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United Nations

Canada to Send Two Peacekeeping Battalions to Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced that the country will send two peacekeeping battalions to the former Yugoslavia on Monday to serve in the United Nations force in Bosnia-Herzegovina for another six months. This decision was made after discussions between U.N. officials and the leaders from the warring factions failed to reach an agreement on the scope and responsibilities of the peacekeeping force. The Canadian contingent of nearly 2,000 peacekeepers from the Royal 22nd Regiment will abide by any redeployment decision taken by U.N. commanders. However, the decision has been met with skepticism by opposition leaders, who argue that Canada's troops are ill-equipped and under great stress.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian government has decided to renew its commitment to the U.N. force serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina for another six months, sending two peacekeeping battalions to the region.
  • The new Canadian contingent of nearly 2,000 peacekeepers from the Royal 22nd Regiment will abide by any redeployment decision taken by U.N. commanders.
  • Bloc Quebecois Leader Lucien Bouchard has given the government his party's reluctant support for maintaining a force in the former Yugoslavia, but with conditions.
  • Reform Party Leader Preston Manning has urged the government to re-think Canada's role in the Bosnian conflict, citing concerns over the effectiveness and well-being of Canadian peacekeepers.
  • Defense Minister David Collenette has rejected Manning's request to withdraw, citing the difficulty of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the need for Canada to commit itself "indefinitely."
  • The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina is complex, with six suicides reported within the last six months at the Royal 22nd Regiment, prompting concerns over front-line stress and its potential link to these deaths.

Statistics:

  • Canada is currently engaged in 17 U.N. peacekeeping, observer force or humanitarian relief missions around the world.
  • The Royal 22nd Regiment has reported six suicides within the last six months.
  • The Canadian government has decided to commit itself to maintaining a force in the former Yugoslavia for six more months.

Sources:

  • ANDREW HUTTON OTTAWA,
  • The House of Commons
  • The Royal 22nd Regiment
  • The United Nations
  • Department of National Defence

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