A ban on all training and movement activities was imposed on the Butila unit of the Federation Rapid Reaction Brigade from 28 November 1997 until 31 January 1998 because of non-compliance during the municipal election and threatening behaviour. Over the reporting period, SFOR monitored 65 demining operations, which resulted in the removal of 52 anti-personnel mines and 2 items of unexploded ordnance. SFOR has developed a training programme for instructors and team leaders in order to enable the entities to run their own courses in February and March, with the aim of increasing the number of deminers in the spring. The courses for the Bosnian Serbs and the Bosniacs started in Banja Luka and Tuzla, respectively on 24 December, with 30 students in each. The Bosnian Croat course started on 5 January in Mostar with 16 confirmed students.
Reports indicate high student quality, enthusiasm and positive results.
Although the number of demining operations for the past month has been low, overall compliance is deemed satisfactory, in view of the personnel and demining equipment in use in the courses and given the bad weather and the holiday period. Cooperation with international organizations 15. SFOR also continues to participate in the OSCE election results implementation committees at the national and regional levels. I B of the Peace Agreement. The aim of this initiative is to enable the parties to use the tanks for mine-clearance work without fear of violating their arms control agreement.