Netherlands to send 530 troops to Bosnia

THE HAGUE, Oct 1 (AFP) - The Netherlands are ready to send 530 troops to take part in operations of the European Union military mission in Bosnia next year, the foreign ministry said Friday.
The mission will replace the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) early next year. The EU plans to send 6,000 men in an operation codenamed Althea, which will be the biggest military operation undertaken by the 25-nation bloc.
Its job will be to keep the peace between Bosnia's different communities -- Croats, Muslims and Serbs -- in accordance with the 1995 Dayton agreement.
The Netherlands are already contributing 500 men to SFOR. Those taking part in Althea will serve in Bosnia for six months, the ministry said.