Canada Considers Pulling Peacekeeping Troops Out of Bosnia

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien revealed yesterday that his government is seriously considering pulling its peacekeeping troops out of Bosnia, citing a string of incidents where Serb soldiers have harassed and terrorized Canadian peacekeepers. The Prime Minister expressed frustration that other countries, such as France and Britain, are not contributing more to the UN peacekeeping efforts, despite the high cost of maintaining a large contingent of troops in the region.

Mr. Chretien's comments came as the Belgian commander of UN forces in Bosnia, Lieutenant-General Francis Briquemont, announced his intention to leave his post early due to exhaustion. The Canadian government has promised to keep its 2,000 soldiers in place until April, but the future of peacekeeping operations beyond that date remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways:

• The Canadian government is considering pulling its peacekeeping troops out of Bosnia due to a string of incidents where Serb soldiers have harassed and terrorized Canadian peacekeepers.
• Prime Minister Jean Chretien expressed frustration that other countries, such as France and Britain, are not contributing more to the UN peacekeeping efforts, despite the high cost of maintaining a large contingent of troops in the region.
• The Canadian government has promised to keep its 2,000 soldiers in place until April, but the future of peacekeeping operations beyond that date remains uncertain.
• The Belgian commander of UN forces in Bosnia, Lieutenant-General Francis Briquemont, is leaving his post early due to exhaustion.
• France has committed to keeping its 6,000 peacekeepers in the Balkans through the winter, but the commitment will be reviewed in the spring.
• The US, Britain, and France have provided the UN with the bulk of its peacekeepers in the Balkans.
• The cost of maintaining a large contingent of troops in the region is estimated to be almost $1-billion since mid-1992.