UN Security Council Denies Discussion of Pulling Out Peacekeepers from Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights -

Despite speculation fueled by France's demand for a withdrawal plan, members of the UN Security Council have denied discussing the removal of the UN peacekeeping force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Britain's Ambassador David Hannay reiterated his government's stance that withdrawal would be considered only if the UN weapons embargo is lifted and Bosnian factions settle their war. France and Britain, the largest troop contributors to UNPROFOR, have threatened to recall their troops if a comprehensive settlement is not reached to end the ethnic conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council has denied discussing the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping force in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • France has demanded the UN present details of a possible withdrawal plan, fueling speculation of a potential pullout.
  • Britain's Ambassador David Hannay stated that the issue of pulling out UNPROFOR was not raised during the Thursday morning meeting of the council.
  • France and Britain have threatened to recall their troops if no comprehensive settlement is reached to end the ethnic conflict between Bosnian Serbs and the Bosnian Muslim-Croat federation.
  • Russian Ambassador Sergey Lavrov stated that as long as UNPROFOR continues to implement U.N. resolutions dealing with the Balkan conflicts, 'We believe UNPROFOR is doing a good job.'
  • UNPROFOR was initially sent to Croatia in the spring of 1992 and later extended to Bosnia-Herzegovina to address the conflict.
  • Currently, there are close to 40,000 U.N. soldiers deployed in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Statistics:

  • 23,000: The total strength of the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 3,600: The number of troops contributed by France to the 23,000-strong UNPROFOR force.
  • 40,000: The approximate number of U.N. soldiers deployed in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
  • 1992: The year UNPROFOR was initially sent to Croatia to address the conflict between Croats and Krajina Serbs.

Sources:

  • United Nations, "UN Security Council Denies Discussion of Pulling Out Peacekeepers from Bosnia-Herzegovina" (no date provided).
  • Reuters, "UN Security Council Members Deny Discussing Pullout of Bosnia Peace Force" (no date provided).
  • The New York Times, "UN Peacekeeping Force in Balkans Faces Threats of Withdrawal" (no date provided).
  • UNPROFOR, "Facts and Figures" (no date provided).