FAILED POW RELEASE MARS IFOR OPERATION IN BOSNIA

ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Implementation Force (IFOR) operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina were generally proceeding according to plan, but there were some problems with the release of detainees, IFOR deputy commander Air Commodore David Wilby told a press conference in Zagreb on Tuesday. Wilby said that IFOR was pleased with the establishment of separation zones, the withdrawal of weapons and the marking of mine fields. Wilby stressed that IFOR expected all prisoners of war to be released as soon as possible, insisting that it should be a release and not an exchange of POWs. IFOR has deployed around 54,000 troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Joint Endeavor to implement the Dayton peace agreement. Wilby said around 60,000 troops would be deployed by mid February while some 10,000 troops would be based in other countries as logistical support. (hina) lm jn 231633 MET jan 96