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Soldiers

Britain Considers Boosting Troops in Bosnia Amid International Push for Peace

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As international efforts intensify to secure peace in parts of Bosnia, senior military sources indicate that Britain could send several hundred more troops to the region, potentially doubling its peacekeeping presence to about 5,000 men if the Government backs the UN's commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Rose, who is pleading for help to entrench the peace. The British move comes against a backdrop of frantic international efforts to bolster manpower to shore up the peace taking hold in parts of Bosnia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British Government is considering sending several hundred more troops to Bosnia, potentially doubling its peacekeeping presence to about 5,000 men.
  • A 900-strong battalion group, based on the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, is on standby for duty in Bosnia, with an advance party potentially flying out at the weekend.
  • The Army suggests that if the Government wished to commit more than a single extra battalion, it would be possible to sustain a brigade-sized force of 5,000 to 6,000 men.
  • Senior military sources believe that the opportunity to build on a nascent peace in Bosnia will be wasted unless the international community provides the resources and manpower needed to entrench the peace.
  • UN commanders are keen to receive an infusion of forces from Nato's 'first division' - the US, Britain, and France - but the US has consistently ruled out sending ground troops to Bosnia until an overall settlement is negotiated.
  • The Dutch are building up their contingent to 2,400 men, about the same as the present British contribution, while France is considering sending up to 800 more troops to bolster UN peacekeeping forces in Sarajevo.

Statistics:

  • 5,000: Potential number of British troops in Bosnia if the Government backs the UN's request for help.
  • 900: Number of troops in the battalion group, based on the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, on standby for duty in Bosnia.
  • 2,400: Number of Dutch troops building up their contingent.
  • 2,300: Number of French UN peacekeepers in Sarajevo.
  • 11,000: Number of soldiers requested by Gen Rose and Yasushi Akashi, the UN special envoy in former Yugoslavia.

Sources:

  • Britain's Prime Minister John Major
  • Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Rose, UN commander in Bosnia
  • Brigadier John Reith, Britain's representative in central Bosnia
  • Yasushi Akashi, UN special envoy in former Yugoslavia
  • Reuter, citing France-Info state-owned radio station
  • The BBC, quoting John Major
  • Ministry of Defence sources
  • Army sources
  • Senior UN officials
  • European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels
  • Whitehall sources

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