NATO: NO WITHDRAWAL OF IFOR BEFORE MID SEPTEMBER

BRUSSELS, 23 April (Hina) - Heads of staff of all the 16 NATO countries, meeting today at a session of the military committee of the Alliance, will recommend to their governments to abide by their decision to keep IFOR in BH at least until mid September, reports Belga news agency from NATO HQ in Brussels. There will be no withdrawal before day D+270 (270 days after the commencement of IFOR's mission, on 20 December 1995), confirmed head of the chiefs of staff of the French army, Gen. Jean Phillipe Douin, speaking to the press. NATO must do everything possible to make sure that elections, which are "crucial" for the success of the peace process, are carried out successfully, said the meeting of 16 military officials in the Belgian capital. Head of the chiefs of staff of the USA army, Gen. John Shalikashvili, underscored the presence of 60,000 troops in BH was necessary for stability and preparation of the elections, due to be held by 14 September, as stipulated by the Dayton accord. We should honour the calendar, said head of the French chiefs of staff. The D+270 coincides with the mid September deadline. In principle IFOR's mandate expires on 20 December, but first contingents could start withdrawing long before that time, especially because 60,000 troops that have been in BH since the beginning of the operation are due for replacement. Heads of French and American chiefs of staff refused to specify exact terms of the final withdrawal. According to the head of the French chiefs of staff, in the first stage, some heavily armed troops in BH might be replaced by lightly armed troops. Shalikasvili also suggested decision on the duration of IFOR's mandate might be revised, but the number of troops would remain 60,000. According to him, IFOR has already established security and freedom of movement in BH, prerequisites for the return of refugees and holding of elections. mr (Hina) 232252 MET apr 96