BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP APPOINTS NEW ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF

( Editorial: --> 2491 ) SARAJEVO/BANJA LUKA, Feb 17 (Hina) - Lieutenant-General Momir Talic, commander of the Republika Srpska Army (VRS) first corps, has been appointed new Chief-Of-Staff of the Bosnian Serb army. The decision on Talic's appointment was reached at a meeting of the Bosnian Serb entity's Supreme Defence Council, held in Banja Luka on Monday evening, the Sarajevo-based news agency ONASA reported. The decision to replace the former army Chief Of Staff General Pero Colic was made following a proposal by Defence Minister Manojlo Milovanovic, the Supreme Defence Council said in a statement. However, the statement contained no details as to whether Colic was retired or appointed to a new post. By relieving Colic of his duties as the commander of the Bosnian Serb army, Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and Premier Milorad Dodik have additionally strengthened their position since it is known that Colic supported the Serb Democratic Party (SDS). During the conflict between Plavsic and the SDS, Colic sided with Pale, accusing Plavsic of trying to divide the Bosnian Serb entity. (hina) rm 171144 MET feb 98