Russian Peacekeeping Contingents In Balkans To Be Cut Early In 2002

In January-February of 2002, slight cuts will be made in Russian peacekeeping contingents in Kosovo /Yugoslavia/ and Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Colonel-General Nikolai Kormiltsev, commander-in-chief of Russia's ground forces. The cuts will affect mainly officers. The aim of the measure is to bring the numerical strength of the peacekeeping contingents in line with their missions. At present the brigade of Russian peace-keepers in Kosovo numbers 2,000 men and that in Bosnia, 600 men. The general emphasised that no pull-out of Russian peace-keepers from Bosnia and Herzegovina is planned.