KOHL: GERMAN TROOPS WILL STAY IN BOSNIA UNTIL END OF PEACE PROCESS

( Editorial: --> 0579 ) SARAJEVO, Dec 23 (Hina) - German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on Tuesday said he was willing to keep German troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina without limiting the length of their mandate. Earlier today Kohl visited German soldiers of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force situated in Rajlovac near the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. The presence of international troops in Bosnia is necessary for the peace process to continue and the Dayton peace agreement to be fully implemented, Kohl told reporters in Sarajevo. "Our presence in this country will be needed for a long time. Whoever thinks differently is wrong," Kohl said. According to the German Chancellor, who arrived in Bosnia today at the head of a German delegation, some concrete goals will have to be set up before international troops leave Bosnia, like the return of refugees. Refugees will return to Bosnia only if they are sure that after returning they will live in a peaceful and prosperous country, Kohl said. (hina) ha mm 231555 MET dec 97