United Nations to Withdraw 9,000 Troops from Bosnia-Herzegovina

Strategic Insights -

U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali announced the decision to withdraw over 9,000 U.N. peacekeepers from Bosnia-Herzegovina, citing a more stable military situation and a political process gaining momentum. The withdrawal is part of a larger effort to streamline the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the war-shattered Balkan state. A cease-fire agreement, set to begin on October 10, is expected to facilitate the reduction of U.N. troops from 30,500 to 21,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations will withdraw over 9,000 troops from Bosnia-Herzegovina, reducing the total number of U.N. Protection Force troops from 30,500 to 21,000.
  • The withdrawal will include the removal of many of the 8,000-strong, heavily armed Rapid Reaction Force troops.
  • The first step in the streamlining of U.N. troops in Bosnia will be the repatriation of about 4,000 troops from Bangladesh, Canada, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Britain.
  • Units from Malaysia, the Nordic countries, Pakistan, Spain, and Turkey will be downsized by up to 500 troops to conform to U.N. specifications for a generic battalion strength of 965 to 971.
  • Some troops will be relocated to other countries, but will remain on alert.
  • The decision to withdraw troops was made due to depleting funds for the maintenance of the troops.
  • The United Nations will remain in Bosnia until another force, such as a NATO-led multinational force, is in place to implement a final peace agreement among the warring parties.

Statistics:

  • 9,000: The number of U.N. peacekeepers to be withdrawn from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 30,500: The total number of U.N. Protection Force troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina before the withdrawal.
  • 21,000: The reduced number of U.N. Protection Force troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the withdrawal.
  • 8,000: The number of troops in the Rapid Reaction Force to be removed from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • 965-971: The U.N. specifications for a generic battalion strength.
  • 4,000: The number of troops to be repatriated in the first step of the streamlining of U.N. troops in Bosnia.

Sources:

  • "U.N. to Send Home 9,000 Troops from Bosnia", published in The New York Times, October 5.
  • "United Nations Press Release", published by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, October 5.