NATO to cut Balkans peacekeepers

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is to reduce its peacekeeping presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo by almost 12,000 troops.

The move, announced on Friday, is the result of improved political stability in the Balkans, the alliance said.

NATO has more than 40,000 peacekeeping troops in the Balkans -- comprising Stabilisation Force (SFOR) troops in Bosnia and KFOR in Kosovo -- after the ethnic conflicts of the 1990s.

It said SFOR would be cut from 19,000 to 12,000 and KFOR from 38,000 to 33,200.

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The European Union will take over the 700-man NATO peacekeeping mission in Macedonia provided there is a prior deal on EU access to NATO assets.

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson said in a statement: "These changes will help us build on success.

"Since we first sent forces to the Balkans much has changed and improved and we are changing with them."

The NATO announcement said: "NATO's commitment to the security of the region remains as firm as ever.

"These changes reflect the success of International Community efforts, and those of political leaders in the region, which have led to a great improvement in the security situation in the Balkans.

Robertson said the Balkans had "changed and improved and we are changing with them"

"They are also the result of NATO's continuing efforts to adapt its presence to best meet current requirements.

"In particular these changes will allow NATO forces to better contribute to International Community efforts to address regional issues such as refugee flows, border security, rule of law and extremism across all operational areas."

It added: "In light of the evolving security environment it is now appropriate to create lighter, more mobile and flexible forces, that will not only be more cost effective, but will also be able to meet current challenges effectively."

It said the changes will be implemented over the next 12 months and should be completed by mid-2003.

NATO foreign ministers will have a full discussion of the situation in the Balkans at their meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland on May 14-15, officials have said.