SLOVENIA JOINS SFOR MISSION IN BOSNIA ( Editorial: --> 8411 )

( Editorial: --> 8411 ) SARAJEVO, 5 Nov (Hina) - Slovene soldiers on Wednesday joined the peace operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Slovenian flag was hoisted in front of the Stabilisation Force command in Ilidza, Sarajevo, at a ceremony at which Slovenia officially became the 37th country giving military support in the implementation of the Dayton agreement. The ceremony was attended by Brigadier Jozef Zunkovic, head of the operational headquarters of the Slovene air force, and a group of pilots who are to take part in the SFOR mission. Recalling that this is the third peace mission in which Slovene soldiers are participating, Zunkovic said that becoming part of the SFOR mission is of great importance for Slovenia, primarily because of its plans on joining NATO. "With this we are showing our readiness to join international efforts aimed at creating collective safety as well as our clear wish to become a full NATO member," Zunkovic said. The Slovene army will participate in the SFOR mission with 35 soldiers from the 15th air force brigade, who will be located in the air base Brnik. The Slovene soldiers will participate in logistical operations with three 'Bell' helicopters and a small 'Turbolet' transport plane intended for transport of VIPs. (hina) rm 051821 MET nov 97