FEDERAL ARMY'S REORGANIZATION CAUSES WORRY IN BIHAC

SARAJEVO, Jan 19 (Hina) - The Bosnian army's public relations service reported on Sunday that despite announced re-organization of the Bosnian (Moslem-Croat) army, in western Bosnian sufficient forces would remain to enable the effective defence of the Bihac region. A statement, published in Sarajevo, said the Fifth Corps that defended western Bosnia during the war, would act as a Command for the development in peace, and that professional troops of the future Federal army would be permanently deployed in Bihac (Unsko- Sanski) Canton. "There will be no important changes in the area under the command of the Fifth Corps," the statement said adding that as regards a future contingent of conscripts, war-time units and professional units, there would be considerably more soldiers than its current number in the area under the Fifth Corps' command, who may enter the Corps in case of the aggression against Bosnia- Herzegovina. The statement has been issued following serious criticism from Bihac referring to announced measures as part of the reorganization of the Federal army. The Bosnian army top commander, General Rasim Delic, said in an interview last week that the First, Second and Third Corps would be included in the structure of the Bosnian Federation's armed force, whereas the Fourth Corps would be transformed into a division and Fifth Corps virtually disbanded and transformed into a Command for the development in peace. Gen. Delic also said the Fifth Corps commander, General Atif Dudakovic, would be ordered to assume "adequate political or military post." Sarajevo Television quoted Bihac Canton Head, Mirsad Veladzic, as saying last night that the decision on disbanding the Fifth Corps had been made without previously notifying local authorities. Veladzic said Bihac citizens were surprised and worried by the decision. He added that he would ask President Alija Izetbegovic to give further explanation about the matter. The Bosnian Federal army is to consist of up to 35,000 troops, deployed in four corps, one of which will be made up of the current HVO (Bosnian Croat) armed force, under an agreement recently reached by Federal Defence Ministry officials, HVO and Bosnian Army representatives and the American MPRI company, which is carrying out the 'Equip and Train' programme for the Federal army. (hina) mš 191850 MET jan 97