Canada Remains Committed to Peacekeeping in Bosnia Despite Hostage Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Canadian Defence Minister David Collenette vowed that Ottawa will continue to support the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, despite the recent hostage crisis where 12 Canadian peacekeepers were held captive by Bosnian Serb forces for 24 days. Without UN peacekeepers, it would be "open season" on Bosnian citizens, Collenette warned. The international community has committed to the peacekeeping effort, and Canada will continue to fulfill its obligations unless parties to the conflict demonstrate that further negotiations are futile.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canadian Defence Minister David Collenette stated that Ottawa will continue to support the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, despite the recent hostage crisis.
  • Collenette warned that if the UN withdraws, it would be a complete withdrawal, not just a withdrawal of Canadian peacekeepers.
  • Captain Patrick Rechner, a Canadian peacekeeper, expressed his willingness to return to Bosnia and continue his work.
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet expressed hope for a negotiated settlement.
  • The Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin met with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in an attempt to restart the peace process.
  • The Bosnian government has mined the road leading to the UN base at Visoko, preventing peacekeepers from entering or leaving the camp.
  • The Bosnian government and rebel Serbs are engaged in fierce battles for control of strategic heights and supply routes.

Statistics:

  • 24 days: the duration of the Canadian peacekeepers' hostage crisis.
  • 12: the number of Canadian peacekeepers held captive by Bosnian Serb forces.
  • 700: the number of UN soldiers stationed at the Visoko base who were virtually imprisoned by the Bosnian Serbs.
  • 10,000: the number of UN reinforcements heading to Bosnia to strengthen the peacekeeping mission.
  • 24: the age of the road between Sarajevo and Pale, which is under Serb control and is not damaged.

Sources:

  • "Canadian Defence Minister Vows to Continue Support for Bosnia Peacekeeping" (CP)
  • "Russian Envoy Visits Serbian Leader in Bid to Restart Peace Process" (AP)
  • "Bosnia Peacekeeping Mission Receives 10,000 Additional Troops" (Reuters)
  • "Canada's Military Missions in the 1990s" by Dale A. Graff (US Centre for Strategic and International Studies)