'No war' in peace force

BLOEMFONTEIN (AFP) - The commander of South Africa's all-race peace-keeping force admitted yesterday that it was struggling to fight racism within its ranks, but discounted reports of chaos.

'Naturally there have been teething problems,' said Major-General Gabriel Ramushwana of the National Peace- keeping Force (NKPF). 'It's not an easy business. We come from different sides, sides that have bitterly fought each other.'

The force of 3,500 has thrown together erstwhile enemies from the Defence Force, the African National Congress and personnel from black homelands. The force, under the jurisdiction of the transitional authority overseeing government in the run-up to April's election, has the task of keeping peace during the poll.