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Peacekeeping forces

Canada Refuses to Negotiate for Hostage Release

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien has rejected a potential deal to secure the release of 55 Canadian soldiers held hostage by Bosnian Serb forces, demanding their immediate release instead. The Canadians have been detained for two weeks alongside over 300 peacekeepers from other countries, including France, Russia, and Ukraine.

The Canadian government has sent a delegation to Belgrade to seek the support of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in securing the safe release of the Canadians, but the outcome remains uncertain. The UN has already rejected the Serb offer to release the hostages in exchange for a guarantee that NATO would block further air strikes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien has refused to negotiate for the release of 55 Canadian soldiers held hostage by Bosnian Serb forces.
  • The Canadian government has sent a delegation to Belgrade to seek the support of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in securing the safe release of the Canadians.
  • The UN has already rejected the Serb offer to release the hostages in exchange for a guarantee that NATO would block further air strikes.
  • Relations between Serbian President Milosevic and Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic are strained, making it unclear what impact the Canadian statements will have.
  • The detentions could drag on, with UN spokeswoman Claire Grimes warning that talks between the UN commander in Bosnia, British Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Rose, and Serb leaders are at a stalemate.
  • The Bosnian Serbs have set conditions for the release of UN soldiers, including guarantees that NATO will not carry out further combat missions.

Statistics:

  • 55 Canadian soldiers are held hostage by Bosnian Serb forces.
  • Over 300 peacekeepers from France, Russia, Ukraine, Britain, and the Netherlands are also being held.
  • The Canadian tourists have been detained for two weeks.
  • 53 British and Dutch peacekeepers have been released by the Serbs.
  • 300+ peacekeepers are being held in addition to the Canadian soldiers.

Sources:

  • "Canada won't make deals to secure hostage release", by Paul Koring, European Bureau, Toronto Star, December 13, 1994
  • "UN rejects Serb offer", The Canadian Press, December 13, 1994

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