BRITISH SFOR SOLDIERS TO CARRY OUT MILITARY EXERCISE

( Editorial: --> 9157 ) SPLIT, 17 Dec (Hina) - British Stabilisation Force (SFOR) units from the logistical base for Bosnia-Herzegovina in Split will carry out an exercise, titled 'Guard Watch', between 19 and 26 December. The purpose of the military exercise is to see whether British units are ready to react timely to unexpected events, such as a traffic accident, the British SFOR units said in a statement Wednesday. The exercise will be carried out between 6 pm and 8 am. Asked by a Hina reporter why the exercise was taking place exactly during the Christmas holidays and whether the Croatian authorities had been informed about it, spokesman for the British logistical units in Split, Captain Alan Brown, said one of the reasons was that a group of newly-arrived soldiers had to be trained and get acquainted with the area as soon as possible. The exercise is in line with international regulations and the Dayton agreement and it is usually carried out in all areas where international forces are located. The British military police had informed Croatian police stations about the exercise, Brown said. According to official data, some 450 British soldiers are located in the area of Split. The reason the exercise was being announced was to avoid disturbing the residents of the area with sirens and a large number of vehicles and soldiers on the roads, Brown said. (hina) mm rm . 172023 MET dec 97