BALEARIC TROOPS SET FOR BOSNIA MISSION

By Humphrey Carter BALEARIC high command yesterday organised a military display of its peace-keeping tactics and manoeuvres it expects to carry out during its forthcoming deployment to Bosnia. A total of 167 troops from the Balearics fly out to Bosnia at the start of next month along with a further 108 soldiers from 41st Zaragoza Logistics Regiment and Marines from Cadiz to relieve the existing Spanish peace-keeping force. Operation Charley-Sierra XXVII will, for the first time, be led by Balearic high command and form part of the European Union's Operation Althea which involves 33 countries and is primarily concerned with maintaining the peace and good relations between the country's Serb, Croat and Muslim communities. Units from the Balearic-led force will also be co-operating with local security forces in the fight against organised crime and the smuggling of fuel and wood - two of the country's main criminal activities. Yesterday, Balearic troops went through a series of exercises including car searches, shooting and riot control under the watchful eye of the Balearic commander-in-chief Emilio Roldán Pascual and a group of local dignitaries at the General Asensio barracks in Palma. Military spokesperson José Luis Albarracín said that the Balearic-led mission is “low profile” hence only light arms and equipment will be taken. The operational base is going to be next to Mostar airport in the south east of the country.