New SFOR Commander Takes Over In Bosnia

5 October 2004 -- U.S. General Steven Schook has taken command of the NATO-led Stabilization Force in Bosnia (SFOR).

At a ceremony at Camp Butmir outside Sarajevo today, Schook assumed command, replacing U.S. General Virgil Packett, who held the position since October.

Schook will be the last SFOR commander. The European Union is due to take over peacekeeping duties in Bosnia later this year.

SFOR was deployed in Bosnia in December 1995 after a U.S.-brokered peace deal ended the civil war there.

(AFP/dpa)