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Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 02 December 2003, SFOR confirmed that due to the improved security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina that it will reduce to a force of approximately 7,000 multi-national soldiers by June 2004.

Each brigade will be renamed as a Multi National Task Force (MNTF) and consist of approximately 1800 soldiers. Key capabilities will be reconnaissance to maintain situation awareness and multi-role rifle companies to conduct focused operations. Restructuring will take advantage of the planned troop rotations. The first reductions are likely to be in MNB (NW) and will be announced by that brigade shortly.

At this time, troop-contributing nations have yet to determine their future contributions to the new force. They will release their numbers once decisions are made by each of their respective national governments. Most decisions are expected to be announced in January 2004.

SFOR's principal purpose is to contribute to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment that allows the international community and BiH authorities to develop accountable governments that promote peace, stability and respect for human rights, economic well being and self sufficiency. SFOR is also committed to support the rule of law throughout BiH and supports the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)'s efforts to apprehend Personnel Indicted for War Crimes and hand them over to the appropriate authorities.

The force reductions are feasible not only because the overall situation allows it but also because they are sustained by a robust, effective and highly visible Over The Horizon Forces (OTHF) that demonstrate NATO's intent to remain engaged in BiH and its capabilities to do so. While SFOR forces may increasingly be less visible, their presence will still be felt through continued operations, inspections and engagement with the citizens of BiH.

Our common aim remains to gradually transfer the responsibility for peace implementation to the local population and its institutions.