<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>CANADIAN PARTICIPATION IN SFOR IN BOSNIA AFTER JUNE 1998</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 28, 1998 No. 137</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN PARTICIPATION IN SFOR </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">IN BOSNIA AFTER JUNE 1998</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and National Defence Minister Art
Eggleton announced today that Canada will renew its participation in the new
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia after the
current mandate expires June 20, 1998.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The mission for the renewed SFOR was the subject of a United Nations Security
Council decision and was endorsed today at the Ministerial Meeting of the North
Atlantic Council in Luxembourg. SFOR will be an open-ended mission. This approach
reflects the international community's readiness to persevere in Bosnia until a
self-sustaining peace is achieved. The North Atlantic Council has proposed to
review SFOR at six-month intervals. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"As the Prime Minister noted during his recent trip to Bosnia, there has been
significant progress, but there remains much to be done," said Minister Axworthy.
"The continued presence of SFOR will provide the overall security and stability
necessary to various civilian projects aimed at rebuilding a functioning society
and government. Canada will continue to work to empower civil society
organizations and to promote basic human rights including freedom of movement and
property rights."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In November 1997, upon their return from a visit to Bosnia, a delegation of
members from the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
and National Defence and Veterans Affairs recommended that Canada continue to
serve in SFOR in Bosnia. At the Committees' joint request, Canada's contribution
was debated in the House on April 28, 1998.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Over the past seven years, Canadian soldiers have contributed significantly to
the multinational effort to establish peace in the former Yugoslavia," said
Minister Eggleton. "I am confident that they will continue to carry out their
duties in the new SFOR with their usual professionalism, energy and dedication."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">SFOR's primary mandate has been to maintain a secure and stable environment in
Bosnia in order to allow implementation of civilian aspects of the Dayton
Accords. Much has already been achieved as a result of SFOR's presence: peace has
been restored and the electoral process has been restarted.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The mission of the Canadian contingent in SFOR in Bosnia will be to monitor and
ensure compliance with the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The
Canadian force will also be responsible for providing broad support to the
international agencies responsible for the implementation of the civilian aspects
of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Canada deploys more than 1200 Canadian Armed
Forces personnel in Bosnia.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Nicole Bourget</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-3100</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Liaison Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-2353</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
</body>
</html>
