NATO leaders asked to back ties for Balkans trio

RIGA, Nov 29 (Reuters) NATO leaders will be asked to approve partnership plans for Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro at a summit today after the Netherlands dropped concerns about war criminals still at large, diplomats said.

''We have now agreed on Partnership for Peace without conditions and it will go to the heads of state and government for final approval,'' said one envoy after negotiations on the plans that are the first step towards membership of the defence alliance.

If approved, the move would represent a change in NATO policy.

The United States, Britain and the Netherlands in particular earlier insisted that Serbia and Bosnia show they were fully cooperating with the international war crimes tribunal in the Hague before making any move towards ties.

REUTERS PDM KN1538