Washington -- Given the variety of threats facing U.S. soldiers in Kosovo, the commander of the U.S. peacekeeping force there says the lack of casualties among his troops can be largely attributed to good mine awareness training.

At a Pentagon briefing July 13, Brigadier General John Craddock told reporters, "Every time I say that, I have do something superstitious like knock on wood...but in terms of situational awareness...they're alert, they're vigilant. We continually talk about never let your guard down; always be alert.

"We operate in a wing-man concept," he added. "Never a single vehicle out there; there are at least two vehicles, two people in each vehicle everywhere we go."

There is never a soldier "out of sight, out of earshot....So I think that goes a long way with force protection," he said.

Craddock said the troops are still finding landmines although there are not as many "strikes" in the U.S. sector. On the day of the briefing there were four reports of unexploded ordnance. He said U.S. soldiers dispose of them if they need right-of-way or if there is a humanitarian need by a local family. "We find these; we're marking these, and they will be taken care of once the demining program begins," he said.

Asked about reports of U.S. soldiers coming under fire, perhaps from disgruntled KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) members or others who are unhappy about Russia's support of the Serbs and U.S.-Russian cooperation, Craddock said there have been "a couple of events," but he does not think there is any type of "coordinated effort" by such groups.

He continued, "We have some lawless elements, either UCK (KLA) rogues...or just a bad lot out there." He said U.S. troops are "pretty active," moving into areas where they are threatening lawless individuals' livelihood and "drawing their fire."

The commander of U.S. peacekeepers said the United States is using "the Bosnia model" in communicating, liaising and operating with Russian soldiers in the area, adding, "We plan to conduct joint patrolling as much as possible." He said their relationship has caused some peaceful protests from Albanians.

A law and order system has been set up to adjudicate cases of people detained for crimes, the general said. Statements are taken and within 48 hours a staff judge advocate holds a hearing to determine whether the evidence is sufficient for detainment.

"Recently a magistrate system has been organized by UNMIK, the UN Mission in Kosovo," consisting of local judges, he said. They are on a traveling circuit to review each case and either confirm or deny it.

"To date they have approved all our findings for detention" and have agreed that those who have been detained will be kept until a court system is established, he said. Some of the people have been released on their own recognizance in view of the fact that it may be weeks or months before that judiciary system is in place, he noted.

Any action to be taken under the civil administration is coordinated with his civilian counterpart, as assigned by UNMIK, Craddock said.

Asked about the police system, he said there are approximately 37 international policemen on the ground who will be part of the international police force. The majority will carry weapons and enforce all policing functions. Another part will be administrative and will include Special Police and Border Police.

With regard to a local police force, to be called the Kosovo Police System, KPS, application forms are being distributed for people to apply for jobs, Craddock said. Applicants will be reviewed and vetted and interviews will be conducted by the UN police commissioner, who is from Denmark; candidates will be chosen from these applicants for training in a Police Academy.

In August the academy will teach its first class which will have 160 students. A six-week program will graduate police personnel who will move out into Kosovo's villages and towns. Subsequent courses will increase to as many as 500 students, Craddock said.

After graduation, the police will be required to attend subsequent training sessions while on-the- job for the next year.

"The thought here is that the six weeks plus the mandatory one-week training session will give them a thorough rounding out and some on-the-job experience," Craddock said, "so they will be fully capable of conducting police activities and the international police force would at that time be withdrawn."