. What the Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) and the Stabilization Force (SFOR) did in BH was a real demonstration of the new NATO in Europe, Joulwan told reporters after a farewell meeting with members of the BH Presidency. Joulwan expressed optimism concerning the future of the peace process in BH, but pointed out it was important that political leaders respect the common people's wish for peace. The main obstruction to the peace process were undoubtedly war crimes suspects, Radovan Karadzic in particular, he added. Joulwan said NATO forces had not received any new instructions concerning the arrest of war criminals. We are following political instructions and to date, they have not changed, Joulwan said. (hina) ha mm 071449 MET jul 97