Canadian Troops to Leave Srebrenica, Aid Crisis Deepens in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights -

In a significant development in the conflict-torn region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a small force of Dutch peacekeepers has arrived in Srebrenica, paving the way for the withdrawal of 150 Canadian troops from the besieged Muslim town. The Canadian troops will leave as soon as the Dutch company is fully deployed, marking a significant shift in the fragile peace efforts. Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis deepens, with the United Nations acknowledging that aid convoys are delivering significantly more food to Croats and Serbs than to Muslims, who are most affected by the war.

Key Takeaways:

  • 150 Canadian troops will leave Srebrenica as soon as a fully deployed Dutch company takes over, marking a significant step in the peace efforts.
  • A reconnaissance team of 18 Dutch peacekeepers has arrived in Srebrenica, with more troops to follow soon.
  • The Canadians will not be trapped in the town, with supplies continuing to flow in and soldiers able to take leave.
  • Aid convoys are delivering almost twice as much food to Croats and more than three times as much to Serbs as to Muslims, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis facing Bosnia's Muslim population.
  • The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed aid distribution figures cited by Bosnian Muslim Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic, who warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe".
  • The disparity in aid distribution is as follows:

+ Muslims: 2.9 kg of food per person in December, most in enclaves besieged by ethnic Serbs or Croats.

+ Serb-held territory: 4.31 kg of food per capita.

+ Croat-held territory: 9.61 kg of food per capita.

  • France renewed its plea for international diplomatic action to persuade Bosnia's warring factions to accept a negotiated settlement, despite an apparent rebuff by the United States.
  • French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur's Gaullist party is split on the issue, with some calling for the withdrawal of French UN peacekeeping forces from Bosnia.

Statistics:

  • 18 Dutch peacekeepers have arrived in Srebrenica as part of the reconnaissance team.
  • 150 Canadian troops are to leave Srebrenica as soon as the Dutch company is fully deployed.
  • Aid convoys are delivering:

+ 2.9 kg of food per person to Muslims in December.

+ 4.31 kg of food per capita to Serb-held territory.

+ 9.61 kg of food per capita to Croat-held territory.

  • The Canadian peacekeeping contingent in Bosnia-Herzegovina is to be replaced by a Dutch force.

Sources:

  • Canadian Press
  • AP
  • Reuter
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Bosnian Muslim Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic
  • French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur
  • US Secretary of State Warren Christopher
  • French counterpart Alain Juppe