40 officers sent to Bosnia, Philippines

40 officers sent to Bosnia, Philippines

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will soon send 40 military and police
officers to Bosnia-Herzogovina and the southern Philippines to
replace its teams of cease-fire observers who have completed
their tours of duty in the war-torn areas.

The officers -- 25 of whom will be sent to Bosnia while 15
will go to the Philippines -- reported for duty yesterday to
Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono at the
military's headquarters. The officers will depart in a few days.

Also yesterday, the 30 police officers to be replaced reported
to Soeyono on the completion of their assignments as part of the
international peace-keeping forces stationed in the two
countries.

Soeyono told the departing officers to work hard to create a
favorable image of Indonesia in the world. "Cooperation and
coordination with observers from other countries should be
enhanced," he said.

In addition to the team of observers, Indonesia has also sent
one medical battalion and one battle battalion to Bosnia as part
of the UN peace-keeping force there.

Indonesia's mission in the Philippines is to observe the
implementation of the truce between Manila and the secessionist
Moro National Liberation Front. The truce was reached at a 1993
meeting in Jakarta, which was sponsored by the Indonesian
government.

Brig. Gen. Asmardi A., who led the previous team of observers
to the southern Philippines, praised his men's performance.

"I'm proud of their achievement ... No significant battles
occurred during their one-year deployment in that country," he
said. (rms)