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United Nations

Canadian Prime Minister Rules Out Support for Lifting Bosnian Arms Embargo

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has ruled out supporting the lifting of the United Nations arms embargo on Bosnia-Herzegovina, stating that it would not lead to more peace. This decision comes as pressure mounts on the international community to address the ongoing conflict in Bosnia. Chretien's visit to Canadian troops in Bosnia has highlighted the complexities of the situation, with Bosnian officials expressing frustration over the lack of support from the outside world.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has ruled out supporting the lifting of the U.N. arms embargo on Bosnia-Herzegovina, citing concerns that it would not lead to more peace.
  • Chretien has refused to commit more Canadian troops to the peacekeeping effort until a long-term peace agreement is ratified by the warring factions.
  • Canada currently has approximately 2,000 soldiers serving with the United Nations in Bosnia.
  • Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic has expressed frustration over the lack of support from the outside world, stating that the international community should honor its commitments to forcing agreements through the use of NATO airpower.
  • Silajdzic has proposed placing U.N. troops on the border between Montenegro and Serbia, where he claims the main supply of arms flows into former Yugoslavia.
  • The introduction of a 62.5 mile (100 km) wide weapon exclusion zone has also been proposed, which Silajdzic believes would help achieve a balance of power between the warring factions.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 200,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Bosnia.
  • Over 1 million people have been displaced as refugees.
  • Canada has approximately 2,000 soldiers serving with the United Nations in Bosnia.
  • 7,000 French U.N. troops are being withdrawn, creating a potential vacuum that opponents of the Bosnian government could exploit.

Sources:

  • Byline: DANIEL YOVICH SARAJEVO, June 9
  • Newswires: (Edited by Natela Cutter in Belgrade)

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