$ FUL SARAJEVO, 29 Jan (Hina) - James Pardew, special U.S. representative for military stability in the Balkans, on Wednesday stated that cooperation between Croatian and Bosniac sides in the establishment of the Federation army was
very successful.
SUCCESS
$ FUL
SARAJEVO, 29 Jan (Hina) - James Pardew, special U.S. representative
for military stability in the Balkans, on Wednesday stated that
cooperation between Croatian and Bosniac sides in the establishment
of the Federation army was very successful. #L#
At a press conference held in Sarajevo today, Pardew said that
Bosniacs and Croats were taking part in the same program of
military education, were living in same barracks and were
cooperating with each other.
Although there were certain difficulties, progress was
obvious, the U.S. diplomat said.
A document on the establishment of a united civil and military
command in the Federation army, signed on 22 January by Presidents
Izetbegovic and Zubak, guaranteed full equality to Croat and
Bosniac sides in reaching final decisions on the use of the
Federation army, Pardew said.
He confirmed that Federation Defence Minister Ante Jelavic and
his deputy Sakib Mahmuljin had agreed on the internal organization
of the Defence Ministry and Joint Command.
According to their agreement, the staff would be assigned to
their duties by 1 March.
Jelavic and Mahmuljin had also decided to buy from the U.S.
company 'Lockheed' MILES laser system (Multiple Integrated Laser
Engagement System), which would be used in the training of the
future joint army.
The amount of 6,2 million dollars necessary for the purchase
of the system would be secured by foreign donors.
The Federation army will also need 3,1 million dollars to
start the production of ammunition in a plant in Konjic, 50 km
south of Sarajevo.
The Bosnian Serbs had so far destroyed only 45 pieces of heavy
weapons, while 776 pieces had been destroyed on the Federation
territory, Pardew said, adding that the U.S. government would not
want to see the development of an armament race in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. He warned that the Serbs would by no means win that
race, should they start it.
(hina) rm mm
291914 MET jan 97