Italians enter on duty in Bosnia

Italian general Gian Marco Chiarini took over the command of the international forces which safeguard peace in Bosnia (EUFOR) on Tuesday, replacing his British colleague general David Leaky.

The transfer of power was carried out in the presence of the highest Bosnian and international officials, including the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana. EUFOR, comprising some 6.500 soldiers, at the end of last year replaced the international forces which were under NATO command.

Solana, who arrived on a two-day visit to Bosnia, said that EUFOR has greatly contributed to the stabilisation of security in Bosnia, particularly in disrupting the network which has helped provide protection to the fugitives indicted for crimes committed in Bosnia’s 1992-1995 civil war, AKI reports.

V.Y.