Canadian Prime Minister Visits Troops in Bosnia, Pledges Support

Strategic Insights -

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien flew to Bosnia yesterday to visit Canada's 700 peacekeeping troops, marking the first time a Canadian prime minister has visited troops in the war zones of the former Yugoslavia. Chretien's visit comes as the Canadian government is considering a visit to Bosnia this week or after the Group of Seven economic summit in Italy next month. The Prime Minister's visit aims to show appreciation and support for the troops, who are from the Calgary-based Lord Strathcona's Light Horse Regiment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien visited Canada's 700 peacekeeping troops in Bosnia, marking the first time a Canadian prime minister has visited troops in the war zones of the former Yugoslavia.
  • The Prime Minister's visit aims to show appreciation and support for the troops, who are from the Calgary-based Lord Strathcona's Light Horse Regiment.
  • The visit comes as the Canadian government is considering a visit to Bosnia this week or after the Group of Seven economic summit in Italy next month.
  • The Prime Minister linked the soldiers in Bosnia to the Canadians who participated in the D-Day invasion, stating "There is the same spirit and the same determination that animated those brave soldiers who, 50 years ago, came on to the shores of Normandy."
  • The possibility of security problems led to the consideration of canceling the visit, but a government official stated that Mr. Chretien now wants to go before meeting the other world leaders in Naples.
  • The Prime Minister also expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict in Yugoslavia and urged the United States to become actively involved in finding a peace solution.

Statistics:

  • 700: The number of Canadian peacekeeping troops in Bosnia.
  • 50 years: The time frame since the D-Day invasion.
  • 1: The first time a Canadian prime minister has visited troops in Bosnia.
  • 4-hour: The duration of Mr. Chretien's visit to Visoko.

Sources:

  • The Globe and Mail
  • Reuters news agency